Puyo Puyo~n

Gameplay

Puyo Puyo~n builds on the foundation of Puyo Puyo 2 by introducing character-specific specials. Clearing Puyo from the board fills a power gauge, which then allows a special ability to be used. These abilities are different for each character and also differ between the home console releases and the Game Boy Color version. In the home console versions, each board has a Special Rule, meaning a predefined field and unique board mechanics are in place. On the Game Boy Color, countering garbage causes Sun Puyo to drop onto the field. The game includes several Endless modes that use grids both larger and smaller than the standard 6x12, plus a Free Battle mode for matches against any character the player has unlocked. The art was designed by Sunaho Tobe.

The home console versions have minor differences between them, but the Game Boy Color version is a much more distinct experience. Puyo Puyo~n: Kaa-kun to Issho for the PlayStation shares its music with the Dreamcast version but only supports two players. Puyo Puyo~n Party 64 for the Nintendo 64 has its own music, lacks voiced cutscenes, and keeps four-player multiplayer. It also supports the Transfer Pak, letting players view artwork unlocked in Pocket Puyo Puyo SUN, with some pieces only accessible by linking the two games. Pocket Puyo Puyo~n for the Game Boy Color uses music from both Pocket Puyo Puyo Sun and Puyo~n itself, and includes more characters, including some from Pocket Puyo Puyo Sun. It supports two players, follows the story of ~n, and keeps the comic humor seen in earlier handheld games. This version has a special Rally mode to unlock specials, and lets the player choose their special before a match begins. Pocket Puyo Puyo~n does not have Special Rule or any board-specific functions like the home console versions, nor does it offer different grid sizes for Endless Puyo Puyo. However, it does allow Endless play similar to Puyo Puyo 2’s Action Endless, where garbage appears in the tray and helpers show up at random times based on the difficulty setting.

Plot

In a magical library, the Dark Prince is browsing through books when he notices a black box. As he tries to examine it, the box breaks free from his grip and opens by itself. The following morning, a Puyo Circus arrives in town, and Arle Nadja along with Carbuncle decides to investigate. They are met by Pierrot, a strange figure dressed like a jester. Once Arle enters the circus, she senses something is off, and Carbuncle vanishes again. Arle must fight through many enemies to move forward. Along the way, Draco, Serilly, Witch, and Chico join her, and they confront Schezo and Rulue. Rulue suspects that something is wrong with the Dark Prince. When Arle finally meets him, he acts oddly and not like himself. He freezes the other characters in place to stop them from interfering. Arle defeats the Dark Prince, who then wakes up and asks why she is there. He tells her that a stronger enemy had brainwashed him. At that moment, Pierrot appears and reveals herself to be Doppelganger Arle. The two fight to decide which one should exist, and Arle wins. After the battle, Doppelganger Arle claims she is the real Arle from a previous world. Weak from her defeat, she slowly fades away, leaving Arle shocked. Soon after, Carbuncle reappears in the room, and Arle is overjoyed to see him. The gem on Carbuncle's forehead begins to glow. As Arle asks what is wrong, Carbuncle fires a beam from his forehead. The screen turns white, then black, and the credits begin to roll.