Master Of Illusion features over twenty novel (and not quite so novel) magic tricks, varying from extremely simply to genuinely baffling. There are three modes; Solo Magic, Performance and Practice. The solo mode consists of a number of tricks which appear to be primarily visual or mathematical puzzles. Once you've spotted how the trick is constructed, you move on to the next one, so there is a lack of replayability here, however it can be quite fun passing the DS to a victim and seeing how long it takes them to crack it.

The next set of tricks are really the foundation of the game. Entitled "Magic Show", these fourteen tricks are designed to be practised and performed on unsuspecting family members, or friends who were too slow to leave the room in time. Utilising the full range of input methods, your audience will be invited to tap, blow and speak at the DS at varying times throughout your performance. There are the staple tricks, such as guessing birthdays or vacation destinations, as well as more complicated and genuinely neat tricks involving the deck of cards supplied.

The "Practice" sessions are in fact a series of short mini-games and step-by-step tutorials that would perhaps be at home in the Brain Training franchise. Some seem designed to test reaction speed, others are basic identification tricks. The unlock rate may be a bit slow, as you can literally finish a days entertainment in very short order, so some seasoned players may find themselves changing the time settings in the DS to unlock the content faster.

Without ruining the surprise for any potential purchaser, some of the tricks do rely on covert communication with the DS. The occasional button push or inside knowledge at an opportune time is required to bring about the grand finale, and extract that gasp of disbelief from your audience. Master Of Illusion is really tailored towards the younger generation, although some adults will get a kick out of the more complicated routines. The characters encoutered in the tutorials are also styled from Japanese Anime, which you'll either love or hate.