Lumines

Short description: Puzzle video game series

Lumines

Genre(s)| Puzzle
Developer(s)|

* Q Entertainment
* Mobcast
* Resonair

Publisher(s)|

* Bandai Namco Entertainment
* Buena Vista Games
* Microsoft Game Studios
* Ubisoft
* Enhance Games

Creator(s)| Tetsuya Mizuguchi
Platform(s)| Android, iOS, mobile phone, Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
First release| Software:Lumines: Puzzle Fusion
December 12, 2004
Latest release| Lumines Arise
November 11, 2025

Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. (/ˈluːmɪnɛs/ LOO-min-ess)[1] is a puzzle video game series developed by Q Entertainment. The core objective of the games is to survive by rotating and aligning 2×2 blocks varying between two colors to form 2×2 squares of a single color which will be erased when the Time Line passes over them. The game is lost when the blocks reach the top of the playing field.

The series was initially conceived when Tetsuya Mizuguchi heard about the PlayStation Portable and wanted to develop a game for it. Since the original release, several sequels have been developed and released for multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile phone, iOS, and Android.

The series has received many positive reviews and awards with the original receiving the highest review score ratings and the majority of the awards.

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Development
* 3 Games
* 3.1 Main series
* 3.2 Mobile phone
* 4 Reception
* 5 Legacy
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Gameplay

Screenshot of Software:Lumines: Puzzle Fusion with one of its iconic skins, "Shinin / Mondo Grosso"

Lumines is a block-dropping game that seems at first similar to Columns and Tetris. The game is made up of a 16×10 grid playing field. A sequence of 2×2 blocks varying between two colors fall from the top of the playing field. When part of a falling block hits an obstruction, the remaining portion will split off and continue to fall. A vertical "Time Line" sweeps through the playing field from left to right. When a group of 2×2 blocks of the same color is created on the playing field, it creates a "colored square". When the Time Line passes through it, the colored square will disappear and points are added to the player's overall score. If the colored square is created in the middle of the Time Line, the Time Line will only take half of the colored square and no points will be awarded. Certain blocks with gems are known as "special blocks" and if are used to create colored squares, they will allow all individual adjacent blocks of the same color to be eliminated by the Time Line.[2] In some games in the series, the special block is replaced with the "chain block", which connects to all adjacent blocks, whether or not a square is created.

The games feature background skins, which change the appearance of the visuals and blocks, and contain a different music track and sound effects. Skins are unlocked by progressing through the different game modes. Skins have different Time Line speeds, depending on the track's tempo. This can affect the gameplay; faster Time Lines make it more difficult to create large combos, and slower Time Lines may cause the playing field to fill while waiting for the Time Line to erase squares.

The objective is to rotate and align the blocks in such a way as to create colored squares. Increasing score multipliers are earned by repeatedly clearing 3~4 squares (depending on the game) on consecutive Time Line sweeps. Score bonuses are also awarded by reducing all remaining tiles to one single color or for removing all non-active tiles from the screen altogether. Multiple colored squares of the same color can be shared between a single geometric shape. For example, if one should get a 2x3 area of matching blocks, the middle portion will "share" itself with both the left and right halves and create two colored squares. The player loses when the blocks pile up to the top of the grid.[2]

## Development

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Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the creator of Lumines, was involved in every main entry of the series.

The series began with Software:Lumines: Puzzle Fusion. The game was the first game developed by Q Entertainment and was a launch title for the PlayStation Portable. The game was developed with an estimated amount of 4 or 5 people for over 1 year. Mizuguchi was inspired by the PSP when he first learned about the technology. He described the PlayStation Portable as an "interactive Walkman" and "Dream machine" due to the system being one of the few video game handheld consoles with a headphone jack, allowing the game to be played at any time, any location, and any style with good sound.[3] After choosing the PSP as the next console to work with, Mizuguchi was inspired to make a puzzle game with music. Mizuguchi stated he wanted it to be an audio-visual puzzle game for the challenge, but he also wanted to make something that was less daunting to players compared to his previous titles Rez or Space Channel 5, so that it would attract casual players.[4] Originally, Mizuguchi wanted to make a Tetris game with music but due to various issues including licensing, it was not possible at the time and the concept of Lumines was used instead.[5][6] His original hopes would eventually come to be when, in 2018, Tetris Effect was released for PS4. Lumines' subtitle "Puzzle Fusion" reflected that the game's music was essential to the game itself.[4] Katsumi Yokota implemented strict rules for the series that the songs would follow 44 time signature, with the exception of "Big Elpaso". This was due to the playing field being divided into 16 rows, and the Time Line needing to match the tempo of the music and in sync with the beat. By using 44 time signature, it allows a total of sixteen eighth-notes to correspond to two bars precisely.[7]

