Magical Drop is a series of anime-style arcade puzzle games that are kind of like a mix of Puyo Puyo (or Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, see my post on that one) and Bubble Bobble/Puzzle Bobble. Like Puzzle Bobble the colored circular bubbles drop down from the top of the screen in stacks and the character/characters you are given grabs them and arranges them in their corresponding color to eliminate them from the screen to progress to the next level.
When the first game was released to English speaking countries its name was changed to Chain Reaction, although thankfully when these were released to the consoles they changed it back to the original name (I think?).
The characters are based off of the characters from tarot cards, drawn in a super-deformed anime style. As the series progressed the game began to add elements that would make each release different. Like the third one incorporating a board game element to its adventure/story mode.
In the first game you were only given the Fool character to play and if I remember correctly by the second game you were given the option of various other characters to play as.
My favorite from the first game to the third installment was definitely the fool, especially in the third game when they kind of made him look like a little kid holding a cat. It was hysterical to watch the character react and freak out when you were about to lose.
The gameplay is pretty intense, which I love about it for a puzzle game. There are moments depending on which game, and what level you are at when things become challenging, but a lot of fun to the point that you cannot stop playing. I was fortunate that the arcade in our neighborhood had this at the time. I would sink quarter after quarter to play. Nowadays I play this game series on emulator, because just trying to do the whole arcade setup would be tremendously expensive.
Magical Drop is definitely one of my favorite puzzle game series. I still love playing whether I am by myself or have a friend over.
The Heretic
This game sounds quite fun. I love playing Bust-a-move, so I guess I’d enjoy this one as well.
One thing I can definitely say about these games is they are very addicting.
Oh yes..
Speaking of addicitive puzzle-games.. have you tried Zuma from Popcap games? I think you would enjoy that one if I haven’t tried it already. Not only is it fun to play, but the visuals are great too. It also contains many different play-modes. I bought it through Steam.
Yes I have. For some reason I didn’t like it as much, it was all right, but I just couldn’t get into it.