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.

I bought this 4 days ago & just received it yesterday. I ended up opening it & playing it 4 the whole night! When I was finished, both of my thumbs hurt (mostly my left thumb). I love it! My brother & I used 2 rent this all the time from Blockbuster, when N64 was still popular.

I love the gameplay. However in the different modes 4 the 1st player stadium, there arent enough stages. Like I wish I could play a lot of the trainers, like Misty, & then expand that out after & play her sisters with better pokemon & 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 2 a different variation of tetris (tetris attack-snes) so i thought id want this game 4 my n64, cuz it was a good adaptation of the other game.. my only comments 2 the game is...ash would never say yippee at the end of a match. & 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.

Pokemon Puzzle League is the familar Tetris Attack puzzle game dressed in Pokemon clothing. Rearrange tiles of similar colors 2 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 2 hinder their progress. This formula is extremely addictive, & besides playing against friends the computer also offers several levels of difficulty & challenge. There is a seperate, rotating, 3D version of the game where you have 2 clear tiles in a cylinder, & 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 4 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 2 represent yourself, but it's just 2 fill in the background art & the usual Pokemon rock/paper/scissors combat system doesn't come into play. All of the art is nice & high-res, & there's even a crisp video intro 2 set things up. The Pokemon tunes from the earlier seasons are nicely reproduced, & without the sugary lyrics they're great music 2 play 2 (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.

I love this game. I must admit I haven't seen too much of the cartoon show, but I didn't need 2 in order 2 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 2 the puzzle competition. Another reviewer noted that the mere presence of Pokemon in the game made him feel embarrassed & emasculated 2 play it, but I think the rest of us are man enough 2 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 2 choose from; they range from the expected two-player mode all the way 2 another mode (I believe it's called "Puzzle University") where you can actually build your own puzzles 2 solve. From the concept, 2 the visuals, 2 the controls, Pokemon Puzzle League is truly a great game. Don't pass this one up.

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!

Although the Pokémon aspect of Pokémon Puzzle League is purely thematic--which might disappoint lovers of Pikachu, while still warding off nonfans--the fun & 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 2 create horizontal & 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 2 make combos (more than three blocks in a line) & chains (creating multiple lines simultaneously), both of which pause the rise of the blocks temporarily.

Featuring six gaming modes & puzzles in both 2-D & 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 & chains causes "garbage" blocks 2 fall from the top of your opponent's screen, which results in some villainously vindictive gameplay.--Joe Hon

Pros:

• Fun & challenging Tetris-like game 4 all ages
• Outstanding two-player "versus" gameplay
• 2-D & 3-D puzzles, six gaming modes, & very thorough tutorials
• "Puzzle University" mode lets players create their own puzzles

Cons:

• Pokémon aspect of the game is purely thematic

Although the Pokémon aspect of Pokémon Puzzle League is purely thematic--which might disappoint lovers of Pikachu, while still warding off nonfans--the fun & 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 2 create horizontal & 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 2 make combos (more than three blocks in a line) & chains (creating multiple lines simultaneously), both of which pause the rise of the blocks temporarily.

Featuring six gaming modes & puzzles in both 2-D & 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 & chains causes "garbage" blocks 2 fall from the top of your opponent's screen, which results in some villainously vindictive gameplay.--Joe Hon

Pros:

• Fun & challenging Tetris-like game 4 all ages
• Outstanding two-player "versus" gameplay
• 2-D & 3-D puzzles, six gaming modes, & very thorough tutorials
• "Puzzle University" mode lets players create their own puzzles

Cons:

• Pokémon aspect of the game is purely thematic

Sure, you're good at capturing & battling Pokémon, but how good are you at solving puzzles? In Pokémon Puzzle League, you're after a new hotshot, the mysterious Puzzle Master. To get him, you'll need 2 outdo 16 trainers in fast-paced competition. The game itself is simple enough: match three blocks of the same color & make them disappear, sending the above blocks down. You can even create combos that will add garbage blocks 2 your competition's pile of woes. Pokémon Puzzle League features six different modes of play, including a competitive two-player mode.