Puzzle fans, assemble! Sega‘s crossover puzzle game is back with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, bringing the franchise to the Switch 2’s launch lineup. The series started life in 2014, finding its footing in Japan on the Wii U and 3DS (as well as Sony’s console and handheld at the time). It would later break out onto the next generation of consoles, including the original Switch, in the years that followed. The game managed to score with both puzzle veterans and casuals alike, and it seems Sega is looking to jump in early on a new Nintendo console to replicate their former success.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is a revamp of the original Switch’s 2020 Puyo Puyo Tetris 2; that added “S” makes all the difference. While the game is largely as it was four years ago, there are a handful of additions that leverage the added power and functionality of the Switch 2 that might entice first-time players—or those simply looking to round out their (currently) limited Switch 2-exclusive library. However, it’s an iterative release that struggles to justify a second purchase for previous version owners, as the added gimmicks are hardly transformative.
Double the Fun?
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S represents the definitive form, albeit not by much, of this falling block puzzle game mash-up. All of the modes from the Switch version return. Adventure mode provides a loose narrative to underscore the Puyo Puyo and Tetris levels, pitting players against CPUs and earning stars along the way. It also contains some oddly charming, oddly stilted dialogue. Skill battles act as a versus mode that embeds a health bar on either side. As opposing teams align their blocks or match their colored Puyos, damage is dealt to the opposing side. The characters (which include Sonic) embedded in each team can be leveled, and all contain a special ability to change the flow of battle. For example, Tetris blocks may be reassembled to remove gaps or rows of Puyos can be switched to a uniform color. Swap, Party, Fusion and the remaining originals are all here.
The returning modes aren’t likely to be the reason you’re reading this review; you want to know what’s new in the Switch 2 release. In regards to new modes, there’s a single addition: Puyo Tetris Doubles. 2v2 battles are now on the menu. It’s easily the most attractive mode on offer, and the primary reason anyone would opt for the 2S release. Having two players simultaneously control Puyos and Tetriminos on the same board in Versus or Fusion is strategic, chaotic fun. Players will need to stay out of each other’s way thanks to the presence of collision. Getting four friends together to duke it out in duos is easily the highlight of the entire package.
A Hard Sell
Those who opted for a Switch 2 camera will be delighted to hear that the accessory is utilized in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S. With a connected camera, player faces replace the board background, providing real-time visibility of your opponent’s frustration as you dominate your own board. It’s not an evolutionary addition, but it adds to the party game vibe. That’s it as far as “upgrades” go in this re-release. The remaining changes largely involve backend items, like Tetris/Puyo Puyo player filtering and quitting restrictions tied to Ranked matches. There are new mouse controls that utilize the new Joy Con functionality, but it’s better left forgotten.
Sega’s puzzle crossover is not the type of game that otherwise benefits from the new console’s power boost, which only makes the full $40 price tag (the cost of the original) harder to swallow. It’s a low-lift update that primarily gains value from new players unboxing their Switch 2 and essentially alienates the existing fanbase by providing little incentive to revisit the game outside of one (admittedly fun) mode.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S Review Verdict
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S joins the Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup as a lightly modified iteration of its predecessor. Puyo Tetris Doubles makes for chaotic fun with friends, but otherwise everything else is either the same or a gimmicky addition to force the use of new system features. First-time players should find plenty to love, but owners of the original version won't find $40 worth of new content to justify a double dip. – Joshua
[Editor’s Note: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S was reviewed on Switch 2 and a copy was provided to us for review purposes.]