Puyo Puyo Creator’s Nyoki Nyoki Tabidachi Hen Looks Familiar

Nintendo recently released a video of the Nindies that will be showcased at Kyoto’s BitSummit 4th in Japan on July 9-10, 2016. One of these is Nyoki Nyoki Tabidachi Hen for the Nintendo 3DS, a game from Compile Maru’s Masamitsu Niitani. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Niitani is the father of Puyo Puyo.

Nyoki Nyoki Tabidachi Hen is very similar to Puyo Puyo, as shown in the description found on Inside Games. It’s considered a “third generation fighting puzzle game.” Falling pairs of Nyoki Nyoki, which come in assorted colors, descend from the top of the screen to the bottom. Player face off, matching the pieces up while staying below an on-screen line. Succeeding sends junk pieces, known as Ojama, onto an opponent. You can choose to “attack” your opponent at any time after building up power from matches.

Most notable is Nyoki Nyoki Tabidachi Hen’s Handicap Mode. People of differing experience levels can face off with altered rules. The more proficient player will have five colors to match, while the beginner will have two colors.

As a fun aside, Nyoki Nyoki is an onomatopeic phrase, which means it’s a symbolic sound that can mimic a mannerism, feeling, or state like “doki doki,” “gira gira,” or “pikapika.” It’s used to represent growing, which the stacks of items will do as they accumulate in the game.

Nyoki Nyoki Tabidachi Hen will come to the Nintendo 3DS eShop in 2016 for 800円.