Communication
Communication is the multiplayer feature of Magical Vacation. It allows players to connect their own copies of the game via the Game Boy Advance's Game Link Cable accessory. To use Communication, both players must select it on the title screen, and the first player to do so chooses which activity will be done. Magical Starsign reintroduces this multiplayer functionality in the form of Amigo Mode.
Modes
Let's Amigo
In Let's Amigo (レッツアミーゴ Rettsu Amīgo) both players' protagonists join up and register each another to their own Amigo Lists. Amigos can be equipped to characters on their Profile page as essence. Equipping essence lets the assigned character use spells learned by the Amigo, though its magic level cannot be increased beyond what it was prior to linking up. However, the protagonist is able to gain magic levels in that Amigo's attribute with repeated use and permanently learn new spells. Registering Amigos also makes HP and MP Pots appear in Garam Masala.
Up to 100 Amigos can be registered on the Amigo List at a time. The list can also be preserved when starting a new save file.
Through Let's Amigo, new features get unlocked:
- By registering 5 Amigos whose attributes are the same as the player's protagonist, they learn call Wish.
- By registering 100 Amigos, the protagonist learns call Nirva and they receive dark magic clothing. The entrance to the Shisabarei bonus dungeon in Garam Masala also becomes accessible.
- By leveling all sixteen attributes to magic level 18, the protagonist learns call Holy and they receive light magic clothing. The other bonus dungeon, Ridonahī, opens up as well, and Shisabarei is permanently closed off.
Let's Onsen
- Main article: Ricebird Springs
Let's Onsen (レッツおんせん Rettsu Onsen) is only useable if both players have used the Java Sparrow Plains at least once during their playthrough. Linking up each others' onsen will boost the protagonist's stats, the rate of which is determined by what kind of onsen is being used. The Java Sparrow Plains can be upgraded with frequent link-ups between Amigos, and the upgrades available will depend on the player's report card grade and title.
Let's Battle
Let's Battle (レッツたいせん Rettsu Taisen) puts players' parties against one another, though there are a few rules that distinguish it from normal combat:
- Before fighting, both players can adjust their characters, such as using items or changing equipment and seals.
- The battle begins with all characters' MP reduced to 0, meaning they must naturally recover it.
- At the start of each turn, three spirits of random attributes pop onto the field. Any spirits that have not been used in a Spirit Combo will vanish the next turn, and a new set appears immediately after. Additionally, any spirits that have been summoned with call/double spells vanish alongside the randomly summoned spirits.
Once a battle is over, a tally will be added to the players' report cards to record their win/loss. This affects the rank of their characters, which is determined by their win/loss percentage, and how many total battles they have won through Let's Battle. Also, characters' ranks affect their stat growth as they level up. With upgrades in ranks, the player is able to improve the design of Ricebird Springs, providing additional stat increases based on their current rank.
Other versions
Wii U Virtual Console
In the Wii U Virtual Console port, it is impossible to use the multiplayer features from the original Game Boy Advance version. To remedy this, selecting Communication on the title screen grants the protagonist magic levels for all attributes except light, each at magic level 1, and instantly gives the protagonist dark magic. Amigo mojo, upgrades to Java Sparrow Plains, and healing pots in Garam Masala are absent from the Wii U version as a result.
Nintendo Switch Online
In the Nintendo Classics - Game Boy Advance port for Nintendo Switch Online, all multiplayer functionality and related content has been reinstated, and is usable via wireless communication.
Trivia
- In January 2002, Brownie Brown hosted the Let's Amigo Events, two venues wherein players could link up and unlock multiplayer-exclusive content.
- Sword of Mana, a game codeveloped by Square Enix and Brownie Brown, utilizes an Amigo system called Communication that works similarly to Magical Vacation. Aside from having the same name, registering 100 Amigos has significant benefits too, rewarding players with powerful summon cards.
Nomenclature
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
つうしん Tsūshin | Communication |