Difference between revisions of "Magical Puzzle Popils"

From Sega Retro

(added story and gameplay, partly from Wikipedia)
(→‎Gameplay: added blocks, characters, enemies)
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Popils is a single-player puzzle game in the form of a two-dimensional side-view platform game. The player controls the Boy through 100 different stages (referred to as rounds) and must reach the Princess on each one to complete it. Gameplay focuses on destroying blocks, avoiding enemies and spikes, and using various ladders and warp doors to reach the Princess. Each stage is one fixed screen and does not scroll in any direction. A stage is completed when the Boy and Princess meet or failed when either the Boy or Princess is killed. The Boy and Princess have no health and die if they touch an enemy or fall onto a spike.
 
Popils is a single-player puzzle game in the form of a two-dimensional side-view platform game. The player controls the Boy through 100 different stages (referred to as rounds) and must reach the Princess on each one to complete it. Gameplay focuses on destroying blocks, avoiding enemies and spikes, and using various ladders and warp doors to reach the Princess. Each stage is one fixed screen and does not scroll in any direction. A stage is completed when the Boy and Princess meet or failed when either the Boy or Princess is killed. The Boy and Princess have no health and die if they touch an enemy or fall onto a spike.
  
−
The Boy can move around the stage by pressing {{left}} or {{right}}. He destroys blocks by hitting them; either {{1}} or {{2}} punch in the direction that the Boy is facing. The Boy punches continuously in one direction with {{repeat|{{1}}}}. {{Up}}+{{1}} or {{up}}+{{2}} headbutts a block above the Boy; {{down}}+{{1}} or {{down}}+{{2}} kicks a block below the Boy. {{Up}} is used to climb ladders and {{down}} is used to descend ladders. {{1}}+{{2}} restarts the puzzle at the cost of a life.
+
The Boy can move around the stage by pressing {{left}} or {{right}}. He destroys blocks by hitting them; either {{1}} or {{2}} punch in the direction that the Boy is facing. The Boy punches continuously in one direction with {{repeat|{{1}}}}. {{Up}}+{{1}} or {{up}}+{{2}} headbutts a block above the Boy; {{down}}+{{1}} or {{down}}+{{2}} kicks a block below the Boy. {{1}}+{{2}} restarts the puzzle at the cost of a life.
  
 
When a block is destroyed the column of blocks above it fall down one square and doing this can change the layout of the stage altering possible paths for the Boy, or for the Princess and enemies which move around. On many stages the player must move the Boy for the most part to reach the Princess, but in some stages movement of the Boy is restricted to a small area and the player must make him punch certain blocks to create a path for the Princess to follow to the Boy.
 
When a block is destroyed the column of blocks above it fall down one square and doing this can change the layout of the stage altering possible paths for the Boy, or for the Princess and enemies which move around. On many stages the player must move the Boy for the most part to reach the Princess, but in some stages movement of the Boy is restricted to a small area and the player must make him punch certain blocks to create a path for the Princess to follow to the Boy.
Line 44: Line 44:
  
 
===Map Editor===
 
===Map Editor===
−
The game includes a map editor with which the player can create custom stages and test them. Up to 30 stages can be saved on the cartridge. A stage must feature the Boy and Princess and can have 0-7 enemies. If doors are used, there must be two of each. Note all the normal game stages also follow the same rules. The Japanese manual includes screenshots of a selection of 10 stages that are not otherwise available in the game that can be entered into the map editor and played.  
+
The game includes a map editor with which the player can create custom stages and test them. Up to 30 stages can be saved on the cartridge. A stage must feature the Boy and Princess and can have 0-7 enemies. If doors are used, there must be two of each. Note all the normal game stages also follow the same rules. The Japanese manual includes screenshots of a selection of 10 stages that are not otherwise available in the game that can be entered into the map editor and played.
 +
 
 +
===Characters===
 +
 
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Boy
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=The player character. He must make his way to the Princess. The stage is completed when the Boy touches the Princess.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Princess
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=The goal of each stage. She moves left and right on top of blocks. When she runs into a block, she changes direction.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Blocks===
 +
 
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Normal Block
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Destroyed by hitting with the Boy. Once it is destroyed, all blocks above it fall down one level.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Black Block
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Can be entered but cannot be destroyed.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Gold Block
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Cannot be destroyed or passed through.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Ladder
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Moves the Boy up or down a level. {{Up}} climbs and {{down}} descends. Can only be used by the Boy and not the Princess or enemies.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Pointed Block
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Kills anything that lands on it, including the Boy or the Princess. Can also be used to kill enemy Slimes. Can be destroyed.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Warp Doors
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=64 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Warps someone from one door to another with the same shape. Can be used by the Boy, the Princess, and enemies. Some stages contain multiple types of door. After someone exits from a door, it is blocked (shown with a minus sign) and cannot be used temporarily.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Enemies===
 +
 
