Pokémon Puzzle League

Pokémon Puzzle League
Developer	Nintendo Software Technology
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Nintendo 64 Virtual Console
Release Date	Nintendo 64 US September 25, 2000 EU March 2, 2001 Virtual Console US May 5, 2008 EU May 30, 2008
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon Puzzle League is a puzzle game that, like Tetris Attack,is a modified version of the Japan-only game Panel De Pon. Whereas Tetris Attack used characters from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Pokémon Puzzle League uses creatures and characters from the Pokémon series, particularly from the Pokémon anime.

Story

Ash Ketchum is invited by Professor Oak to come to the Puzzle Village and compete in a tournament to become a Puzzle Master.

Gameplay

In the puzzle game, rows of blocks rise from the bottom of the screen towards the top. The player uses a cursor to rearrange the blocks, and matching three or more blocks of the same color will eliminate them. The goal in most modes is to eliminate as many blocks as possible and prevent any column of blocks from touching the top of the screen, at which point the game will end.

The game is divided into multiple modes.1P Stadium is the story mode where the player controls Ash Ketchum and battles through various characters in the Puzzle Village tournament, including Team Rocket, Gary Oak and the gym leaders from the first generation games. In the 2P Stadium Mode, two players can compete and can choose any of the game's characters to control (although some have to be unlocked).

There are also other typical puzzle modes, such as a Marathon mode, a time attack mode and a tutorial. There is also a new 3D mode. The game also features voice acting, with the same vocal talent from the 4Kids translation of the Pokémon anime.

Legacy

The game has no sequel, but a counterpart game, Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, was released for the Gameboy Color. The main difference between the two was that Puzzle League primarily used characters and influences from the Pokémon anime, while Puzzle Challenge was based on Pokémon: Gold and Silver Versions, and the new Pokémon introduced in those games.

Ports and Remakes

• In 2008 it was released for download over the Wii's Virtual Console.