Hello and welcome to the first instalment of the new Lost Gems feature, where I will be discussing games that are no longer able to purchase. Here I will be talking about these lost games, giving an overview of them, alongside some personal thoughts. So for this first entry, I want to share what may be considered one of the best pinball games of the 16-bit generation, Devil Crash MD for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (known as Dragon’s Fury in western territories).
Disclaimer: while these games are not officially sold, there are ways to get this software, either through the second hand market, or through digital roms and rips. I do not condone or promote piracy, there will not be links to any roms/rips of the games discussed.
So with that out of the way, let’s get started. My main experience with the game is with the Japanese Release, so I will be referring to the game with the name used for that region. This game was also released in an altered form on the PC-Engine and TurboGrafx-16, alongside a virtual console version on the Wii, which has since been delisted.
About the game
Devil Crash MD is an arcade pinball game, which uses a three tiered table system and a dark occult theme. The basic objective of the game is to score as many points as possible, using the flippers to hit as many bumpers and targets as possible. The table itself is split into three sections, with a set of flippers at the bottom. The targets that appear aren’t the traditional bumpers or drop targets, being replaced with various horror themed enemies.
These include skeletons, dark wizards and other monsters, giving the player more points as they are hit. Then there are the large field elements, with the iconic sleeping princess in the center of the middle field, which is affected by the player’s actions. As the player hits the princess and the pockets that are on the center table, the princess will gradually transform into a lizard demon. This is what the game is most known for.
In the lower field, there is the dragon and skeleton watcher, who will follow the ball with its eye. When hit enough, the dragon will breathe fire and the skull will laugh when the player loses a ball. In the middle of the lower portion of the table, there is a turret that the player can send the ball through. If the player can successfully hit this, the gap between the bottom flippers is covered acting as a safety, alongside the kickbacks that can be activated.
Then we have the upper field, containing a pentagram in the center (censored into various star shapes in different versions), overseen by a large skull and translucent wormlike creatures. If the player manages to get the ball into a ramp, the opening at the bottom will be blocked. While in this section of the table, druids will appear and circle the center pentagram, changing color and speed when entering the pockets in the corner of the section.
The main table is how the player will earn points for the most part, hitting the different enemy targets and racking up bonus points. But this is not the only way to rack up a high score. During each play, the player will be able to enter bonus stages which act as boss stages for the game. All of the bonus stages have one thing in common, hit the targets that appear on screen, while trying to avoid the ball falling through the flipper gaps.
To activate the bonus stages, the player must hit set targets on the different areas of the main table. These include entering the mouth of the dragon when hit enough times, as well as through the jaws of the princess when she has been fully transformed. When a bonus stage has been completed, the player will get a big score bonus and a multiplier when they return to the table. If the stage is failed, the player gets a smaller score boost based on performance.
There are 6 stages on the board, which can be cleared in any order. But if the player is able clear all of them, the player will be able to progress onto the final battle stage. This is what separates Devil Crash MD from other fantasy pinball games of the time. Exclusive to this version of the game, the player will be able to fight the Demon Lord. This battle features two phases, where they must hit the boss and deplete all of his health.
During this battle the player must ensure they don’t fall out of the bottom, as they will lose a life (ball) and if all are lost the game will be over. To give the player the best chance at success, the player can get extra balls on the main table, unlocked when special requirements are met. There is also a last chance bonus when the last ball is lost, where the player must match the last digit to get one final to try and beat the game.
The last thing to discuss is the password system, where players can save their progress during play. This is perfect for players who want to play the game in short bursts, allowing for the ability to pick up and continue. There are also secret passwords that can be used, allowing for special modes to be accessed, including time challenge where players get 3 minutes to get the best score. There is even an “Easy Mode” giving the player 99 balls to play.
Personal Thoughts
I have fond memories of the Mega Drive version of Devil Crash, as well as the original PC-Engine release. This is from the golden age of home pinball games, where there was an emphasis on creativity, making them more than the simulations of the time. The emphasis on the occult theme, multi-tiered table and bonus stages really elevate the experience, offering something that was rarely seen at the time.
The way that the game progresses, with the bonus stage system has been lost from modern pinball games. This blew me away when I first played the game, being able to battle dragons, monsters and evil wizards. There is so much depth to the game, with the unique theme, gameplay loop and the excellent soundtrack. Speaking of the soundtrack, the music itself is a real highlight of this release, as it made the most of the Mega Drive sound chip.
There is something so unique about this experience, with visual style that really pushed the boundaries of the hardware. The amount of detail in the dark fantasy and horror elements, alongside the creepy monsters on the table and bonus stages, made the most of the 16-bit system. Compared to what was available in the digital pinball space at the time, this stands out as highly polished and responsive pinball experience.
It is a special title that started my love for pinball in general, being a title that I return to quite often. I wish that there were more games like this in the Pinball genre, as the market is flooded with simulations and recreations of real tables. There is a gap in the market of pinball games for more games like Devil Crash, which was filled when Demon’s Tilt was released. But new games like it are few and far between, which is unfortunate.
This is one of those rare titles that has a cult following, with the obscurity of it not causing the price to dramatically rise. The game can be found for an affordable price, with the Dragon’s Fury version being available at a lower price. It is unfortunate that this game has not received a re-release, as it is a special title that deserves to be seen. Sadly the game may never see an official release again, as the companies that were involved have since become defunct.
If you enjoyed this piece, please check out the other content I have created. Also, keep an eye out for the other new features that will be coming to this site soon, as well as more instalments in this new series. So hang out and see what else gets your attention.
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