Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Puzzle Fighter II X for Matching Service takes the beloved core mechanics of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (mode X) and expands them with fresh challenges and customization options. Traditional gem-matching remains at the heart of the action: players stack colored gems, create chains, and unleash powerful Crash Gems to pummel opponents. Familiar Combos, Counter Gems, and speed mechanics return, ensuring that longtime fans feel right at home.

Two brand-new modes—Mode Y and Mode Z—radically alter the puzzle formula by assigning each diamond piece a fixed color, unlike mode X’s all-purpose diamonds. In Mode Y, you fill a color-specific meter by grouping and detonating gems, then unleash a character-tinted diamond whose special effect depends on where you place it. Mode Z simplifies the system into a destructive rainbow: diamonds wipe out every normal and numbered gem of their color in one fell swoop, leading to explosive, chain-reaction potential.

For those seeking a grueling challenge, the Expert Difficulty level sharpens the AI’s tactics and accelerates the drop speed, demanding split-second decisions and razor-sharp pattern recognition. Combined with the EX Options menu—which lets you tweak everything from drop gravity to combo thresholds—this game becomes a laboratory for puzzle perfectionists.

Perhaps the most inventive addition is the Counter Gem Editor, a built-in toolkit that empowers you to create and share custom attack patterns. Whether you dream up a multi-stage trap or a single devastating gem, this feature breathes new life into competitive matches. Sadly, the online Vs mode that once let players test their creations worldwide went dark on September 1, 2003, but local head-to-head remains as thrilling as ever.

Graphics

The visual presentation of Matching Service retains the charming 2D spritework and playful animations that define the Puzzle Fighter series. Characters from the Street Fighter and Darkstalkers universes appear in chibi form, taunting and celebrating with exaggerated expressions that keep the mood light and engaging.

Gem sprites are crisp and color-coded with high contrast, making it easy to identify match opportunities even when the screen floods with diamonds and numbered blocks. Mode Y’s meters and Mode Z’s color blasts come with distinct visual cues—glowing auras and particle effects—that announce big plays in style.

Menus, EX Options, and the Counter Gem Editor are laid out with clear icons and tooltips, ensuring newcomers can dive into customization without getting lost. While the art style is rooted in late-’90s arcade aesthetics, its bright palettes and fluid menu transitions feel surprisingly fresh on modern displays.

Story

As with most puzzle spinoffs, narrative takes a back seat to gameplay, but Matching Service sprinkles in enough character interactions to keep fans invested. Each fighter from Capcom’s roster has a quirky intro and victory bit, offering a glimpse of their personality through rapid-fire dialogue and playful animations.

Story Mode strings together a series of one-on-one puzzle duels, loosely framing the action as a tournament hosted by the nefarious gems themselves. While there’s no deep plot twist or cinematic payoff, the lighthearted banter between rival fighters adds charm and context to each battle.

For players craving lore, the EX Options even let you customize victory quotes or rearrange dialogue triggers, giving you control over how much story you see and how it unfolds. It’s not the driving force of the game, but it’s a welcome garnish atop the addictive puzzle mechanics.

Overall Experience

Super Puzzle Fighter II X for Matching Service stands as one of the most feature-packed entries in the series. Between the classic mode X action, the strategic twists of modes Y and Z, and the punishing Expert Difficulty, there’s more than enough content to satisfy both casual drop-stackers and hardcore combo fiends.

The Counter Gem Editor and EX Options add a layer of personalization rarely seen in puzzle games, inviting you to experiment with new rules and surprise your friends with custom attacks. While the closure of the online Vs servers on September 1, 2003, is a lamentable loss, local multiplayer still delivers the head-to-head intensity that made the original such a staple in arcades.

Graphically vibrant, mechanically deep, and brimming with Capcom charm, Matching Service is a must-buy for anyone who loves competitive puzzle gaming. Whether you’re exploring every nuance of Mode Y’s color meters or simply matching gems for casual fun, this edition elevates the Puzzle Fighter formula in every conceivable way.

Retro Replay Score

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