same time. Two players can also participate in a competitive versus mode (one may be a computer opponent), featuring attack patterns that sends lines to the opponent in non-even rows that vary by character. An adventure mode called "Magical Journey" is also introduced, which is a board game that challenges players to reach Empress before computer-controlled rivals by participating in minigames. The game is over once a player is defeated when the stack of drops hits the bottom. Characters The original cast from Magical Drop and Magical Drop II returns. In addition, the game adds representatives for the remaining tarot major arcana cards, as well as introducing a "daughter" Strength character that more closely resembles the traditional depiction of Strength. Fool Magician High Priestess Chariot Devil Star World Justice Father Strength Empress Black Pierrot Emperor Hierophant Lovers Daughter Strength Death Temperance Sun Judgement Hermit Moon Hanged Man Tower Wheel of Fortune Development Magical Drop III was developed by Data East, which had previously worked on Magical Drop II (1996) for Neo Geo. It was produced by Naomi Susa, with Shungo Katagiri acting as the game's planner. M. Saki, as well as two staffer under the pseudonyms "Tac.H" and "Poconyan", served as the game's programmers. Hiroshi Hachiya, Hitomi Hashimoto, Itokku Seta, Kumiko Oka, N. Ishizuka, Rie Sakurai, Seigo Nishiwaki, Shōji Takeuchi, Tomoyuki Arakawa, and Yoshinari Kaiho were responsible for the artwork. The soundtrack was scored by Gamadelic members Hiroaki "Maro" Yoshida, Masaaki "Koremasa" Iwasaki, Shinichi "Sin" Yamazaki, and Tatsuya "nmRtk" Kiuchi. The development team recounted the project's creation and history in interviews. Release Magical Drop III was first released for the Neo Geo arcade system (MVS) in Japan by Data East on February 25, 1997, and later in North America by SNK on March. There are differences between the original Japanese version and English release, such as the removal of Japanese voice acting and rival opponents in adventure mode, among other changes. On March 21, an album containing music from the game was co-published in Japan by Scitron and Pony Canyon. It was also published in Japan for the Neo Geo home system (AES) on April 25. On June 20, the game was first ported to the Sega Saturn under the subtitle Toretate Zoukangou!. A North American localization under the title Magical Drop was showcased at E3 1997 and planned to be released by Koei, but it never released. The Saturn