About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/2/23093/2817881-puzznic_%28j%29-003.png" data-ref-id="1300-2817881" data-ratio="0.93359375" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:93.4%" href="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/2/23093/2817881-puzznic_%28j%29-003.png" data-ref-id="1300-2817881"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/2/23093/2817881-puzznic_%28j%29-003.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/2/23093/2817881-puzznic_%28j%29-003.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a></figure><p>Puzznic is a <a href="/block-matching/3015-3778/" data-ref-id="3015-3778">tile-matching</a> puzzle game developed and released by <a href="/taito-corporation/3010-135/" data-ref-id="3010-135">Taito</a> for <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcades</a> in 1989.</p><p>In Puzznic, players are given puzzle problems consisting of a unique tile layout with an assortment of gem blocks, and must push gem blocks in a way so that they all clear in groups of two-or-more. The game makes use of a cursor for pushing a block left or right, <a href="/gravity/3015-1601/" data-ref-id="3015-1601">gravity</a> for having the pieces fall, moving tiles as elevators, and bonus score multipliers for combos. It also includes a <a href="/branching-story-line/3015-1646/" data-ref-id="3015-1646">branching path</a> system for progression, where players can only play through a certain amount of the 144 total problems on each playthrough.</p><p>The Japanese arcade release had an optional <a href="/eroge/3015-4955/" data-ref-id="3015-4955">eroge</a> setting, where progressing through the game shows live-action gals in various stages of undress. The FM Towns version also features this, while the PC Engine and Game Boy versions instead feature cute pictures of hand-drawn gals (with no nudity or erotic elements).</p><p>It received numerous ports in 1990-1992, including Japanese computer releases by <a href="/brderbund-software-inc/3010-404/" data-ref-id="3010-404">Brøderbund</a> for the <a href="/nec-pc-9801/3045-112/" data-ref-id="3045-112">NEC PC-98</a> and <a href="/sharp-x68000/3045-95/" data-ref-id="3045-95">Sharp X68000</a>, a Japanese <a href="/fm-towns/3045-108/" data-ref-id="3045-108">FM Towns</a> release by <a href="/ving/3010-4561/" data-ref-id="3010-4561">Ving</a>, Japan-exclusive <a href="/turbografx-16/3045-55/" data-ref-id="3045-55">PC Engine</a> and <a href="/game-boy/3045-3/" data-ref-id="3045-3">Game Boy</a> releases from <a href="/taito-corporation/3010-135/" data-ref-id="3010-135">Taito</a>, North American releases by Taito for <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">DOS PCs</a> and the <a href="/nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-21/" data-ref-id="3045-21">Nintendo Entertainment System</a> (the latter of which received a later Japanese release from <a href="/information-global-service/3010-1686/" data-ref-id="3010-1686">Information Global Service</a>), and European releases by <a href="/ocean-software-ltd/3010-6983/" data-ref-id="3010-6983">Ocean Software</a> for the <a href="/amiga/3045-1/" data-ref-id="3045-1">Amiga</a>, <a href="/atari-st/3045-13/" data-ref-id="3045-13">Atari ST</a>, <a href="/amstrad-cpc/3045-11/" data-ref-id="3045-11">Amstrad CPC</a>, <a href="/commodore-64/3045-14/" data-ref-id="3045-14">Commodore 64</a>, and <a href="/zx-spectrum/3045-16/" data-ref-id="3045-16">ZX Spectrum</a>. Some versions feature a revamped set of levels, alternate graphic options, and bonus modes (such as the NES version's <em>Gravnic</em>, in which players slide all gems on the board at once, and the PCE version's <em>Arrange</em>, in which blocks fall from the top of the playfield and must be arranged into patterns).</p><p>The game later received an updated <a href="/playstation/3045-22/" data-ref-id="3045-22">PlayStation</a> conversion ten years later, developed by <a href="/altron-corporation/3010-1883/" data-ref-id="3010-1883">Altron</a> and published by <a href="/taito-corporation/3010-135/" data-ref-id="3010-135">Taito</a> in Japan on March 22, 2001, by <a href="/midas-interactive-entertainment-ltd/3010-839/" data-ref-id="3010-839">Midas Interactive Entertainment</a> in Europe on February 7, 2003, and by <a href="/mud-duck-productions/3010-2111/" data-ref-id="3010-2111">Mad Duck Productions</a> in North America on May 12, 2003. This version features a revamped horror theme with a variety of cute horror-themed characters and a new story.</p>