Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 – Ultimate Puzzle Battle

The definitive puzzle crossover blends Tetris and Puyo Puyo with 80+ levels, multiplayer chaos, and skill-based battles. Critical consensus rates it 8.0/10.

Game Info

Developer
Sega
Publisher
Sega
Release Date
December 8, 2020
Genre
Multiplayer, Party, Puzzle
Platforms
Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Verdict

8 /10

A polished puzzle mashup with addictive gameplay and robust multiplayer that delivers excellent value at $39.99, despite occasional balance issues.

Pros

  • Addictive puzzle mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master
  • Packed with 80+ story levels plus dozens of multiplayer modes
  • Robust tutorial system makes both games accessible to newcomers
  • Character progression and Skill Battle add strategic depth
  • Stable 60fps across all platforms with fast loading times
  • Up to 4-player local and online multiplayer support
  • Affordable $39.99 price point for 30+ hours of content

Cons

  • Game heavily favors Puyo Puyo, creating matchup imbalance against Tetris players
  • Steep difficulty spike in later Adventure Mode chapters frustrates new players
  • Online population varies significantly by platform
  • Story mode feels forced with repetitive puzzle-solving explanations
  • No cross-platform play between systems

Performance Notes

Runs at stable 60fps across all platforms. Switch maintains performance in handheld and docked modes. PS5 and Xbox Series X reach 4K; PC scales from 1080p on minimum specs to 4K on high-end rigs. Load times under 2 seconds on SSD.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 proves that mixing two legendary puzzle franchises still delivers engaging entertainment. Released in December 2020 across all major platforms, this sequel maintains the addictive simplicity of the original while introducing new mechanics like Skill Battle and expanded multiplayer modes. Critics awarded the game an 80 Metacritic score, praising its accessibility and depth, though some noted it doesn’t reinvent the formula. This review explores whether the game justifies another puzzle duel.

How to Play Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 teaches core mechanics through tutorials, then lets players choose their difficulty. You match colored Puyos or complete Tetris lines to clear blocks and send garbage to opponents. The game runs at 60fps on all platforms with minimal loading times.

  1. Controls – Standard controller layout works across Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Learning curve is gentle for puzzle veterans; newcomers need 1-2 hours practice.
  2. Progression – Adventure Mode spans 80+ levels across 7+ chapters. Completing levels earns stars based on objectives. Each chapter introduces new characters and story beats that drive you forward.
  3. Combat/Mechanics – Either play pure Tetris, pure Puyo Puyo, or use the new Swap mode that toggles between both. Skill Battle assigns characters RPG-style abilities that turn matches into strategic team battles.
  4. Tips – Start Adventure Mode on Normal difficulty. Practice both Tetris and Puyo separately before mixing them. Use the tutorial for Skill Battle before ranked play.

Who Should Play Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

This puzzle game appeals to competitive players, casual puzzle fans, and anyone seeking deep multiplayer experiences. The game scales from relaxing single-player to intense ranked tournaments. Skip this if you dislike puzzle games or demand narrative-heavy stories.

  • Competitive Puzzlers – Ranked online leagues and Skill Battle offer ranked progression. Teams level up, rewards drop frequently, and skill separates winners from losers.
  • Couch Co-op Fans – Up to 4 players can battle locally using split-screen modes. Party mode adds randomized power-ups that change match outcomes unpredictably.
  • Completionists – 33+ hours of content including Challenge modes, story star objectives, and character collection. Boss Raid co-op gives endless replayability.
  • Skip if – You cannot tolerate steep difficulty spikes or have zero interest in puzzle mechanics. The game heavily favors Puyo Puyo in Adventure Mode balance, frustrating pure Tetris players.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Platform Performance

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 runs smoothly across all platforms. Switch handles handheld and TV modes without frame drops. PS5 and Xbox Series X reach 4K resolution; PC requires modest specs even for high settings. All versions hit 60fps consistently in puzzle modes.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (Recommended) 1080p-4K 60+ DirectX 11, no ray tracing; scales beautifully on older hardware
PlayStation 5 4K 60 Ultra-fast load times; DualSense haptics enabled
Xbox Series X 4K 60 Smart Delivery included; Game Pass available
Nintendo Switch 1080p/720p 60 Docked and handheld both maintain 60fps; zero visual compromises

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 System Requirements

PC players need Windows 8.1 or higher and an Intel Core i3-level processor. The game demands only 4 GB RAM and 4 GB storage, making it accessible to budget gamers. DirectX 11 support spans GPUs from 2012 onward, ensuring broad compatibility without requiring upgrades.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 8.1 Windows 10
CPU Intel Core i3-6100 or AMD FX-4350 Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD FX-8350
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 (1GB) or AMD Radeon HD 5770 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750Ti (2GB) or AMD Radeon HD 7770
RAM 4 GB 8 GB
Storage 4 GB available space SSD recommended for faster loads

Similar Games to Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

Puzzle fans comparing options should consider Tetris Effect: Connected for deeper Tetris focus and cross-platform play. Puyo Puyo Chronicle offers pure Puyo strategy without Tetris mechanics. Dr. Mario World scales difficulty gently for casual players. Each delivers unique depth despite surface similarities.

