Magical Chase
{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Magical Chase
|image = Magical Chase video game cover.jpg
|developer = Quest
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Palsoft|NA|Turbo Technologies}}
|designer = Hiroshi Minagawa
|artist = Hiroshi Minagawa
|composer = Hitoshi Sakimoto
Masaharu Iwata
|platforms = TurboGrafx-16, Windows, Game Boy Color
|released = TurboGrafx-16{{vgrelease|JP|November 15, 1991|NA|April–May 1993}}Windows{{vgrelease|JP|April 10, 1998}}Game Boy Color{{vgrelease|JP|August 4, 2000}}
|genre = Scrolling shooter
|modes = Single-player
}}
{{nihongo foot|Magical Chase|マジカルチェイス|Majikaru Cheisu||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1991 horizontally scrolling shooter developed by Quest and published by Palsoft and Turbo Technologies for the TurboGrafx-16. The game stars a young witch apprentice named Ripple, who broke a promise to her teacher by accidentally releasing six demons from a forbidden book, joined by her star companions Topsy and Turvy on a quest to catch and seal the demons back into the book.
Magical Chase was created by most of the same team at Quest that would go to work on Ogre Battle and Final Fantasy Tactics. The game was released in Japan in 1991 amid Palsoft's closure, resulting in a low print run before being re-released by Japanese magazine PC Engine Fan via mail order. It was graphically altered for its late 1993 North American release at the end of the TurboGrafx-16's lifecycle. It is considered by gaming journalists as one of the rarest, most valuable and sought-after TurboGrafx titles.
Magical Chase was met with positive reception from critics since its initial launch; it was praised for its colorful cartoon-like presentation, graphical effects, lack of slowdown, sound and gameplay. Retrospective commentary has been positive, with praise given to the use of parallax scrolling that pushed the TurboGrafx-16 to its limits. It was ported to Microsoft Windows in 1998 and Game Boy Color in 2000.
Gameplay
Magical Chase is a horizontal-scrolling shoot 'em up game similar to Cotton and Gradius. The game stars a young witch named Ripple, an apprentice who broke a promise she made to her witch teacher by taking a peek inside a forbidden book and freeing six demons.{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/magicalchase/magicalchase.htm|title=Magical Chase|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=2021-03-11|archive-date=2016-02-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229160026/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/magicalchase/magicalchase.htm|url-status=live}} Unless she can catch all six and get them back inside the book, the witch will turn Ripple into a frog. Ripple sets off on her quest with her two elf-star friends known as "Star Maidens": Topsy and Turvy, both of which act as satellite-like options.Magical Chase manual (TurboGrafx-16, US)
There are a total of six levels in the game which can be played on easy, normal or hard difficulty settings. Only the first three can be played on the easy difficulty setting. As enemies are destroyed, they leave behind different colored gemstones which serve as the game's currency. During each level, a shop appears where power-ups, health, and extra lives can be purchased. Touching obstacles and the ground does not kill the player but it does impede progress. If the player gets trapped behind objects at the left-hand side of the screen, "scrolling damage" will occur. Every stage is presented with the name of the mid-boss encountered, and keeping with the magic theme, is titled as a magical seal. Each level has a mid-boss and end-boss.
Development and release
Magical Chase was developed by most of the same team at Quest that would later go on to work on Ogre Battle and Final Fantasy Tactics.{{cite magazine|last=Loe|first=Casey|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_4_Issue_10#page/n114/mode/1up|title=Gen-32 Japan Soft: Final Fantasy Tactics|magazine=GameFan|volume=4|issue=10|publisher=Metropolis Media|date=October 1996|page=111}}{{cite web|last1=Sakimoto|first1=Hitoshi|author2=Winkler, Chris|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/features/interviews2005/index4.html|title=RPGFan Exclusive Interview #4: Hitoshi Sakimoto, composer, Basiscape|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=2021-09-07|archive-date=February 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218102024/http://rpgfan.com/features/interviews2005/index4.html|url-status=live}} Hiroshi Minagawa served as art director and game designer of the project.{{cite web|url=http://www.playonline.com/archives/psgame/vagrantstory/flb/stuff/04.html|title=Vagrant Story: from the Development Team|publisher=Square|date=2000|access-date=2021-03-11|archive-date=2002-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020808122651/http://www.playonline.com/archives/psgame/vagrantstory/flb/stuff/04.html}} The soundtrack was co-composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (under the alias "Rezon"), with Sakimoto being requested by Iwata to work on the project.{{cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/sakimoto/biography.shtml|title=Hitoshi Sakimoto :: Biography|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|date=July 4, 2008|access-date=2021-02-11|archive-date=2010-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712143139/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/sakimoto/biography.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Kermarrec|first1=Jérémie|author2=Jeriaska|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/features/iwata-interview/index.html/|title=Interview with Masaharu Iwata|publisher=RPGFan|date=September 15, 2008|access-date=2021-09-07|archive-date=December 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230141146/http://rpgfan.com/features/iwata-interview/index.