Battle of the Ports - Puyo Puyo 2 (ぷよぷよ通 2) (Show #63) 60fps

[@xneoken]

Wow! Surprise to see this obscure game shown in Battle of the Ports! Some random facts: 1. At the height of it's popularity, Puyo Puyo is the most played game in Japanese arcade next to original Street Fighter 2 arcade. 2. In Japan, Puyo Puyo is considered the most strategic puzzle game on any platform. High level Puyo, there are fakes, counters, and many other strategy options. Unlike Tetris, what actions you do in Puyo affects what the opponent does immediately. Example: a well timed 2 chain can beat someone who is preparing a 10 chain. 3. Not including expansions, Puyo has the most sequels of any SEGA's game originating from arcades. Shame Puyo Puyo does not get the amount the appreciation in the west like it does in Japan. Especially no western release of Puyo Puyo Tetris.

[@RetroCore]

+xneoken Puyo Puyo have been part of my gaming life since the very first game hit the Mega Drive and Super Famicom. I love Puyo Puyo 2 on the Saturn. It's by far the hight of the series IMO. I also own Puyo Puyo Sun on the Saturn as well as the 2 RPG titles. Then there's Puyo Puyo Yon (4) on the DC and two SFC titles which I also own. I love me a bit of Puyo Puyo. You can imagine how disappointed I was when Sega ruined the series with Puyo Puyo Fever :(

[@xneoken]

Retro Core I can understand why you don't like Puyo Puyo Fever. Puyo Puyo Sun (3) and Puyo Puyo N (4) was the visual peak of the Puyo games. After that, came Puyo Puyo Fever 1 which was the most visually displeasing looking Puyo game ever. The game look cheap and the art is gross! I'm not a fan of Fever mode, as I feel Tsuu (2) rules is more superior. However Fever mode allows experts to freestyle and extend the premade chain that you're given. Example: it gives you 5 chain, you can build on top of it to make it 10+ chain. Later Puyo games still allows you to play with Tsuu (2) rules and the puyo piecese are so much better looking!!! Although there are only English release of Puyo 1, Pop (Minna de Puyo) and Fever, there exist fan translations of Puyo 2, 3, Fever 2, 15th Anniversary, & Puyo Tetris.

[@bombjack1984]

Retro Core I rather like Puyo Puyo Fever, but then I haven't really played any of the games between it and the first Puyo Puyo. Fever's also special of course for being Sega's last Dreamcast release, plus it has that funky 3D system menu option.

[@RetroCore]

bombjack True but I can't help but feel Sega still shafted Dreamcast owners as the arcade game ran on Naomi and featured 3D areas like the PS2 version but for some reason they never made it to the Dreamcast port. Very odd when the arcade hardware is basically the same thing. I think if you've never played Puyo Puyo 2 and only Fever then it's fair to think it's a good game. As action puzzle games go it is a good game but compared to Puyo Puyo 2 it just isn't as good sadly.

[@bombjack1984]

Retro Core Didn't know that about the 3D backgrounds, very odd choice. I'll give Puyo Puyo 2 a try. A series review video would be an interesting watch if you were up for making one, I bet there's lots of people like me unaware of all the different versions and what gameplay changes they have.

[@tamerkoh]

There are other versions of this game not shown here. I recorded most of them, but there are stills ome I just can't get my hands on, like the NEC PC9802 version. Of them all, the Saturn version feels the most polished and has the most content. Well I take that back, the PS2 final port has all the features scattered across all the versions. But the Saturn I feel has the best music variants. The PS1's versions are okay, but some of them could've been a bit better I feel. Puyo Puyo forever!

[@DESOFFICIAL1]

how could you beat normal and hardest modes

[@Bloodreign1]

While I like the Saturn port, one of 8 versions of this game that I own, I hate being forced to use remixed tunes. The PS1 and PS2 versions (the PS2 version is basically the PS1 version with cleaned up sprites) allow me to choose the original music, and remixed music if I so choose, and I love having choices. So those 2 get top billing for me, while the Saturn version sits in 3rd place overall.

[@ktychp]

Im ur biggest fan (mainly cause your puyo vids)

[@jakes0075]

Am I right in saying that the Saturn, PS1 and PS2 versions are 2-player only? With Puyo Puyo Box having a 4-player option.

