The third mainline installment of the Puyo Puyo series (hence the name being a pun on the Japanese word "san", or "three"), Puyo Puyo Sun builds on its predecessor with the addition of the "Sun Puyo": a new type of Nuisance Puyo that is given to both players in a tug-of-war and is used for stronger attacks. It is also the first in the series to distinguish the titular puyos' colors by their expression, and the first arcade release to allow players to select any of the game's roster before a Versus battle.Keeping with the "sun" theme, the game's story involves Satan using his magic to enlargen the sun and create a perpetual and hot tropical paradise to get himself popular (through the perfect tan and the attention of women). While Draco Centauros wants to go sunbathing, Arle Nadja and her rival Schezo Wegey each want to put a stop to Satan's plans (the former because it became too hot, the latter because it became too light).The game later received home conversions for the Sega Saturn on February 14, 1997 (with a separate online multiplayer "Puyo Puyo Sun for SEGANET" version released on September 4, 1997), the Nintendo 64 (as "Puyo Puyo Sun 64") on October 30, 1997, the Sony PlayStation (known as "Puyo Puyo Sun Ketteiban") on November 27, 1997, Windows PCs on April 17, 1998, and the Game Boy Color (as "Pocket Puyo Puyo Sun") on November 27, 1998. Each version has their own unique differences, including additional game modes and reworked music and voice acting. The GBC version is notable for, along with Super Game Boy support, allowing cross-game multiplayer with both the game's predecessor and the game's successor. The PS version, along with multiple re-releases, was later digitally released as a PSone Classics title for supported systems on March 12, 2014. The game later received an official demake for the Sega Mega Drive, included as part of the 2022 mini-console Mega Drive Mini 2.GameplayPuyo Puyo Sun's core rules are identical to those of Puyo Puyo Tsu. Players are given a 12x6 field and must match 4 Puyo of the same color together to eliminate them. "Popped" Puyo send gray Nuisance Puyo to the opponent; Nuisance Puyo can only be erased by popping a set of color Puyo next to them. The opponent has a chance to eliminate Nuisance that is waiting above their field by creating a chain of their own; this is called "offsetting." The first player that cannot bring new Puyo into their field (this is caused by filling the third column from the left) loses.New to this game is Sun Puyo. A sun is located in the middle of the field; whenever a player offsets Nuisance Puyo, the sun turns red and glows. The sun will then drop Sun Puyo into their field; the player is warned of incoming Sun Puyo by beams of light that shine in the targeted columns. Sun Puyo offer bonuses to a player's score and, by extension, increases the number of Nuisance that the player will send to their opponent. Getting an All-Clear (clearing the entire field) also offers Sun Puyo; this replaces the Nuisance bonus that was given in Puyo Puyo Tsu.Single PlayerLike the original Puyo Puyo, Sun's single-player mode is split into Easy, Normal, and Hard; each difficulty features a different player character.EasyThe Easy route stars Draco Centauros, who seeks to enjoy the perpetual summer created by Satan.Skeleton THarpyChoppunNormal and HardThe Normal and Hard routes star Arle Nadja and Schezo Wegey, respectively; both want to fix the weather. Arle battles every opponent, while Schezo starts at Komodo Dragon. The Hard route, like the single player mode of the previous two entries in the series, increases the Puyo drop speed as the player advances.Draco CentaurosIncubusSuketoudaraKikimoraNohohoKodomo DragonWitchHoney BeeZoh DaimaohLagnus the BraveRulueSchezo Wegey (Normal) /Arle Nadja (Hard)Satan (final boss, playable in Versus mode with a cheat code)Carbuncle (bonus fight in certain circumstances, playable in Versus mode with a cheat code)
