Puyo Puyo [Model TIM-PY]

Puyo Puyo © 1993 Tokuma Shoten Intermedia, Incorporated.

Puyo Puyo doesn't need much of an introduction - the now classic puzzle game was first released for the Japanese MSX and Famicom in 1991, and although this early version uses only a fraction of what made the franchise so successful, it boasts the same fundamental gameplay mechanics. The game borrows primarily from the classic Tetris and the main objective is fairly simple and straightforward - pairs of colored Puyos (small slimy creatures in the form of jelly beans) fall from the top of the screen, and the player must combine then in groups of four (or more) to make them disappear. Once they do, all the Puyos located directly above the newly created gap fall downwards, thus creating new groups and potentially triggering more chain reactions for extra points. This version of Puyo Puyo offers two main play modes - the first one, called 'Endless', offers an unlimited flow of Puyos and no time limit. The second mode, called 'Mission', requires the player to complete fifty two discrete levels and to fulfil certain conditions or predefined goals, such as completing chains, cleaning a given amount of puyos or to only clear puyos of a specific color. Additionally, this version also includes a versus mode allowing two players to compete against each other. In this competitive mode, linking chains and combos bombards the opponent's playfield with garbage puyos, black/transparent beans that fill the player's area, and the only way to remove these perky nuisances is to quickly form combos next to them. Finally, this version of Puyo Puyo offers a myriad of options to customize the game to any liking, from difficulty level, background music, sound effects to special items and even the shape of the Puyos (they can be turned into Humans! see the info section below for more information about this unforeseen option).