Whether or not you believe in magic in the real world, the one place where you have undeniable proof of its relative existence is within the world of fiction. Although some people prefer to watch a film, or imagine the action for themselves by reading a book, one of the most mesmerising ways to see magic in action is when it happens inside a video game. Thanks to the pixelated or polygon graphics on display, you can see a humongous dragon appear in a puff of smoke, or an all powerful genie grant a wish with a zap of his finger and be held in awe at the beauty and majesty of these impossible acts.

Whether these acts take place in a high fantasy world, or in an alternate reality version of Earth, magic has a profound impact in the worlds that possess it. Here at VGU, we have decided to put together a small list of some of the video game world’s most magical video games, some of which are from many years before the PlayStation arrived in our living rooms, and a few of which have only just arrived on our doorstep, including one starring a hero bearing a lightning shaped scar.

Lego Harry Potter Series (Various)

Simon the Sorcerer (PC, iOS, Android)

The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PC)

Fable Series (Xbox, Xbox 360, PC)

Final Fantasy Series (Various)