Magical Chase (Japan)
Magical Chase (Japan) - Shooter Classic
Magical Chase is a horizontal-scrolling shooter released for the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (known as the PC Engine in Japan). It came out in Japan on November 15, 1991, published by Palsoft and developed by Quest Corporation. A North American version followed in July 1993 courtesy of Turbo Technologies Inc., but the Japanese release is the one most commonly found in emulation circles today. The game stars Ripple, an apprentice witch, who accidentally unleashes a bunch of demons from a forbidden book and must retrieve them.
You control Ripple as she flies through each stage, shooting at enemies and avoiding obstacles. The action scrolls horizontally, and you can move in all directions on the screen. Across the journey you are accompanied by two star maiden companions, Topsy and Turvy, though your main goal remains blasting through wave after wave of demonic foes. Power-ups appear to enhance your shot or grant temporary shields - the classic shooter formula is in full effect here, just with a cute, magical coat of paint.
For fans of the genre, Magical Chase stands as a solid but not groundbreaking entry on the TurboGrafx-16. It shares DNA with other 'cute 'em up' shooters like Cotton or TwinBee, balancing a friendly aesthetic with demanding enemy patterns. The physical game has become quite expensive among collectors, so playing the Japanese ROM online is a much more accessible way to see what all the fuss is about. If you enjoy horizontal shooters from the 16-bit era, this one is worth a handful of credits.
How to Play Magical Chase (Japan) Online
Start the game by pressing Enter to get past the title screen. The main menu is in Japanese, but the first option is almost always 'Start Game' - you can confirm it with X or S. Once the stage begins, use the Arrow Keys to move Ripple around the screen. Press S to fire your main shot, and hold it down for rapid fire. Enemies come from the right side of the screen, and your goal is to survive until the end of the level while collecting power-ups dropped by certain foes.
Keep an eye out for items that increase the strength or spread of your weapon. Some enemies also release stars that fill a magic meter - when it's full, you can unleash a screen-clearing special attack by pressing a dedicated button (Z or A, depending on your mapping). The game is fairly short, but the difficulty ramps up quickly. Memorizing enemy patterns and knowing when to use your special are key to making it to the final boss. If you get stuck, don't be afraid to burn continues - this is an arcade-style shooter at heart.
Magical Chase (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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