Magical Drop Pocket

Magical Drop Pocket is the handheld version of one of the fastest-paced puzzle series of the nineties, and on the Neo Geo Pocket Color it became a game tailor-made for short but intense matches. The concept differs from most of the competition in that the player doesn't stack anything from top to bottom, but instead controls a little character below the playing field who can pull marbles from the bottom of the columns toward himself and then toss them elsewhere. Three matching colors stacked together vanish, taking everything that was resting on top of them with them, so a well-prepared move can trigger an avalanche.

The difference from calmer puzzle games lies in the pace. Magical Drop plays out at lightning speed, rows of marbles are pushed down from above, and the player has to decide instantly, often within a fraction of a second. The reward is chain reactions that dump extra rows into the opponent's field and can end a match within seconds. The game offers a campaign against computer opponents inspired by tarot cards, a survival mode, and a two-player duel, which is clearly the most entertaining form of the whole concept. The need to keep track of the entire field while acting quickly creates the pleasantly stressful rhythm the series became famous for.

Visually, the game relies on bold colors and cartoonish characters with big eyes who comment on the match with grimaces. On the small screen the marbles remain clearly distinguishable, which is essential for such a fast game. The music is energetic and helps keep up the frantic pace. At the time, the game was regarded as one of the better conversions of the arcade puzzle classic to handheld hardware, appreciated especially by players who found traditional puzzle games too slow-paced. Today it's still one of the fastest puzzle games you can carry in your pocket, and its main strength, the instant readability of its rules, hasn't aged a bit. At the same time, it's a game that's cruel to deliberate players, since a moment's hesitation is punished immediately. Anyone who gets used to the rush gets a puzzle game with such pace that most of the competition looks like a leisurely stroll next to it.