After the game was released, three titles were being developed simultaneously: Lumines Plus, Lumines II, and Lumines Live! for PlayStation 2, PSP, and Xbox 360 respectively. Tetsuya Mizuguchi wanted to achieve different things for each game. Lumines Plus was intended to be a direct port of the original Lumines: Puzzle Fusion with additional songs and skins. For Lumines II, Mizuguchi emphasized he wanted the game to have its own original atmosphere and stylistic experience, different from the original. In addition, licensed songs from famous artists such as Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas and The Chemical Brothers were incorporated into the game's soundtrack. Mizuguchi described Lumines II as a party and described himself as a party organizer to make the biggest party experience on the PSP. For Lumines Live!, Mizuguchi developed the game with the concept of customizing music and choosing and downloading new songs. The goal of the game was to use everything that was happening during the time and make it available through DLC. Mizuguchi compared the game to a TV channel where they feed what the next thing will be.[8]

Originally development of Lumines: Puzzle Fusion, audio had to be completed before finalizing the skin's design. Yokota decided to do a different approach with Lumines II and Lumines Live!. Instead, skin designs took priority in order to provide more concrete suggestions for the audio. Yokota stated this made greater variation possible for the music tracks.[7]

## Games

### Main series

Title  | Original Release  | Platform  | Notes

|
|
|

Software:Lumines: Puzzle Fusion | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PSP
Mobile phone
PlayStation 2
Microsoft Windows | The first puzzle video game in the series. Created by game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi and his company, Q Entertainment, it was first released as a launch title for the PlayStation Portable. It later received mobile phone version in 2006 and a port to Microsoft Windows released first in December 2007.
Lumines Live! | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | Xbox 360
(via XBLA)  | Based on the original PlayStation Portable game for the Xbox 360. It was released on October 18, 2006, as an Xbox Live Arcade title. The game runs in 720p and supports 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. It features built-in multiplayer both offline and online, Achievements, Leaderboards and GamerScore support and online competitive modes. A new feature in Lumines Live! over the original Lumines is the ability to create one's own sequence of skins from the skins that have been unlocked through single play mode. Lumines Live! is included on the Qubed compilation for Xbox 360 along with Rez HD and Every Extend Extra Extreme.
Lumines II | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PSP  | A direct sequel to the original. Offers new modes such as Mission mode, Skin Edit mode, and Sequencer that allows players to create their music using sounds. The game also uses music from famous music artists such as Gwen Stefani, Black-Eyed Peas, and Hoobastank
Lumines Supernova | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PlayStation 3
(via PSN)  | In January 2009, Lumines Supernova was released on the PlayStation Network. It has all the features of Lumines Live! (with the exception of online multiplayer) as well as the sequencer from Lumines II and a new mode, DigDown Mode. DigDown Mode is a timed mode where the player has to clear two vertical lines within a time limit to move "down" to the next stage. It was delisted from European stores in 2017.
Lumines: Touch Fusion | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | iOS | The first title to be developed for smartphones. It has many of the features the original Lumines has with Vs mode being the only missing feature.
Software:Lumines: Electronic Symphony | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PlayStation Vita | The game was announced in Gamescom 2011, having its first showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2011. According to an article posted on the PlayStation Blog by Producer James Mielke, "Lumines Electronic Symphony is a music-puzzle game that merges vivid colors and shapes with the intoxicating beats of an electronica soundtrack."[9]
Software:Lumines: Puzzle & Music | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | iOS
Android | In January 2015, the rights to both Lumines and Meteos were acquired by Mobcast,[10] and the company announced the development of a new Lumines mobile game.[11] With many of the original development team involved, including director Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Lumines Puzzle & Music released on mobile formats on July 12, 2016, in Japan and on September 1, 2016, in North America and Europe.[12][13] The initial game includes two "albums", one composed of eight new songs and the other of six songs from the original game, including Mondo Grosso's "Shinin'". Another Lumines mobile title, a free-to-play entry titled Lumines Vs., is slated for release in Q4 of 2016.[14]
Lumines Remastered | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
Microsoft Windows | In March 2018, Enhance Games, the studio founded by Lumines: Puzzle Fusion producer Mizuguchi, announced Lumines Remastered for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One for release in June 2018; the game is being developed by Japanese studio Resonair. The game features enhanced visuals and support for higher-resolution systems.[15]
Lumines Arise | Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". | PlayStation 5
Microsoft Windows | On June 4, 2025, Enhance Games released a trailer for the next installment in the Lumines franchise, Lumines Arise, for PlayStation 5 and PC for release in Fall 2025. The game takes inspiration from their previous title, Tetris Effect: Connected, using a similar art style to that game. The game also introduces a new mechanic called 'Burst' to allow players to fill up a bar and lock squares on the playing field, building into a larger square to then score more points.[16][17]

