Tecmo Stackers
A puzzle game where blocks stretch to create chain reactions.
Tecmo Stackers, a puzzle game from Tecmo, first appeared in arcades in 1995. It later came to PlayStation and Sega Saturn, with the PlayStation version reaching international audiences in 1997. Its mechanics resemble those of Puyo Puyo. In August 2024, Hamster Corporation brought the original arcade version worldwide through its Arcade Archives series on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Tecmo
- Platforms
- Arcade
- PlayStation
- Sega Saturn
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Modes
- Single player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Players connect sets of four blocks of matching colors to remove them, with remaining blocks potentially falling to complete other sets. Unlike Puyo Puyo, blocks in Tecmo Stackers stretch in various directions after adjacent blocks are removed, sending out arms that can complete sets and be removed, enabling longer chain reactions. Arcade mode tasks players with preventing their stack from reaching the screen top, with long chains sending blocks to an opponent's screen; it supports one or two players with independent difficulty choices. Chain reaction mode focuses on maximizing chain reactions, while time trial mode challenges players to avoid filling the screen for as long as possible.
Reception
Tecmo Stackers received mostly mixed reviews. GamePro described it as highly addictive and easy to play yet complex, but criticized the single-player mode as dull and easy, the block-stretching visual as disturbing, and the music as annoying. They rated control and fun factor 4.5 out of 5, graphics 3.0, and sound 2.0. Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly also found the stretching disturbing, and a co-reviewer echoed GamePro's criticism of the music. Both Hsu and John Ricciardi called it a second-rate Puyo Puyo clone, while Sushi-X likened it to Columns with more technique and agreed chain reactions are mindlessly easy. Contradicting these views, the IGN reviewer praised the music and highly commended the gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer, but noted the game did not differentiate itself enough from other Tetris-like games, though it would satisfy genre fans.
More in Tecmo Games
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced