Meteos: Disney Magic follows the same simple gameplay as the original. Blocks fall from the top of the screen, which you arrange into lines of three or more matching blocks by dragging the stylus across the screen. Once a line is formed, the blocks -- and any blocks above them -- rocket up into the air. The goal is to launch the groups of blocks off the screen, though this is trickier than it sounds. Every level has its own way that gravity works; in one level the blocks might fly off the screen with very little force, while in another it might only rocket up a few blocks in height. In these situations, you have to create additional lines within the already airborne group, giving it another boost.
The first, and most noticeable, change is that the game is played by turning the DS on its side. This turns out to be an improvement since it gives you more space to play around with. Another major tweak is that you can now form lines horizontally, whereas you could only make vertical lines in the original. At first, this may seem like it would make the game easier, especially for players who have mastered the original, but it ends up adding completely new strategies. Besides, blocks fall quicker and more frequently in this new version -- so the added movement helps a lot.
Challenge and Multiplayer modes are available, as is a Story mode, which involves Tinkerbell and Jiminy Cricket trying to set the Disney stories right. Challenge has you playing for the highest score, while in Multiplayer you can take on up to four other players from one cartridge.
The only thing that Meteos: Disney Magic is missing is worthwhile unlockable content. Really, the only thing worth unlocking is Expert mode; the rest is nothing more than a bunch of new backgrounds that, as has already been pointed out, you aren’t likely to take much notice of during the game anyway.