### Mobile phone

Multiple mobile phone titles were released in Japan, Europe, and North America. In Japan, a number of mobile phone versions were released by different carriers as part of the Lumines Mobile subseries. The first one is titled Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24". and was released on April 18, 2007.[18] The game changed names between carrier. i-mode's version is titled Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24"., the EZweb version is titled, Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24"., and the Softbank version is titled, Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24".[19] A customized version of this game for DeNA's Mobage Town titled Lumines for Mobage was released on January 24, 2008.[20] A mobile phone version of Lumines Live! was released pre-installed on NTT Docomo's N-02B model.[21] Another version of Lumines was pre-installed on NTT Docomo's N07A mobile phone model via i-αppli widget on July 10, 2009.[22]

In Europe and North America, two Mobile phone versions were released by Q Entertainment. The first mobile phone game was an adaptation of the original Lumines: Puzzle Fusion developed by Gameloft. The second mobile phone game, titled Lumines: In the House Ibiza '10, was developed by Connect2Media and released in Europe on August 11, 2010, and in North America on March 18, 2012. The game uses dance songs from Defected Records and skins to match the feel of Defected Records. The game contains Survival mode, Time Attack mode, Skin edit mode, and DigDown mode from previous titles.[23] In partnership with T-Mobile, a competition was made to promote the game that ran from August 12 to August 31, 2010. Winners were awarded merchandise from Defected Records.[24]

## Reception

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As of 2018, the series has sold over 2.5 million units.[25]

The original Lumines: Puzzle Fusion won several awards including, 2005 Spike TV Video Game Awards for Best Handheld Game, GameSpot's 2005 PSP Game Of The Year, Electronic Gaming Monthly's 2005 Handheld Game Of The Year, Game Informer's "Top 50 Games of 2005" list.[26][27][28] Lumines II's song, Heavenly Star by Genki Rockets, was nominated for Best Song in 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards.[29]

## Legacy

Lumines inspired multiple clones. The first is a clone for Microsoft Windows known as Luminator and was released in October 2008 by BVH Distribution. The game features music from DKDENT and was reported to play exactly like Lumines with no deviation in gameplay.[30] A Nintendo DS version was in development by Xider Games and was scheduled to release in August 2007, but no further information was released.[31] An independent developed video game known as Software:Irides: Master of Blocks and was released on June 24, 2009. It was developed by MadPeet and published by Goat Store Publishing on Dreamcast.

