Puyo Puyo

From Sega Retro

For the International Mega Drive version, see Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. For the International Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear versions, see Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit).

n/a

  • Arcade (System C2)
    English
  • Arcade (System C2)
    Japanese
  • Mega Drive
  • Sega Game Gear
    Japanese
  • Sega Game Gear
    English

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Puyo Puyo
System(s): Sega System C2, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Puzzle[4][5][6][7]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System C2)
JP
¥? ?




























Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥4,8004,800 G-4082
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,5003,500 G-3324
Wii Virtual Console
JP
600pts600[10]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
JP
(Arcade)
800pts800[12]
CERO: A
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
JP
¥286 (300)286 (300)[13]
CERO: A
Nintendo Switch Online
JP
SUBsub
Non-Sega versions

Puyo Puyo (ぷよぷよ) is a Japanese falling block puzzle game developed and published by Compile in 1992 for Sega System C2 arcade hardware. It is widely considered to be the first "major" entry in the Puyo Puyo series, being a noticeably expanded port of a prior 1991 Puyo Puyo release for MSX2 computers and the Nintendo Famicom in Japan.

Story

Puyo Puyo is a spin-off of Compile's earlier Madou Monogatari series of RPGs, featuring the same cast of characters and a similar setting, but with wildly different gameplay.

The Japanese arcade version does not elaborate on the game's story, but materials included in the home versions explain that protagonist Arle Nadja has learned the spell named "Owanimo" (a spell which causes four similarly-colored creatures to disappear) and is going on a journey to defeat Satan. The English arcade version features an entirely different story, along with new character names: Silvana (Arle Nadja) battles against the Dark Prince (Satan) and his Black Kingdom.

Gameplay

Puyo Puyo is a "falling block" puzzle game similar in nature to Tetris, where the objective is to connect four or more "puyo" of the same colour to clear them from the playfield (known officially as "popping"). Players score points for the puyo that are popped, but lose if a tower of puyo reaches the top of the playfield (or specifically, a puyo blocks the tile third from the top left). Success relies on the player staying alive as long as possible, with the speed of play gradually increasing as time goes on.

Unlike Tetris (or Columns), puyo in Puyo Puyo are affected by gravity after being placed in the field, so if an empty space exists below a puyo, it will fall to the tile below. This allows for "chains" or "combos", where multiple groups of puyo can be popped in one turn (and thus, more points are awarded). Chaining puyo in this way is typically the best way to achieve a high score.

In its original MSX, Famicom Disk System and Famicom forms, Puyo Puyo was strictly a single player experience where surviving was the only major goal. "Missions" were later added, encouraging players to pop all puyo from the screen in a given time limit, and a basic two-player mode was introduced, where the winner was simply the person who lasted the longest. This 1992 iteration of the game offers perhaps the most significant upgrade - competitive play, which is the major focus of both this game and most Puyo Puyo titles in the years ahead.

When playing competitively, Puyo Puyo pits either two human players, or one human and AI against each other. Here, popping puyo not only has the advantage of freeing up space, but the act sends "ojama puyo" (お邪魔ぷよ) to the opposing player - puyo which cannot be linked together, and are only popped if next to a puyo about to be cleared. The more chains, the more ojama puyo is sent to the other player, inevitably causing them to lose.

Rules

In the 1992 Puyo Puyo (and the vast majority of games since), the game is played in a 6x12 "grid", with players given puyo in sets of two. There are five colours; red, yellow, green, blue and purple:

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Later games would attempt to give a bit of personality to each type of puyo, however no such feature exists in this game.

Initially players can move the couple left or right (Left and Right by default in the Mega Drive version), rotate them clockwise (A or C) or anticlockwise (B), or speed up their descent (Down) (this also adds some points to the score).

Rotation

As long as there is space to do so, falling pieces can be rotated clockwise or anticlockwise. Much like Tetris, the game gives players as bit of leeway, giving a fraction of a second for extra rotations should the piece be about to stop.

