Pokémon Puzzle League
A Pokémon-themed puzzle game for the Nintendo 64.
Pokémon Puzzle League is a Nintendo 64 puzzle game from the Puzzle League series, where players clear blocks on a grid and battle trainers and gym leaders from the Pokémon anime. Developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo, it earned mostly positive reviews from critics.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Nintendo Software Technology; Intelligent Systems
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Director
- Yukimi Shimura
- Designer
- Bill Giese
- Brett Ballow
- A.J. Redmer
- Producer
- Yukimi Shimura; Takehiro Izushi
- Programmer
- Stephen Lee
- Robert Champagne
- Yoon Joon Lee
- Artist
- Mike Harrington; Raymond Yan
- Series
- Puzzle League; Pokémon
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Pokémon Puzzle League uses the same gameplay as Panel de Pon. The player clears blocks by forming horizontal or vertical lines of three or more blocks. New blocks push up from the bottom, causing the playfield to rise; if blocks reach the top, the player loses. Scoring combos and chains temporarily stops the progression, and in two-player battles these actions send garbage blocks to the opponent. Unlike earlier games, Pokémon Puzzle League includes a 3D mode where gameplay occurs on a cylinder with an effective width of 18 blocks, compared to the six-block width of the flat 2D field. It offers both the original block design from Panel de Pon and Tetris Attack and a Pokémon-oriented design, selected by default. Players can battle AI opponents, though their abilities are limited in 3D mode. Modes include 1P Stadium, where the player controls Ash Ketchum to defeat opponents and become the Puzzle Master; 2P Stadium, allowing two players to choose from 15 Pokémon trainers and battle with different rulesets; Marathon, where the player continues as long as possible; Time Zone, a two-minute high-score challenge; Spa Service, a stage-based mode requiring clearing a target number of lines; and Puzzle University, where predetermined block configurations must be cleared within a limited number of moves. Professor Oak's Lab provides tutorials, and Mimic Mansion, hosted by Tracey Sketchit, demonstrates techniques for practice.
Plot
Ash and Pikachu are on vacation when Professor Oak calls to tell Ash he has been selected as a challenger for the official Puzzle League Tournament. Ash races to the Pokémon Puzzle League Village. He challenges his first rival Gary, then defeats seven of the eight Kanto gym leaders to earn their badges, learning of a legendary undefeated competitor called the Puzzle Master. After battling Tracey and Team Rocket, Ash defeats the supposed Puzzle Master, Giovanni, and wins the last badge. He then defeats the Elite Four, including the current champion Gary. Ash is named the new champion and warped into a final challenge with the true Puzzle Master, Mewtwo. After defeating Mewtwo, Ash is warped back to his vacation spot, initially believing it a dream until he discovers a Pokémon Puzzle Master trophy awarded by Mewtwo.
Development
Pokémon Puzzle League began development as Panel de Pon 64, a sequel to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Panel de Pon featuring descendants of that game's cast, before being reskinned with Pokémon characters. The original Panel de Pon 64 version was later completed and released as part of Nintendo Puzzle Collection for GameCube. The soundtrack consists mainly of instrumental arrangements from the album Pokémon 2.B.A. Master, along with an arrangement of Catch Me If You Can from Pikachu's Vacation and other instrumental tracks from the anime. The game includes animated full-motion video cutscenes and voice acting by the anime series cast.
Reception
Pokémon Puzzle League received generally favourable reviews, according to Metacritic. Fran Mirabella III of IGN said, I'm totally addicted and thrilled with Pokémon Puzzle League. Blake Fischer of NextGen called it a surprisingly fun experience, if a little on the cute side, and one of the best puzzlers on N64. Miss Spell of GamePro said the game is designed for young gamers, encouraging creative puzzle-solving, and that older puzzle fans with a high Jigglypuff tolerance will also enjoy it. Human Tornado of GamePro noted that despite being another take on Tetris, the game has enough modes for extra depth and that learning advanced chains and combos takes time. The game was nominated for Best Console Puzzle Game at The Electric Playgrounds Blister Awards 2000, which went to Mr. Driller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Pokémon Puzzle League?
Pokémon Puzzle League was developed by Nintendo Software Technology and Intelligent Systems.
When was Pokémon Puzzle League released?
Pokémon Puzzle League was released on September 25, 2000 in North America and on March 2, 2001 in Europe.
Who directed Pokémon Puzzle League?
Pokémon Puzzle League was directed by Yukimi Shimura.
Who designed Pokémon Puzzle League?
Pokémon Puzzle League was designed by Bill Giese, Brett Ballow and A.J. Redmer.
More in Puzzle Games of the 2000s
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