  • Tetris Effect: Connected – Pure Tetris with stunning visuals and cross-platform multiplayer. Lacks Puyo Puyo’s frantic pace but offers meditative single-player modes.
  • Puyo Puyo Chronicle – Focused exclusively on Puyo strategy across 100+ levels. Simpler presentation than Tetris 2; deeper character progression systems.
  • Dr. Mario World – Match-3 puzzle gameplay with gentler difficulty curve. Shorter playtime per session; mobile-friendly design.
  • Tetris 99 – Battle royale Tetris for Switch. Fast-paced but offers no Puyo Puyo content or story mode like Tetris 2.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 vs Competitors

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 undercuts Tetris Effect in price while offering more puzzle variety. However, Tetris Effect delivers superior visuals and cross-play. Puyo Puyo Chronicle provides deeper single-game strategy but no competitive multiplayer ranking. Budget matters: at $39.99, Tetris 2 represents better value for couch co-op seekers.

Feature Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Tetris Effect: Connected Puyo Puyo Chronicle
Price $39.99 $49.99 $29.99
Playtime (Main) 8.5 hours 6 hours 10 hours
Multiplayer Up to 4 online/local Up to 2 cross-platform Local only, up to 2
Metacritic 80 79 74

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Story and World

The story follows a mysterious figure merging the separate Puyo and Tetris universes into one reality. Players meet colorful characters like Tee and Ess (Tetris mascots) alongside Puyo Puyo’s Arle. The narrative remains lighthearted, using puzzle battles as the core conflict mechanic. Adventure Mode unfolds across seven chapters with cinematics and voice acting that never takes itself seriously. World-building emphasizes charm over depth, but it provides enough context to motivate progression through harder levels.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Multiplayer and Online

Online competition drives engagement through ranked Puzzle Leagues and casual Free Play. Cross-platform play is absent, so players only match against their own platform. Co-op Boss Raid mode supports 2-4 teammates fighting procedurally scaled bosses. Couch multiplayer works flawlessly with up to four controllers on a single Switch.

  • Versus Mode – 1v1 battles using Tetris, Puyo Puyo, or mixed rules. Ranked matchmaking pairs players by skill level.
  • Skill Battle – Assemble three-character teams with unique abilities and items. RPG mechanics let teams level up, creating stat advantages in rematches.
  • Boss Raid – Online co-op for 2-4 players against raid bosses with escalating difficulty. Rewards include character XP and item drops.
  • Party Mode – Timed matches where random power-ups transform falling pieces, freeze rotations, or reverse controls. Pure chaos suitable for casual groups.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 DLC and Expansions

Sega initially planned seasonal DLC but concluded content updates in 2021. No major paid expansions exist beyond the base game. Free patches added balance adjustments and new cosmetics. June 2025 brought Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S for Nintendo Switch 2, an enhanced version with new Doubles Mode and mouse support, but not available on current-gen consoles.

  • Balance Patches – Multiple updates addressed Puyo Puyo and Tetris matchup fairness, though debates persist about imbalance.
  • Cosmetic Items – Character skins released occasionally at no cost. No gameplay advantages tied to cosmetics.
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S – Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launching June 2025 with Doubles Mode and Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality.
  • Free Updates – Ongoing balance and stability patches; monthly hotfixes address exploit discoveries.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Community and Support

The community thrives on Reddit and Discord, with competitive players organizing tournaments and strategy guides. Sega maintains an official website with patch notes and upcoming event details. Modding is absent on console versions; PC Steam Workshop support never materialized. Patch frequency slowed after 2022, but the game remains supported with critical fixes.

  • Official Channels – Sega Twitter posts tournament schedules and balance changes monthly. Official Discord server connects players and developers.
  • Player Communities – /r/PuyoPuyoTetris subreddit boasts 8,000+ members sharing strategies, team builds, and tournament results.
  • Mod Support – None on Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox. PC lacks Steam Workshop integration despite requests from the community.
  • Update Roadmap – Sega publishes quarterly roadmaps detailing ranked league seasons, balance changes, and cosmetic releases.