Magical Chase

There are games that are legendary for their quality, and then those that became famous mainly for their price tag — Magical Chase curiously belongs to both categories at once. This horizontal shmup from 1991 by studio Quest (published by Palsoft) is today one of the most expensive and rarest games ever, with a complete copy in its original packaging selling for thousands of dollars. Its notoriety thus often outpaces the game itself.

And that's a shame, because beneath the collector's-relic label hides a truly beautiful and playable little gem. Magical Chase leans on a cute, fairy-tale aesthetic — you play as a little witch flying on a broomstick — and combines it with a smooth, pleasantly manageable shooter. Visually it's a feast for the eyes: colorful backgrounds, detailed sprites, and a soft, almost hand-drawn touch that sets the game apart from the harsh sci-fi shmups of the era.

The gameplay system is built around star companions that orbit your character and can be positioned as both defensive and offensive aid — you can use them to absorb enemy fire or send them out to attack. This mechanic gives the game tactical depth without feeling overwhelming, and keeps it in an accessible but still entertaining register. The music and overall tone underscore that light, playful mood.

The reason for its astronomical price is simple: it shipped in a minuscule run and collector demand drove it sky-high. For the average player, emulation is in practice the only sensible way to reach it. This in no way diminishes its gaming value — it merely separates the joy of play from the fetish of a rare medium.

Magical Chase is proof that a shmup doesn't have to be a harsh endurance test of reflexes to be fun. It's a graceful, artistically tuned title that deserves to be known more for how nicely it plays than for how much it costs.

Why play: A gorgeously crafted, accessible shooter with a fairy-tale atmosphere — a gaming experience that outshines even its notorious collector's price.