Platform: 3DS, PS3, PS Vita, Wii U
Release Date in Japan: February 6, 2014
Background
Puyo Puyo Tetris is a crossover title that features two long-running puzzle franchises: Puyo Puyo and Tetris. Various gameplay modes give players a choice between Puyo Puyo or Tetris rules, or even a mix of the two. Versus mode can allow Puyo Puyo vs Tetris matches or you can play together with the same rules. Puyo Puyo Tetris can be played in single player, two player versus and a party mode with four players.
The Puyo Puyo series was originally developed and released by Compile, with its first release Puyo Puyo available in 1991 for the Famicom and the MSX as a single player game in Japan. An arcade release in 1992 that introduced two-player competition made the series immensely popular. The object of the game is to prevent the stacking of blobs to the point where they touch the ceiling of your column space, and you do this by matching four or more blobs of the same color that fall on screen, which will make them disappear. Two blobs are introduced to your grid at a time falling down from the ceiling, and these two blobs can be rotated, shifted horizontally, or placed in a fast fall. If there are any pieces above the disappearing group of blobs they will fall and fill in the empty space which can potentially chain into more combos. It is possible to create elaborate combos in Puyo Puyo.
SEGA took over the franchise when Compile filed for bankruptcy in the early 2000s. The first titles made by Sonic Team were Minna de Puyo Puyo for Game Boy Advance in 2001 and Puyo Puyo Fever for various platforms in 2004.
Localization Status
Unfortunately, only a few Puyo Puyo games were localized overseas on consoles. Interestingly, the first overseas Puyo Puyo release came about when SEGA and Nintendo rebranded Puyo Puyo as Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine and Kirby’s Avalanche respectively. The next releases included Puyo Puyo Tsu for the Neo Geo Pocket, Minna de Puyo Puyo and Puyo Puyo Fever. Fever was the final localized entry with the DS version published by Atlus. Not translated, Puyo Puyo Tsu was released on Virtual Console in the West as an import and is technically counted as the final release in the West in 2008.
Puyo Puyo Tetris could very well break the Japan-only curse on the franchise thanks to being combined with Tetris. Viewing the latter as one of the most iconic video game franchises, it is possible for SEGA to see potential in bringing the game over. Nintendo could also intervene; the company has worked with the license multiple times over the years. Nintendo has localized for 3rd party on occasion as well. There is a potential risk with Ubisoft’s upcoming Tetris game possibly blocking a localization. However, The Tetris Company licenses out the brand to multiple companies and SEGA does not have a PS4 or XBOX One version of Puyo Puyo Tetris to overlap with Ubisoft’s business.
How can you help?
To bring back interest in the franchise you can purchase Puyo Puyo 2 on Virtual Console, more information here. It is slightly higher priced as an import but worth it for any puzzle fan. Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine is also available on Steam and the Wii and 3DS Virtual Console. Be sure to also request the game to SEGA by Facebook and Twitter and discuss on the forum. You can also see if Atlus is interested again by posting on their social media pages.
Links
Official Japanese Puyo Puyo Tetris website and official series portal site
Puyo Nexus, a Puyo Puyo fansite and community