## References

Notes

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Citation

1. ↑ "The most mispronounced game names ever – ClassicRadar". December 24, 2012. http://www.gamesradar.com/most-mispronounced-game-names-ever-classicradar/.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lumines instruction manual. North America: Ubisoft. 2004. http://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sony_PSP/manual/Formated/Lumines-_Puzzle_Fusion_-_2005_-_Ubisoft.pdf. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
3. ↑ "Rez: The Return of Tetsuya Mizuguchi". Eurogamer. February 8, 2015. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-02-08-in-media-rez-the-return-of-tetsuya-mizuguchi.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Parish, Jeremy (May 24, 2018). "Lumines Remastered Owes Its Existence to Nintendo Switch". USGamer. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/lumines-remastered-owes-its-existence-to-nintendo-switch.
5. ↑ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter has terminated with signal "24".
6. ↑ Stark, Chelsea (June 15, 2018). "Tetris Effect has been in development for 6 years". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/15/17465364/tetris-effect-preview-enhance-games-e3.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Interview: Nakamura Yokota On The Origins of Lumines Supernova". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/113565/Interview_Nakamura_Yokota_On_The_Origins_Of_Lumines_Supernova.php.
8. ↑ "Everything Lumines: The Tetsuya Mizuguchi Interview". Game Informer. June 15, 2006. http://www.gameinformer.com:80/News/Story/200606/N06.0615.1711.20306.htm. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
9. ↑ Mielke, James (January 25, 2012). "Ubisoft PS Vita Week: Building on a Classic with Lumines Electronic Symphony". PlayStation Blog. http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/25/ubisoft-ps-vita-week-building-on-a-classic-with-lumines-electronic-symphony/.
10. ↑ "Mobcast acquires Lumines and Meteos IP". January 27, 2015. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-27-mobcast-acquires-lumines-and-meteos-ip.
11. ↑ "Lumines Is Coming To Smartphones, Also Tetsuya Mizuguchi Is Making Games Again". January 26, 2015. http://www.siliconera.com/2015/01/26/lumines-coming-smartphones-also-tetsuya-mizuguchi-making-games/.
12. ↑ "水口哲也氏による『ルミネス』最新作が7月19日に配信決定 初代の楽曲、ステージも収録" (in ja). Famitsu. https://app.famitsu.com/20160616_747766/. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
13. ↑ "Lumines: Puzzle & Music launches September 1 on iOS and Android". August 24, 2016. https://venturebeat.com/2016/08/23/lumines-puzzle-music-launches-september-1-on-ios-and-android/.
14. ↑ "Paid 'Lumines Puzzle and Music' and Free-to-Play 'Lumines VS' Will Release Globally Later This Year". May 12, 2016. http://toucharcade.com/2016/05/12/paid-lumines-puzzle-and-music-and-free-to-play-lumines-vs-will-release-globally-later-this-year/.
15. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (March 20, 2018). "Lumines Remastered is coming to consoles and Steam this spring". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/20/17143594/lumines-remastered-nintendo-switch-ps4-pc-xbox-one.
16. ↑ Ishihara, Takashi (June 4, 2025). "Lumines Arise bursts onto PlayStation 5 this Fall". PlayStation Blog. https://blog.playstation.com/2025/06/04/lumines-arise-bursts-onto-playstation-5-this-fall/.
17. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (August 26, 2025). "The new Lumines game drops in November — but you can play it now". https://www.polygon.com/lumines-arise-release-date-demo-ps5-steam/.
18. ↑ "好きなときにスキンをダウンロード！ Yahoo！ケータイでも『ルミネス』が遊べる". Famitsu. https://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/2007/04/18/607,1176866362,70368,0,0.html. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
19. ↑ "携帯版「ルミネスモバイル」に「Secret Online」のオリジナルスキン配信". October 17, 2007. https://www.4gamer.net/games/041/G004184/20071017012/.
20. ↑ "新スキン追加した『ルミネスforモバゲータウン』が本日配信開始". Dengeki Online. January 24, 2008. https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2008/1/24/3fdd568cb9793b90993fd1fa6e0d8aa4.html.
21. ↑ "NTTドコモ、2009年度冬春モデル19機種を発表PRIMEシリーズ全機種に「ドラゴンクエストIII」などをプリイン" (in ja). Game Watch Impress. November 10, 2009. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/327947.html.
22. ↑ "サウンド15曲に加え、iアプリ『ルミネス』がプリインストール" (in ja). Famitsu. July 10, 2009. https://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/1225758_1350.html. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
23. ↑ Andrew, Keith (August 11, 2010). "Lumines: In the House Ibiza '10 Review". Pocket Gamer. http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Lumines%3A+In+the+House+Ibiza+%2710/review.asp?c=22695.
24. ↑ "Lumines In The House Competition". Defected Records. August 14, 2010. https://defected.com/news/lumines-in-the-house-competition/.
25. ↑ "Lumines Achievements". Resonair. https://lumines.game/en/history/.
26. ↑ "『ルミネス』がSpike TVの"BEST HANDHELD GAME"を受賞！". Famitsu. https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2005/12/09/103,1134123147,46608,0,0.html. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
27. ↑ "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2005 awards kick off". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespots-best-and-worst-of-2005-awards-kick-off/1100-6141367/.
28. ↑ "EGM's 2005 Games of the Year: Replay Edition". Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM Media). March 2005.
29. ↑ "水口氏プロデュースの音楽ユニット"元気ロケッツ"の楽曲がiTunes Storeで配信". Famitsu. December 16, 2006. https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/12/15/103,1166171480,64565,0,0.html. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
30. ↑ "Luminator (PC) Test" (in German). November 2, 2006. http://www.gamecaptain.de/PC/Artikel/2882/Luminator_Test.html.
31. ↑ "Ankh and Luminator coming to British DS". March 6, 2007. https://www.engadget.com/2007-03-06-ankh-and-luminator-coming-to-british-ds.html.

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## External links

* Official site (archived from the original)
* Japanese official site (archived from the original)
* Official Lumines: Touch Fusion website (archived from the original)

Template:Lumines games

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