Crystal Mines (USA) (Unl)

Crystal Mines is a classic action-puzzle game for the NES, putting players in the role of a skilled digging robot tasked with unearthing precious crystals deep underground. The game takes place on single-screen levels, each a complex maze filled with dirt, rocks, crystals, and numerous obstacles.

The primary objective for players in Crystal Mines is to collect all the required crystals in each level. Players control their robot, moving and digging through dirt blocks. However, digging is not straightforward. Rocks and other objects can fall if nothing supports them, posing a danger to your robot or blocking your path. Players must carefully consider each move, calculating whether digging a certain block might cause an undesirable domino effect.

Beyond falling rocks, players also face various types of enemies such as slugs, ghosts, and other creatures that move in specific patterns. Touching them will cause your robot to lose a life. Some levels also feature dangerous environmental elements like lava, water, or acid, which can instantly destroy the robot. Players must find ways to navigate these hazards or cleverly use the environment to eliminate enemies.

To assist players, Crystal Mines provides several power-ups. The most crucial are bombs, which can be used to destroy hard blocks that cannot be dug through or to eliminate enemies. However, bombs are limited in quantity and must be used strategically. Other items include extra lives, temporary invincibility, or other tools that help players complete their mission.

Once the required number of crystals is collected, an exit will appear, and players need to find their way to it to complete the level and advance to the next. With dozens of intricately designed levels, Crystal Mines demands a combination of logical thinking, quick reflexes, and planning ability to overcome all challenges.