Feel The Magic: XY/XX

Description

Feel The Magic: XY/XX, known in Japan as Kimi no Tame nara Shineru (I Would Die for You), and in Europe/Australia as Project Rub, was one of the earliest titles to showcase the Nintendo DS’s unique input methods. Developed by Sonic Team and directed by Takumi Yoshinaga, it launched before the DS itself in the US and simultaneously with the DS in Japan a month later.

The game’s premise followed a nameless protagonist who falls in love at first sight with a young woman. To win her over, he joins forces with a mysterious troupe called the “Rub Rabbits,” who guide him through a series of surreal trials. These scenarios ranged from swallowing and regurgitating goldfish, to fending off a stampede of bulls, to rescuing the girl from increasingly outlandish dangers. The narrative was presented through stylised, silhouette‑based cutscenes, with characters depicted as featureless black figures against bold, colourful backdrops.

Gameplay consisted of short, self‑contained minigames, each controlled entirely with the DS stylus and microphone. Players tapped, rubbed, blew, or shouted into the microphone to complete tasks, making the game a showcase for the DS’s hardware features. The main Story Mode strung these minigames together into chapters, while Memories Mode allowed replay of completed challenges, and Maniac Mode let players dress the girl in outfits unlocked through play. Collectibles such as “Hidden Rabbits” added replay value, and a Sound Test unlocked after completion.

The game’s has a strikingly minimalist art direction, with its silhouette characters and bold use of colour setting it apart from other DS launch titles. Its soundtrack, composed by Naofumi Hataya, Tomoko Sasaki, and Mariko Nanba, reinforced the quirky, offbeat tone. It was praised for its originality, humour, and inventive use of the DS hardware, though some noted its brevity and limited long‑term depth. It went on to inspire a direct sequel, The Rub Rabbits! (2005), which expanded on the same themes with new scenarios and mechanics. Feel The Magic: XY/XX remains one the DS’s most experimental early titles that leaned into the console’s unconventional controls and an eccentric design.