[@StudioBadGuy]

wow, that gamegear version was impressive. I expected more out of that neogeo pocket version tho. great episode.

[@RetroCore]

Studio Bad Guy Cheers man. Glad you liked the show. Yeah, the Noe Pocket version is pretty sad. The Wonderswan version is cool though.

[@RamuneRabbit]

Studio Bad Guy The thing with the Neo Geo Pocket version is that they probably had to consider the original Neo Geo Pocket, which was only in black & white (hence the options for patterns in this version). Color only releases didn't happen until a little after this game's release sadly. And the system didn't exactly make a dent for itself compared to Game Boy and even the WonderSwan in Japan. Also the NGPC version DOES have music, but you have to choose to turn in-game voices off in the options (dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/61185313/2015-04-18%2015.53.34.jpg) and even then, it's not the full versions of the songs, so it's better to go with the voice option anyway. ^_^;

[@RetroCore]

Ah, so it does have music. Still, pretty sad that you have to switch of the voice to hear it. That's the sort of option you'd expect to find on a home computer not a console.

[@stevethefishdotnet]

Another great video! I bought Puyo Puyo 2 for my NGPC back in the day. I was living in Himeji at the time, and I bought most of my NGPC games then. I haven't touched that port of Puyo 2 since then. Wow, that brings me back! That game was far easier for my colorblind eyes than the port of Puzzle Bobble on the NGPC, that's for sure. The GB port may not have voices, but I really dig the music. It's neat how many of those games would have the programming for color and a neat background when played on a Super Game Boy on the SFC/SNES.

[@robertanderson9447]

The Mega Drive version has two options for speech. The default is Type B, which was heard in the video. Type B samples are higher quality but will interrupt the music. Type A samples are both lower quality and slowed down slightly, however they won't interrupt the music. I just stick with B.

[@mastersproutgamer9327]

Katsumi Tanaka always rocks on with his powerful music found in the Saturn port.

[@RetroCore]

It is some good Pyuo music.

[@Bloodreign1]

Another fun fact, the actress for Arle in the PCE CD versions of both Puyo Puyo's, is no other than Kotono Mitsuishi, voice of Sailor Moon.

[@RetroCore]

Now there's something I never knew. :)

[@Bloodreign1]

Caught me by surprise too when I looked up info on the series. Poor gal had trouble in the first PCE CD game with the word bayoen. She could pronounce it, but her voice inflection sounded like she was in pain when she'd say it.

[@RetroCore]

Now that you mention it, she does seem to have trouble with it. It's surprising how many anime voice talents are also quite prominent in games too but often go uncredited.

[@Bloodreign1]

Chances are if a game is based off an anime these days, and during the 32 bit era, the VA's would carry over.

[@yukatoshi]

MD port is my favourite as it's essentially arcade perfect. Not quite sure why some devs struggled with voices on MD. The hardware is capable of very decent samples....

[@Bloodreign1]

It was much closer than Puyo Puyo 1, which had missing voice clips for Arle. Though it is still not quite perfect due to the soundchips one weakness (which could be overcome, see Pulseman), digitized speech.

[@yukatoshi]

@@Bloodreign1 Yeah, agreed.

[@rorydropkick]

Excellent. I've always been fascinated with the Puyo Puyo series, and this was the one that usually caught my eye. I will have to go and nab a copy sometime soon.

[@RetroCore]

You really must do. Puyo Puyo 2 is one of the best action puzzle games ever made.

[@kvproduct1ons]

Puyo Puyo 2's PlayStation port is retitled as Puyo Puyo 2: Ketteiban. The term "Ketteiban" refers to definitive edition, which means it claims to feature improved gameplay and performance. I really liked the PlayStation port since it has the capability to save high scores with ease through memory cards. There's also a video of Puyo Puyo 2: Ketteiban promotional commercial for PlayStation included in the option menu!

[@DeenHoward]

Huh. Something I never noticed before was the SFC versions having the character portraits shifted over to the right instead of the middle due to the lowered screen resolution.

[@marioghernandez4960]

*"Guu?"* Shut up, Carby. I know how happy you are that this already existed.

