Crystal Mines NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action

Crystal Mines

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1989
GenreAction
DeveloperColor Dreams
PublisherColor Dreams
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 5

Crystal Mines is an action game released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Color Dreams.

It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales.

Color Dreams also made Baby Boomer, Menace Beach and Raid 2020 for the NES.

Crystal Mines supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Crystal Mines is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Crystal Mines gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Crystal Mines cheats & codes

1 codes on file (Game Genie). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite LivesSUVKAAVI

See all Crystal Mines cheats

Crystal Mines walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Crystal Mines.

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Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Crystal Mines FAQ

When did Crystal Mines come out on the NES?

Crystal Mines was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.

Who made Crystal Mines?

It was developed by Color Dreams.

Is Crystal Mines multiplayer?

Yes. Crystal Mines supports up to 2 players.

How long does Crystal Mines take to play?

As an action game, Crystal Mines typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Crystal Mines on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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