In the event that there is an obstruction on the left or right, the piece is pushed one tile in the opposite direction. If there is an obstruction on both sides, the piece cannot rotate (something rectified in later games).

Clockwise
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Anticlockwise
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Popping

Puyo are popped when four or more of the same colour are grouped together with horizontal or vertical connections. The tiles which they occupy are then made empty for any puyo above to fall into.

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In endless mode, where the objective is simply to remove puyo and stay in the game, the above could be considered a reasonable strategy, however in competitive play a greater emphasis is placed on chaining:

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Competitive mode also introduces the concept of ojama puyo, which can only be removed if adjecent puyo are popped.

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History

Legacy

The Japanese arcade version received a software revision ("Rev. B"); this fixes a glitch that allows the player to prevent an AI opponent from manually dropping their Puyo by holding the second joystick to the left or right. However, the Mega Drive version is based on Rev. A, and thus the glitch can be recreated using a second controller. Additionally, the arcade game was translated into English, though its release date and region(s) are currently unknown. The English translation of the arcade game was eventually included in Sega Ages Puyo Puyo.

The arcade version of Puyo Puyo has been ported to various consoles, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Game Gear. The Game Gear version, when played in a non-Japanese system, becomes the English-language Puzlow Kids; this version's translation is nearly identical to that of the English arcade game.

Aside from the arcade version, ports of this game that were released in North America and Europe were heavily-localized. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is one such version, releasing for the Mega Drive, Game Gear, and Master System.

As part of plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series, in early 2011 Sega announced a Virtual Console rerelease of Puyo Puyo with online multiplayer support — the first Virtual Console game to be modified in such a way.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

©Sega/Compile 1992
Source:
In-game credits
Puyo Puyo MD credits.pdf
[15]

Game Gear version

Source:
In-game credits

Source:
Uncredited


Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Puyo Puyo/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Puyo Puyo/Promotional material.

Physical scans

System C version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(UK) NTSC-J
20
[17]
Arcade (System C)
20
Based on
1 review

Puyo Puyo

System C, JP
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[18]
(JP) NTSC-J
88
[19]
(JP) NTSC-J
73
[20]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[21]
(FR) NTSC-J
87
[22]
(JP) NTSC-J
83
[23]
(UK) NTSC-J
91
[24]
(JP) NTSC-J
88
[25]
(UK) NTSC-J
90
[26]
(UK) NTSC-J
89
[27]
(JP) NTSC-J
88
[28]
Sega Mega Drive
80
Based on
11 reviews

Puyo Puyo

Mega Drive, JP
Puyopuyo md jp cover.jpg
Cover
PuyoPuyo MD JP CartTop.jpg
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Cart
Puyopuyo md jp manual.pdf
Manual
PuyoPuyo MD JP pcb.jpg
PCB

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(JP) NTSC-J
73
[29]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[30]
(JP) NTSC-J
70
[31]
(JP) NTSC-J
76
[32]
(DE) NTSC-J
72
[33]
Sega Game Gear
70
Based on
5 reviews

Puyo Puyo

Game Gear, JP
PuyoPuyo GG JP Box Back.jpgPuyoPuyo GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PuyoPuyo GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
PuyoPuyo GG JP Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Puyo Puyo/Technical information.