[@RetroCore]

Very happy I'd say.

[@marioghernandez4960]

Retro Core Yes he is.

[@AlviEao]

Ah yes, Puyo Puyo 2... One of the most ported games in the series next to Puyo Puyo Fever! It seems Compile president Masamitsu "Moo" Niitani had much fun with this game. Not only did he voiced Carbuncle in the Saturn version, Niitani also cosplayed as Satan-sama (whom he later voiced in Puyo Puyo Sun). I heard there was also a PS2 Sega Ages release titled Puyo Puyo 2 Perfect Set, albeit that was during the 3D AGES period. It's supposedly based on the PS1 game Puyo Puyo Box while also a new Nazo Puyo mode. The PS2 port can't beat the Saturn version's audio quality though... Since Sega currently owns the series, there were digital re-releases of Puyo Puyo 2. While the Mega Drive version is currently on Wii Virtual Console worldwide, the same can't be said for the arcade and Game Gear versions on the Japanese VC services for Wii and 3DS. However, the arcade version finally saw a Western release for the first time via Sega 3D Classics Collection (Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2) after nearly 12 years of being exclusive to Japan. Eventually, M2's 3D remaster of the arcade version got a standalone release on the Japanese 3DS eShop not long ago.

[@RetroCore]

***** I actually have the PS2 Sega Ages Puyo collection. It's basically a disc full of emulated roms from what I can tell. NOt the best collection in the series but still nice to have. The Saturn port of Puyo Puyo 2 is easilly the best out of all. The copy I have now is the same copy I bought when visiting Japan in 1995. It's still mint too :) then again 90% of my collection is mint. I'm just fussy like that..

[@Bloodreign1]

I own the PS2 version of Perfect Set, IMO it sounds a little better in the audio department and has stuff from the various Puyo Puyo Tsuu versions. I own 5 versions of Tsuu, including the Saturn one (because hey, why not, it was cheap to buy), it's pretty damned nice, but I still prefer the PS2 release due to having extra modes in it. The PS2 version is not based off of Puyo Puyo Box, because Box used the MD versions of PP1 and PP2 within it, and not unique revisions. I still want PP Box though, even though I already own the MD Puyo games in cart form. And the kicker for me, the PS2 version allows you to use the arcade music, you aren't stuck to just the remixed tracks, but you can use the original arcade's FM synth goodness.

[@ShaunHickox]

Probably one of my all time favourites :)

[@RetroCore]

Shaun Hickox you have good taste, sir :)

[@apologist2960]

Actually, you can switch the back ground music off to on for NEOGEO pocket. If the music is on, the voice is off tho. Nice video anyway.

[@dse763]

Wow, the game gear version of Tsu have the puyo graphically improved compare to the first. And good thing I bought Puyo Puyo Tsu for cheap, despite not having a Japanese Saturn.

[@sdekaar]

for the exclusive video live music if the video quality is poor, the sound quality is quite good.

[@RetroCore]

sdekaar The sound quality is really good but yeah, that video quality is the worst I've ever seen on the Saturn.

[@netako]

You forgot to mention that the SNES, Saturn and (maybe) the PS1 version are the only versions who adds new songs (although the SNES is the only version to replace existing songs from the original).

[@RetroCore]

Yep, it's true but it did slip my mind.

[@sonicmario64]

The SNES version of this game was remade into "Kirby's Avalanche" when it was ported to the US, right?

[@RetroCore]

Yep, that's right and in Europe it was renamed to Kirby's Ghost Trap. I guess they thought the Puyo blobs looked like ghosts.

[@RetroCore]

Yep, that's right and in Europe it was renamed to Kirby's Ghost Trap. I guess they thought the Puyo blobs looked like ghosts.

[@johnleone1996]

No. That was the first Puyo Puyo that was brought over.

[@CarbyGuuGuu]

No, that would be the first game. Specifically Super Puyo Puyo for Super Famicom.

[@snowyskunkyfox]

Kirby's Avalanche is a weird port of Super Puyo Puyo. It uses the Tsu engine due to it supporting up to 7 voice clips for the spells, but it uses OPP rules instead of tsu rules.

[@Spaztron64]

No PC-9821 version? Aww...

