Magical Drop 2

"Taking versus puzzles to new heights"

The Magical Drop series is a twist on the traditional setup established by puzzle games of old. Instead of arranging falling objects in an effort to prevent them from reaching the top, the objects are already on the top and must be cleared before they can lower to the bottom. One controls a small character in order to take the stacked orbs from the top and subsequently toss them upwards, replacing them so that least three orbs of the same color are aligned vertically, clearing them from the field. It takes some getting used to, but will become second nature after a little experience. The game is over when any orb reaches the bottom or either player has cleared a specified number of orbs.

This specific game is an SNES port of the arcade Magical Drop II, which added new characters (which admittedly don't dramatically change the game at all, but are fun to use regardless) and improved the engine in both speed and smoothness. The port includes all of the original arcade's features and also throws in a few extra characters and settings for additional fun.

Gameplay: 9/10
I initially didn't think much of Magical Drop. It seemed like a neat spin-off of other puzzle games, but that was really it. Then I tried versus mode with another person and was completely blown away. The game is more frantic and fast-paced than any other puzzle game I have ever experienced. Setting up combinations becomes a constantly demanding task while each combination of orbs your opponent clears sends your own orbs plummeting downwards. Working under pressure is strongly emphasized, more so than other versus puzzle games.

That said, the end result is unbelievably fun. You'll find yourself panicking as your screen fills up more quickly than you could have imagined, and then laughing as you send your opponent to a crushing defeat just as hastily as you were ready to admit yours. The sheer rush from being on the edge so often can last for hours at a time.

Playing solo can be rewarding as well, though it will never feel quite as energetic as versus does. A story mode is present, allowing the player to take on a roster of AI characters of varying wits. Unlike other versus puzzles, the difficulty scaling is fairly reasonable, starting out easy and becoming gradually more difficult as progress is made. The AI is no pushover by any means, but you will usually find a chance to react before it begins stomping your character to the ground.

Game Mechanics: 7/10
Those familiar with Magical Drop II in the arcade will find that the SNES port is noticeably slower than the original. It is still very playable and not game-breaking in the slightest, but the decreased speed will produce a different feel and can have an effect on combinations in some cases. For some reason, orbs tossed upwards seem to hesitate before hitting the top, which can throw you off if you're not expecting it.

The gameplay is left almost entirely intact, though, and should still be highly enjoyable. The control of your character is a non-issue and can do whatever you need without strain.

Visuals: 7/10
Instead of generic unused space, the backgrounds depict currently active characters with a nice anime style. The characters will show various expressions depending on the events taking place, and so the background will remain animated in a way that shouldn't be distracting to the player. The real action is clearly represented and easy to visualize while in the heat of a match.

Audio: 6/10
Each character has a unique Japanese voice as well as their own list of exclamations they will use as the match progresses. The voices serve to give each character a personality and add life to the game without actually affecting gameplay. The game's music is fitting but not entirely special in itself.

Replay Value: 8/10
If you don't intend to play against another person, take off a couple points here. Versus mode is the heart of the game and can create hours of frenetic gameplay that somehow never gets old. In addition to the standard match up, there are even two other types of versus games to change up the action a bit. Handicaps and difficulty settings are included for players of unequal skill, though serious players will likely refuse to use them.

There are extra features for single players such as Single Mode, in which the game goes endlessly until the player collapses, and Puzzle Mode, a series of levels challenging the player to clear specific formations as quickly as possible. Both of these modes, however, pale in comparison to the thrills and madness found in versus (be it against the AI or another person).

Final Rating: 7/10
This is a solid port of the original Magical Drop II. It isn't arcade-perfect, but comes close enough to be considered worthwhile. By itself, it is a fast-paced and frenzied versus puzzle game that is downright fun when it comes down to it. If you've got another person to play it with, by all means, give Magical Drop II a shot.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/18/06