Mindware is releasing the physics-based action puzzle game *Dropping Drops* for PC (Steam) today, September 16.
Yuriko Keino composed all the music and sound effects
This new title comes from Mindware, the studio known for remaking 1980s games for a modern audience. It’s a physics-based action puzzle game in which you must guide 300 falling “DROPs” into the boundaries of various shapes. There are no “Game Over” penalties for mistakes; each course consists of four stages, and the game is designed so that players can master each stage to aim for a high score.
For more on the game’s content and appeal, check out the hands-on report currently available on Game*Spark.
The sound design was handled by Yuriko Keino, who formerly worked at Namco and composed the music for legendary games such as *Dig Dug*, *Xevious*, *Phazon*, and *Dragon Buster*. She reportedly created all the music and sound effects for this title while adhering to the sound specifications of the arcade boards from that era.
Additionally, while this title is compatible with KORG’s “nanoKONTROL2” controller, it is said that not owning one will not put you at a disadvantage when aiming for a high score.
In March 2026, a soundtrack with a download key and a mini-CD keychain with NFC were released in advance. The keychain contains an NFC tag that can be read by a smartphone; when held up to the device, it plays an exclusive remix version available only through this keychain.
'Lot Lot Lot Lot 3671,' the successor to the ’80s puzzle game, will be released in November 2026
Mindware also announced that it will release the action-puzzle game *Lot Lot Lot Lot 3671* on Steam in November 2026.
This game is a new title based on the puzzle game “Lot Lot Lot,” which was featured in “Program Pochette Vol. 4,” published by Tokuma Shoten in 1984. Later, an arcade version was released by Irem, and a Family Computer version was released by Tokuma Shoten under the title “Lot Lot.”
Mindware’s CEO reportedly adapted “Lot Lot Lot” several times as a hobby starting in the late 1980s so he could play it himself. Having recently made contact with the original creator of “Lot Lot Lot” and obtained permission, the company is now set to release this evolved new title.
The new title is a time-limited game featuring mechanisms that cause scores to skyrocket, as well as a bold feature that rotates the game board, and it can be played using only a mouse. While staying true to the original’s core mechanic—intervening by swapping elements on the field—it appears to have been crafted into a highly addictive game that can be enjoyed in short bursts.
This title will be released as the 12th installment in the “VIDEO GAME CLASSICS” series—which began with *Jump Bug* (for the PC-98x1 series) in 1996—and as a 30th-anniversary commemorative title. A series of updates is scheduled to be released leading up to its November launch.
Live Stream to Celebrate the Release
Today, September 16, at 8:00 PM, a launch celebration livestream featuring voice actress and actress Yui Tensho will be held on YouTube. *Dropping Drops* will be released immediately following the broadcast.
*Dropping Drops* is scheduled for release on PC (Steam) today, September 16, at 8:00 PM or later. The price is 700 yen.
"Lot Lot Lot Lot 3671" is scheduled for release on PC (Steam) in November 2026; the price has not yet been determined.
