Capcom's latest isn't exactly Street Fighter Kids - thats for another day -
but it comes close. Sort of. There are still special moves and there's a lot
of physical movements in all of the characters but the fighting is now done
in a Tetris/Columns style arena instead of the usual knuckle to abdomen
bouts of death found in past Street Fighters. Strategy is still involved
but in the form of matching colors instead of ranging in for the killer
punch or the perfect fireball execution.
Unlike Tetris or Columns, you have to arrange the various gems into large baubles which have
different powers. These large gems will destroy any blocks that are around them. A good
combination will rain gems of death on your opponent which
are meant to hinder and obstruct. They will eventually destroy
your opponent if you can keep up the pressure. If you can
manage a good combo, you will be able to watch the SF
characters move around and perform their little moves. You
will also watch the fear on the faces of your opponent as you
beat her/him.
The powerful cast of Puzzle Fighter includes Felicia (pictured elsewhere on this page), Morrigan, Donovan and Hseng-Li who hail from Vampire Hunter. The Street Fighter cast includes Ryu, Ken, Sakura and Chun-Li. If you notice, all of them have been regressed to a baby-like, wrenchingly cute state. Funny how even a tiny Morrigan is more alluring than most other video game succubi. And what could be more adorable than a tiny Felicia wearing a tiny bra? With 5 women and 3 men, this is one game where the girls edge out the boys on the playground.
The game screen is akin to most other puzzle games in the Tetris vein. Where it differs is the fun atmosphere and the cute nature of the protagonists. The dual screen mode gives two puzzle fighters a chance to duke it out. It also gives you the ability to see how much damage you're doing to your opponent and how you're faring against him or her. The Puzzle Fighters have a lot of emotion and soul; they will weep, laugh, get angry or attack depending on how their situation is going in the game. Here, Chun Li clocks off a triumphant fireball move after pulling off an especially good combination. A good move will usually finish off an opponent with a rain of gems.
Chun Li strikes a pose after defeating Ken. Puzzle Fighter is
another hit from Capcom and is easily one of the better puzzle
games to reach the market this year. It is spirited, colorful and a
lot of fun for everyone. I'm quite fond of this game and I have
to wonder if other companies will follow in Capcom's path.
Vipers Puzzle or Tektris might not be too far off with the rash
of copycat and 'me-too' productions that seems to be the norm
these days. The Saturn version and the Playstation version are
very similar to each other. Capcom has slated the USA version release of
Puzzle Fighters Kids on January 17 for both the Saturn and Playstation.
