Puyo Puyo 7 (2009). Play online

Summary

Puyo Puyo 7 marks the seventh stop on the series’ road, swapping the whimsical Primp Town for a setting that feels a lot more like our own world. I’m thrilled how the game leans into that reality while still keeping the addictive chain‑building fun that defines the franchise.

The standout feature is the Great Transformation mode, where each character flips between a Mini (child‑sized) and Mega (adult‑sized) form, actually shrinking or expanding the play grid. Watching the Puyos shrink or grow makes every match feel fresh, and the visual switch between cute and towering avatars is oddly satisfying.

New faces join the roster—five brand‑new characters—while familiar legends make cameo returns, giving longtime fans a chance to reconnect with old favorites. The title also bundles classic modes: Fever, a faithful recreation of the 15th‑Anniversary version; a replica of Puyo Puyo 2; the original Puyo Puyo rules; and Mission Puyo, which tasks you with specific objectives before your opponent can finish.

Multiplayer doesn’t stop at local play; before Nintendo Wi‑Fi Connection was retired in 2014, I could challenge friends online using any of these modes, extending the replay value well beyond a single handheld session.

Storyline

Puyo Puyo 7 opens with a storm of Puyo raining down on Earth, flooding a high school and thrusting student Ringo Ando into chaos. Arle Nadja appears, teaches Ringo the basics of Puyo battling, then disappears, prompting Ringo to chase her across a world threatened by endless Puyo. The main story follows Ringo’s mission to stop the flood by traveling to seven power spots and confronting the strongest opponents, including a possessed Dark Arle controlled by the new villain Ecolo, who plans to bury the universe in Puyo for fun.

The narrative is split into six linear acts, each containing several areas and episodes. During the first playthrough only Ringo is playable, but completing the game unlocks other party members for replay, allowing alternate scenarios. Ringo can shift between adult and child forms during battles, which changes the size of the Puyos she uses. In the climax, Ringo, Arle, and Amitie defeat Ecolo, restore peace, and return home.