Software:Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy

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Short description: 1990 video game
Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy
Developer(s)Capcom
Publisher(s)Capcom
Designer(s)Yoshimi Ohnishi
Tomoshi Sadamoto
Yoshiki Okamoto
Artist(s)Tomoshi Sadamoto
Kazunori Tazaki
Akemi Iwasaki
Composer(s)Manami Matsumae
Platform(s)Arcade, Super NES
Release1990
Genre(s)Hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemCP System

Magic Sword: Heroic Fantasy (マジックソード) is a 1990 hack and slash video game developed and published by Capcom for arcades. The player is cast as a hero who fights through a mystical tower to save the world. The player can use a sword, axe or magic, and can also rescue and recruit potential allies of various character classes, each with special abilities.

Plot

Magic Sword takes place in an unnamed world, which is being threatened by the dark lord Drokmar (Dracmar in the original Japanese[1]), who has control over an evil crystal known as the "Black Orb", which would allow him to rule over the world. In order to prevent this from happening, the hero, known as the Brave One (Alan in the original Japanese[2]), must scale to the top of the 50-floor tower in which Drokmar resides, known as Dragon Keep.[3] At the game's end, when Drokmar is defeated, the player has the option of two endings: destroy the Black Orb, or to take control of it, becoming the new dark lord.

Gameplay

Arcade version screenshot

Magic Sword shares many gameplay elements with Black Tiger. The game has side-scrolling fighting, with some platforming elements. The player controls only the main character. The accompanying ally, controlled by the computer, follows the player diligently and only attacks and jumps when the player does. Assistant characters consist of Amazon (archer), Big Man (wields an axe), Knight, Lizardman, Ninja, Priest, Thief and Wizard. The player is allowed to carry one item, which can assist the player or the current ally.

The player has a magic meter. It fills up while the player is not attacking, but it empties completely each time the player attacks. If the player attacks when the meter is empty or is blue, the player can only perform a melee attack when the standard attack button is used. Magical allies like the priest and the wizard will not attack in this situation. If it is red but not full, the player and any magical ally teamed up with him will perform a weak ranged magical attack alongside the melee attack. If it is full, the player and any magical ally teamed up with him will perform a strong ranged magical attack alongside the melee attack. Non-magical allies will attack when the player attacks regardless of the status of the magic meter.

The player's health is displayed as a set of five HP bars and a number next to the HP bars that counts the number of sets of five full HP bars beyond the ones that are shown on screen in case the player has more than five full HP bars. The ally has a separate HP meter that maxes out at four HP bars.

Full screen attacks can be performed either instantly when a magical book is collected or on demand at the cost of one full HP bar.

The game has about 50 levels,[4][5] and multiple endings with two alternate outcomes.[5][6] There are 51 floors to fight through in the game. Eight of these floors have boss characters at the end, including Drokmar himself at the end of the 50th floor. Additionally, there are seven "Secret Doors" which allows the player to bypass levels when specific maneuvers are performed.

Development

During development, Capcom was going to program the gameplay so the player could have up to two allies (four in total in a two-player game). The hardest part of the game was the placement of enemies in each stage. One of the last features implemented in the game was the secret doors.[7] The game was being location-tested in Japan by April 1990.[4]

The SNES version was announced at the 1992 Winter CES.[8]

Ports

A single player-only port was released for the Super NES in 1992 and for mobile phones in 2008.[9] A version for the Capcom Power System Changer was planned and previewed but never released.[10] The full arcade version is included in Capcom Classics Collection Remixed for PlayStation Portable, Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows.

The arcade version was also released alongside Final Fight in a two-in-one bundle titled Final Fight: Double Impact for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in April 2010.[11]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
ArcadeSNES
AllGame3.5/5[12]N/A
CVGN/A84/100[13]
FamitsuN/A25/40[14]
Your Sinclair86/100[18]N/A
ControlN/A58%[20]
CU Amiga78%[21]N/A
Electronic GamesN/A75%[22]
Mean MachinesN/A71%[23]
SNES ForceN/A64%[24]
Super ActionN/A73%[25]
Super GamerN/A67%[26]
Super ProN/A67/100[27]
Awards
PublicationAward
Gamest (1990-1991)
  • (ARC) Grand Prize 9th,
  • Best Action Award 2nd,
  • Best Production Award 8th,
  • Best Graphics Award 2nd,
  • Player Popularity 8th,
  • Annual Hit Game 9th,
  • Annual Hit Game 30th[28]
Micom BASIC Magazine (1990)
  • (ARC) Overall Grand Prize 6th,
  • Game Center Department 9th,
  • Player/Reader 6th[29]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Magic Sword on their September 1, 1990 issue as being the second most-popular arcade game for the previous two weeks.[30] The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine ranked the game tenth in popularity in its October 1990 issue.[31] In North America, it was ranked twelfth among arcade games in a November 1990 equipment survey by Play Meter.[32]

