📜 A Brief History of Magic Jewelry
Magic Jewelry is an unlicensed puzzle game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the late 1980s. Created by Hwang Shinwei, a prolific developer of unlicensed NES titles, the game borrows heavily from the gameplay mechanics of Sega’s Columns while adding its own flair. Despite its unofficial status, Magic Jewelry gained significant popularity, especially in regions like Asia and Eastern Europe, where bootleg NES consoles (often referred to as “Famiclones”) were widespread.
Though unlicensed, Magic Jewelry carved its place as a beloved classic, thriving in gaming’s underground scene.
The game’s unlicensed nature meant it didn’t enjoy the same marketing or distribution channels as official NES titles. Instead, it reached players through multi-game cartridges and unauthorized compilations. Its simplicity and addictiveness made it a standout among other bootleg games.
Content Table
⚙️ Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Magic Jewelry is a falling-block puzzle game. The goal is simple: align three or more jewels of the same color in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to clear them from the board. Here’s how it works:
💎 Key Features:
- Jewel Rotation: Unlike Tetris, you rotate the colors within the falling column of jewels rather than the shape itself.
- Combos: Clearing multiple rows or triggering chain reactions rewards players with higher scores.
- Rotational Strategy: Unlike Tetris, players rotate the colors within the falling gem column, adding an extra layer of planning and skill.
- Infinite Play: The game continues until the stack of jewels reaches the top of the screen, making it a true test of endurance.
🎮 Controls:
- D-Pad: Move the column left or right.
- A/B Buttons: Rotate the jewel colors.
- Start: Pause the game (though it’s rare to need a break from the fast-paced action! xd).
This simplicity makes Magic Jewelry easy to pick up but difficult to master, as the game’s speed increases (a lot xd) over time.
🖥️ Graphics: Between Originality and Ripping
Although Magic Jewelry may seem simple in terms of graphics, the details and decisions behind its visual design have an interesting backstory. Like many unlicensed games of the time, its development appears to have borrowed elements from other works either as inspiration or, in some cases, literally “ripped” from existing games.
The Statue of Liberty Background
One of the most recognizable graphical elements in Magic Jewelry is the background featuring the iconic Statue of Liberty. Interestingly, this graphic was not originally designed for the game but was directly taken from another NES title: “Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode”, developed by Vic Tokai and released in 1988.
- In Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode, the Statue of Liberty appears as a background in the game’s introduction. The developers of Magic Jewelry seemingly extracted this asset and adapted it as the main background for their game, adding a vertical scrolling effect with stars and a moon.
- This reuse was likely an attempt to give the game a more striking and culturally recognizable aesthetic, appealing to the Statue of Liberty’s status as a global icon.
Ripping Practices in Bootleg Games
The use of ripped graphics was not uncommon in the bootleg gaming industry. During the ’80s and ’90s, unlicensed developers often had limited budgets to hire experienced artists, not to mention the lack of available information due to certain industry practices that kept many talented developers anonymous. As a result, it was common for them to borrow graphics from licensed games to save time and effort.
The debate over whether using ripped graphics is a lack of originality depends on perspective. In the case of Magic Jewelry, the Statue of Liberty background adds a unique touch to a game that otherwise relies on a functional and minimalist aesthetic. Beyond the controversy, it’s a detail that retro gaming fans find fascinating, as it gives a different approach to assets previously used in other video games.
Despite its unlicensed nature, Magic Jewelry found clever ways to stand out even by repurposing visual elements from other popular games.
🎵 Music: The Unsung Hero
One of Magic Jewelry’s standout features is its music. The chiptune soundtrack borrows from various melodies, blending them into an unforgettable 8-bit experience that enriches the gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of the iconic tracks:
Track Breakdown
- All Kinds of Everything: Originally performed by Dana, this tender ballad won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970. The 8-bit rendition captures the song’s gentle and nostalgic feel, adding a touch of serenity to the fast-paced gameplay.
- Happy Chinese Festival: A lively melody inspired by traditional Chinese music. Its upbeat rhythm reflects festive energy and pairs well with the vibrant visuals of the game.
- Descendants of the Dragon: This patriotic Chinese song, written by Hou Dejian, celebrates cultural pride. Its inclusion in Magic Jewelry adds a unique cultural layer to the game’s soundtrack.
- Rise from Your Grave: Known from Altered Beast, this piece adds an unexpected dramatic flair to the game. Its pulsating rhythm contrasts the relaxed nature of the puzzle mechanics, keeping players on edge.
- Jägerchor: Adapted from Carl Maria von Weber’s opera Der Freischütz, this hunting chorus melody provides a classical and triumphant feel, perfect for moments of high scoring.
- Moonlight on the Colorado: A classic American folk song with a soothing tune, this track’s chiptune version offers a calming respite during gameplay.
- Greensleeves: This timeless English folk melody is hauntingly beautiful in its 8-bit arrangement. Its melancholic tones contrast beautifully with the bright visuals of the jewels.
- Speak Softly Love: The theme from The Godfather, this romantic and dramatic piece feels surprisingly fitting in Magic Jewelry. Its 8-bit version adds emotional depth to an otherwise lighthearted game.
The diverse soundtrack of Magic Jewelry turns what could have been a simple puzzle game into a rich, culturally infused experience.
🌟 Conclusion: A Timeless Bootleg Classic
Magic Jewelry might not have the official seal of Nintendo’s approval, but it doesn’t need it. The game’s addictive mechanics, straightforward design, and unassuming charm have earned it a dedicated following over the decades. It’s a perfect example of how gameplay can triumph over production values.
Pros:
- Simple and addictive gameplay.
- Low learning curve.
- Perfect for quick gaming sessions.
Cons:
- Lack of official recognition.
- Limited graphical polish.
For fans of puzzle games like Tetris or Columns, Magic Jewelry is a must-try. It’s a fascinating piece of gaming history that continues to shine, even in today’s world of high-definition graphics and complex narratives.
🎮 Gameplay
What are your memories of playing Magic Jewelry? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more reviews of retro gems, check out our Retro Gaming Archive.
Hi! I’m CrimsonNeko, and this review is a little experiment for the True Role Dreams blog. If everything goes well, we plan to explore other bootleg titles that shaped our childhood and share some interesting projects we’ve discovered as gamers and developers. The idea is to bring more life to the blog and connect with other retro fans… let’s see if it works! 😸🎮
