Demon's Crest

The gameplay is a mix of action platforming and mild RPG elements. The stages are divided into six areas and can be played multiple times. The game also has Metroidvania elements, where the player must revisit a level with new Crests to enter areas, items, and boss fights that were previously inaccessible. There is also a map for navigation.

Firebrand's main abilities are his fire breath, claws for clinging onto walls, and wings to hover in the air (though he cannot gain height early in the game). As he collects Crests, Firebrand can transform and gain new powers that are specialized for combat and exploration: Ground Gargoyle, Aerial Gargoyle, Tidal Gargoyle, Legendary Gargoyle, and Ultimate Gargoyle. Other items to collect include extra hit points, flasks and spell vellums for using consumable magic items, and talismans that can improve Firebrand's abilities.

The story revolves around the Crests, six magical stones which preside over their respective elements (Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Time and Heaven). When all crests are combined, the Crest of Infinity will appear, allowing its holder infinite power and the ability to conquer every realm with it. The demons of the Demon Realm have long fought each other for possession of the Crests, five of which have since fallen into the hands of a red demon named Firebrand. Seeking infinite power, Firebrand challenges a Demon Dragon for the Crest of Heaven and is victorious, though badly wounded. In his weakness, a rival demon named Phalanx ambushes Firebrand and takes all the Crests except the Fire Crest, that shatters into five shards, one of which Firebrand retains.

As the game begins, Phalanx has already started using the Crests to become the ruler of the Demon Realm, while Firebrand is imprisoned in an amphitheater and forced to fight the zombified Demon Dragon, Somulo. After escaping the amphitheater, Firebrand sets out to regain the Crests and get revenge on Phalanx. Along the way, Firebrand is repeatedly challenged by Phalanx' general, Arma, who grudgingly returns most of the Crests to Firebrand out of respect for his power.

According to Famitsu, Demon's Crest sold 24,427 copies in its first week on the market and 26,245 copies during its lifetime in Japan. Nintendo Power reported that the game suffered negative sales in one week, as more people returned it for a refund than purchased it. It was considered a commercial failure internally at Capcom.

4/30 score in a readers' poll conducted by Super Famicom Magazine. The game also received generally favorable reception, holding a rating of 87% based on five reviews according to review aggregator GameRankings. Electronic Gaming Monthly's four editors applauded the beautiful visuals and complex gameplay. GamePro's Captain Squideo praised its macabre graphics and complexity of the gameplay, particularly the use of the acquired abilities, but criticized the repetitive music and lack of variety in enemy attacks.