The game also received generally favorable reviews.[12][19][21] Computer and Video Games' Julian Rignall called it a well executed game and said that it will appeal to fans of slash 'em ups.[33] Your Sinclair's David Wilson found it to be a unoriginal but highly playable coin-op game.[18]

Gamest gave Magic Sword multiple awards at the fourth and fifth annual "Gamest Awards", placing 9th in the "Grand Prize", 2nd in the "Best Action Award", 8th in the "Best Production Award", 2nd in the "Best Graphics Award", 8th in the "Player Popularity", as well as 9th and 30th in the "Annual Hit Game".[28] The game was ranked 49th in a 1991 readers' poll by Gamest of all arcade games in operation up to that point.[34] Micom BASIC Magazine also gave it several awards at the 1990 "Video Game Grand Prize", placing 6th in "Overall Grand Prize", 9th in "Game Center Department", and 6th in "Player/Reader".[29]

Super NES

According to Famitsu, Magic Sword sold 4,531 copies in its first week on the market and 6,637 copies during its lifetime in Japan.[35] The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine ranked the game fourth in popularity in its August 1992 issue, and it received a 20.50/30 score in a 1993 readers' poll conducted by Super Famicom Magazine, ranking among Super Famicom titles at the number 162 spot.[36][37] The Super NES version garnered average reception from critics.[38][39] Super Play's Jonathan Davies criticized the game's awful animations, negligible sound effects, and slowdown at the slightest provocation.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "『マジックソード』1992年／スーパーファミコン". 15 June 2023. https://gamemanual.midnightmeattrain.com/entry/マジックソード. 
  2. ↑ "『マジックソード』1992年／スーパーファミコン". 15 June 2023. https://gamemanual.midnightmeattrain.com/entry/マジックソード. 
  3. ↑ "Magic Sword - Coin-Op Arcade Game - Review". http://classicgames.about.com/od/arcadegames/fr/MagicSword.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Cover Story: "This Is the Good Time" – Capcom's CPS system brings success to the firm... and offers direction for a troubled video market". RePlay (RePlay Publishing) 15 (7): 183–5. April 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-7-april-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201990/page/183. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Capcom Bows "Next Final Fight" With Magic Sword". RePlay 15 (12): 20. September 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-15-issue-no.-12-september-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2015%2C%20Issue%20No.%2012%20-%20September%201990/page/20. 
  6. ↑ "Magic Sword". RePlay 16 (1): 19. October 1990. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-1-october-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%201%20-%20October%201990/page/19. 
  7. ↑ Okamoto, Yoshiki. "Capcom and the CPS-1". Capcom. http://shmuplations.com/cps1/. 
  8. ↑ "Magic Sword (SNES) - Next Wave". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing) (33): 84. January 1992. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_30/page/n87. 
  9. ↑ "Magic Sword review". Pocket Gamer. 5 June 2008. http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Magic+Sword/review.asp?c=7047. 
  10. ↑ "カプコン アーケードオリジナルボード CPSシリーズ+CPSチェンジャー 限定販売決定!!". Club Capcom (Capcom) 2: 90–91. Spring 1994. https://archive.org/stream/club-capcom-spring-1994_202202#page/n89/mode/2up. 
  11. ↑ "Joystiq - Capcom porting Final Fight and Magic Sword to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.". http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/oh-my-car-capcom-porting-final-fight-and-magic-sword-to-xbla-a/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Baize, Anthony (1998). "Magic Sword (Arcade) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. http://allgame.com/game.php?id=9376&tab=review. 
  13. ↑ O'Connor, Frank; Boone, Tim (August 1992). "Review (Super Nintendo): Magic Sword". Computer and Video Games (EMAP Images) (129): 28–29. https://archive.org/details/computer-and-video-games-magazine/Computer%20and%20Video%20Games%20129/page/n27/mode/2up. 
  14. ↑ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: マジックソード (スーパーファミコンカートリッジ)" (in ja). Famitsu (ASCII Corporation) (180): 38. May 29, 1992. https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0180/page/38/mode/1up.  (Transcription by Famitsu.com. ).
  15. ↑ Firme, Matthew A. (August 1992). "Review: Magic Sword (Super NES)". Game Players Nintendo Guide (GP Publications) 5 (8): 72. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Davies, Jonathan (May 1993). "UK Review: Magic Sword". Super Play (Future Publishing) (7): 69. 
