Pokemon Puzzle League

"Simply an old Super Nintendo game with a fresh coat of Pika-paint"

OPENING STATEMENT
At least Nintendo demonstrated good taste when picking a classic hit to base their latest craze milking game off of. Pokemon Puzzle League is Tetris Attack, with the cute little animals and monsters replaced by Pokemon and famous characters from the Pokemon universe. Luckily Tetris Attack was one of the best Super Nintendo games around, so as a result Pokemon Puzzle League is quite good, although not in its own right.

GAMEPLAY--9
An important thing to get out of the way first, is that Pokemon Puzzle League is not the same as Tetris, even though the game it was based off of was Tetris Attack. Instead of stacking blocks to make complete rows, you need to piece together a series of three identical blocks, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This process is carried out by switching blocks with the one to their left or right, or else, switching blocks with the air on either side. Another good thing to know, is that the screen rises in some levels, with the longer that you take, so you also need to be a fast moving Pokemon Puzzle Leaguer.

If you are more fond of the slower, more leisurely paced puzzle game, then you are in for a nasty surprise when you play Pokemon Puzzle League. You need to go as fast as you can, because if the blocks below you rise to the top of the screen, then you are done. Personally, I prefer puzzle games that require speed, such as this, over more mellow games like Wario’s Woods. The speed required makes sure that the gameplay never gets too stale, because it added in that extra element. And with each extra quality gameplay element, games become more playable, and as a direct result, better.

GRAPHICS--3
Sure, the graphics are bright and colorful. But, the truth is that all of the graphics can be, and most of the graphics were, carried out on the Super Nintendo. The only non-sixteen-bit caliber images included were the overhead area selection maps, and those really do not count for a whole lot. They are the equivalent of the game’s menu, so graphics really do not matter a whole lot to me there.

The only difference, excluding the menus, is the fact that the original Tetris Attack’s artwork has been exchanged with cameos from most every Pokemon and character from the television show in its existence. There was certainly research put into those little side-windows. These anime-styled graphics are clean and well done, but it really does not completely cover-up the fact that they could be done on a ten year old system. The selection is nice, but it is an old looking selection. It’s like having a new car lot filled with 1989 Chevy Luminas, Ford Tauruses, and Dodge Caravans in every hue. Sure, you’ve got quite a few colors and a few makes, with loads of options, but you really are not impressed with any of them, as they are still old and primitive.

MUSIC--5
SOUND--5
The audio in Pokemon Puzzle League is decidedly average. The music is really nothing to write home about, as it is simply a cross between normal Pokemon music and happy, bouncy, generic Nintendo game music. Nothing really stands out about it, as it plays the entire time, never really changing. You eventually get so used to hearing it over and over again, you eventually stop hearing it. Lucky you!

The sound effects are also adequate, but nothing more. The menu noises are typical, which takes some away from the otherwise innovative menus. The rest of the sound effects are not all that prevelant anyway, but, sadly, when you do hear them, you are not blown away. At least Nintendo was concentrating on other things when they were making Pokemon Puzzle League. There are things more important than sound effects.

CONTROL--8
For example, how a game controls is far more important than the game’s sound effects. And, luckily, Nintendo has ported the control scheme from Tetris Attack better than I had ever expected. All you need to do is move the cursor around, highlight the two blocks you want switched, and press ‘A.’ Remember, there is no way to switch blocks vertically, so do not even waste your time looking for such a button.

The only thing that really prevented Pokemon Puzzle League from garnering a perfect score in this category would be the menus. Yes, they look innovative, and they truly are. The problem is that I occasionally got lost, and sometimes found it difficult to get to where I wanted to go, as I had to remember which locale is which. In a normal menu, it simply says, and that would be quite a bit easier to navigate.

FUN--10
The fun in Pokemon Puzzle League has nothing to do with the Pokemon theme. However, it has everything to do with it’s Tetris Attack Lineage. This game would have been equally fun if it were just blocks, sans the Pokemon, like the original Tetris Attack. The strength of the puzzling is why you will want to play. If you are expecting this game to be like the Pokemon Game Boy games, exluding Pokemon Puzzle Challenge of course, then you will be in for a surprise. Unlike Pokemon Pinball, which really had no merit beyond it’s ties with Pikachu and the gang, Pokemon Puzzle League can succeed on it’s own. That is part of the reason that makes it great. The addicting puzzling is obviously the other.

CHALLENGE--MEDIUM TO HIGH
Pokemon Puzzle League is one of those games that starts off slowly, and then accelerates at a super-human speed. The first few levels are extremely easy, and one move will win many of them. Then they slowly but surely get harder for about twenty or so levels, and then, out of the clear blue, you suddenly find yourself in one of the most maddeningly challenging puzzle games on the face of the earth. This challenge is what makes Pokemon Puzzle League so different from the original Tetris. In the original Tetris you basically play at your own pace, as you really control everything. In Pokemon Puzzle League, and Tetris Attack, the pieces that you use are already there. That is what makes this game an entirely different, and more difficult, beast.

REPLAY VALUE--HIGH
What part of addicting did you not understand? The addiction is so strong that you will come back playing Pokemon Puzzle League again and again, even after completing the main modes. I progressed through some of them innumerable times. Even if you by some miracle become tired of progressing on your own, Pokemon Puzzle League’s multiplayer capabilities will still keep you coming back for more. While the Multiplayer Modes are really just the usual suspects, that is plenty for plenty of replay value.

PROS
*The first classic Nintendo 64 puzzle game. (Now what does that tell you?)
*Possibly the most addicting puzzler on the market.
*Challenge later on can be enough to actually make you think.

CONS
*Just a dressed-up Super Nintendo game.
*Graphics are fairly old compared to the cartridge.
*Audio leaves much to be desired.

CLOSING STATEMENT
Yes, Pokemon Puzzle League has it’s issues. Luckily, those issues do not overcome the addicting gameplay, which would be the real reason for buying this puzzle game anyway. And if you do not have Tetris Attack on the Super Nintendo, you have absolutely no excuse not to get this game.

OVERALL--7

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/16/01, Updated 08/16/01