We’ve already experienced the first Puyo Puyo title on the Virtual Console, although you may not have noticed as the western version was retooled as Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine. As far as laying down the foundations of the Puyo Puyo franchise, it’s not a bad game at all, but it was undoubtedly trumped in pretty much every respect by this brilliant sequel.
The general gameplay is a lot like fellow genre classics Tetris and Columns. Different coloured drops fall from the top of the screen and the player has to successfully link these drops in order to clear them. Once the drops reach the top of the play area, it’s game over. You also have to factor in that you’re playing against an opponent, and whenever they combo together a certain number of drops, these are dumped on your side of the screen as ‘garbage’, thus making things a little harder for you. Thankfully, you can do the same!
Although the game rules remain pretty much as they were before, developer Compile has added some important features that change the complexion of the game and help make it more enjoyable in the long run. For example, it’s now possible to counter the ‘garbage’ drops that are inflicted by your opponent. For example, if your foe sends 20 drops your way and you manage to combo 10, the damage is reduced by 10 so you have less garbage to deal with. You can also use this new system to counter-attack your enemy: If they initiate a 20 drop attack on you and you manage to score 30, you will send 10 drops their way. This system has been used in every Puyo Puyo title since, not to mention countless other puzzle games. There are also other new features such as an All Clear bonus, Chain Limits, different types of garbage drops and a mode that removes garbage drops entirely.
In single player the game is pretty addictive but it only really comes to life when you’re up against a human opponent. The new rules allow you to customise your two-player battles to your own personal liking and this makes Puyo Puyo 2 one of the most perfectly formed multiplayer puzzle games currently available on the Virtual Console, and a much more pleasing proposition than the prequel.
Puyo Puyo 2 was ported to 12 different formats in total and the Megadrive/Genesis version is widely regarded as one of the finest. If you’re a puzzle game fanatic, then chances are our recommendation won’t change what you already know – this is classic stuff. If you downloaded Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine and crave a more balanced and enjoyable experience then you really should purchase this as soon as possible. It’s just a shame that the single player aspect isn’t quite as essential, but you can’t have everything!
Note: as this game was never released outside of Japan some things like menus are in Japanese. The in-game manual on the Wii explains the game modes, however, so it isn't really a problem.
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1. deggs
28 Nov 2007, 11:12 GMT
i wonder if they're going to keep the "act against aids" screen in?
gets 5 stars from me not just for being puyo puyo but for also having better music than mean bean machine and the kirby's avalanche as well as cool japanese arcade style sound effects...
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2. sam
29 Nov 2007, 05:07 GMT
This is the game I wanted when i downloaded the dreadfully inferior Mean Bean Machine. Puyo Puyo 2 is the craziest 2 player fun. Get a massive combo and hear hilarious screaming japanese jibberish before unloading an onslaught of puyos
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3. ICEknight
29 Nov 2007, 12:26 GMT
This is the most awesome 16-bit version of Puyo Puyo ever. The original characters were much funnier than the Robotnik and Kirby localizations, and the overall designs look much better than those in Fever.
I'd be more than happy to have this game in its original MegaDrive or SNES form, but it would be great if they could translate the dialogues this time.
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4. SKTTR
29 Nov 2007, 14:15 GMT
too late, I recently got Kirby's Ghost Trap...
and well, I'm happy with Kirby music and characters...
and gameplay is just the same.
don't need another one.
but good for the puyo puyo lovers who waited for the "real original".
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5. DJ_Philanegro
30 Nov 2007, 00:17 GMT
Oh man, I can't wait for this to be released then. Luckily I didn't give in and get Kirby's Avalanche in the blind hope that this game would come, and now I just got more! (hope, that is)
I've been pretty addicted to the series, and since this game introduced the ability to block incoming garbage puyo, it seems it's a must have for fans.
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6. Matt
01 Dec 2007, 18:08 GMT
I think they'll just delete the act against AIDS screen
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7. deggs
04 Dec 2007, 05:06 GMT
yeah, i gave in and got mean bean machine earlier on. if they keep the japanese girl yelling stuff, i'll soooo buy this one though (that's the best part of the game which makes it a must get for me for some reason...)
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8. PresidentLeever
04 Dec 2007, 16:59 GMT
That's awesome. I believe the SNES version had a slight advantage though, with more game modes and 4-player mode.
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9. deggs
05 Dec 2007, 22:25 GMT
i sooooooooooo want this asap... can't wait
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10. Starwolf_UK
20 Dec 2007, 12:55 GMT
Puyo Puyo 2 introduces the offset rule.