  17. ↑ Wen, Howard H. (August 1992). "Video-Game Reviews: Magic Sword - For the Super NES". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (Larry Flynt Publications) (43): 40–42. https://archive.org/details/video-games-computer-entertainment-issue-43-august-1992/page/40/mode/1up. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wilson, David (December 1990). "Slots Of Fun: Magic Sword (Capcom)". Your Sinclair (Future Publishing) (60): 71. https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_060/page/n70/mode/1up. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Wilson, David (December 1990). "Dosh Eaters: Magic Sword (Capcom/50p a go)". Zero (Dennis Publishing) (14): 86. https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-14/page/n85/mode/1up. 
  20. ↑ West, Allie (May 1993). "Official Story: Magic Sword (Capcom)". Control (Maverick Magazines) (9): 80. https://archive.org/details/control-09/page/25/mode/1up. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Cook, John (November 1990). "Arcades: Magic Sword". CU Amiga (EMAP) (9): 95. https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-009/page/n94/mode/1up. 
  22. ↑ Chamberlain, Ross (November 1992). "Video Game Gallery: Magic Sword (Super NES)". Electronic Games (Decker Publications) 1 (2): 62. https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1992-11/page/n61/mode/1up. 
  23. ↑ Bright, Rob; Leadbetter, Richard (July 1992). "Super NES Review: Magic Sword". Mean Machines (EMAP Images) (22): 102–104. https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_22_1992-07_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n101/mode/2up. 
  24. ↑ "Guide Directory Enquiries". SNES Force (Impact Magazines) (1): 92–97. July 1993. https://archive.org/details/snes-nforce-magazine-01/page/n93/mode/1up. 
  25. ↑ "Crusty Library". Super Action (Europress) (5): 104–113. February 1993. https://archive.org/details/super-action-05/page/n109/mode/1up. 
  26. ↑ "A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: Super NES". Super Gamer (Paragon Publishing) (1): 122–124. April 1994. https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-01/page/n122/mode/1up. 
  27. ↑ Westley, Dave (April 1993). "Official Review: Magic Sword". Super Pro (Paragon Publishing) (5): 84–85. https://archive.org/details/super-pro-05/page/n83/mode/2up. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "決定! 第4回 読者が選ぶ ゲーメスト大賞 1990" (in ja). Gamest (Shinseisha) (54): 2–24. February 1991. https://archive.org/details/gamest0054/page/n3/mode/2up. 
    "輝け! 第5回 読者が選ぶ ゲーメスト大賞 1991" (in ja). Gamest (Shinseisha) (68): 3–26. February 1992. https://archive.org/details/gamest0068/page/n4/mode/1up. 
    "ザ・ベストゲーム2 アーケードビデオゲーム26年の歴史: ゲーメスト大賞11年史" (in ja). Gamest Mook. 5 (4th ed.). Shinseisha. January 17, 1998. pp. 1–26. ISBN 9784881994290. https://archive.org/details/vol.-112-2/page/n2/mode/1up. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "発表!! '90年 ビデオゲーム・グランプリ" (in ja). Micom BASIC Magazine (ja) (The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation (ja)) (105): 258–261. March 1991. https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1991-03/page/n255/mode/2up. 
  30. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)" (in ja). Game Machine (ja) (Amusement Press, Inc. (ja)) (387): 21. September 1, 1990. https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19900901p.pdf. Retrieved 2025-07-12. 
  31. ↑ "Super Soft Hot Information: Video Game!" (in ja). Micom BASIC Magazine (ja) (The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation (ja)) (100): 244–245. October 1990. https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1990-10/page/n242/mode/1up. 
  32. ↑ "Equipment Poll". Play Meter (Skybird Publishing) 16 (12): 8–9. November 1990. https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-16-number-12-november-1990/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Number%2012%20-%20November%201990/page/8/mode/1up. 
  33. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CVGARCms
  34. ↑ "最も愛されたゲームたち!! 読者が選んだ ベスト30" (in ja). Gamest (Shinseisha) (60): 1–63. July 1991. https://archive.org/details/no.-060-1991-07/page/n2/mode/1up. 
  35. ↑ "Game Search". https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search. 
  36. ↑ Tezuka, Ichirō (August 1992). "Super Soft Hot Information: Super Famicom" (in ja). Micom BASIC Magazine (ja) (The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation (ja)) (122): 241–243. https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1992-08/page/n256/mode/1up. 
  37. ↑ Super Famicom Magazine (August 1, 1993). "ゲーム通信簿" (in ja). 90年11月から'93年6月21日発売までの323本を収録!! スーパーファミコンオールカタログ'93 (special supplement). Tokuma Shoten. p. 27. 
  38. ↑ Earth Angel (July 1992). "Super NES ProReview: Magic Sword". GamePro (IDG) (36): 66. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_036_July_1992/page/n67/mode/1up. 
  39. ↑ Sinfield, George; Noel, Rob (July 1992). "Now Playing: Magic Sword (Super NES)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 38: 104–105. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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