Terranigma
↘ 12%
😊 8.1/10
(Super Nintendo - PAL, RPG)
Other Editions:
Big Box
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Complete
$293.16
Loose $45.81
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Developed_By:
Quintet Co. Ltd.
Published_By:
Enix
Released On:
20 Oct 1995
The planet known to its inhabitants as Earth is composed out of two realms - the surface, or Lightside, and the underground world, or Darkside. Two cosmic forces, called God and Devil by the humans, were fighting each other fiercely until their final battle in Antarctica led to a catastrophe: the continents of the surface world submerged into the ocean, presumably eradicating all life on the Lightside.
Meanwhile, the isolated underworld, consisting of frozen crystal mountains and lava rivers, continues to exist. A young boy named Ark grew up in Crysta, the only remaining village on the Darkside. One day, he and some other boys hear mysterious voices coming from beyond a door the village elder forbade them to open. Unable to resist their curiosity, the boys open the door, and Ark finds a box with a strange creature inside. By opening the box, Ark inadvertently causes all the villagers to be turned into stones. In order to bring them back to life, Ark has to find five towers within the dangerous Darkside and eventually restore life on the surface of the planet.
Terranigma is an action role-playing game. Ark levels up after having completed an important quest or cleared out an area. He can attack enemies with various weapons, using different techniques: pierce, leap, dash, etc., resulting from the combination of three basic actions - attacking, running, and jumping. Special objects called Magirocks can be collected and converted into rings, which act as one-use items capable of casting magic spells.
The game is closely connected to and often regarded as part of a trilogy, along with Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia . It was released on the Super Nintendo console in December 1996.
UPC-A:
045496330460 (Germany)
UPC-A:
045496330484 (Spain)
eBay Product ID:
56238630 (Australia)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNSP-AQTD-NOE (Germany)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNSP-AQTF-FRA (France)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNSP-AQTP-AUS (Australia)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNSP-AQTP-EUR (United Kingdom)
Nintendo Media PN:
SNSP-AQTS-ESP (Spain)
Part #:
SNSP P AQTS [SNSP-AQTS-ESP] (Spain)
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Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Miscellaneous Attributes:
Battery Backed RAM
Prices as of 19 Sep 2026
Typical $293.16–$311.28 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Origin of Life is a fantasy adventure game that follows Ark, a mischievous teenager who leaves his village to resolve a self-induced crisis. As he travels through time and space, the player helps Ark resurrect the planet's continents, restore all forms of life, and rebuild civilization following an ancient apocalyptic war.
Story
Origin of Life
A boy's curiosity triggers events that lead to the resurrection of life on this planet.
Ancient History
In the distant past, a calamitous struggle between light and dark took place on this planet. The clash of the two opposing powers scorched the planet's surface entirely of life, and the two forces fell into a deep sleep.
The World Within
In the world on the inside of the planet, there exists just one small village of Crysta. Ark, a mischievous teenage boy, somehow causes a crisis in the village that makes it necessary for him to leave.
Ark's Journey
His trip to save his fellow villagers eventually becomes a journey across time to resurrect the planet. On his epic journey, Ark must resurrect continents, revive all forms of life, and re-establish civilization.
What fate awaits Ark at the end of his journey?
Enemies & Characters
Ark
An upbeat, free-spirited teenager whose opening of a forbidden box sets off an epic chain of events, drawing him by destiny to break a magical seal.
Elle
A friend since childhood and the village's best weaver who understands Ark, watching over his frequent bouts of mischief with a kind and caring eye.
The Elder
The mysterious creature released from the magical seal and the one who knows all of the world inside.
Yomi
The mysterious creature released from the magical seal and the one who knows all of the world inside.
Fyda
A female knight guarding a princess.
Meilin
A girl who can read the emotions of people.
Bloody Mary
A sinister supernatural foe with evil eyes that can freeze Ark in his tracks.
Cadet
An extremely tough monster that is protected by brilliant jewels while freely controlling a savage cursed mask and can teleport at will.
Maduu
A wayward spirit inhabiting ancient, but extremely tough armor that makes it almost impervious to attack.
Basilisk
A huge, lizard-like monster that uses its thick tail to constrict victims.
Yeti
A mysterious ape of remarkable intelligence and size whose massive forearms can deliver devastating punches.
How to Play
Getting Started
Your Journey Starts in Crysta
During or after the opening, press START. The Restart screen will appear if you have any saved files. Choose the file you want to play to continue the journey where you last saved. If it is the first time playing, the Name Entry screen will appear so you can name your hero.
Take a Stroll Through Crysta
The village is populated by people and animals, featuring several houses and cottages. Use the A button to open doors, speak to people, and check things.
•
The Elder's Mansion: The Elder raised the orphan Ark. You should speak to him first to find out what you should be doing.
•
The Weaver's Cottage: Located at the north of the village, this workshop is where Ark can find his childhood sweetheart, Elle.
•
The Village: Take a stroll through the village, visit homes, and chat with people, animals, and others.
Saving and Loading Files
You can save games in progress by checking notebooks found at inns in towns and villages using the A button. Notebooks can also be found elsewhere. To resume a saved game, choose the save file and press the A button.
•
Copy Data: Select Copy Data with the A button, then select the data to be moved. Move the cursor to the destination file and press A. You can only move data to an empty file.
•
Erase Data: Use this command to erase unwanted files when all slots are filled or data is no longer necessary. Beware, erased data cannot be recovered.
