Tecmo Stackers
Tecmo Stackers, known as in Japan, is a 1995 puzzle video game developed and published by Tecmo for arcades. It was ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, the former of which was released outside Japan in 1997. The gameplay is similar to Puyo Puyo.
Also recorded as Dero~n Dero Dero · Deroon DeroDero · Dero-n Dero Dero
Tecmo Stackers
- Date
- 1995
- Publisher
- Tecmo Stackers was published by Tecmo.
- Genre
- falling block puzzle game
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Documentary summary
Tecmo Stackers, known as in Japan, is a 1995 puzzle video game developed and published by Tecmo for arcades. It was ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, the former of which was released outside Japan in 1997. The gameplay is similar to Puyo Puyo.
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q7692731 · wikipedia · Tecmo Stackers
In this article
The object
The object
Hamster Corporation released the arcade version outside Japan for the first time as part of their Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in August 2024.
Key facts
Key facts
• Title — Tecmo Stackers • Developer — Tecmo • Publisher — Tecmo • Platforms — Arcade, PlayStation, Sega Saturn • Released — Arcade'PlayStation'SaturnJanuary 26, 1996 • Genre — Puzzle • Modes — Single player, multiplayer
Gameplay
Gameplay
Players try to connect sets of four blocks so that their colors match, causing the blocks to be removed. Remaining blocks may then fall and complete other sets of four blocks. The main difference between Tecmo Stackers and Puyo Puyo is that blocks in Tecmo Stackers stretch in various directions after adjacent blocks are removed, and the "arms" they send out can complete sets of blocks and be removed; this allows for longer chain reactions. In arcade mode, players try to keep their stack of blocks from reaching the top of the screen. Long chain reactions send blocks to the opponent's screen. Arcade mode is available for one or two players, with players able to choose their difficulty independently of one another. Chain reaction mode centers on getting as many chain reactions as possible. In time trial mode, players try to keep their screen from filling with blocks for as long as possible.
History of the object
Dated record
History of the object
The full dated record · 2 entries
1995
Tecmo Stackers published.
1995
Tecmo Stackers is recorded as published in 1995.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- Japan
Named but not plotted · 1
Tecmo Stackers is associated with Japan.
Country
Reception
Tecmo Stackers received mostly mixed reviews. GamePro called it "a highly addictive, Tetris-style puzzle game that's easy enough for anyone to play, yet complex enough to transfix even the best gamers for hours at a time." However, they criticized that the single-player mode is dull and easy, the visual of the blocks stretching out to grab other blocks is "disturbing", and the music is annoying enough to "[make] you want to rip the speakers out of your TV." They gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for both control and fun factor, but a 3.0 for graphics and a 2.0 for sound. Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly likewise found the block stretching disturbing, and co-reviewer echoed GamePros strong criticism of the music. Both Hsu and John Ricciardi described it as a second-rate Puyo Puyo clone, and Sushi-X, while likening it instead to Columns but with more technique, agreed that chain reactions are mindlessly easy to accomplish. Contradicting both EGM and GamePro, the reviewer for IGN said that the music is great. They also highly praised the gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer, but also remarked that the game didn't differentiate itself enough from other Tetris-like games, though it would be enough to satisfy fans of the genre.
Context
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which Tecmo Stackers stands. Published by Hamster Corporation. Issued for arcade video game. Issued for PlayStation 3. Recorded as video game. Developed by Tecmo.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Tecmo Stackers”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q7692731: Tecmo Stackers
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ziff Davis. Tecmo Stackers: It's All in the Chains. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 98. 119. September 1997.
- 2.Yarwood, Jack. Tecmo's Puyo Puyo Clone 'Tecmo Stackers' Is Coming To Switch & PS4 This Week. Time Extension. 2024-08-07.
- 3.Ziff Davis. Review Crew: Tecmo Stackers. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 100. 198. November 1997.
- 4.Tecmo Stackers. IGN. September 16, 1997.
- 5.Tecmo Stackers Review Score.
- 6.Johnny Ballgame. PlayStation ProReview: Tecmo Stackers. GamePro. IDG. 110. 151. November 1997.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
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