[@williamwilliam9993]

0:26 act agains aids screen is similar to winners don't use drugs and recycle screen in arcade machine

[@RetroCore]

True but this only appears on Compile made games.

[@Ai-fj1dc]

To emulate the Neo Geo Pocket Color version, were you using the NeoPop emulator ? Because there's an option that lets you reduce the frame skipping. I can play at 30fps.

[@RetroCore]

I don't remember to be honest but thanks for hint.

[@robertanderson9447]

The PC Engine CD version contains a couple of bugs, at least according to videos I've seen. Occasionally, a player's Nuisance Puyo counter will underflow(?) and loop around to the max possible value. In other words, nearly infinite garbage. Also if you play *too* well, scoring enough to effectively clear two floors at once, the game will make you score an impossible amount to level up again. Other versions simply make you score 1 point.

[@RetroCore]

That's some pretty nasty glitches.

[@diebesgrab]

Hot damn, that Win 95 port is so high resolution compared to the consoles, and yet the sprites don’t look gross like so many modern high res remakes of old pixel-art games.

[@Bloodreign1]

PS2 version has some high quality spritework with it's version on the Sega Ages Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (this version, they went all out on, and it feels like it).

[@silentfanatic]

Good god, how was this game released on PCE CD in 1996?

[@nate567987]

madness

[@bigjawed]

The reason why there isn’t any stereo sound in the arcade version is because some candy arcade cabinets don’t have stereo speakers.

[@MVC2fan1]

Puyo Puyo 2 has a PS2 version titled Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 12 Puyo Puyo 2 Perfect Set.

[@Bloodreign1]

Yes, and outside of the arcade original, it is IMO the best home version of the game around.

[@ilovekatsumi]

*finally a good compraison with sounds,endings,screens etc.

[@hypergoon1152]

Nice to see you hear Shigu but-.

[@Fortuna1]

Exists a 3ds version too included in a compilation for USA/Europe market and other only with the game in Japan Played the Gameboy version, is impressive and playable

[@Bloodreign1]

The 3DS version is basically emulation, so of course it is arcade perfect.

[@earlduran6419]

Best : Sega Saturn, Windows 95, PC engine CD, Super Famicom (original version), Super Famicom (Remixed version), PlayStation, Sega Mega Drive, and Sega Game Gear. Worst : Arcade (due to having one button)

[@Alianger]

I prefer the MD version's music to any other port, was kind of disappointed in how the SAT one sounds with its subdued music compared to the sfx. Anyway, nice comparison vid.

[@RetroCore]

The Saturn version really does sound good but the recording on this video is distorted because I had the volume set to high on the Framemister.

[@nathangitz2674]

Would you say you like the Saturn or PS1 port more, out of these two?

[@RetroCore]

Saturn, 👍

[@BlockABoots]

Good old Super Famicom does it again. Is there an English translation patch anywhere for this game?

[@RetroCore]

I really don't know. Never been big on the translation patches apart from snatcher.

[@xneoken]

BlockABoots Yes. There is an English translation for Snes Puyo 2

[@MVC2fan1]

That was considered a fan translation, so that's on count.

[@AmethystLeslie]

Super Puyo Puyo 2 sounds a little strange here, at least compared to my experiences on the SNES Switch Online app.

[@RetroCore]

The SNES online app is emulated so maybe that's why?

[@ex_istence2381]

11:05 the music also sounds different

[@ktychp]

I’m nostalgic for the wonderswan version cause I made an anti piracy video for it

[@RetroCore]

You made an anti piracy video for the wonderswan version? Was this an official video for the Japanese Market.

[@ktychp]

It is not official I made it for fun

[@PKMNwww411_MkII]

The Neo Geo Pocket Color version was released in North America under the name Puyo Pop. There's even an N-Gage version of the first game under the name of Puyo Pop. This was before the release of Puyo Pop Fever (aka Puyo Puyo Fever)

[@MasterChi48]

Was this game on the Nintendo 64 too?

[@MasterChi48]

Never mind. I was thinking Puyo Puyo Sun. Sorry.

[@RetroCore]

Maceo Burgess Yes, that's right. Only Puyo Puyo Sun in on the N64. That was also another game that was ported to many systems.

