Magicland Dizzy
{{Short description|1990 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Magicland Dizzy
| image = Magicland Dizzy Coverart.png
| caption = Commodore 64 cover art for Magicland Dizzy
| developer = Big Red Software
Codemasters
Oliver Twins
| publisher = Codemasters
| designer = Neal Vincent
The Oliver Twins
| released = {{vgrelease|EU|1990}}(Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amiga){{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/sinclair/947294-magicland-dizzy/data | title = Data for Magicland Dizzy for Sinclair ZX81/Spectrum | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 June 2010}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/c64/568650-magicland-dizzy/data | title = Data for Magicland Dizzy for Commodore 64 | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 Jun 2010}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/amiga/564253-dizzy-magicland | title = Data for Dizzy: Magicland for Amiga | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 Jun 2010}}
{{vgrelease|EU|1991}}(CPC and Atari ST){{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/cpc/930172-magicland-dizzy/data | title = Data for Magicland Dizzy for Amstrad CPC | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 Jun 2010}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/ast/948694-magicland-dizzy/data | title = Data for Magicland Dizzy for Atari ST | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 Jun 2010}}
{{vgrelease|EU|1992}}(DOS){{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/927827-magicland-dizzy/data | title = Data for Magicland Dizzy for PC DOS | publisher = GameFAQs | access-date = 17 Jun 2010}}
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
}}
Magicland Dizzy is a platform adventure game published in Europe in 1990 by Codemasters for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amiga platforms. By 1992 there were also MS-DOS, Atari ST and Amstrad CPC versions available. It is the sixth game in the Dizzy series, and the fourth adventure-based Dizzy title. The story, set in a fantasy world called Magicland, follows on from the events of Fantasy World Dizzy, the previous adventure title. In Magicland Dizzy the player controls Dizzy, an egg-shaped character, who is trying to save six of his friends who have been placed under spells by the Evil Wizard Zaks.
The game was the first Dizzy game not to be developed entirely by Dizzy's creators, the Oliver Twins. Instead, whilst they were focusing on other projects, Magicland Dizzy was designed by Neal Vincent and coded by external developer Big Red Software. The Oliver Twins retained design-approval oversight.
The game is sometimes alternatively known by its development title, Dizzy 4, with the Roman numeral IV visible at the top of the game screen, behind the player's score. A prequel, Into Magicland, was released to promote the game and featured a new character that was never seen in any of the series games again. The game was widely acclaimed by critics across the platforms with scores typically in the 80-95% region. Criticism was leveled at its similarity to previous games in the series and the awkward inventory system. By November 1991 it was noted that the Dizzy games had sold more than half a million units across all platforms. A NES version titled Wonderland Dizzy was developed in 1993 and later released in October 2015.
Gameplay
In Magicland Dizzy the player guides Dizzy, an egg-shaped character, in an attempt to rescue his six friends who are held captive under the influence of various magic spells. The locations are all located in the titular "Magicland" and are fantastical in nature, many inspired by fairy tales. They include a field of standing stones called Weirdhenge, a witch's island and Prince Charming's castle.{{cite web|title=Magicland Dizzy for Commodore 64|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/c64/568650-magicland-dizzy|publisher=GameFAQs|access-date=15 June 2010}} Movement from one screen to the next is enabled through flip-screen such that when Dizzy touches the outer edge of one screen he is transported to the next. The individual screens consist of platforms and ladders with Dizzy able to both walk and jump to navigate the maze and its obstacles. Dizzy can collect up to three items at once which are then used at specific locations to solve puzzles and advance through the game.{{cite journal|last=Pelley|first=Rich|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/magiclanddizzy.htm| journal = Your Sinclair|publisher = Future Publishing|title=Magicland Dizzy|issue=63|date=March 1991|access-date=15 June 2010}} At the start of the game the player has three lives and a health bar which can be replenished by finding and collecting diamonds scattered throughout the maze.
Plot and characters
The Evil Wizard Zaks, the primary antagonist of the series, whom Dizzy defeated previously in Fantasy World Dizzy, has returned having "made certain arrangements against his premature demise".The [http://www.yolkfolk.com/site/games.php?game_id=4 back story] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322231317/http://www.yolkfolk.com/site/games.php?game_id=4 |date=22 March 2010}} is given in the game instruction booklet He has cast spells on six members of the Yolkfolk, egg-shaped friends and relations of Dizzy, and transported them to Magicland. At the beginning of the game Dizzy teleports himself to Magicland and must set about lifting the spells from his friends.
Following their introduction in Fantasy World Dizzy, this game again features the Yolkfolk. Each of them has had a spell cast upon them by Zaks: Dylan is transfigured into a thorny bush; Denzil is frozen in ice; Dozy is put into an enchanted and perhaps everlasting sleep; Dora is turned into a frog; Daisy is enlarged and imprisoned inside Zaks' oubliette; and Grand-Dizzy trapped inside a magic mirror.
Throughout the game Dizzy meets and interacts with many of Magicland's inhabitants. These include the Queen of Hearts, the good witch Glenda and Prince Charming, along with various other creatures who can help or hinder Dizzy's progress.{{cite journal|url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/83/dizzy4.htm|publisher = Newsfield Publications Ltd|journal = Crash|issue=83|title=Dizzy 4 - Magicland Dizzy|date=December 1990|access-date=15 June 2010}} During the course of the game Dizzy comes across the legendary sword Excalibur and has the opportunity to awaken Sleeping Beauty.
