Atari's "Crystal Castles" first appeared in arcades in 1983.
5,380 units of "Crystal Castles" were produced. The units included both upright and cocktail cabinets.
At the start of the game, Bentley has 5 lives.
Play "Crystal Castles" and find the many secrets, tricks, and warp zones hidden throughout the game!!!
Is Bentley Goosing The Dude In This Flyer?!?! You Be The Judge!
-The game was originally supposed to be a variation on the mega-hit "Asteroids" and the working title was 'Toporoids' (from TOPOgraphics and asteROIDS). It featured a one-legged robot and/or a spaceship placed in 3-D mazes lined with asteroids and the goal was (of course) to shoot them. The mazes were similar to those in "Crystal Castles".
-One unique feature of this game is that the initials entered after obtaining a high score are used as part of one of the levels of the next game played. (See the initials FXL in the top screenshot. These letters change based on the ones entered from the last high score.
Did you know that FXL are the initials of Franz Lanziger, one of the game's designers?
-One of the more amusing features of the game is the fact that Bentley Bear 'cries out' in a distinctive manner when a life is lost, based upon how many lives remain. This is done by the use of word balloons similar to those used in cartoons published in newspapers. If three or more lives remain, he says "BYE"; if two lives still remain, the quotation is "OH NO"; if one life is left, it is "OUCH"; and finally, for the last lost life (which ends the game), he says "#?!", so as to imitate an obscenity.
-This very well might be the first arcade game with a true ending, as in, a 'victory' condition.
-Bentley Bear's name was 'Braveheart Bear' in the game's early development. Instead, the name Braveheart Bear belongs to a Care Bear..
-Not to be confused with this Crystal Castle
-All of the musical themes in the game are from works of classical music. The tune when you first start the game and the bonus life music, are both from The Mephisto Waltz by Liszt. The last gem bonus music is from one of the scenes in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. And, the triumphant theme played when you complete level 10 is of course from The 1812 Overture, again from Tchaikovsky.
If you are looking for juicy "Crystal Castles" knowledge, then check out this link. It covers everything!!! Awesome stuff!
Mark Alpiger's Crystal Castles Page!!!