More Puyo Puyo for You and Wii
via IGN
While two versions of Puyo Puyo (aka Puyo Pop Fever, aka Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine) are either on the way or available for the Wii Virtual Console, Sega's betting there's enough interest in the classic falling blocks puzzler to warrant a full Wii release. The company announced just that in Japan today. Owners of the Japanese Wii can look forward to Puyo Puyo! on 7/26 at a price of 4,800 yen.
It may have as basic a name as you can get with a Puyo Puyo game, but there seems to be quite a bit of original content included here. Sega will introduce the new "Puyo Puyo Together" mode, where two players play on the same field, working together to guide falling pieces into place. Two pieces fall simultaneously in this mode, meaning you and your Puyo Puyo friend will have to strategize together.
The second new mode of play is called "Remote Controller Puyo Puyo." This mode is played using the motion-sensing capabilities of not one, but two Wiimotes. One controller is used for rotating the pieces while the other is used for moving them. While you can play individually, Sega seems to want multiple players to cooperate.
Outside of these original multiplayer modes, Sega is bringing back the classic battle modes, with support for up to four simultaneous players. Sega's also adding a few original gameplay systems for multiplayer battles. In one mode, the field of play rotates 180 degrees periodically. In another, giant Puyo Puyos drop in periodically.
As this is a full Wii release, Puyo Puyo! has modern visuals, well beyond what you can now see in the Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine on the Virtual Console. Add in all the new modes of play, and there could be reason to consider paying the price for a full retail version.
As of this writing, only a Japanese version of Puyo Puyo! has been announced, but we'll let you know if Sega's international offices issue any statements.
