Crystalis is an action RPG that SNK developed and published for the Famicom, released in Japan on 13 April 1990 as God Slayer: Haruka Tenkū no Sonata. The North American NES version followed in July 1990. Kazuto Kohno directed and produced it, and Yoko Osaka wrote the music.
The story is set in 2097, one hundred years after a global war in 1997 pushed civilization back to a medieval way of life. The hero is a scientist who wakes from cryogenic sleep with no memory. Two of the sages who guide him, Kensu and Asina, are based on Kensou Sie and Athena Asamiya from SNK's Psycho Soldier. IGN later ranked the NES version 42nd among the top 100 NES games.
In 2000 Nintendo Software Technology made a reworked Game Boy Color version, released only in North America on 26 June 2000, with a new plot and soundtrack. The original NES game returned in the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, released on Switch in November 2018 and on Steam on 7 June 2019.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Crystalis | NES | July 1990 | SNK | 2 |
| NA | CrystalisReworked port by Nintendo Software Technology, licensed from SNK; released only in North America | Game Boy Color | Jun 26, 2000 | Nintendo | 2 |
| JP | ゴッド・スレイヤー はるか天空のソナタGoddo Sureiyā: Haruka Tenkū no SonataFamicom | NES | Apr 13, 1990 | SNK | 1 |
| WW | SNK 40th Anniversary CollectionCompilation including the NES version | Switch | November 2018 | — | 2 |
| WW | SNK 40th Anniversary CollectionCompilation; Xbox One version followed on 2019-05-02 | PlayStation 4 | Mar 19, 2019 | — | 2 |
| WW | SNK 40th Anniversary CollectionSteam | Windows | Jun 7, 2019 | — | 3 |
Also known as: ゴッド・スレイヤー はるか天空のソナタ JP1God Slayer: Haruka Tenkuu no Sonata JP4SNK 40th Anniversary Collection WW2
Box art by region
NA Crystalis
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GameplayFamicom (JP)NES (NA)
The Japanese cartridge has a cheat mode with invulnerability, all items and fast walking, turned on by holding A and B on the first controller while switching the console on. The North American release disables it.4
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ContentFamicom (JP)
Only the Japanese version hides four messages from the developers, which can be seen after the ending with the cheat mode active.4
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TextGame Boy Color
The Game Boy Color port has a new opening and a reworked plot: the Tower becomes the villain's weapon, the hero is a figure of prophecy, his default name changes from SNK to Simea, and Draygon becomes Dragonia, as in the Japanese version.2
Translations
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English Official
SNK1990NES · Japanese versionReleased · complete
The English version was released in North America in July 1990 as Crystalis.2
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
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Steam Purchase
SNK 40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
Compilation with the NES version of Crystalis
Checked: 2026-10-133store.steampowered.com
Reception
Critics praised the NES version's graphics, music and story but found the gameplay repetitive. IGN ranked it 42nd among the top 100 NES games, and Nintendo Power placed it 115th in its December 2005 Top 200. The Game Boy Color port was mostly seen as inferior because of its lower resolution, changed plot and new music.2
Sources
- 1ja.wikipedia.org
- 2en.wikipedia.org
- 3store.steampowered.com
- 4tcrf.net
- 5nintendolife.com
- 6store.steampowered.com
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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