I too was disappointed when I came across this, but guess the programmer only considered the human would want to play from the bottom. Despite this drawback, the Magellan is a very nice machine and good to have in your collection.

I like the little feature that after playing a game - and without pressing any button - when you are setting up the pieces for a new game, the Magellan detects this and just before the last piece is placed on the board, it beeps and sets itself up ready for the game. It's a nice little touch.

Ray