Magical Drop III

Magical Drop III is a frantic, two-player puzzle game released in 1997 by Data East as their final arcade title. Players use an eight-way joystick and three buttons to manipulate balloons rising from the bottom of the screen, aiming to strategically catch or throw them to clear the field before they reach the top. Each character is themed after a Major Arcana card from the Tarot deck, offering unique personalities and gameplay quirks; while only a handful are available in standard modes, hidden actions allow players to unlock additional characters for a more challenging experience. The game features distinct story elements and voice acting that were not included in international releases, adding depth and humor to its competitive puzzle action.