Magical Drop V

Magical Drop V is a puzzle game similar to previous entries in the Magical Drop series, where the player takes control of one of several characters named after a tarot card, battling against computer-controlled opponents. The objective is to clear the screen from a stack of constantly advancing colored 'drops' that descend from the top of the playfield. Drops can be picked up and dropped by the player's character, which is placed at the bottom of the screen, and they disappear when three or more of the same color are put together on a single column. Chains are formed either when a single drop caused a chain reaction or when more than one group of drops are cleared in quick succession.

Forming chains cause the opponent's stack to descend faster. The game features a much smaller selection of characters, omits items, and removes P"uzzle" mode, but it adds new online gameplay modes. Characters from the cancelled Data East puzzle game Ghostlop (1996) are introduced; these three characters use Ghostlop gameplay instead of the series' traditional mechanics. The game is over once a player is defeated when the stack of drops hits the bottom.

Magical Drop V was first unveiled at E3 2011 by publisher UTV Ignition Entertainment and slated for a late 2011 release. Ignition Entertainment struck a deal with G-Mode, a Japanese company which owns various franchises and titles by Data East, to make the game. It was created by Golgoth Studio, an independent French game developer responsible for the enhanced remake of Toki (2019), with Sam Cheboub being responsible for the game's soundtrack. In January 2012, an Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) version was also announced and the game was then planned for a summer launch.

However, it missed the summer release but Golgoth Studio later clarified that Ignition approved an internal beta and they were nearing a mastered version. To promote the launch, Golgoth Studio released the game's soundtrack online for free via their official website and SoundCloud on October of that year. The game was released for Microsoft Windows via Steam on November 15, while the XBLA version was delayed to 2013. Neither the XBLA version and a planned PlayStation Network version ever materialized.

Magical Drop V garnered generally unfavorable reviews from critics. Destructoid's Allistair Pinsof found the game below average, citing the lack of puzzle and adventure mode from previous entries, dull story mode, graphical department, lackluster design, technical issues, and poor English translation. Pinsof also found the addition of Bruce from the unreleased Ghostlop (1996) as an "odd compromise". Gamekult's Valentin Lormeau commended the gameplay, music, and introduction of characters and mechanics from Ghostlop.

Nevertheless, Lormeau ultimately regarded it as an "unpleasant experience", criticizing its rushed nature, numerous bugs, and online multiplayer. A reviewer writing for PCActu expressed disappointment towards the game's weak visuals, playability, repetitive audio, as well as the lack of puzzle mode, but highlighted the multiplayer as its strongest point.