Magical Tetris Challenge is a puzzle game that combines Tetris with the Disney license, offering two original competitive variants: Magical Tetris and Updown Tetris. Both follow the standard Tetris template: pieces fall from the top and must be arranged to form horizontal lines, which are then removed, with the player whose stack reaches the top first losing.
The gameplay is varied between the two modes. In Magical Tetris , clearing two or more lines at once sends a magical attack to the opponent, which puts a non-standard piece into their queue. This piece can be countered by clearing lines while it's in the queue, sending it back and growing in size. Updown Tetris is less complex, with attacks made by clearing two or more lines, adding them to the bottom of the opponent's field.
The magical gauge fills up by clearing single lines or through opponent attacks. Filling the meter clears the playing field above a certain threshold, simplifying the block structure below it. The meter can be cleared again, requiring more moves to fill it. In two-player modes, players compete against each other, with story mode featuring consecutive matches against Disney characters.
The game also features endless mode on home versions, offering standard and Magical Tetris . Players can select from four Disney characters, each with their own storyline, to play in story mode. The release date was January 14th, 1999.