[@DESOFFICIAL1]

u know that the gamegear port has the same sounds as of pocket puyo puyo 2

[@RetroCore]

No, I did not know that.

[@RiddlerOnYutube]

Great vid Mark. I just recently discovered the puyo puyo rpg. What do you think about it. Is it worth playing/buying?

[@RetroCore]

RiddlerOnYutube Which one is it? There are two on the Saturn being Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon which a fun action RPG and then there's the more expensive and less common Madoh Monogatari which is a very beautiful game but maybe a little tricky for none Japanese speakers.

[@RiddlerOnYutube]

Retro Core it is the waku waku one.

[@RetroCore]

RiddlerOnYutube That's not too bad. Worth a try :)

[@RiddlerOnYutube]

Retro Core great thanks.

[@sunswift]

Who has dr.robotnik's mean bean machine vibes because of this game?

[@RetroCore]

Dr. Robotnik Mean Bean Machine is just a reskinning of this game 😉

[@sunswift]

@@RetroCore i know. At least that it is entertaining reskin of the game.

[@Bloodreign1]

One advantage the PS1 port had over the Saturn, a choice of arcade or the remixed music found on the Saturn version. It is also the Ketteiban version which is supposed to mean difficult. I owned the Saturn version first, but later got the PS1 port due to wanting the original arcade tunes, the voice actress for Arle is also different between the versions, the one used in the PS1 version became her voice actress after that. I still have both versions but have since added Super Puyo Puyo SFC and Puyo Puyo Sun Ketteiban PS1 to the collection, with a want to eventually add more to the collection.

[@luisemilio1143]

22:33 OMG 😂

[@yethboth7873]

Have you played either Kirby's Ghost Trap/Avalanche on the Super Nintendo/Famicon or Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis? Both games are basically Puyo Puyo but with different characters. Kirby's Ghost Trap/Avalanche has the Kirby characters and the game also has different music. Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean has the characters Dr Robotnik, Scratch and Grounder from the early 1990's Sonic The Hedgehog american animated series. Again, this game also has different music. Both games are just as fun to play as the original Puyo Puyo game.

[@RetroCore]

Yes, I know about the western mess that Puyo Puyo turned in to on the Mega Drive and SNES. I can't say either has the appeal of the original. They are also based upon Puyo Puyo 1 too so aren't as good to play.

[@mercuryq1144]

idk why people play mean bean or avalanche. Like you said, its based off the first puyo so its not very fun to play since there's no offsetting and the characters in puyo are more interesting.

[@MVC2fan1]

They both were reskinned versions of Puyo Puyo.

[@johnps1670]

Played Popoon on the SNES. Also fun.

[@madsceptictrooper6803]

Just like first game, Arcade and MD are pretty much same. And I thought two FC ports of first game were weird but two SFC ports, I might have lost my mind. Sadly the music isn't as great as in SFC port of first game. Sega Saturn is definitely the best version as its hardware is the most advanced and powerful of them all. Other ports are very good.

[@Bloodreign1]

PS2 port is the best one, has much more content in it than other versions, plus nicely cleaned up sprites that won't cause eye cancer. Saturn port forces you to listen to remixed music, while the PS2 and PS1 ports allow you to choose remixed music, or the original arcade music. I love having options, and those 2 fit the bill nicely. Of course I own a lot of Tsuu: MD version Both SFC versions Saturn version Game Boy version PS1 version PS1 version via Puyo Puyo Box, though it seems to be the MD version on there PS2 version Puyo Puyo 1: MD version SFC version Game Boy version Puyo Puyo Sun: Saturn version PS1 version Puyo Puyo~n: PS1 version Still missing Puyo Pop GBA, plays exactly like Tsu, and GBC versions of Sun and Yon

[@williamwilliam9993]

Unlike puyo-puyo and bloxeed again this game uses the mega drive based arcade system board called the C2

[@EastyyBlogspot]

me and my dad put hours into doctor robotniks mean bean machine

[@RetroCore]

Eastyy's blogspot YOu should give Puyo Puyo 2 a try. You'll love it, Far better than the original game which is what Dr. Robitnicks Mean Bean Machine was based upon.

