904th played so far
Genre: Puzzle
Platform: Various
Year of Release: 1996
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
It feels like there was this era where Capcom created almost-parody games of itself. While SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash is a proper game, there’s also something odd about its use of the franchises. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo is even more of a piss take – there is no earlier game, the title ripping off Super Street Fighter II Turbo, and it uses chibi versions of the characters in its box art to support a puzzle game. Now, with this being one from the mid-1990s, it might not be the most amazing variation, but I hope there’s something here that will work out.
Our Thoughts
Like my beloved (nostalgic for) Wario Woods, the basic gameplay of Super Puzzle Fighter Turbo II is a known one – match several blocks of a colour with their bomb, like a match three variant, and make them disappear. Combinations give you extra points and you have to keep your arena from filling up. It’s a tried and true formula, marred by the low spawn rate of bombs that means you get behind on clearing colours sooner than you should. You also normally play against an AI that’s far more difficult than you’d expect and one of the main story modes – the Street Puzzle mode – felt unbeatable to me because of it, I was usually dead in seconds. It’s some odd tuning, but when it was on, I had a good time playing the puzzles.
What really sets this game apart is that while you’re playing, two fighters from various Capcom fighting franchises are battling it out in the centre of the screen. It’s a neat little visual thing that doesn’t impact gameplay but does reward it. It also gives you the use of a taunt button – I’m not sure why, as I never figured out what it did (it’s not as if there are multiple targets), but it feels like it fits in with the overall ridiculous feel of the game.
Final Thoughts
While I don’t feel SPFT2 innovates as much on a puzzle level, the theming of the game feel quite unique and different and inviting through that. It’s fun to play through and looks cute enough while you tackle something ridiculous.