External links

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Puyo Puyo
Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Puyo Puyo CD
  1. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-1
  2. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-3
  3. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4
  4. File:Puyopuyo md jp cover.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  6. File:PuyoPuyo GG JP Box Front.jpg
  7. 7.0 7.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  8. Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 126
  9. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/01.html (Wayback Machine: 2017-11-23 05:03)
  10. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_puyo/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-19 21:36)
  11. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/13.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-10 23:36)
  12. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vca_puyo (Wayback Machine: 2011-04-20 14:34)
  13. 13.0 13.1 http://vc.sega.jp:80/3ds/puyo/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-27 19:18)
  14. https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/software/70010000046986.html (Wayback Machine: 2021-10-26 03:04)
  15. File:Puyo Puyo MD credits.pdf
  16. File:Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf, page 129
  17. Sega Zone, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 47
  18. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 243
  19. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1993" (JP; 1992-12-08), page 29
  20. Famitsu, "1992-12-18" (JP; 1992-12-04), page 40
  21. Hippon Super, "December 1992" (JP; 1992-11-04), page 82
  22. Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 82
  23. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1993" (JP; 1993-02-xx), page 59
  24. MegaTech, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-20), page 40
  25. Marukatsu Mega Drive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-xx), page 109
  26. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-09-28), page 56
  27. Sega Pro, "February 1994" (UK; 1993-12-30), page 72
  28. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 84
  29. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-08), page 23
  30. Famitsu, "1993-03-26" (JP; 1993-03-12), page 40
  31. Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 47
  32. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  33. Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 115


Puyo Puyo

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Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Bugs | Magazine articles | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information


Books: (1993)