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Slime
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=112 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Moves left and right on top of blocks. When it hits an impassable block, it turns around and starts moving in the opposite direction. Kills the Boy or Princess upon contact.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Vampire
 +
| sprite={{sprite|Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=112 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Moves left and right between blocks like Slimes but flies. Does not fall when a block beneath it is destroyed (unless there is a block above it). Also kills the Boy or Princess upon contact
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==

Revision as of 07:46, 3 January 2022

n/a

MagicalPuzzlePopils title.png

Magical Puzzle Popils
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Tengen
Developer:
Distributor: Domark (EU)
Peripherals supported: Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Puzzle[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • 日本語
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Game Gear
    JP     		¥4,800 (4,944)4,800e[3] T-48017
    Sega Game Gear
    US     		$34.9534.95[4] 301200-0160
    Sega Game Gear
    EU     		T-48068-50
    Sega Game Gear
    UK     		£24.9924.99[5] T-48068-50

    This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

    Magical Puzzle Popils (マジカルパズル・ポピルズ), known as Popils: The Blockbusting Challenge in Europe, is a puzzle game for the Sega Game Gear. Different to other Tengen games, it was developed in Japan.

    Story

    A nameless Boy falls in love with a beautiful Princess. The evil wizard named Popils is jealous and kidnaps her, trapping her inside an enchanted forest. It is up to the Boy to rescue her.

    Gameplay

    Popils is a single-player puzzle game in the form of a two-dimensional side-view platform game. The player controls the Boy through 100 different stages (referred to as rounds) and must reach the Princess on each one to complete it. Gameplay focuses on destroying blocks, avoiding enemies and spikes, and using various ladders and warp doors to reach the Princess. Each stage is one fixed screen and does not scroll in any direction. A stage is completed when the Boy and Princess meet or failed when either the Boy or Princess is killed. The Boy and Princess have no health and die if they touch an enemy or fall onto a spike.

    The Boy can move around the stage by pressing Left or Right. He destroys blocks by hitting them; either 1 or 2 punch in the direction that the Boy is facing. The Boy punches continuously in one direction with 11111. Up+1 or Up+2 headbutts a block above the Boy; Down+1 or Down+2 kicks a block below the Boy. 1+2 restarts the puzzle at the cost of a life.

    When a block is destroyed the column of blocks above it fall down one square and doing this can change the layout of the stage altering possible paths for the Boy, or for the Princess and enemies which move around. On many stages the player must move the Boy for the most part to reach the Princess, but in some stages movement of the Boy is restricted to a small area and the player must make him punch certain blocks to create a path for the Princess to follow to the Boy.

    The game tracks the number of steps the player has used to complete the puzzle. Punching/kicking/headbutting once is one step and walking or climbing one square (16 pixels) also counts as one step. After a stage is completed, the game saves the number of steps that the player took and compares it to the number of steps that the mapper took. To complete the game perfectly, all 100 stages must be completed using the same or fewer number of steps as the mapper. The game includes a battery save and retains the player's progress after the system is powered off.

    The game saves the player's "IQ" score, which is higher if the player completes stages in fewer steps. Stages can be replayed to improve the number of steps taken, but while the game saves the best run, replayed stages do not add to the player's IQ. The player's IQ is also reset if the player runs out of lives. The game saves the top IQ scores.

    Map Editor

    The game includes a map editor with which the player can create custom stages and test them. Up to 30 stages can be saved on the cartridge. A stage must feature the Boy and Princess and can have 0-7 enemies. If doors are used, there must be two of each. Note all the normal game stages also follow the same rules. The Japanese manual includes screenshots of a selection of 10 stages that are not otherwise available in the game that can be entered into the map editor and played.

    Characters

    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Boy
    The player character. He must make his way to the Princess. The stage is completed when the Boy touches the Princess.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Princess
    The goal of each stage. She moves left and right on top of blocks. When she runs into a block, she changes direction.

    Blocks

    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Normal Block
    Destroyed by hitting with the Boy. Once it is destroyed, all blocks above it fall down one level.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Black Block
    Can be entered but cannot be destroyed.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Gold Block
    Cannot be destroyed or passed through.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Ladder
    Moves the Boy up or down a level. Up climbs and Down descends. Can only be used by the Boy and not the Princess or enemies.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Pointed Block
    Kills anything that lands on it, including the Boy or the Princess. Can also be used to kill enemy Slimes. Can be destroyed.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Warp Doors
    Warps someone from one door to another with the same shape. Can be used by the Boy, the Princess, and enemies. Some stages contain multiple types of door. After someone exits from a door, it is blocked (shown with a minus sign) and cannot be used temporarily.

