Puyo Puyo Tetris was a puzzler that fused two very different titles and challenged you to master both. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, released in 2020, continued the formula, and with Nintendo’s shiny new Switch 2 looking for titles, it felt like the right time to bring it back, this time under the name Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S.
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At first glance, it seems identical to its predecessor, but dig deeper and you’ll find new modes and features that add a subtle twist.
Puzzle Battle
You can play either Puyo Puyo or Tetris, or both at once on the same playing field. Personally, I’ve never quite got to grips with Puyo Puyo despite trying—Tetris is definitely my comfort zone. I blame Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine.
Adventure mode offers the core single-player experience beyond the multiplayer thrills. It’s surprisingly long, packed with high-pitched characters aiming to stop the worlds of Puyo Puyo and Tetris from colliding. The plot closely mirrors the original, with the characters even joking about the similarities.
Puzzle Adventure
Adventure mode forces you to switch between both game styles, nudging you out of your comfort zone. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of both, even if only at a basic level.
The format sticks closely to the first game, but the standout new addition is Skill Battle mode. Here, you face 3v3 matches in an RPG-style setup. Each player has a health bar, and losing lines means taking damage—clear more and you’ll inflict more damage too.
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Every character has a skill that can sway the game—like changing rows to the same colour or clearing them entirely. As you play, your team levels up, boosting health and damage potential.
It’s a clever mode, but only those confident in both games will really make the most of it. It gets deep quickly once you start experimenting with unique characters and skill sets.
Global Puzzler
Once you’ve found your footing, you can head online to compete across all modes. Each has its own league system to climb, and now many modes support doubles, with two players sharing one field.
Visually, it’s bright and cartoonish, not really my style but some will love it. The same goes for the music – it’s very chirpy.
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Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S refines rather than reinvents. With some fresh balance tweaks, it’s ideal for fans, and a great training ground for newcomers curious about either puzzle series.
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