Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

A Pokémon-themed puzzle game for the Game Boy Color.

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is a puzzle video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. It is the second Pokémon-themed entry in the Puzzle League series, drawing inspiration from Pokémon Gold and Silver rather than the anime. The game was released in Japan in September 2000, in North America in December 2000, and in PAL regions in June 2001.

Quick Facts

Developer

Intelligent Systems

Publisher

Nintendo

Director

Toshihiro Nishii; Hitoshi Yamagami

Producer

Takehiro Izushi
Ryoichi Kitanishi
Tsunekazu Ishihara

Designer

Hitoshi Yamagami; Toshitaka Muramatsu

Composer

Taishi Senda; Minako Hamano

Series

Pokémon; Puzzle League

Released

September 21, 2000 (JP)
December 4, 2000 (NA)
June 15, 2001 (PAL)

Facts from the source article.

Development

Intelligent Systems developed Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. It was first announced in a webcast by Nintendo employee Peter Main on January 13, 2000, under the name Pokémon Attack, later changed to Pokémon Puzzle League before settling on Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. Nintendo briefly planned to delay the release to 2001, but the delay of Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble opened a release window. A promotional screensaver was released by Nintendo.

Reception

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge was well received by critics. It earned a 90.20% aggregate on GameRankings, placing it tenth among Game Boy Color titles and 300th overall on that site. Nintendo Power awarded it a perfect score, while Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a nine out of ten. Nintendo Power also nominated it for best puzzle game and best Pokémon game, but it lost to Pokémon Puzzle League and Pokémon Gold and Silver, respectively.

The magazine later ranked it the 13th best Game Boy or Game Boy Color game, describing its gameplay as second only to Tetris in addictiveness and preferring it to Tetris Attack because of extra features. Game Informer’s Ben Reeves called it the 12th best Game Boy game, citing its increased polish over Tetris Attack. Children’s software & new media revue: Volume 9 found it addictive and noted it had little in common with the Pokémon franchise. IGN’s Craig Harris welcomed the return of Tetris Attack-style gameplay, calling it fun and addictive, but he criticized the absence of a Puzzle Edit mode found in Pokémon Puzzle League; he still gave it an Editor’s Choice award.

Fellow IGN editor Lucas M. Thomas remarked that while it introduced nothing new, a portable, colorized version was enough. GameSpot’s Frank Provo said it did the Pokémon license proud, praising its addictiveness and value. GamePro gave it 4.5 out of five stars and an Editor’s Choice award. Associated Press writer William Schiffmann noted it broke no new ground and called the Pokémon theme a sales gimmick, but added that Tetris fans would enjoy it.