The term "mania" can be defined as an obsession with something, or an excessive desire for it. It's fitting that returning Sonic the Hedgehog to his roots would be what the people have wanted all this time. No love stories. No werehogs. Just pure and simple side-running action.

Sonic Mania is a celebration of things Sonic. There's the nostalgia as he races through old zones, but also new content that shines a light on the gameplay formula that fans have been chasing for years. It's possible that newcomers won't get why Mania is special, but it's a return to the 90's for us old-timers. This is made even better for me by checking a box that I always want checked since its release: available on Switch. A great old Sonic on a great new Nintendo system! Thanks for going fast, Sonic Mania.

Throughout January, the Games of 2017 will lead the way towards The 2017 Grimmys - Horrible Night's Games of the Year Awards.

Previous years

• Games of 2016
• Games of 2015

So the first game to prove to me that the Nintendo Switch was onto something was actually released for other devices in 2016. It's a 2017 game to me dammit! I showed off Puyo Puyo Tetris in just about every way those first Switch ads told us about (ok, the party wasn't on a rooftop but it was still a party). I mean, everyone loves a random game of Tetris and we were just a kick stand away from a battle that starts off based on nostalgia and then you both realize how competitive you are about Tetris.

I lovehated the single player story, but after my Tetris nostalgia wore off I couldn't stop playing Puyo Puyo. Suddenly, I was taking time away from "more important" games to "get better" at Puyo Puyo. I had to get better because that last game at the office was too close, and I found out that that one friend that just kicked my ass has apparently played twice as much as me. This is serious. Oh god, I've felt this before. Thanks for reminding me that my mom is still better than me at Tetris, Puyo Puyo Tetris.

Throughout January, the Games of 2017 will lead the way towards The 2017 Grimmys - Horrible Night's Games of the Year Awards.

Previous years

• Games of 2016
• Games of 2015

Ryan struggles to find a flaw in the SNES Classic, but that doesn't mean he can buy one. Justin wants to know the right price point for a multiplayer game. Plus, too many keyboards.

• Horrible Night on SoundCloud
• RSS Feed
• iTunes Feed
• Google Play
• Stitcher Feed

Show Features

Cast: Justin Lacey, Ryan Billingsley

• Kinda Games: Learning Japanese, Buying Keyboards
• Headliner: SNES Classic
• Supporting Acts
  • Sega Forever Mobile Games are Glitchy
  • PUBG getting jumping,zombies
  • IO Interactive is now independent and keeps Hitman
  • Splatoon 2: Salmon Run is fun
  • Quake Champions will come to Steam, too
  • Lung Collapses Are A Surprisingly Common Esports Injury
  • NBC Sports will launch 2v2 Rocket League Tournament this summer
  • GTA V User Mod Flip Flopping
• Headliner: Is $60 too much for a multiplayer game?
• New Releases
• Games of the Week
  • ARMS
  • Horizon: Zero Dawn

Let's be clear. I expected to have a good and silly time with Puyo Puyo Tetris. On other platforms it had achieved a bit of a buzz around its quirky world, and I genuinely enjoy fierce Tetris battles. The joy that creeped across my face from the moment I hit start on the story mode is something no one could prepare me for.

I had/have no idea what was/is happening in the story mode. I don't know why anyone is fighting, and I don't know how the writing is as entertaining as it is. I want to skip all of the cutscenes, but I want to see everything! It's all so damn adorable that I feel like my eyeballs should reward the effort that went into it. This shouldn't exist, but it makes me a happier person because it does.

I'll admit that the presentation isn't going to be for everyone, so my biggest questions going into this game were - what the hell is Puyo Puyo and will it get in the way of my Tetris? I tried to fight playing Puyo Puyo in this game as my focus was to regain my Tetris skills. After 6-7 hours though, I can't decide which puzzle mode I enjoy more.

If I'm going to go solo or I'm going to try to 3 star a story level, I still want to play Tetris. I want to get great at Tetris, and I want to get fast at Tetris. If we're going multiplayer though, and I have the chance to crush some fools... give me Puyo Puyo. The thrill of pulling off a ridiculous Puyo Puyo combo is somehow even more satisfying than setting up multiple Tetrises(?). I didn't think it was possible. In the moment it feels awesome, and then you get to hear your opponent scream which just makes you want to do it again!

There's nothing earth shattering here. Admittedly, it's been a while since I played a competitive real-time puzzle game, but Puyo Puyo Tetris just feels perfect on the Switch. Online play with strangers is entertaining and its even better with friends. Handheld mode is the icing on the blocks. This is the most fun I've had with friends on the Switch yet.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is available now on Nintendo Switch and PS4.