Crystal Quest shoots onto Xbox 360 Arcade

Latest game for Xbox 360 now available for download; full version of simple shooter costs 400 Marketplace points ($5).

Those who owned Apple's Macintosh computers in the late 1980s likely remember two things--the smiling Mac that greeted users when they booted up, and spending hours upon hours playing Crystal Quest. The first Mac game in color, Crystal Quest was also one of the first arcade-style shooters that incorporated the use of the mouse, then still a new computer accessory, into gameplay.

Patrick Buckland, the game's original author, is giving today's gamers a chance to play the classic. His new company, Stainless Games, today released Crystal Quest for the Xbox 360 Live Arcade. The game has received an audio and visual overhaul, and is available for download as a free trial version or a full version for 400 Marketplace points ($5).

Crystal Quest's premise is simple. Players guide a sphere through rectangular playing fields while collecting crystals, dodging mines, and shooting enemies. Once all the crystals have been collected, the exit to the next level opens, and the difficulty ramps up.

On its Web site, Stainless Games promises that Crystal Quest for the Xbox 360 will feature downloadable content packages to customize the game, as well as a playable remake of the original.

34 Comments

  • azizrulez

    Posted Feb 8, 2006 8:40 am PT

    that doesnt sound too interesting does it?

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Feb 8, 2006 5:50 am PT

    $5 is too much. that game was great back in the day on the good 'ol mac.

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Feb 8, 2006 5:48 am PT

    AWESOME! How about Bookworm?

  • chaos_theory_09

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 10:28 pm PT

    I want to play bungie's first game ever on xbox live, anyone else know what it was? A rip off of pong, with the clever name of GNOP. But Crystal Quest looks cool too.

  • b0gard

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 4:48 pm PT

    actually ea has the marvel rights not capcom anymore. not sure how it would work out but im sure they can release marvel vs capcom and stuff like that

  • slow-pc

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 4:32 pm PT

    Nice, another great game to play!

  • Khimarhi

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    Never played it but it sounds like its worth the trial at least. . still can't wait until Street Fighter II

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 4:16 pm PT

    That was a great game on the Mac, I still remember playing it.

  • spydrman5472

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 4:08 pm PT

    In regards to Microsoft having the right to Marvel's characters I'm pretty sure that is blatantly false. Activision actually has the rights to Marvel's characters/games. Check the recent news regarding who is making the new Marvel RPG (I'll give you a hint, it's Activision) not to mention most of the recent Marvel games like X-Men Legends and Spider-Man. I think Punsiher is THQ but then again I could be wrong. Sorry Optimusv2.

  • Optimusv2

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 3:48 pm PT

    Marvel vs Capcom 2 will definetly be making its way onto xbox live arcade at one point or another since microsoft is currently in business with capcom and microsoft has the rights to the marvel characters.

  • NnyCW

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 3:17 pm PT

    Fun, though probably the easiest of these "Robotron 2084-style" games released thus far for the Live Arcade. Not to say it's bad, it is indeed quite fun.
    For only $5, it's very much worth it.
    And yes, either Halo Zero, or better yet, some classic 2D side scroller shooters (Metal Slug, Gunstar Heroes, ect.) along with some shumps and the Arcade would be even better.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:49 pm PT

    So many fun little arcade titles are being released

  • cyprus646

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Optimusv2

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:15 pm PT

    Nevermind geometry wars is still a much more hardcore and addicting type game even though they have some similarities.

    It appears that geometry wars wont be matched until street fighter, but even that I believe will have trouble unseating geometry wars. Its the xbox live arcade's halo

  • Optimusv2

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    Oh man... I just tried the demo i have to buy it i'll just add more points later for streetfighter

    Microsoft has a damn good thing going here with xbox live arcade i've never had so much fun playing such games.

    I mean pdz multiplayer is amazing and I also enjoy the single player, i'm addicted to doa 4, cod 2 etc and I'm still undecided on what to mess around with geometry wars those guys or all the other nice arcade games.

  • Fragmaster3000

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    When are we gonna get the cool 3D games from small develpers?

  • Buck_Hotep

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:59 pm PT

    Crystal Quest shall be downloaded and played tonight!

  • Optimusv2

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    I'm VERY tempted, but I gotta hold out with my points until streetfighter II hyper edition is out

    If streetfighter hyper edition is only 400 points then i'm all over crystal quest.

  • balindos

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Never thought I would say this but the Xbox Live Arcade is DOPE.. Nintendo Revolution is going to do good in the next generation due to thier virtual console. Sony better think of something like this or they will be left out. When more 360s are out thier will be more games. No point in releasing your game just yet when thier is a shortage.

  • doggymon

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Geometry Wars!

  • lookbehindyou

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:40 pm PT

    yeah get smash t.v. also and bejeweled is fun when you want something simple and fun...also marble madness is real fun

  • snowbrdr1119

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:33 pm PT

    i just got my 360, any suggestions for games to get from the marketplace?

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    Halo Zero is too amateur. Go play some good Japanese side-scrollers on your Genesis, Neo Geo, SNES or even GBA for a proper 2D shooter. Take away the Halo sound effects and properties from Halo Zero, and you're left with a blahverage little shooter.

  • trj156

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    b0gard maybe because arcade games dont take years to develop

  • Roy4501

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:15 pm PT

    Go Arcade. Cheap, fun games for when i'm frustrated at DOA

  • Roy4501

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:15 pm PT

    Go Arcade. Cheap, fun games for when i'm frustrated at DOA

  • Erebus

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:14 pm PT

    Meh, from the demo that I played I can say that it's "ok," but I think Geometry Wars tapped the market for this game already. Buying Crystal Wars would be purchasing an inferior product. .

  • b0gard

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    umm how bout they start releasing games on the 360 as oppsed to xbox live arcade? dont get me wrong they may be fun games but i didnt exactly buy a 360 to play games from the 70 or 80's

  • Donkeljohn Site moderator

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    The arcade for Xbox wasa drag. . . but 360 has taken a bad idea and turned it into a hip, interactive nursery.

  • Snipes33

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    ^yeah, keep em coming

  • AA7

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    Why dont they put Halo Zero on Live! That would be an instant hit.

  • joeamis

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:02 pm PT

    Nice, keep bringing em MS.

  • TimSpot GameSpot staff member

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 1:00 pm PT

    It was a sick sick sick game for the Mac. Hope it translates well on the 360!

  • Niceguy876

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    Meh, nice to have another game, but I wish I would have heard of it before.

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