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/199/G019900/20130206069/|title=STG「VECTROS」「マジカルチェイス」のサウンドトラックCDが2月26日に発売|work=4Gamer.net|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=February 2, 2013|access-date=2021-03-10|language=ja|archive-date=2016-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030075542/http://www.4gamer.net/games/199/G019900/20130206069/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Napolitano|first=Jayson|url=http://www.destructoid.com/magical-chase-soundtrack-is-finally-something-you-can-own-249140.phtml|title=Magical Chase soundtrack is finally something you can own - Early music by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata|work=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=March 20, 2013|access-date=2021-03-10|archive-date=2015-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906091216/http://www.destructoid.com/magical-chase-soundtrack-is-finally-something-you-can-own-249140.phtml|url-status=live}} Iwata said that it was a joy composing music for "such a good game", as he did not face struggle with the PC Engine hardware during development, regarding it to be the shooting game he liked the most scoring.{{cite magazine|author=GERTRACK!|title=Geki On! > Shooting Game Music & Shooting Game Video ARCHIVE:【ゲーム音楽】ベイシスケイプ作曲家インタビュー|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=1|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=17 October 2010|pages=88–95|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373486}} ([http://shmuplations.com/basiscape/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184041/http://shmuplations.com/basiscape/|date=2019-09-14}}).
File:GBC Magical Chase GB - Minarai Mahoutsukai Kenja no Tani e.png
Magical Chase was originally launched for the PC Engine in Japan by Palsoft on November 15, 1991.{{cite magazine|title=魔女っ子シューティング|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=3|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=24 September 2011|pages=81–98|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373714}} Prior to release, the game was demonstrated at the 1991 Tokyo Toy Show during summer.{{cite magazine|last=Nauert|first=Donn|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboPlay_US_08.pdf&page=26|title=Tokyo Toy Show — Summer 1991|magazine=TurboPlay|issue=8|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=September 1991|pages=24–29}} Because of Palsoft going bankrupt at the time of its release, the title received a small print run and became a premium item in Japan due to being difficult to find.{{cite web|last=Mori|first=Atsushi|url=https://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/wakiba/find/1114656.html|title=価格は24万円! 幻のPCエンジン向けゲーム「マジカルチェイス」が入荷、しかも未開封品|work=AKIBA PC Hotline!|publisher=Impress Corporation|date=April 3, 2018|access-date=2021-03-10|language=ja|archive-date=2020-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026225821/https://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/wakiba/find/1114656.html|url-status=live}} In response to the large demand from consumers, Japanese magazine PC Engine Fan re-released it as a "Fan Edition" via mail order. The game was initially slated for a November 1992 launch in North America before being published by Turbo Technologies Inc. between April and May 1993.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_038_September_1992#page/n91/mode/2up|title=Special Feature! - The Turbo Tech Lineup|magazine=GamePro|issue=38|publisher=IDG|date=September 1992|pages=105–107}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_45#page/n141/mode/1up|title=Fact-Files - Duo: Broom Totin' Witch! - Magical Chase|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=45|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1993|page=140}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Turbo_Force_Issue_04_Spring_1993#page/n13/mode/1up|title=TurboPreviews - Duo Data: Magical Chase|magazine=TurboForce|issue=4|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1993|page=14}} The North American release features extensively modified graphics for certain character sprites and the first stage compared to the original Japanese release. Its late 1993 release at the end of the TurboGrafx's lifespan in North America, coupled with extensive hype and only being available via mail order, makes the game harder to find and more expensive than earlier releases, becoming a rare collector's item that commands high prices on the secondary game collecting market.{{cite web|last=Massey|first=Tom|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-02-super-bank-breakers|title=A guide to gaming's most valuable treasures|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=January 25, 2015|access-date=2021-03-11|archive-date=2017-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185519/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-02-super-bank-breakers|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hashimoto|first=Shingi|url=http://japanese.engadget.com/2015/10/02/pcand-beep/|title=秋葉原にレトロPC&ゲーム店『BEEP＠秋葉原』オープン。レトロゲーム関連基板や雑誌、グッズなどまで扱う総合店、海外ハードや名作試遊コーナーも|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=2021-03-10|language=ja|archive-date=2015-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105094953/http://japanese.engadget.com/2015/10/02/pcand-beep/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Reichert|first=Nick|url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-most-valuable-pc-engine-turbografx-16-games|title=The Rarest & Most Valuable PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 Games|publisher=Racketboy|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=2021-03-11|archive-date=2018-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005044424/http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-most-valuable-pc-engine-turbografx-16-games|url-status=live}}