    Enemies

    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Slime
    Moves left and right on top of blocks. When it hits an impassable block, it turns around and starts moving in the opposite direction. Kills the Boy or Princess upon contact.
    Magical Puzzle Popils, Tiles.png
    		 Vampire
    Moves left and right between blocks like Slimes but flies. Does not fall when a block beneath it is destroyed (unless there is a block above it). Also kills the Boy or Princess upon contact

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Popils: The Blockbusting Challenge Popils: The Blockbusting Challenge
    English (US) Magical Puzzle Popils Magical Puzzle Popils
    Japanese マジカルパズル・ポピルズ Magical Puzzle Popils

    Production credits

    • Game Design: F.Mitsuji
    • Audio: Y.Tomuro
    • Graphics: K.Nemoto, M.Nagashima
    • Map Design: K.Matsunaga
    • Program: Jun Amanai
    Source:
    Game (ending sequence)


    • Concept & Game Design: Fukio Mitsuji (MTJ)
    • Additional Design & Program: Jun Amanai (JUN)
    • Music & Sound: Yoshihito Tomuro (TOM)
    • Graphics: Ken-ichi Nemoto (KAI), Masato Nagashima (HOD)
    • Map Design: Kazuo Matsunaga (MTN)
    Source:
    Japanese manual


    • Game Design: F.Mitsuji
    • Program: Jun Amanai
    • Visual: M.Nagashima, F.Mitsuji, K.Nemoto
    • Audio: Y.Tomuro
    • Map Design: K.Matsunaga, K.Nemoto, F.Mitsuji
    Source:
    Game (hidden credits screen)


    Magazine articles

    Main article: Magical Puzzle Popils/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-08: "August 1991" (1991-07-08)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-03: "March 1992" (1992-02-08)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-07: "July 1992" (1992-06-08)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #131: "October 1992" (1992-09-15)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    60
    		[10]
    Consoles + (FR)
    95
    		[11]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    87
    		[5]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    76
    		[4]
    Gamers (DE)
    67
    		[12]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    65
    		[13]
    Game Zone (UK) NTSC
    88
    		[14]
    Game Zone (UK)
    91
    		[15]
    Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    		[16]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    85
    		[17]
    Joypad (FR)
    85
    		[18]
    Joystick (FR)
    83
    		[19]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    91
    		[20]
    Megablast (DE)
    72
    		[21]
    Player One (FR)
    86
    		[22]
    Play Time (DE)
    72
    		[23]
    Power Play (DE)
    72
    		[24]
    Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
    92
    		[25]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    89
    		[26]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    89
    		[27]
    Sega Force (SE)
    94
    		[28]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    85
    		[29]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    78
    		[30]
    Supersonic (FR)
    85
    		[31]
    Tilt (FR)
    90
    		[32]
    User (GR) PAL
    82
    		[33]
    Video Games (DE)
    73
    		[34]
    Zero (UK)
    90
    		[35]
    Sega Game Gear
    		 82
    Based on
    28 reviews

    Magical Puzzle Popils

    Game Gear, JP
    Popils GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngPopils GG JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Popils GG JP Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Magical Puzzle Popils GG JP Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, US
    Popils GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPopils GG US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Magical Puzzle Popils GG US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU
    Popils GG EU Box Back.jpgPopils (EURO) Side.jpgPopils GG EU Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Popils GG EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Magical Puzzle Popils GG EU Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Technical information

    The game will restart as the last level completed with automatic battery backed saves.

    The level editor feature allows for the creation and storage of 30 user levels.

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Game Gear
    ✔
    CRC32 cf6d7bc5
    MD5 e496ff2196c372f4d6111538950d25ca
    SHA-1 fb939f0810d0763b9abaeec1a2bfbabacaad5441
    		128kB 199X Cartridge 8KB backup

    References

    1. ↑ File:Popils GG EU Box Back.jpg
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
    3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1991" (JP; 1991-07-08), page 12
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 GamePro, "April 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 76
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "May 1992 (Go! Issue 7)" (UK; 1992-04-15), page 22
    6. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-07), page 20
    7. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 29
    8. ↑ Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 2
    9. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 2
    10. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1991" (JP; 1991-07-08), page 36
    11. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-04), page 113
    12. ↑ Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 83
    13. ↑ Game Informer, "Summer 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
    14. ↑ Game Zone, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 53
    15. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 56
    16. ↑ Hippon Super, "July 1991" (JP; 1991-06-04), page 114
    17. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
    18. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 150
    19. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 173
    20. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 196
    21. ↑ Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 100
    22. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 129
    23. ↑ Play Time, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-07), page 91
    24. ↑ Power Play, "12/91" (DE; 1991-11-13), page 179
    25. ↑ Sega Power, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-02), page 46
    26. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 38
    27. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    28. ↑ Sega Force, "6/93" (SE; 1993-09-30), page 27
    29. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 72
    30. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
    31. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 27
    32. ↑ Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 72
    33. ↑ User, "Aprílios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
    34. ↑ Video Games, "4/91" (DE; 1991-12-06), page 92
    35. ↑ Zero, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 80
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