Sonic the Hedgehog might be in the spotlight this year as the legendary platformer’s 35th anniversary looms, but it’s not the only classic Sega series celebrating a major milestone in 2026. Much-loved match-puzzler Puyo Puyo is also turning 35, and the publisher has kicked off its blobby birthday celebrations with new artwork and more.
Puyo Puyo, for the uninitiated, sees players matching different coloured falling blobs in an attempt to score points and keep the play area clear. It debuted in 2001, and was initially the work of developer Compile. Since 1998, however, following Sega’s aquisition of the series, it’s been under the stewardship of Sonic creator Sonic Team – and its most recent appearance was last year’s Switch 2 exclusive update of 2020’s Puyo Puyo Tetris 2.
And with the series now entering into its 35th year, Sega’s birthday celebrations – officially dubbed the Dairensa! project – have begun. The publisher has shared new anniversary artwork to mark the occasion, and it’s launched a new teaser website pointing to a 35th anniversary Puyo Puyo livestream. The latter airs on 1st February, and while there’s currently no suggestion it’ll include any new game announcements, it’s set to feature, among other things, news updates for mobile RPG Puyo Puyo!! Quest.
Elsewhere, VGC reports a number of other Japan-focused celebrations, including a Puyo Puyo 35th anniversary pop-up store. This begins its tour in Yokohama’s Marui City (from 4th-28th February) before moving onto Kiddy Land Osaka Umeda (7th February to 15th March) and Tokyo’s Annivroad (5th-22nd March). Additionally, Sonic and Puyo Puyo collaboration events will be held at Osaka’s Hankyu Sanban-gai shopping centre in February and March, and a Sonic & Puyo Puyo 35th Anniversary lottery is coming to Japanese stores.
Whether Sega will be making any sort of fuss about Puyo Puyo outside of Japan remains to be seen, but the publisher has a busy roster of birthdays to celebrate away from its long-running puzzle game. Beyond Sonic’s 35th, Nights hits the big three-oh in 2026, as does Sakura Wars.
