Data East's love affair with the Nintendo Switch is set to continue next week thanks to Hamster's Arcade Archives label. Magical Drop III drops onto the eShop giving puzzle lovers who keep wandering why Taito's Puzzle Bobble is still a no show on the system something to look forward to. This charming third entry in the popular series not only brings the addictive multiplayer versus mode, but also a great big chunk of single-player story mode if you prefer to mix and match those bubbles alone.
Another slice of retro arcade action is also seeing release next week with Irem's Heroic Episode (also know as Youjyuden in Japan) joining the rest of the ACA library. At first you may be fooled into thinking this is Irem's answer to Capcom's Commando set in a heroic fantasy world. However, once you beat the first level boss, your character stands on a cliff, spreads his wings and jumps over the edge! The game then becomes a more traditional TATE scrolling shmup, thus combining both run-n-gun and scrolling shmup genres into a single package.
Both titles will be released on 22nd February at the regular $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29 price point. Will you be inserting coins in any of these two next week? Ponder your comments while gazing at the ridiculously awesome arcade flyer for Youjyuden.
Comments 17
I probably own more versions of Magical Drop 3 than any other game.
And I will get it again. These Hamster ports are fantastic.
Drop right into my Switch, Magical Drop! And I think I may have mentioned how much I need an arcade stick already, so yeah.
And Youjyuden, it's like Commando and Legendary Wings, just without the side-scrolling parts.
@chiptoon already have Magical Drop 2 but 3 is just so much fun!
I bought Magical Drop 2 when it came out but wished I'd just waited for the superior 3rd entry. I didn't particularly like the gameplay anyway so I think I'll give MD3 a miss. Heroic Episode looks great though, I'll get that for sure. It looks like a good candidate for a future weekly challenge.
Um...
I really hope there is a PS1 version of Magical Drop III for Switch.
The PS1 version have 2 Modes: Arcade & Special (I like the Special Mode, Better Animation effects and Bubbles drop pattern) & Better Music (Not Midi 16 bit)
Oh, well...
Since i have PS2 Slim Japan, i can hunt the PS1 version from Ebay.
@Shufty
But the English voice acting was Urgggh....!! >_<
I've never heard of Youjyuden! Thank you Hamster!
Still no Twinkle Star Sprites, though.
I wanna know if and when Irem are bringing out Moon Patrol and Kung Fu Master.
Magical Drop 3 is an awesome puzzle game! Must buy!
Already bought and enjoyed MAGICAL DROP II and will certainly be getting the third and often said definitive entry in this brilliant puzzle series. Actually already had this game on the Data East Arcade Classics collection for the Wii 👍
I was on the fence about HEROIC EPISODE but if it is indeed to feature as one of the NL community weekly high score challenges I'll bite 😉
I think that only leaves SENGOKU II as the other currently announced Neo Geo game still to come from Hamster. Here's hoping they can add SUPER SIDEKICKS 2 and TWINKLE STAR SPRITES to the roster soon.
Well it' no Puzzle Bubble but I'll grab it anyway (sooner or later)
I do not recommend Magical Drop III. It is much too demanding and fast-paced to scratch the Bust-a-Move itch. I say this with regards to both games' vs. modes--Puzzle Bobble's is more about risk and aim, Magical Drop's feels more about speed and reflexes.
Magical Drop's gameplay is more like Puzzle League, but harder because your reactions and thumbs need to be even faster, and vs. matches don't tend to last as long.
I will probably just get the second game, having way too much Magical Drop at the moment.
thats just turible
Even more classic Arcade goods, HAMSTER does what Nintendont... Make a Virtual Console in some capacity on Switch!
NIGHT
SLASHERS
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