Shopping
Useful items can be bought in Crysta, towns, and villages. Speaking to a shopkeeper displays the merchandise, quantity, price, and your money. Merchandise that cannot be bought appears dark. You can carry only nine units of any one item.
The Tower
Towers are Over-run by Monsters!
Towers are badly infested by monstrous beasts. You must defeat those impeding your path and keep moving forward. Defeating monsters earns money and causes Ark to level up after certain numbers of monsters are defeated.
Solve Perplexing Mysteries and Head for the Top Floor
Towers contain numerous traps, including mazes, moving floors, and hidden spring-loaded spears. Use jumps, dashes, and other tricks to navigate. If you get stuck, try everything you can possibly think of to solve the mysteries and head for the top.
A Monster May Hide the Soul of a Living Being
Sometimes, defeating a certain monster frees a soul. If one appears, stop and talk to it. It should tell you something useful.
The Tower Guardian and the Resurrection of the Surface World
At the top floor of a tower, its Guardian stands before a door. If Ark meets the Guardian's challenge, the door to the final room opens. This room is key to resurrecting a lost continent.
"Ark, You have done well. I will lead you to the final room."
When Ark enters the final room, the resurrection of a continent begins. A new continent emerges where nothing existed before. Ark's adventure in that tower is finished. Head for the next tower.
The five towers serve as switches for resurrecting a single continent. When all continents have emerged, Ark's adventure moves from the underworld to the surface world.
On this day, Africa was resurrected.
Ark's Actions
Fight Attacking Monsters!
When you encounter a monster, the battle begins. As this is an action game, attack the opponent while trying to avoid getting hit. Press the A button to attack with the equipped weapon. If a strike hits an enemy, the damage inflicted is shown momentarily.
Combine Buttons for Powerful Attacks!
Pressing buttons in combination with the basic attack launches powerful strikes. Try attacking while dashing or jumping.
•
Rushing: Rapidly tap the A button. Effective against well-defended enemies.
•
Slicer: Attack while dashing. Effective against fast-moving monsters.
•
Spinner: Attack while jumping. Effective against opponents up above.
•
Slider: Jump and attack while dashing. Effective against foes built low to the ground.
Defeated Monsters Leave Money
When a monster is defeated, it sometimes leaves money behind. Step on the money to collect it. If you don't scoop it up, it will disappear.
•
Coin
•
Ingot
Gain Experience by Fighting to Level Up!
When Ark levels up, his maximum life (hit points), attack strength, defensive strength, and luck rise.
Check Data That are Essential for Battles
•
(1) Level: Ark's present level.
•
(2) Item: The item that is presently equipped.
•
(3) Life: Ark's present life level (hit points).
•
(4) Money: The amount of money in Ark's possession.
*The locations of these four data headings can be changed at the Settings Memo.*
Defending & Others
Guard Against Enemy Attacks!
Press the R button to guard against an enemy attack.
•
Successful guard
•
Failed guard
Guard Only Protects Against Projectiles
Guarding provides no protection against close-range enemies. It only protects against projectiles. Use guard to block projectiles while moving closer, then attack when within range.
Other Action Patterns
•
Throw: Press the A button in front of a vase, boulder, or similarly sized object to pick it up. Move around while holding it, then press A again to throw.
•
Throw at
Controls
Control Pad
Makes Ark move in eight directions
L Button
Talking to people, opening treasure chests, checking and so on
Select Button
Instantly puts you into and out of the jewel box
Start Button
Pause the game
R Button
Make Ark assume a guard position
X Button
Use the item that you have equipped
A Button
Attack using a weapon
Y Button
Dash while walking
B Button
Jump on the spot
Items & Weapons
Crystal Spear
A spear made from crystals. Sharp and hard, this spear can inflict severe damage.
Hexagon Rod
A wooden rod carved down to a rigid hexagonal cross section.
Stone Spear
A stone spear made by chipping at an extremely hard boulder.
Thorn Spear
A spear garnished with wicked thorns of wild roses all along the shaft.
Ra Spear
A mystic spear fashioned from a branch of the Ra Tree, the lord of all plants.
Icepick
A needle sharp rod carved out of an icicle.
Neo's Fang
A powerful spear tipped with a fang supplied by Neo, the king of all animals.
Cure Bulb
Restores Ark's life (hit points) slightly when used.
Miracle Bulb
Restores Ark's life (hit points) substantially when used.
Crystal Thread
A thread spun from crystals. Elle will weave Ark a cape using this material.
Poison Cure
Cleanses the body of poison.
Stardew Herb
An enchanted herb that instantly lifts any curse.
Life Potion
Increases Ark's life by adding to his maximum hit points.
STR Potion
Increases Ark's offensive strength.
Sapphire
One of the jewels Ark will obtain during his journey.
Tips & Maps
Sealed door at the Elder's mansion
Stand in front of vases in the room to interact with them, as pressing A directly on the door will not work.
Climbing the first tower
Look for a portal on the third floor or find a means of climbing the external wall to reach the fourth floor.
Stairs in the second tower
Look for two statues with differently colored gemstones in their foreheads, as indicated by a soul after defeating a certain monster, and interact with them.
Throwing vases at distant switches
Throw a vase from a height to increase the distance it travels and trip the switch.
Climbing the fourth tower
Jump into black chasms with blind courage to find a way to the top.
The last tower guardian
Visit Crysta to see what changes have taken place there, as the awakened folk will help your quest.
Voting in Loire
Seek the informed advice of Dr. Keinz to determine the right candidate for Loire.
Using boats and planes
Raise the civilization level so people gain the know-how to build them; planes only operate at airfields and ships only at harbors.
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