That thing really changes vs. mode considerably. Basically, it gives players the power to cancel out attacks thrown at them. It certainly adds strategy by making the game more then a case of who can reach 6 chains the fastest. Fun fact: It was that offsetting rule which made the games really popular in the arcades and set compile onto their path of world domination by whoring the Puyo franchise...only people got tired of it eventually and a series of events lead to Compile bankcrupting (and SEGA buying up the Puyo Puyo franchise).
Hope that gets mentioned in the review.
The only drawbacks I can see are:
-SNES versions were technically better (previously mentioned 4 player mode and the remix version has an insane vs marathon mode*) but since Banpresto published those legally its all confusing (on an off note I would have loved to have seen the Super Nazo Puyo titles)
*-You battle everyone (in this 1-player it uses a tower system and in earlier cases you'll promote teir before fighting everyone) one after another on fastest speed and highest difficulty.
-The price. It'll be +100 points for import. So 900 points...
At 900 points I would consider buying Puyo Pop Fever (which introduced the fever mode making things for n00b friendly) if you can put up with the awful voices and not such good graphics (I find them cheesy and naff) as in real terms you should be able to get it for around that.
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11. donx998
24 Dec 2007, 14:47 GMT
the one for the super nintindo was way better it had a costom mode, 4player mode,more main menu options. and 8 different 4 player styles
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12. Tony
10 Jan 2008, 19:04 GMT
Nintendo should wait to release this game since Kirby's avalanche and mean bean machine are out already.
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13. mirkdddlhppr
30 Jan 2008, 04:19 GMT
Puyo Puyo? A quality puzzle game!
So is DRMBM. It's a matter of preference which to get, but they're both addictive.
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14. WaddleWave
30 Jan 2008, 19:54 GMT
I bought Puyo PoP Fever for the DS recently, very lucky, great puzzle game. Starwolf_UK said that this is the version that has the offset rule, well then, this is the version to buy, forget Mean Bean Machine.
When we used to play, with my brother, Mean Bean Machine (the first time Sonic Mega Collection was launch), we crank up the speed (pressing down all the time or just increasing the speed) and start to make huge chains, we "kill" off each other in the first minute, is like who will draw the shortest straw, since there is no offset rule, it gets bored really quick, finishing the matches by who's garbage gets to fall first, it not entertaining.
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15. donx998
01 Feb 2008, 21:22 GMT
if you think puyo fever is good try 15 anniverary best and newest verion next to puyo fever 2 it has wifi and lots of different modes you have to order it online though at play asia and its in japanese the game not the web site
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16. Bass X0
10 Mar 2008, 00:15 GMT
I think they've waited long enough by now, Tony. I welcome the sequel.
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17. WaddleWave
10 Mar 2008, 10:49 GMT
I wonder how it will look for the release? Would the manual walk you through the various options available? Because its a lot of options.
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18. Faithful Dragon
10 Mar 2008, 19:57 GMT
honestly do they really need to put another puyo puyo game out we already have enough of them on the VC and how much can they differ in style, what we need is some good sidescrolling action like Double Dragon, Cyborg Justice, Battletoads and Bionic Commando just to name a few.
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19. WaddleWave
11 Mar 2008, 12:38 GMT
As a puzzle maniac it dont bother me as much. Like the Street Fighters games, you must wait for the best one to come out. This one introduces the offset rule, you can counter your opponents attacks(the garbage puyo that accumulates), like the review says this one has customizeable options, better music and sounds. More puzzles, like Mario Picross!...And for sidescrolling, where's my Pocky and Rocky(奇々怪界～謎の黒マント, KiKi KaiKai: Nazo no Kuro Manto)?
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20. Skrubber 11 Mar 2008, 15:42 GMT
I would say the SNES version, Super Puyo Puyo 2 is better. It has better Backgrounds and in single player you meet every enemy in a decided order and have a short dialogue with them before the match.
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21. StarDust
13 Mar 2008, 14:36 GMT
I'll probably have to get this one. I already have Kirby's Avalanche for SNES (cartridge format) and Mean Bean Machine on my Sonic Mega Collection GC, so I avoided both on Virtual Console until now (only the Mario platform games do I own both on cartridge format and VC).
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22. DEMON212
10 May 2008, 05:01 GMT
I'm so messed up when it comes to these. Hate Mean Bean, hate PPFever, loved the MK one (That's also in Mortal Kombat DS), love this once.
WTH?!
Mint game, 4 stars easily
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