Pokémon Puzzle League
Pokémon Puzzle League is a Pokémon-based version of the game Tetris Attack. It has a Game Boy Color counterpart, Pokémon Puzzle Challenge.
| Pokémon Puzzle League | |
|---|---|
| File:PokemonPuzzleLeagueboxart.jpg Pokémon Puzzle League's North American boxart | |
Basic info
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| Platform: | Nintendo 64 |
| Category: | Puzzle |
| Players: | 1-2 simultaneously |
| Connectivity: | None |
| Developer: | NST Intelligent Systems |
| Publisher: | Nintendo |
| Part of: | I |
Ratings
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| CERO: | N/A |
| ESRB: | E for Everyone |
| ACB: | N/A |
| OFLC: | N/A |
| PEGI: | 3 |
| GRAC: | N/A |
| GSRR: | N/A |
Release dates
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| Japan: | N/A |
| North America: | September 25, 2000 (N64 Version)[1] May 5, 2008 (VC version) |
| Australia: | September 1, 2000[2] |
| Europe: | March 2, 2001[3] |
| South Korea: | N/A |
| Hong Kong: | N/A |
| Taiwan: | N/A |
Websites
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| Japanese: | N/A |
| English: | Official site |
Pokémon Puzzle League is a game for the Nintendo 64 and was released on September 25, 2000. It is the first Tetris Attack-style game to allow editing puzzles, and introduced a 3D mode of play.
The game takes place in "Puzzle League Village." Within Puzzle League Village, there are nine different "places" to go to.
The title "Puzzle League" would go on to be the official non-Japanese name for all future games in the "Panel de Pon" series which, to prevent alienation of male gamers, removed the fairy motif that persisted in the games for all non-Japanese releases of the series.
Pokémon Puzzle League was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console on May 5, 2008 in the US.
Story
Ash and Pikachu are on vacation (presumably after having competed in the Orange League), when they are called on the phone by Professor Oak, who tells Ash that he has been selected as one of the challengers for the Official Puzzle League Tournament. Ash excitedly accepts the offer, ready for a new challenge and heads off to Pokémon Puzzle League Village to compete.
To succeed in the tournament, Ash has to earn eight Badges known from the Kanto region which allow him to proceed to the Elite Four and, eventually, the Puzzle Champion. He can do so by fighting the respective Kanto Gym Leaders in puzzle matches. Other characters, such as Tracey or Team Rocket, interrupt him on his way and also challenge him to a fight.
After earning seven Badges, Ash encounters Giovanni, who claims to be the Puzzle Champion. However, his old friend Ritchie informs him that Giovanni hasn't even seen the true Champion. Ash challenges Ritchie, who is the first of the Puzzle League's Elite Four, eventually beating the members and encounters the Puzzle Champion, who turns out to be none other than Gary, his rival and very first opponent.
In another puzzle match, he manages to beat Gary, replaces him as the Puzzle Champion and is rewarded with a trophy. While celebrating his victory, Ash and his Pokémon are suddenly teleported away. They are welcomed by Mewtwo, who reveals that he is the Puzzle Master, and he set up the Puzzle League to find a worthy foe and clones Ash's Pokémon. They challenge him to a last fight, from which Ash emerges victorious once again. However, upon his victory, Ash is transported back to where he started his adventure.
It seems as though all of it was a dream, but then Ash discovers a trophy given to him by Mewtwo beside him.
Play modes
- Prof. Oak's Labs - Professor Oak will give the player a tutorial here.
- 1p Stadium - the arena for the game's main "story" mode. This is where Ash battles the Gym Leaders for the title of Puzzle Master.
- 2p Stadium - the arena for multiplayer battles.
- Mimic Mansion - A practice arena hosted by Tracey.
- Time Zone - Here, the player has to clear the board within a limited time.
- Spa Service - This "spa" is actually run by Team Rocket, and will challenge Ash to a line clear game to get his Squirtle and Bulbasaur back.
- Marathon - An endless game. The object is to score as high as possible before the screen fills completely with blocks.
- Puzzle University - A training arena hosted by Ritchie. The object is to clear all the blocks on the screen in a set number of moves.
Playable characters
- Ash Ketchum (2.B.A. Master)
- Gary Oak (Pokémon World)
- Brock (Viridian City)
- Misty (Catch Me if You Can)
- Lt. Surge
- Erika (What Kind Of Pokémon Are You?)
- Koga
- Sabrina (Everything Changes)
- Blaine (My Best Friends)
- Tracey Sketchit
- Team Rocket: Jessie, James and Meowth (Double Trouble)
Unlockable characters
- Giovanni
- Ritchie (Together Forever)
- Lorelei (Pokémon (Dance Mix))
- Bruno
- Mewtwo (temporarily unlockable in VS. mode by entering a code; Player 1 will be forced to play as Ash)
- Pikachutwo
- Squirtle (clone)
- Bulbasaur (clone)
Unplayable characters
Trivia
- Due to a lack of popularity for the Nintendo 64 in Japan, this game on a Nintendo console is the only Pokémon game to be released only to western audiences.
- This game is the only Pokémon game to be based directly on the anime and have characters such as Tracey and Ritchie appear.
- Although this is the only Pokémon game to be based directly on the anime, in the Guinness Book of World Records 2011 Gamer's edition, in the Top 50 Characters section, Ash Ketchum was one of them. It stated that Pokémon Red and Blue was the first game to be portrayed by Ash. Although this is somewhat true to an extent, the player does not have to have the same Pokémon as Ash, and the main character does not look like him; thus making it false.
- Lorelei is referred to by her correct name in this game, despite being called Prima in the anime.
- The player cannot complete the entirety of the story initially. More and more of it is revealed in the later difficulties as more and more stages are added.
- Easy: Giovanni is the last opponent.
- Normal: Bruno of the Elite Four is the final opponent.
- Hard: Rematch against Gary (With Nidoqueen, Arcanine, and Kingler)
- Very Hard and Super Hard: Mewtwo is the final opponent.
- Due to this game being released before Pokémon Gold and Silver (outside of Japan), this is technically the first game in which a Pokémon from the following Generation (Marill) is useable.
References
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This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames. |