Wiz 'n' Liz

There are games that do whatever they please, and Wiz 'n' Liz is one of them — crazy, colorful and so fast it makes your head spin. This idiosyncratic blend of action and logic-based fun sends the wizard duo Wiz and Liz chasing hopping rabbits around the screen and gathering ingredients for potions, and the whole thing runs at a pace that doesn't grant even a second's rest.

The core of the gameplay is ingeniously simple: you rotate through the level, snatch the fleeing critters and then assemble the collected ingredients in a cauldron into magic words that trigger all sorts of effects. The faster and cleverer you collect, the better the rewards. It is an addictive cycle of catching and brewing that rewards nimble fingers and a quick eye, and in two-player co-op it grows into a beautifully chaotic race for ingredients.

Visually, Wiz 'n' Liz bets on a candy-colored palette, rounded shapes and a cute humor that sets the game apart from the era's competition focused on action and gore. It comes across a bit like the embodiment of a child's sugary dream, yet with hidden depth in the form of secret bonus games and words to be discovered and memorized. Beneath the friendly surface hides a surprisingly meaty portion of content.

On the Mega Drive it was a title that did not rank among the loudest hits, and today we can boldly call it a small cult treasure for players seeking something original. It is exactly the kind of game whose idea no one else quite repeated — distinctive, energetic and unmistakable.

Whoever gives Wiz 'n' Liz a chance will quickly understand why those who remember it keep it in their hearts. It is no monumental epic, but a brilliant little arcade trifle that knows exactly what it wants to be and serves up that fun with an ear-to-ear grin.

Why play it: For an original, insanely brisk blend of catching and spell-brewing that is joyfully chaotic in co-op and a pleasantly unexpected entry in the Mega Drive retro library.