A surprisingly dynamic Japanese SNES Pop'n platformer with lively cartoon flair. Obscure yet inspired, an absolute must.
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Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
Action platformer featuring a warrior princess battling magical creatures in enchanted castles. Published by Pony Canyon, released in Japan in 1995. Princess with sword and magic, fairy castle levels, creative bosses and colorful animated 16-bit visuals. An original little-known action platformer on Super Famicom.
Magical Pop'n review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
An action platformer of adorable sprites, a warrior princess and enchanted castles: the game unfurls a colourful enchantment of delightful freshness. The roundness of the design and the fluidity of the animation overflow with charm. This visual direction, polished and joyful, stands as a confidential gem of the 16-bit platformer.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
A 1995 Pulse/Klon Super Famicom platformer distributed via Pulse Interactive, Japan-exclusive, released late in the cycle with a drastically short print. The cart is culturally important as one of the last big SFC platformers in actually limited distribution. Intact boxed CIB with cardboard sleeve and illustrated manual has become a serious target for late-cycle SFC collectors, and the cote climbs hard, sustained by physical scarcity and by the game's accomplished 16-bit visual quality.
An underrated gem
A swift action-platformer carried by a sword-and-magic princess, it feels like a cross between the genre's best mascots, with a sprightly, very "anime" presentation. Kept exclusively Japanese and barely distributed, it went unnoticed. Its lovingly tuned controls will win over fans of fast, bright platforming.
Is Magical Pop'n still worth playing in 2026?
Never released outside Japan, Magical Pop'n is a Pandora Box action platformer with a vividly cartoony touch. The handling combines precise jumps, side dashes and several unlockable weapons, and the staging multiplies references to 1990s anime. The cartridge is rare and sought after. A fan translation exists. Recommended to fans of brisk Japanese platforming and hunters of forgotten SFC gems not too bothered by the language barrier.
