Pokémon Puzzle League

Just like many puzzle greats before it, the Puzzle League formula can work no matter what theme it takes on. It worked perfectly well in its original Japanese form, with Yoshi tagging along, as well as in plain handheld format on GBA and DS. Attaching the Pokémon brand may seem like a cheap attempt at getting more sales, but the charm of the series actually seems to complement the extremely addictive gameplay. At just 1,000 Wii Points Pokémon Puzzle League is a must for any fans of previous Puzzle League titles, as well as those looking for a new challenge…

This mind-bender is terribly addictive when you get into it. In a perfect world, yes, this new offering would feature a Matrix-style soundtrack, moody graphics, and a four-player mode, but we're forced to forget about that dream for now. The principle remains the same, whether you're playing checkers with cookies or actual checker pieces it's still the same game. Consider that, and then promptly buy Pokémon Puzzle League if it suits you.

Personally, I can’t stand Pokémon any more, but when you slap the franchise on a classic SNES game like Tetris Attack and add a 3D mode, you’re going to get me hooked. For those of you unfamiliar with Tetris Attack, the concept is simple. You switch the location of two pieces of the puzzle trying to make combos and large blocks that in turn dump blocks on your opponent. The bigger the combo or block, the bigger the mess you drop on your opponent. With puzzle, training, multiplayer, and single-player games there is plenty here; but be prepared for a barrage of Pokémon sound effects and art. If you are into puzzlers, I can’t recommend this game enough, even if you don’t like Pokémon. If you do, they are an added bonus.

Pokemon Puzzle League was well received when it first arrived on the Nintendo 64 nearly eight years ago, and the strength and intact addictiveness of the core Panel de Pon design makes it still feel fresh and fun today. The Pokemon animated series references are dated, but still work well as a way to give more color and character to the gameplay – and some unique features like 3D Mode make this specific edition of Puzzle League particularly compelling. The only reason puzzle fans might not want to spend 1000 Wii Points on a download of this game right away is if they want to save those same digital dollars for a different puzzle purchase from the Wii Shop, as another of Nintendo’s classic designs in the genre, Dr. Mario Online Rx, is scheduled to arrive in just a few more days.

Pokémon Puzzle League heeft weinig te bieden voor Pokémon fans. Wel leuk voor hardcore puzzelaars maar alleen als ze nog nooit Tetris Attack hebben gespeeld.

Tetris Attack has been dipped into a big vat of melted Pokemon goo, creating a shell of backgrounds and music that's now called Pokemon Puzzle League. But don't forget that the delicious gummy core you'll get to after 3 licks is, after all, a quality game. It's just annoying that it's the same game. Those of you familiar with the original can probably do without this. But if Pokemon is your groove thing or you haven't played Tetris Attack, then this game will strangely make sense.

De enda stora felen är att det inte är bärbart och att det kan tyckas dyrt med fullpris för en så här enkel produkt. Pusselspel gör sig bäst på Game Boy om jag får välja. Men det är å andra sidan kanske inte helt omöjligt att det dyke rupp en mini-version av Pokémon Puzzle League.

Pokémon Puzzle League est à coup sûr un grand jeu du genre action/réflexion et mérite sa place aux côtés de Dr Mario et Tetris sur votre étagère. Les réfractaires ultimes aux Pokémon peuvent tout de suite oublier cette cartouche qui couine des sons d'un niais absolu et où tout prend des allures de tragique régression mentale ("Ouais ! Je suis le meilleur !", "Quand je suis énervé, je suis énervé !" clament les protagonistes durant les parties). Ce serait toutefois passer à côté d'un jeu de grande qualité qui prolonge considérablement sa durée de vie à plusieurs. D'autant plus que l'on peut mettre en veilleuse les effets sonores. Mais les Pokémon étaient-il vraiment nécessaires ??

First-time puzzle gamers may want to take a pass on this one, though. Puzzle League isn't a bad game, but there are definitely better puzzle games to cut your teeth on. Those who've already played Tetris Attack may want to take a pass on this as well, as the addition of the 3D mode and the Pokémon license aren't enough to justify this purchase. But even if Nintendo is just slapping the Pokémon name on what would've otherwise been a completely unrelated game, the developers have more than made up for it with the quality of the presentation.

Un jeu qui repose sur un concept simple et efficace, et qui profite de l'univers des Pokemon. Le gameplay recèle de multiples possibilités, et permet un challenge intéressant à tous niveaux. Les possesseurs de N64, un peu lésés ces derniers temps, auraient tort de faire la fine bouche.