Crystal Castle 6-1-84

This is one of the last versions of Crystal Castles that was worked on before the 84 layoffs.  This version isn't as complete as the version that was pirated on BBS's (that version most likely came from a programmer that left Atari weeks after this version was burned), and has a few quirks.  The biggest difference in this version is that Bentley is invincible, which takes all the challenge out of the game.  There is also a bug in this version that puts gems on top of elevators in certain stages such as 2-2.  The graphics for these gems are then erased when the level starts, but are technically still there and need to be collected to complete the stage.  This bug can affect other stages that have elevators as well.

Differences

The level shown on start up is always the first level instead of a random level.

Bentley is invincible although a death sound is played

There is no music

Bentley isn't shown wearing the magic hat when he grabs it

The characters remain on the screen while switching boards

If a sound is playing when Bentley finishes the level it will hang and then finish playing when the next level starts

If Bentley grabs the magic hat right before finishing a level the hat sound will continue playing on the next level

There is no "Got the last gem!" message between boards

Bentley's graphic doesn't change when he goes behind things

There are no bees

The ghost is a light gray instead of white

The secret tunnel on level 1-1 is always visible and on the wrong wall.  It also doesn't work!

There's a tunnel missing on level 1-3

You can't start the game with the fire button

There is a bug that causes gems to be drawn on top of elevators in certain stages such as 2-2.  These gems are invisible but still need to be collected to advance.

The text of the title screen has the lines One Controller and One Player swapped

The ending isn't programmed yet.  After level 10-1 the game loops back to level 1-1.

 

Notice how there is no life counter?	Bentley's graphics do not change when he goes behind things
Notice the circled gems?  They should not be there	It looks like I'm done, but I still need to collect the invisible gems on the elevators
All the levels are here	Even The End (although there is no actual ending)
Notice how the ghost is gray instead of white?	Another level with the invisible gem bug

 

Return to Crystal Castles