Development and promotion
Magicland Dizzy was the first Dizzy game that was not fully designed and coded by the Oliver Twins, the creators of Dizzy. After Fantasy World Dizzy they had started working more closely with Codemasters, developing games for the American market where the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was quickly capturing a large audience. In order to continue the Dizzy series, which remained popular in Codemasters' home market, the Twins had to bring in others to do the majority of the design and coding. This gave them time to concentrate on their other projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.olivertwins.com/earlyyears.htm |title=The Early Years |publisher=www.olivertwins.com |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113012658/http://www.olivertwins.com/earlyyears.htm |archive-date=13 January 2010}} The coding of Magicland Dizzy was contracted out to Big Red Software.{{cite journal|title=Dizzy's Eggshellent Adventures|first=Darran|last=Jones|journal=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|issue=75|pages = 48–55}}
In order to promote Magicland Dizzy, a five screen mini-adventure for the ZX Spectrum known as Into Magicland (or, unofficially, Dizzy 3 and a half) was given away with the January 1991 edition of Crash, a UK-based magazine.{{cite journal|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=Crash/Issue84/Pages/Crash8400006.jpg|publisher = Newsfield Publications Ltd|journal = Crash|issue=84|title=Dizzy 3 and a half Into Magicland|date=January 1991|access-date=18 June 2010}} It featured Dizzy and his cousin Danny and is a prequel to the main game, ending with Dizzy teleporting to the first screen of Magicland Dizzy. This was the character Danny's only appearance in a Dizzy game.
Originally Magicland Dizzy was only available as part of a five-game Dizzy compilation called The Dizzy Collection which also featured Dizzy, Treasure Island Dizzy, Fantasy World Dizzy and Fast Food. The game was later released separately at a budget price.{{cite journal|title=Magicland Dizzy|journal=Zzap!64|issue=69|publisher = Europress|date=Jan 1991|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_5571|access-date=15 June 2010}}
Remake
Image:Title_screen_of_Wonderland_Dizzy_for_the_NES.png of Wonderland Dizzy]]
Wonderland Dizzy is a platform adventure game developed in 1993 and later released in October 2015 by the Oliver Twins for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).{{cite web|last1=O'Connor|first1=Alice|title=Eggscavated: Wonderland Dizzy Found And Freed|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/26/wonderland-dizzy-free/|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|access-date=26 October 2015|date=26 October 2015}} The Oliver Twins had previously released several games for the NES, published by Camerica for both the Aladdin Deck Enhancer and later sold as standalone non-licensed cartridges. Camerica also released the Codemasters-designed Game Genie cartridge, distributed in the US by Galoob and the subject of Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc.
Like many of the Dizzy games ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System, Wonderland Dizzy is an enhanced remake of a previously released Dizzy game – Magicland Dizzy, albeit with an Alice in Wonderland theme. As in Magicland Dizzy, the aim of the game is rescuing the other members of The Yolkfolk who have been placed under spells by the Evil Wizard Zaks, but Wonderland Dizzy allows the player to play as Dizzy, Daisy or control both characters.
Wonderland Dizzy was previously rejected for The Excellent Dizzy Collection.
The game source code was discovered by The Oliver Twins in October 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/lost-plans-nintendo-game-found-6705928 |title= 'Lost' plans for Nintendo game found after 22 years hidden away in dusty loft|date=25 Oct 2015|access-date=2015-11-16|first=David|last=Crookes|quote= A videogame which was presumed lost forever has been found hidden in a dusty loft after 22 years.|publisher=mirror.co.uk}}{{Citation|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds3oM4YbPGk |access-date = 2015-10-24|title = Wonderland Dizzy Rediscovered October 2015 by The Oliver Twins}} The game was released for online emulated gaming and for free download.{{Cite web|title = Wonderland Dizzy - By The Oliver Twins|url = http://yolkfolk.com/sdg/|website = yolkfolk.com |access-date = 2015-10-24}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = Amiga Power
| rev2 = Zzap!64
| award1Pub = Crash
| award1 = Crash Smash
}}
Magicland Dizzy was met with a largely positive reception. Writing in Your Sinclair, Rich Pelley gave the Spectrum version a positive review, describing it as "addictive" and "a bit of a spanker". Crash described the Spectrum version of the game as "one of the best
In their review of the Commodore 64 version of the game, Zzap! noted that the slower pace of the game compared to the Spectrum version made "exploration a bit tedious at times" but still praised the game overall. Your Sinclair's Rich Pelley described the game's "annoying menu system" as a minor negative point. In his review in Amstrad Action, Adam Waring noted that the background music "becomes annoying" and that "not as many gameplay enhancements" had been made compared to previous games in the series. In contrast, Stuart Campbell's review in Amiga Power described the Amiga version of the game as "the most accomplished game in the series so far" and noted that by November 1991 the Dizzy games had sold more than half a million units across all platforms.{{cite journal|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_317|title=Magicland Dizzy|first=Stuart|last=Campbell|journal=Amiga Power|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=7|date=November 1991|access-date=18 Jun 2010}} The ZX Spectrum version was voted the 12th best game of all time in a special issue of Your Sinclair magazine in 2004.{{cite journal|title=Top 50 Games of All Time|journal=Your Sinclair|date=November 2004|publisher=Imagine Publishing}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wonderlanddizzy.com/ Official website for Wonderland Dizzy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407045206/http://www.wonderlanddizzy.com/ |date=7 April 2016 }}
- {{WoS game|id=0009336|name=Magicland Dizzy}}
- {{moby game|id=/magicland-dizzy|name=Magicland Dizzy}}
{{Dizzy series}}
{{Camerica}}
Category:Big Red Software games
Category:Europe-exclusive video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom