Magical Chase is a shoot 'em up game released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1991. It is known for its colorful and whimsical art style, as well as its challenging gameplay. In the game, players control a young witch named Ripple, who must fly through various stages and defeat enemies using her magical broomstick. **One of the standout features of Magical Chase is its unique power-up system**. Instead of the conventional power-ups found in most shoot 'em ups, Ripple collects gold coins dropped by defeated enemies. These coins can then be exchanged for power-ups at a shop that appears between stages.
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Here you can buy better weapons, more hearts that represent your health, and even a must have potion that refills all your hearts when all your hearts are depleted. The colored building blocks foreground and mid-background found in the Japanese version have been replaced by a more detailed medieval castle, and the furthest background now features a distant sunset and a more shaded green country side.
These coins can then be exchanged for power-ups at a shop that appears between stages. This adds a strategic element to the gameplay, as players must decide which power-up to purchase based on their play style and the challenges they are currently facing. The stages in Magical Chase are diverse and feature a wide range of enemies and obstacles.
Magical Chase (TurboGrafx 16)
To kick off my journey to review every TurboGrafx 16 and PC Engine game, I decided to go with a cute little game called Magical Chase! When I first discovered the TG16/PCE through emulation, I took to Twitter for some requests. Oddly enough no one requested this one. I discovered it on my own and it’s one I return to frequently. Because of that I decided to go with Magical Chase as it’s fun and to kick this off on a happy note.
You play as a cute little witch named Ripple on a journey to fix what she had wronged. She wasn’t supposed to open her teacher’s book: “The Forbidden Book of hidden Demons.” If she did her teacher would turn Ripple into a frog. Of course she does because the game needs some sort of setup, so you must go out and catch the six demons that escaped when she opened the book.
Magical Chase is a shmup and also could be described as a cute em up. The bright crisp graphics are what caught my attention and the fantastic game play helped make this game a favorite of mine. At least so far. I am fairly early into this! The controls are basic and responsive, hold down button 1 to shoot while button 2 orbits the little star helpers known as Topsy and Turvy around Ripple. Each press of the button moves them in a different area which is great for back attacks. You can also press in any direction and press button 2 and Topsy and Turvy will lock in place. Every stage requires a different tactic and discovering that is part of the fun!
This isn’t the hardest shmup out there but it can be irritating at times! Dodging stuff wasn’t that bad in this game! How you succeed in the game depends on your weapons. Enemies leave behind gems that count as currency. The bigger gems of course are worth more and there are various colors as well. Occasionally you’ll come across a floating shop that has a Pumpkin Head hot air balloon. Here you can buy better weapons, more hearts that represent your health, and even a must have potion that refills all your hearts when all your hearts are depleted. I can’t stress that this potion is a must have! Buy it as soon as you see it! As the levels go on the shop’s weapons get better and of course more expensive. Be sure to upgrade your weapons and experiment with different kinds often! Some levels can be completed a lot easier by having the correct weapon equipped! Oh did I mention the shop owner is Pumpkin Head?
Luckily not the scary horror movie Pumpkin Head.
The music is pretty good. When I first discovered TG16 and PCE games via emulation, I was amazed at the graphics and sound quality of these games. So much more impressive than the NES that was out during the same time. The NES dominated here in the USA back then and sadly I never experienced these consoles back then. I do intend to start collecting but I’m getting off topic here. After “Seal 3” the game begins to pick up in difficulty so you’ll soon find yourself humming tunes from the level you have to play over and over. Thankfully this is one of the more forgiving shmups out there! You have infinite continues and the only penalty is that your highscore gets reset. You still get to keep the current weapon set up you had when you died!
If you keep at it you’ll eventually get through the levels. Those unlimited continues sure are a blessing! I discovered that Magical Chase is a pretty short game. It only has six levels or “Seals” as the game calls them. The last seal is basically a mini bosh rush level until you confront the end boss. (No spoilers!) I really liked Magical Chase. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t played it and likes shmups. It’s one game on the Turbografx 16 I can see myself returning to quite often!
Final Verdict:
- Cute, bright graphics that are pleasant on the eyes
- Easy to learn controls and very responsive
- Infinite continues and you keep weapons after death
- Great pick up and play game with high re playability
- A good shmup for beginners of the genre
Score: 5/5
Behold! Quite possibly the rarest and most sought after TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine game ever made.
Players must navigate through floating islands, underwater caverns, and even outer space. Each stage culminates in a boss battle, where players must use their acquired power-ups and quick reflexes to defeat a challenging opponent. The art and music in Magical Chase are often praised for their quality and charm. The graphics feature detailed and vibrant pixel art, with each stage having its own distinct visual theme. The music is catchy and fits the whimsical tone of the game perfectly. Overall, Magical Chase is a **captivating and challenging shoot 'em up** that stands out from others in the genre. With its unique power-up system, diverse stages, and charming presentation, it remains a hidden gem among TurboGrafx-16 games..
Reviews for "A Magical Soundtrack: Music and Audio in Magical Chase on TurboGrafx"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I have to say, I was really disappointed with Magical Chase on the TurboGrafx. The game is marketed as this amazing magical adventure, but in reality, it's just a repetitive and dull shoot 'em up. The graphics and music are mediocre at best, and the gameplay lacks any depth or innovation. I expected much more from a highly acclaimed game, but it fell way short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I can't believe the hype around Magical Chase on the TurboGrafx. It's honestly one of the worst games I've ever played. The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating and difficult to navigate through the levels. The enemies and bosses are uninspired and repetitive, and the overall gameplay feels stale and unengaging. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this game.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - Magical Chase on the TurboGrafx was a big letdown for me. The levels are incredibly short and lack any real challenge. The power-ups and abilities are underwhelming, and the game doesn't offer much variety or excitement. I was bored after just a few minutes of playing and couldn't find any motivation to continue. The graphics and sound are decent, but they can't make up for the lackluster gameplay. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone looking for a fun and engaging experience.
4. Laura - 2/5 stars - I don't understand why people praise Magical Chase on the TurboGrafx so much. Sure, the game has cute visuals and some catchy music, but that's about it. The gameplay itself is repetitive and gets old quickly. It lacks any depth or complexity, making it feel like a mindless button-mashing exercise. Additionally, the difficulty level is all over the place, making it frustrating to progress through the game. I was left feeling disappointed and bored, and I definitely won't be revisiting this title anytime soon.
5. Alex - 1/5 stars - Magical Chase on the TurboGrafx is an overrated mess. The controls are clunky and imprecise, making it incredibly frustrating to navigate and dodge enemies. The level design is uninspired and lacks any creativity or challenge. It's just a mindless and boring shooter with nothing exciting to offer. I regret wasting my time and money on this game and would not recommend it to anyone. Save yourself the disappointment and skip Magical Chase.