Magical Chase was first ported to Windows 95 by RSP Team and published by Bothtec in Japan on April 10, 1998 and was later re-released as a budget title on January 14, 2000.{{cite web|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/9912/14/news03.html|title=ボーステックが低価格でPCタイトル提供「BOTHTEC HAPPY PRICE シリーズ」発売|work=SoftBank Games|publisher={{ill|ITmedia|lt=ITmedia|ja|ITmedia}}|date=December 14, 1999|access-date=2021-03-11|language=ja|archive-date=2020-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216102848/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/9912/14/news03.html|url-status=live}} The Windows port is a straight conversion featuring Red Book audio. This port was also included as part of the Bothtec Game Pack 99 compilation.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamer.ne.jp/game/1000042117/|title=ボーステックゲームパック99 の最新ニュースやレビュー|work=Gamer|publisher=ixll Co., Ltd.|date=2021|access-date=2021-03-11|language=ja|archive-date=2013-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424031819/http://www.gamer.ne.jp/game/1000042117/|url-status=live}} The game was later ported to Game Boy Color and published in Japan by Microcabin on August 4, 2000 under the title Magical Chase GB: Minarai Mahoutsukai Kenja no Tani e.{{efn|{{nihongo|マジカルチェイスGB 〜見習い魔法使い 賢者の谷へ〜|Majikaru Cheisu GB: Minarai Mahoutsukai Kenja no Tani e}}}} This version faithfully reproduces the parallax scrolling effect, which was characteristic of the PC Engine original, but the visuals and music were simplified due to hardware limitations.{{cite book|chapter=マジカルチェイス|trans-chapter=Magical Chase|title=懐かしゲームボーイパーフェクトガイド|trans-title=Perfect Guide of Nostalgic Game Boy|series=Perfect Guide|publisher=Magazine Box|date=February 25, 2017|page=50|language=ja|isbn=9784866400259}} Because of its inherited popularity and low print run, the GBC version fares high prices on the resale market.{{cite web|last=Reichert|first=Nick|url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-gameboy-color-games|title=The Rarest & Most Valuable Gameboy Color Games|publisher=Racketboy|date=August 15, 2019|access-date=2021-03-11|archive-date=2020-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020175736/http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-gameboy-color-games|url-status=live}} The intellectual property is currently owned by Square Enix, as per their buyout of Quest in 2002. In 2013, SuperSweep published an album featuring the game's original, arranged and prototype tracks.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|Allgame = (TG-16) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Sackenheim|first=Shawn|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2676&tab=review|title=Magical Chase (turboGrafx-16) - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116105248/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2676&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-16|url-status=live}}
|EGM = (TG-16) 7/10{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Alessi|first3=Martin|last4=Williams|first4=Ken|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_46#page/n31/mode/1up|title=Review Crew – Duo / Hudson/T.T.I.: Magical Chase|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=46|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=May 1993|page=32}}
|Fam = (TG-16) 26/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/famitsu0153#page/38/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: マジカルチェイス|magazine=Famitsu|issue=153|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=November 22, 1991|access-date=2021-03-10|lang=ja|archive-date=2016-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029202859/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=6216|url-status=live}}
(GBC) 23/40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12778|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: マジカルチェイスGB 〜見習い魔法使い 賢者の谷へ〜|magazine=Famitsu|issue=608|publisher=Enterbrain|date=August 2000|access-date=2021-03-10|lang=ja|archive-date=2018-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722131135/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12778|url-status=live}}
|GamePro = (TG-16) 4.0/5{{cite magazine|last=Oss|first=Kay|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_047_June_1993#page/n115/mode/1up|title=TurboChip ProReview: Magical Chase|magazine=GamePro|issue=47|publisher=IDG|date=June 1993|page=118}}
|JS = (TG-16) 83%{{cite magazine|last=Hamon|first=Sébastien|url=https://archive.org/stream/joystick023#page/n154/mode/1up|title=Console News: PC Engine - Magical Chase|magazine=Joystick|issue=15|publisher=Sipress|date=January 1992|page=155|lang=fr}}
|VGCE = (TG-16) 7/10{{cite magazine|last=Mandel|first=Josh|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_Computer_Entertainment_Issue_52_May_1993#page/n61/mode/1up|title=Video-Game Reviews - Magical Chase (TTI) For the TurboGrafx-16/Turbo Duo|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=52|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=May 1993|page=54}}
|rev1 = Consolemania
}}
Magical Chase garnered positive reception from critics since its release. Fan reception was also positive;{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_122_1992-01_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n87/mode/1up|title=CVG Charts - PC Engine|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=122|publisher=EMAP|date=January 1992|page=88}} readers of PC Engine Fan voted to give the game a 26.77 out of 30 score and ranking at the number 3 spot in a poll, indicating a very large popular following.{{cite magazine|title=PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録 - マジカルチェイス|magazine=PC Engine Fan|volume=6|issue=10|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=1 October 1993|page=93|lang=ja}}
Famitsu{{'}}s four reviewers noted that it incorporated elements from R-Type, Super Mario World and Fantasy Zone. El Nionio and Rocket of Consoles + criticized its presentation but commended the detailed visuals, fast parallax scrolling, sound design, playability and longevity. Génération 4{{'}}s Philippe Querleux highly praised the audiovisual presentation, animations and playability. Likewise, Joypad{{'}}s Jean-Marc Demoly and Joystick{{'}}s Sébastien Hamon commended the animated visuals, sound and controls.
Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s four reviewers gave positive remarks to its premise, solid gameplay, music, bizarre enemy designs and cutesy cartoon-like visuals. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment{{'}}s Josh Mandel compared its visual style with Air Zonk, giving positive remarks to its simplicity and ambitious graphical effects, lack of slowdown and adequate difficulty. AllGame{{'}}s Shawn Sackenheim praised Magical Chase{{'}}s colorful cartoon-esque visual presentation, comparing its wacky character designs with Parodius, lack of slowdown, sound design, moderate challenge and gameplay but criticized its short length.
Retrospective commentary has been equally positive.{{cite web|last=Laurie|first=Malcolm|url=http://shmups.classicgaming.gamespy.com/reviews/magchase/index.html|title=MAGICAL CHASE - PALSOFT/QUEST - PC ENGINE|work=SHMUPS!|publisher=GameSpy|date=2007|access-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418203848/http://shmups.classicgaming.gamespy.com/reviews/magchase/index.html|archive-date=2009-04-18|url-status=dead}} Retro Gamer{{'}}s Damien McFerran regarded the TurboGrafx-16 original as one of the system's "perfect ten" games, stating that it is a solid shoot 'em up title past the cute visuals.{{cite magazine|last=McFerran|first=Damien|title=Retroinspection: PC-Engine GT|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=51|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=May 22, 2008|pages=62–69}} IGN{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas placed both Magical Chase and Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams as number four on the top ten list of TurboGrafx titles not released on the Virtual Console, stating that both games were different but shared the same general idea.{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/17/retro-remix-top-10-unreleased-turbografx-titles?page=4|title=Retro Remix: Top 10 Unreleased TurboGrafx Titles - Our Virtual Console countdown continues, as we take a look at the top ten titles from Hudson's two Turbos|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=17 October 2008|access-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820051639/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/17/retro-remix-top-10-unreleased-turbografx-titles?page=4|archive-date=2016-08-20|url-status=live}} Hardcore Gamer{{'}}s Michael Thomasson praised the game's use of parallax scrolling as a technical feat for the TurboGrafx-16.{{cite magazine|last=Thomasson|first=Michael|url=https://archive.org/stream/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v4i4#page/n18/mode/1up|title=Feature: Let's RetroGamer Holiday|magazine=Hardcore Gamer|volume=4|issue=4|publisher=Prima Games|date=December 2008|pages=34–41}} USgamer{{'}}s Jeremy Parish regarded it as a "shameless clone" of Cotton due to being released in a similar time frame but noted that its protagonist Ripple looks similar to the witch class in the Ogre Battle series.{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/daily-classic-with-cotton-destruction-became-adorable|title=Daily Classic: With Cotton, TG-16 Shooters Got Adorable - Success' whimsical arcade shooter was like the meet cute of shooters and anime|work=USgamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=February 5, 2014|access-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008085040/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/daily-classic-with-cotton-destruction-became-adorable|archive-date=2016-10-08|url-status=live}} The Japanese book PC Engine Complete Guide 1987-1999 praised the original TurboGrafx-16 release for its carefully hand-drawn characters and backgrounds, use of parallax scrolling that pushed the system to its limits and music.{{cite book|chapter=PCエンジンソフト完全カタログ 1993年 - マジカルチェイス|title=PC Engine Complete Guide 1987-1999|series=Nostalgic Game Console Encyclopedia|volume=1|publisher=Standards|date=June 15, 2018|page=114|language=ja|isbn=9784866362670}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20011121195954/http://www.bothtec.co.jp/enter/magical/index.html}} (Windows) {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20021206070639/http://www.microcabin.co.jp/products/soft/magical/index.html}} (GBC) {{in lang|ja}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Magical Chase}}
Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters
Category:Quest Corporation games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Turbo Technologies games
Category:Video games about witchcraft
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games featuring female protagonists
Category:Video games scored by Hitoshi Sakimoto