[@xneoken]

Eastyy's blogspot Puyo 2 is so much better. With the original Puyo, aka Dr Robotnick Mean Bean Machine, whoever attacks first with a big chain wins. No real strategy needed.

[@ilovekatsumi]

I had pc version of tsuu.. (full) its a good game.

[@Bloodreign1]

I have the Win 95 file for it too (full version, as well as the English translated Korean version of Sun), it's not too bad actually.

[@williamwilliam9993]

The PC version of Puyo Puyo 2 was the only version to include a separate Nazo Puyo quest, as the CD versions had a "cut-down" version included into them. This version was also translated into Korean.

[@Bloodreign1]

Puyo Puyo Perfect Set on the PS2 has a Nazo mode, and Puyo Puyo Box, not shown in this video as it's just ports of the Mega Drive versions of Puyo Puyo and Puyo Puyo Tsuu (complete with scratchy vocal effects), also has a Nazo mode in it. I wish there had been a Puyo Puyo Tsuu Remix for the MD, it'd be another port to chase down, but it would've been nice to have a Rally Mode in it. The MD port is great, but feels very barebones compared to other ports of the game (besides the first version released for the SFC).

[@PKMNwww411_MkII]

I would like to see Puyo Puyo Sun and Puyo Puyo Fever on Battle of the Ports.

[@RetroCore]

Puyo Puyo sun I like. Fever is where the series died IMO.

[@Bloodreign1]

@@RetroCore Yon is pretty good too, but it was sadly not an arcade version (though there are pictures of sprites from a possible cancelled arcade game). Sadly it's just on DC and PS1, and both I must say are damned fine games, even if the PS1 version is at lower res, with some graphical effects missing, like the heatwaves in the between stage dialog cutscenes taking place inside a volcano. I just got the PS1 version recently, it's menus are all in Japanese, and there's loads of options it in, makes it just a little intimidating.

[@mercuryq1144]

I love this game though it's not my favorite in the series.

[@RetroCore]

Which would be your favourite? Personally part two is my favourite but I also have a soft spot for Puyo Puyo Sun and 4. I can't stand Puyo Puyo Fever though. That's when the series died IMO.

[@mercuryq1144]

My favorite is 20th anniversary because I like the amount of modes and characters there are. Tsu is probably my second favorite. I can understand why you can't stand Fever. It's not really that fun to play.

[@kitestar]

Hate to be "that guy" but you missed the 3DS remaster via the "sega 3D restoration project"

[@RetroCore]

+kitestar It wasn't released when this video was made.

[@kitestar]

+Retro Core shortly after my post I realized my error

[@kitestar]

+Retro Core and besides the 3Ds restoration looked like the arcade version with some bells and whistles attached anyway from what I found out about it

[@MVC2fan1]

It was only released in the compliation game called Sega 3D Classics Collection/Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 for the 3DS.

[@shwink]

This was the most popular version of Puyo Puyo, sega even released a ps1 port after they went multi-platform ! Which I happen to own. Always was annoyed that Sega of America slapped the U.S. Sonic cartoon licenses on the American release with poorer music. Not surprised sega bought compile, they did a ton of work for them in the early days.

[@kitestar]

Not to mention the psx and ps2

[@RetroCore]

+kitestar Those are actually slightly different versions but I guess I could have included the PSX one. I think the PS2 is just the PSX game running ona PS2.

[@MVC2fan1]

There is a version of Puyo Puyo 2 on the PlayStation 2. It was titled Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.12: Puyo Puyo 2 Perfect Set.

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Remember to act against AIDS.

[@RetroCore]

Indeed.

[@ex_istence2381]

puyo puyo tsu ah the memories

[@DESOFFICIAL1]

plz do puyo puyo (original)

[@RetroCore]

+DESOFFICIAL1 I will do at some point but I'm not sure when.

[@DESOFFICIAL1]

+Retro Core, I will add you on Google+ then I'll see when, and I got screenshots of Pocket Puyo Puyo Tsu

[@RetroCore]

DESOFFICIAL1 OK!

[@ex_istence2381]

see this video like. see dislikes HACKS!!!!

[@NoSpamForYou]

I think I have a disc only Saturn copy. Should I bother getting a Super Famicom PP2 Remix?

[@RetroCore]

Not unless you're really a diehard fan of the game.