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Puyo Puyo games (and spin-offs) for Sega systems/developed by Sega
Puyo Puyo (1992) | Tsu (1994) | Sun (1996) | Yon (1999) | Fever (2003) | Fever 2 (2005) | 7 (2009) | Puyo Puyo! (15th Anniversary — 2006) | Puyo Puyo!! (20th Anniversary — 2011) | Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014) | Chronicle (25th Anniversary — 2016) | Champions (2018) | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (2020)
Sega Mega Drive
VS Puyo Puyo Sun (2022)
Sega Game Gear
Nazo Puyo (1993) | Nazo Puyo 2 (1993) | Arle no Roux (1994)
Sega Saturn
Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon (1997) | Puyo Korogashi (unreleased)
PlayStation
Waku Puyo Dungeon Ketteiban (1999) | Puyo Puyo~n: Car-kun to Issho (1999) | Puyo Puyo Box (2000)
Nintendo 64
Puyo Puyo~n Party (1999)
Game Boy Color
Puyo Puyo Gaiden: Puyo Wars (1999) | Pocket Puyo Puyo Sun (1999) | Arle no Bouken: Mahou no Jewel (2000) | Pocket Puyo Puyo~n (2000)
Arcade
Puyo Puyo Da! (1999) | Pachislot Puyo Puyo! (2011) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Arcade (2013) | Pachinko CR Puyo Puyo (2017)
Game Boy Advance
Minna de Puyo Puyo/Puyo Pop (2001) | Kidou Gekidan Haro Ichiza: Haro no Puyo Puyo (2005)
Sony PlayStation 2
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 12: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (2004)
i-mode 503i
Puyo Puyo (2001) | Hitori de Puyo Puyo (2001) | Futari de Puyo Puyo (2001) | Puyo Puyo Task Mode (2001) | Tokoton Puyo Puyo (2002) | Puyo Puyo DX (2002) | Futari de Puyo Puyo (2002) | Puyo Puyo Task Mode (2002) | Puyo Puyo DX Christmas Ver. | Puyo Puyo Fever (2004) | Saka Puyo DX (2004) | Puyo Puyo Fever N (2005) | Nazo Puyo (2006) | Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2006) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu (2006) | Puyo Puyo Zurashi (2006) | Puyo Puyo Sun {2006) | Nazo Puyo 2 (2006) | Puyo Puyo Fever Habanero (2007) | Taisen Puyo Puyo Fever (2007) | Puyo Puyo~n & Columns (2007) | Taisen Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX | Puyo Puyo Solitaire {2008} | Taisen Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2008) | Puyo Puyo! (2009) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX Ketteiban (2011)
J-Sky (50KB)
Puyo Puyo (2001) | Hitori de Puyo Puyo (2001) | Nazo Puyo (2003) | Futari de Puyo Puyo (2003) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu (2003) | Puyo Puyo Fever (2004)
Vodafone Live! (256KB)
Puyo Puyo (2001) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu (2003) | Puyo Puyo Fever (2004) | Puyo Puyo Fever Xmas Ver. (2005) | Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2006) | Puyo Puyo Sun {2006) | Nazo Puyo 2 (2006) | Puyo Puyo Zurashi (2006) | Puyo Puyo Fever Habanero (2007) | Puyo Puyo~n & Columns (2007) | Puyo Puyo Solitaire (2008) | Taisen Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX (2008) | Puyo Puyo 7 Gakkou Mode (20XX) | Puyo Puyo! (2009) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX Ketteiban (2011)
EZweb (Java Phase 2/2.5)
Puyo Puyo (2002) | Futari de Puyo Puyo (2002) | Hitori de Puyo Puyo Gouka Ban (2003) | Hitori de Puyo Puyo (2004) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu (2004) | Nazo Puyo (2004) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu Gouka Ban (2004) | Puyo Puyo Fever (2005) | Puyo Puyo Sun {2006) | Puyo Puyo Fever Habanero (2007) | Nazo Puyo 2 (2007) | Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2007) | Puyo Puyo Zurashi (2008) | Taisen Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX (2008) | Puyo Puyo Solitaire {2008} | Puyo Puyo 7 Gakkou Mode (2009) | Puyo Puyo! (2009) Puyo Puyo Tsuu DX Ketteiban (2011)
Club Air-Edge
Puyo Puyo (2006) | Nazo Puyo (2006) | Puyo Puyo Tsuu (2006) | Nazo Puyo 2 (2006) | Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2007) | Puyo Puyo Fever Habanero (2008) | Puyo Puyo Solitaire (2009) | Puyo Puyo Zurashi (2010) | Puyo Puyo~n & Columns (2010)
Emobile
Puyo Puyo Fever DX (2008) | Tokoton Puyo Puyo (2009)
Google Android OS
iOS
Puyo Puyo Fever Touch (2010) | Puyo Puyo Fever Touch Lite (2011) | Puyo Puyo Solitaire (2011) | Puyo Puyo Narabe (2012) | Puyo Puyo Fever: Minna de Nazo Puyo (2013) | Minna de Taisen! Puyo Puyo Fever (2013) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest (2013) | Puyo Puyo Fever Rhythm (2014) | Puyo Puyo Lock App (2014) | Puyo Puyo!! Live Kabegami (201x) | "Puyo Puyo" Manga (201x) | Puyo Puyo!! Touch (2015)
Nintendo Switch
Sega Ages Puyo Puyo (2019) | Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2 (2020)
Export: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (1993) | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit) (1994) | Puyo Pop (N-Gage) (2003) | Columns Deluxe (2008)
Puyo Puyo related media
Music
(2007) | (2007) | (2009) | (2009) | (2011) | (2012) | (2012) | (2013) | (2015) | (2016) | (2017) | (2020)
Audiobook
(2012) | (2012) | (2013) | (2013) | (2014) | (2016) | (2016) | (2016)
Book
Mega Drive & Game Gear Koushiki Guide Book Puyo Puyo (1993) | Puyo Puyo Fever 4-koma Kings (2004) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Character Zukan (2014) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Arcade Kou Ryaku Guide Book (2014) | Puyo Puyo Amitie to Fushigina Tamago (2014) | Puyo Puyo Minna no Yume, Kanaeru Yo!? (2014) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Official Fan Book (2014) | Puyo Puyo Shigu no Himitsu (2015) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Character Zukan Vol. 2 (2015) | Puyo Puyo Satan no Space Yuenchi (2016) | Puyo Puyo 25-shuunen Anniversary Book (2016) | Puyo Puyo!! Quest Character Zukan Vol. 3 (2016) | Puyo Puyo Chronicle Kan Peki Kouryaku Guide (2016)
Other List of Puyo Puyo merchandise