Pokemonified

This is a really fun game- but really, it's just an update of a classic. Nintendo released a previous game, called "Panel De Pon" or "Tetris Attack" (in english). It was a very popular game, and people loved it- but many admit that while they love it for the gameplay now, many bought it only because of the Tetris name- to which it has little, if any, relation. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge is the exact same game with new modes and the ability to save your game without writing down a password of eight unrelated letters and numbers. You can also "continue where you left off" if you stop in the middle... but only one game at a time. Not too bad, though. The graphics are now in color; this helps visibility, but they still have that smallness that only a Game Boy can create. It has many modes. I will summarize each one... which they don't do on the box.

SINGLE PLAYER
Marathon- Basic "play until you lose" game. Don't get discouraged; it is hard until you understand the game. Try watching the animations. After you master the game, though, this mode is something of a snore-fest unless you start at a high speed. In this and all modes, you have to move a small cursor to swap panels, hopefully getting three (or four, or five...) panels in a row. These are then removed and the ones above fall down; the pile slowly rises from the bottom, if you hit the top anywhere you lose. The game gets faster as you play.

Garbage- This mode is new to this game; no other version had it. It's another Endless mode, but instead of the panels rising more quickly, more and more Garbage Blocks (attacks that are hard to clear) are removed.

Time Zone- How well can you do in a 2:00 game? Just Marathon with that @#$@ timer always counting down... don't get me wrong, this is a great mode... but not for the faint of heart.

Puzzle- Try to clear all the pieces- in a limited number of moves!

LineClear- There is a "clear line" sitting far down in the stack; you must clear all the pieces above it. But you have to get down to it first... and there are a few surprises.

Challenge- The piece de resistance of the game. In this mode, you have to make Combos (4 or more) or Chain Reactions (impossible to explain without a picture) to attack your opponent... who will be dropping Garbage Blocks on you.

TWO PLAYER MODES:

Vs.- Like Challenge, but with an opponent, not a computer.

Time Zone- Same as One Player, but you get the same pieces... who can do better?


OTHER:
Training- Shows little "videos" of how to play better.
SlowMo Mode:- Under the TRAINING submenu. It's the standard game... on the moon. Everything is much slower, so you can practise setting up moves. Don't use this too much, or you'll get too used to the slow speed!

Options- sets game options. Press SELECT for more (cheat code!)

Record- log in here with your name to register your pack; stores your high scores.


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Overall, this is a great game... but you have to have a fast mind and a willingness to use it. Try not to get too Pokemon-ed out on this; if you hate Pokemon, just try to ignore them. Great, but a little tough for Pokemon's target audience...

My Opinions:

1. This game just plain has more in single player, and that's where it shines.
2. Easy to learn... but it took me YEARS to master. (I played Tetris Attack, so I had those years.)
3. More addictive then it's predesesor... and that's saying something.
4. The animated backgrounds actually add to the contrast; the light on dark color scheme is more legible, but gives the game a spooky feeling it really doesn't have.
5. Great sound effects; true to Pokemon. The music is also great (Try Pikachu, he has a rock-music refrain!), but the tunes are a little short; they repeat.