Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon: Sega Saturn Classic Receives New English Fan Translation

Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon, the 1998 Japan-exclusive dungeon crawler spin-off of Compile’s acclaimed Puyo Puyo puzzle series, has received its first full English fan translation, opening the door for a wider audience to experience this unique chapter in Puyo Puyo history.

Originally developed and published by Compile, Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon broke from its puzzle roots to offer a whimsical, character-driven take on the dungeon crawler genre for the Sega Saturn. The new English patch, developed by the fan translator known as Maud, was announced on social media platforms and shared by video game researcher Gamevecanti.

According to Maud, who began working on the project in 2019, the game stands out as “a cute dungeon crawler with a lot of fun banter between the Puyo Puyo cast.” Maud’s project brings the game's lighthearted storytelling and challenging roguelike elements to fans outside Japan, many of whom have long awaited an accessible version.

Currently, the translation patch is available via Google Drive, with plans in place to distribute it on several noted romhacking websites after initial user feedback ensures stability and playability, as Maud stated. For those unfamiliar with Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon, the title draws inspiration from the Madou Monogatari franchise—Compile’s original first-person dungeon crawling RPGs that would eventually inspire the colorful aesthetic and beloved characters of the Puyo Puyo puzzle games.

Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon shifts to a top-down perspective, blending the RPG conventions of its predecessor with the signature charm and humor of Puyo Puyo.

Players choose from three returning protagonists: Arle Nadja, Rulue, or Schezo Wegey, all veterans of the Madou Monogatari and Puyo Puyo series.

Their quest centers around conquering an ever-changing labyrinth, collecting treasures, combating iconic foes in turn-based battles, and competing for a magical prize. Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon first launched on the Sega Saturn in 1998 and, despite critical acclaim and fan interest, remained exclusive to Japan.

A year later, Compile released an enhanced port, Waku Puyo Dungeon Ketteiban, for the original PlayStation.

Like its predecessor, this version also stayed Japan-only, leaving international audiences to rely on import copies or Japanese language skills—until now. This fan translation effort not only preserves a hidden gem in Sega Saturn’s and PlayStation’s libraries but also serves as a testament to the enduring global appeal of Compile’s properties.

The dedicated work by figures like Maud helps ensure that classic games aren’t lost to history, but remain accessible for new generations of fans and preservationists alike.

Interested players can obtain the patch via the translator’s official channels, with wider distribution forthcoming pending community feedback and technical refinements. For more updates on long-lost Japanese classics and community-led localization efforts, follow industry tracking on relevant platforms and community hubs such as Romhacking.net or the Puyo Puyo fan networks.

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