Game Details
| Size | 73 MB |
| Region | Japan |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Format | 7z / ISO |
| Year | January 28, 2010 |
| Console | PSP |
Rupupu Cube: Lup Salad Portable Matatabi (2010) is the definitive handheld version of a cult-classic puzzle series that originally debuted on the PlayStation 1. Often overlooked in the West, this game is a “thinking person’s” puzzler that combines adorable, minimalist aesthetics with brain-melting difficulty.
The Plot / Premise: Salad Days
The game follows a quirky, silent girl named Salad (and her cat-eared friend Matatabi in this specific version).
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The World: Salad lives in a minimalist, colorful world filled with floating cubes.
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The Goal: There isn’t a deep narrative; instead, the focus is on Salad traversing “Cube Worlds.” You must move colored blocks around a 2D plane to match them and clear the stage.
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The Vibe: It features a distinct “Lofi” aesthetic with catchy, relaxing music and surreal background art that feels like a precursor to modern indie “cozy” games.
The Big Change: Portable Perfection
The “Portable Matatabi” edition isn’t just a simple port; it was tailored specifically for the PSP’s hardware:
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Widescreen Support: The puzzle field was expanded to fit the PSP’s 16:9 screen, allowing for larger, more complex level layouts than the PS1 original.
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Massive Level Count: Includes over 400 puzzles, combining levels from the original Lup Salad and the Nintendo DS version, plus brand-new challenges exclusive to the PSP.
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Matatabi Mode: Introduces a new playable character and mechanics that change how you interact with the blocks.
Key Features
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Simple Rules, Deep Strategy: You can push blocks, but you cannot pull them. If you push a block against a wall or another block, it might get stuck forever.
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Color Matching: Matching three or more blocks of the same color causes them to disappear. The trick is clearing them in an order that doesn’t leave Salad stranded.
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Undo System: A godsend for the PSP version. You can rewind your moves one by one, which is essential because one wrong push usually means a “Game Over.”
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Character Customization: You can unlock different outfits for Salad as you progress through the hundreds of stages.
Short Review: A Hidden Gem for Puzzle Lovers
The Good
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Relaxing Atmosphere: Despite the difficulty, the game has a very “zen” feel. The music is fantastic, and the pastel color palette is easy on the eyes.
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Pick-Up-and-Play: Because it’s mission-based, it’s the perfect game for a 5-minute commute or a long flight.
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Infinite Replayability: With 400+ levels, it will take you dozens of hours to see everything. It’s one of the best “value-for-money” puzzle games on the system.
The Bad
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Brutal Difficulty: Don’t let the cute art fool you. By level 50, the game becomes incredibly punishing, requiring pixel-perfect planning.
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Lack of English: While the puzzles are language-independent, the “Hint” system and the “Story” snippets are in Japanese, so you’ll have to rely on trial and error.
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Slow Pace: If you prefer action-puzzlers like Tetris or Lumines, the slow, methodical “Sokoban” style of Lup Salad might feel a bit tedious.
Screenshots
