Planet Puzzle League

"The puzzler of a thousand names returns."

People know this game by different names here in the United States. It was originally introduced here as "Tetris Attack" bearing a Yoshi's Island theme, then became both "Pokemon Puzzle League" and "Pokemon Puzzle Challenge" (N64 and Game Boy Color, respectively) toting the Pokemon license. After that, it reappeared on a watered-down double-set for the Game Boy Advance as just "Puzzle League," having no direct link to another franchise in itself. Japan was lucky; all it ever knew it to be called was Panel de Pon, and normally it starred a cast of elemental fairies. thinking about it, it was perhaps best to lose the fairy theme since it would give some folks the impression that it was more of a girl's game...which it certainly isn't. Anyway, now we have "Planet Puzzle League" for the United States, known in Europe as "Puzzle League DS" and in Japan as "Panel de Pon DS." Evidently we still can't all agree on a common name.

For those new to the game, here's the basic concept. A number of different-colored panels will rise from below, and you have to clear panels before they hit the top of the play field. To do this, you need to swap panels horizontally (that's your only designated direction) to match three or more of the same color. They can be together horizontally or vertically. Gravity somewhat applies to the panels; you can move a panel off an edge, and it will fall to the lower level. Gravity is your very best friend, as the strategy mainly depends on "chaining" tiles in multiple clears by letting them fall onto each other. Add to this the ability to move tiles around before they fall and things become more intense; part of setting a chain is your own involvement! This is especially true in versus matches, where chains and combos (matching more than 3 panels at once) dump "Garbage" blocks an the opponent's side, which can only be removed when panels are clearing adjacent to it. But careful; you soon learn that even Garbage blocks can sometimes be your friend, as they are a great tool in chaining as well!

So how do you control it? There are two different ways. The first is the more traditional button control, where you maneuver a cursor with the D-Pad, swap two panels with a button, and raise up the stack with another. Some folks might want to stick to this control scheme if they're "purists," but they'll fall prey to an opponent who utilizes the second and more desirable method of control; touch screen. Very simple; just touch and drag a panel horizontally to where you want to move it. Press a button on the side of the screen to raise the stack. This is really the way to go to really immerse yourself into the game, and to better work your skills to their fullest.

There are plenty of ways to play the game. For the sole player, there are somewhat traditional modes like "Endless," where you play until you lose; "Time Attack," where you attempt to score big in two minutes; and "Vs. COM," where you compete against a computer opponent in a standard Puzzle League competition match. A more interesting mode is "Daily Play," where you play the "Time Attack" varieties once a day and get to see your score performances graphed over time. A cute addition.

When you want opposition, you have options there too. There is the local "Wireless" option, where you can compete with up to three other friends in competitions. Special rules, like difficulties and items, can be applied. Items can be cleared like normal tiles, but can change up the game drastically when used properly. Some help you, and some hurt the opponent. Another option is Nintendo's Wi-fi connection, where you can compete against people around the world to test/show off your skills. You can play without a ranking system ("Free Play Battle") or play to rank yourself against other people that share your birthday ("Birthday Battle"). New people get an option to introduce them to the Puzzle League online world ("Novice Battle"), but if you get too good, you can't access that mode anymore. You can play against "Friends" (using Friend codes for the "Friend Battle") and get the ability to talk to each other as you play using the DS's microphone! Very nice touch.

Chaining, as I mentioned before, is an important part of the game. They make this very clear in this installment of the series, as the ability to chain things together has become both a little easier and more exciting this time around. First off, difficulty settings usually determined how fast things cleared and fell. Now it just determined how fast things fall; "Beginner" makes it feel very floaty, while "Hard" is more like the traditional, where things just kinda slam to the ground. Next, veterans of the series may remember the dark blue upside-down triangle panels added to harder difficulties. Completely GONE. But would anyone really miss it? And an option is available where you can raise your stack as things clear to make your chains even LONGER! They want folks to enjoy chaining, and they even added a few more triumphant fanfares for people that can REALLY pull off some impressive chains. It's so evident that even "Endless" mode included a motion pause button that stops everything other than the timer to let you examine where you can move to continue a good chain (once you start moving a panel everything is moving again).

So what of the style of this game? This time around the game really exudes a much more futuristic and symbolic style to it, pertaining to the menus, music, backgrounds, and even the panels. No Yoshi, no Pokemon, and no fairies (although I hear you can unlock a theme with the main character in the Japan version...y'know, if you're into fairies and such); the game tries to give itself a different, more inclusive flavor that doesn't single folks out. The backgrounds are animated with a "matching" music, and the panel styles are more varied. If you'd rather choose a certain set, including the classic panels used in about every other game in the series, you can designate that before play.

Are there flaws? Well, that depends on the person you ask. Some may want to talk to ANYBODY rather than just friends. Some may think it's become too easy or too hard with all the new stuff they did. And some actually miss the fairies. As for me, I guess one thing I don't like is the fact that you only retain your rank in the Birthday Battle for a week before the count is reset and you have to start all over...though I guess it's a chance for people who just bought the game to have a chance at getting the top spot. Another thing, I guess, is that I feel a little disappointed that there wasn't any secret stuff to unlock. True, perhaps it may not really need something like that, but something like some extra backgrounds or panel styles would've been nice. It's those nit-picky details that prevent me from giving it a perfect 10.

But above all, this is an awesome game that you can learn in practically no time at all. It's mastering the art of chaining and using Garbage blocks to your advantage that will take some time to master. But once you get the grips on everything, you get an overall good feeling, and you'll be able to show the world just what you can do. I'd personally say it's a puzzler passing Tetris in terms of intense action and ease of understanding. I highly recommend this game, no matter what it's called.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/13/07