Magic Meanies is a ZX Spectrum

ZX Spectrum

The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...

 video game developed and released by CDS Micro Systems in 1983

1983 in video gaming

-Events:* A major shakeout of the video game industry begins. By 1986, total video games sales will decrease from US$3.2 billion to US$0.1 billion.* MCA Universal files suit against Nintendo, claiming that the latter company's video arcade hit Donkey Kong violated Universal's copyright on King Kong...

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Gameplay

Magic Meanies is a clone of Mr. Do!

Mr. Do!

Mr. Do! is an arcade game created by Universal in 1982.  Remotely similar in gameplay to Namco's popular Dig Dug title, Mr. Do! was also popular and saw release on a variety of home video game consoles and systems.  It is the first game in the Mr...

in which the player, Meltec the Wizard, digs tunnels to collect lumps of lead. To progress to the next screen, Meltec must also collect a wandering cherry and avoid roaming enemies. There are also apples embedded in the earth. Undermining these and allowing them to fall onto an enemy can kill it, or at least block a path.

Critical response

Crash

CRASH (magazine)

Crash was a magazine dedicated to the ZX Spectrum home computer. It was published from 1984 to 1991 by Newsfield Publications Ltd until their liquidation, and then until 1992 by Europress.-Development:...

 magazine awarded Magic Meanies 58% in issue 2, criticising the small, jerky graphics but highlighting the skill and quick thinking required..
Sinclair User

Sinclair User

Sinclair User, often abbreviated SU, was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum...

 awarded only 3 out of 10. Your Spectrum gave a score of 23 out of 30, describing it as one of the better games of this type.