If you have not played Magic Ball available from the PSN, your missing out, not only is it fun but it has a new expansion pack. The Wicked Witches episode expansion for Magic Ball is also available via the PSN for $2.99. The expansion comes with 25 new playable levels plus the bonus levels which are for bonus points gathering. It also will add five new trophies you can try and add to your collection. Magic Ball is very fun and addicting. The only game or games I could relate it too is Pong, Breakout and Pinball. You take control of a robotic ship and at the start of a level you will then hit your action button (X) to launch the ball at the destructible objects on the screen. Your ship can move left or right at the bottom of the screen and you keep the ball in play by bouncing it off the ship back towards an object you wish to destroy. You can also pick up weapons to help you clear the stage, like machine guns or cannons, and pick-ups which turn your soccer ball into an iron ball which tears apart anything in its path. The object is to clear the screen of the objects which can range from ships to animals with out letting the ball get past you, which results in death and a lost life. When the level is clear a level ending pick-up will appear and all you gotta do is nab it and the level is clear. The expansion works the same way as the original game just with new levels to experience.

The game play is still fun and just as addicting in the expansion. In the Wicked Witches episode expansion you will bounce your ball and create destruction in 25 witch themed levels. The levels relate a lot to the Naughty Knights episode, with the addition of some new characters, some new scenery, and new level layouts. I appreciate the length of the game with all the levels but less levels and more differently themed episodes may have made it more enjoyable. No new weapons or pick ups were brought into the expansion but the levels did not really involve any new or more tough objects to avoid or destroy either.

The replay value is great. The expansion adds more levels to enjoy and the best part is you can take it on-line and join in a co-op or competitive match. The only thing is I never got to experience the on-line MP because I could never find any one to play with or against. That’s a huge disappointment but does not really take away from the new levels you get to experience in the single player. Plus you can still play with a friend locally as well. Anytime a game like this gets an expansion the replay value gets better for the obvious reason that there is more to play.

Overall: 8.0 (expansion score does not reflect full game score)

The good- The expansion is good and adds some length to the original. New level lay outs and characters to experience in the game play. It is worth the $2.99 price if you’re a fan of Magic Ball.

The bad- Does not really bring anything new in terms of game play. Since it is only one episode it may be a little short, but it is just an expansion. I’m still a little disappointed that even with the release of the expansion it has not gotten many people to play on-line.