Puchi Carat (1997). Play online

Summary

Puchi Carat turns the classic brick‑breaker formula into a fast‑paced puzzler. You control a thin paddle at the bottom of the screen and launch a single ball that smashes gem‑like blocks dropping from the top. When a gem is hit it disappears, and any isolated blocks that are no longer connected to the ceiling fall away for extra points; flashing gems trigger a cascade that erases every gem of the same colour, while metallic blocks stubbornly require several hits.

Missing the ball doesn’t cost a life – it simply adds another line of gems, making the field climb faster. Lines also advance after a short timer or when the board is cleared, and the game ends the moment the stack reaches the paddle line.

The arcade cabinet offers three main modes: a single‑player challenge to clear a set number of lines, a story duel where each character’s cleared gems are sent to the opponent’s field, and a straight versus match that follows the same rules. Each mode can be played on three difficulty settings. Later home ports expanded the offering with time‑attack races and deeper character storylines, and the title resurfaced in the Taito Legends 2 collection for modern consoles.

Storyline

Puchi Carat unfolds in the realm of GemStone, a setting where science and magic coexist in a fragile balance. Twelve priceless gems have been stolen, and each one now rests in the hands of a high‑magic individual who uses the power to dominate the world. The game follows twelve distinct characters, each with their own backstory and motivations. Every character embarks on a personal quest to reclaim all the gems, believing that doing so will allow them to achieve their deepest dreams. The intertwining stories create a mosaic of ambition, rivalry, and hope across the GemStone universe.