Great Video Games

Although the Pokémon aspect of Pokémon Puzzle League is purely thematic--which might disappoint lovers of Pikachu, while still warding off nonfans--the fun and challenging gameplay here makes this title one of the best in the puzzle genre.

Gameplay in Pokémon Puzzle League is a variation on the puzzle classic Tetris: players must clear blocks off the screen by switching adjacent horizontal blocks to create horizontal and vertical lines of three or more identically colored blocks. Blocks rise in rows from the bottom of the screen, and, once they reach the top, the game is over. While it's deceptively easy at first, the steadily increasing speed of the rising blocks requires players to make combos (more than three blocks in a line) and chains (creating multiple lines simultaneously), both of which pause the rise of the blocks temporarily.

Featuring six gaming modes and puzzles in both 2-D and 3-D, Pokémon Puzzle League is best played by one player versus the computer (in the Stadium) or in two-player "versus" mode. In these modes, creating combos and chains causes "garbage" blocks to fall from the top of your opponent's screen, which results in some villainously vindictive gameplay.--Joe Hon

Pros:

• Fun and challenging Tetris-like game for all ages
• Outstanding two-player "versus" gameplay
• 2-D and 3-D puzzles, six gaming modes, and very thorough tutorials
• "Puzzle University" mode lets players create their own puzzles

Cons:

• Pokémon aspect of the game is purely thematic

User Reviews about Pokemon Puzzle League

I previously owned this game but it was lost in a cross country move. Game was in excellent condition, played well right out of the packaging. Timely shipping. -- Love This Game

I bought this 4 days ago and just received it yesterday. I ended up opening it and playing it for the whole night! When I was finished, both of my thumbs hurt (mostly my left thumb). I love it! My brother and I used to rent this all the time from Blockbuster, when N64 was still popular.

I love the gameplay. However in the different modes for the 1st player stadium, there arent enough stages. Like I wish I could play a lot of the trainers, like Misty, and then expand that out after and play her sisters with better pokemon and SEEL!! Yea that would ve been cooler.

But I love this game so much now (mostly cuz I can beat my brother at it! But I love these kinds of puzzle games. My friend introduced me to a different variation of tetris (tetris attack-snes) so i thought id want this game for my n64, cuz it was a good adaptation of the other game.. my only comments to the game is...ash would never say yippee at the end of a match. and james just sounds weird when he shouts "i'm feeling giddy". wow. anyway i will always love this game. i dont think i will ever get tired of it. -- Loved this game when I was young, and still loving it!

Pokemon Puzzle League is the familar Tetris Attack puzzle game dressed in Pokemon clothing. Rearrange tiles of similar colors to clear them off the screen. If you can chain enough combos by making similar tiles drop onto each other after the previous ones disappear, you can create "garbage" that is dropped onto the opponent's screen to hinder their progress. This formula is extremely addictive, and besides playing against friends the computer also offers several levels of difficulty and challenge. There is a seperate, rotating, 3D version of the game where you have to clear tiles in a cylinder, and a puzzle editor mode that lets you create your own brain teasers. There's lots of play value here.

Don't let the Pokemon license scare you. It's pretty much there just for presentation purposes, no knowledge of the Pokemon world is required (for better or worse I suppose; hardcore fans might be disappointed the Pokemon elements aren't better integrated). You "pick" a Pokemon to represent yourself, but it's just to fill in the background art and the usual Pokemon rock/paper/scissors combat system doesn't come into play. All of the art is nice and high-res, and there's even a crisp video intro to set things up. The Pokemon tunes from the earlier seasons are nicely reproduced, and without the sugary lyrics they're great music to play to (and the tracks speed up when the gameplay gets tense).

Those who like Pokemon will find the presentation solid, if not actually integrated. Those who don't can safetly look past the art at a very good puzzle game. A great part of any N64 library. -- Addictive puzzle game

I love this game. I must admit I haven't seen too much of the cartoon show, but I didn't need to in order to appreciate the game. There's no denying this game is gorgeous. There are different hand-drawn backgrounds in each level of every puzzle mode, as well as impressive FMV anime cutscenes in between rounds at significant points in the game. Plus, even before the puzzle mode selection screen, you are greeted with a FMV of Ash on his way to the puzzle competition. Another reviewer noted that the mere presence of Pokemon in the game made him feel embarrassed and emasculated to play it, but I think the rest of us are man enough to handle it.

The in-game puzzle system itself is innovative. It has nothing in common with Tetris though; players must match up several stacks of the similarly-colored blocks. There are countless modes to choose from; they range from the expected two-player mode all the way to another mode (I believe it's called "Puzzle University") where you can actually build your own puzzles to solve. From the concept, to the visuals, to the controls, Pokemon Puzzle League is truly a great game. Don't pass this one up. -- Wonderful game. One of the few gems for the Nintendo 64

Even if you hate Pokemon, but like puzzle games, you will love this! It's very addicting, I really enjoy playing it! It's even better than Tetris! Give it a try! -- Great Game!