Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo is one of the most unusual arcade gems of the 90s. Despite its name, it is not a traditional Street Fighter clone but rather a colorful puzzle game with a beat-’em-up flair. Released in 1996, it combines the gameplay mechanics of Puyo Puyo with characters from Street Fighter and Darkstalkers. But does the game still hold up today, or is it merely a curious footnote in Capcom‘s history?
Story
There isn’t a deep storyline – the characters simply compete against each other in a puzzle tournament. However, the unique personalities and animations of each fighter add enough charm to the game that this lack of narrative doesn’t feel like a drawback.
Gameplay
The core gameplay is simple yet deep: Colored blocks fall into the playing field, and by using matching Crash Gems, these can be destroyed and sent to the opponent as counter blocks. When blocks of the same color are combined into a large rectangle, they form a Power Gem. The larger it gets, the more powerful its explosion when activated with a corresponding Crash Gem. This mechanic enables devastating attacks that can overwhelm the opponent in a matter of seconds. The controls are precise and highly responsive, allowing for fast maneuvers and well-executed chain reactions.
A particularly strategic aspect of the game is that each character has a unique counter block pattern, which determines how and where the opponent receives new blocks. This means that players must not only place their own blocks effectively but also anticipate their opponent’s moves and apply pressure accordingly. Mastering the characters and their distinct patterns can be the key to victory or defeat.
Characters
| Sprite | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
 | Ryu | Street Fighter |
 | Ken | Street Fighter |
 | Chun Li | Street Fighter |
 | Sakura | Street Fighter |
 | Morigan | Darkstalkers |
 | Donovan | Darkstalkers |
 | Hsien-Ko | Darkstalkers |
 | Felicia | Darkstalkers |
Secret Characters
| Sprite | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
 | Dan | Street Fighter |
 | Devilotte | Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness |
 | Akuma | Street Fighter |
Graphics and Sound
The chibi-style designs of the fighters are charming and full of personality. While players stack blocks, the characters in the background engage in mini-battle animations, making the gameplay even more entertaining. The animations are smooth, and the effects when destroying blocks feel satisfyingly impactful.
The soundtrack features an energetic remix set of well-known Capcom melodies, complemented by the characters’ iconic voice samples.
Multiplayer
This is where Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo truly shines. Against a human opponent, the game reaches its full potential – it becomes frantic, strategic, and incredibly fun. Each match plays out differently, as players bring their own strategies and reaction speeds into the mix. Those who excel at building large Power Gems and triggering them at just the right moment can overwhelm their opponent with a single devastating attack.
Thanks to the unique counter block patterns of each character, every match feels fresh, constantly challenging players to adapt. The multiplayer mode is an absolute classic, delivering countless intense duels and endless replay value.
Secret Codes
| Sprite | Name | Code |
| Play as Dan | Player 1 must highlight Ryu. Player 2 must highlight Ken. Press and hold the Start button. Player 1 must move down to Morrigan. Player 2 must move down to Felicia. Once there, tap down 13 times, and hold the last tap. While holding Start and down, press any button |
| Play as Devilotte | Player 1 must highlight Ryu. Player 2 must highlight Ken. Press and hold the Start button. Player 1 must move down to Morrigan. Player 2 must move down to Felicia. Once there, tap down 13 times, and hold the last tap. While holding Start and down, press any button when the countdown timer reaches 10. |
| Play as Akuma | Player 1 must highlight Ryu. Player 2 must highlight Ken. Press and hold the Start button. Player 1 must move down to Morrigan and enter: Left, Down, Left Down, Left, Down, Left (and hold it). While holding Start and right, press any button. Player 2 must move down to Felicia and enter: right, down, right, down, right down, right (and hold it). While holding Start and right, press any button. |
