Ancient Ruins is the fifth stage of Sparkster (SNES).
Description[]
A pyramid lies among the vast desert sands, full of magical traps waiting to punish those who enter- but plenty of rewards lie within.
Details[]
This difficult stage contains the most complex traps in the game. The stage begins outside the pyramid as scimitar-wielding Wolves and robot suits attack Sparkster. Inside the pyramid Sparkster must rush down a diagonal passage before a crystal ball crushes him. A shortcut here will take the player to a room with flame-spewing statues and fruits instead.
Both routes lead to a maze. A moving shaft with three passages occupies the centre, the available passage can be cycled by passing revolving tiles. The horizontal passage leads to the opposite side, the diagonal connects a left-side room its opposite one floor below, and the vertical connects a left-side room to its opposite two floors below. To leave this area, simply pass from the main entrance down the diagonal shaft, or use the vertical shaft if you entered via the shortcut. However, exploring the available rooms leads to rewards.
Horizontally opposite the main entrance is a room with many gems, but magical blue flames will reverse the directional controls while Sparkster is inside. Taking the diagonal passage from here leads to the shortcut entrance, and opposite that is a dead end with an exploding vase trap. Through the diagonal passage from this dead end is a different statue, which offers gems and fruit, but then bombs if one spends too long there.
Using the vertical passage from the maze entrance leads to the bottom-most room, where a 1UP can be found but the floor gives way if Sparkster does not leave quickly. Using the diagonal passage from that room leads to one with bats and lots of gems. From here, the horizontal passage will lead to the exit.
Once the player is through the maze, the Octopus Robot appears and sweeps across the floor with spiked tentacles, which Sparkster should jump over. After a few hits it becomes airborne and the tentacles move up and down. Sparkster should attack when the tentacles are facing away from him. After this is a strange room where moving platforms cross a pit of spikes, and flame-spewing pieces hold a large triangular rock aloft. Sparkster should destroy the pieces, but then quickly move out of the way to avoid being crushed by the rock. Heading into the passages opened above, he has to roll crystal balls over spikes. The game’s second Mysterious 1UP can be found in a hidden room above these passages. Lastly, Sparkster must ride a rotating transparent platform up to exit, but be careful as it will crush him against spikes if he does not disembark as soon as the exit appears.
Outside, the Fire Wyrm appears. This robot flies after Sparkster and spews flame breath. He should attack its head- and beware, as destroying any other segments causes the robot to divide in two. If too many new Fire Wyrms are created, this fight can become very difficult.
Accessibility through Difficulty[]
| Easy Mode | Normal Mode | Hard Mode | Very Hard Mode | Crazy Hard Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |