POKEMON PUZZLE LEAGUE

Console: Nintendo 64

I'm a fan of Panel de Pon. Chances are you do not know what I'm talking about, though. Tetris Attack (SNES) and Puzzle League are cover versions; the sprites were swapped but gameplay is the same. Think Tetris if it mated with Dr. Mario. Blocks come up from the screen and you swap them horozontally until you make a line/column of three or more matching colors. You know that stick in Super Smash Bros. that makes your opponent grow a flower on their head? It's from the Panel de Pon main character.

Gameplay is rather simple across the titles. Each game has different modes, like endless, timed, vs, and limited move puzzles. Pokemon Puzzle League is the same set to the pokemon theme. One thing PPL adds is 3D mode, which extends the board from flat to cylinder. I personally don't like it and have trouble passing it, but it does add variety.

One big thing that sets this apart from Tetris Attack is the voice acting. Depending on the board you play on, your opponent shouts taunts at you. On the side of lulz, Team Rocket shouting "PREPARE FOR TROUBLE!" makes me mutter "and make it double" almost every time I hear it, which is expected because they're hams. On the other side, I really can't get over Giovanni yelling things like "You're wasting my time!" or "The world will be mine!" while playing puzzles with a ten year old boy and his rat.

Characters are diverse, though, and I like that. All the original gym leaders are present, as well as "Smell ya later!" Gary, not Brock Tracey, and the other guy with a Pikachu, Ritchie. This game also features full motion video, an amazing feat for a Nintendo 64 game. Let me say that again: FULL MOTION VIDEO, as in AS GOOD AS THE POKEMON RERUNS YOU USED TO WATCH ON TV. None of that glitchy crap like Resident Evil 2. All the voices are from the anime as well, so it's a great nostalgia game.

If you have the extra cash, pick it up on VC. If you're really enthusiastic, snatch a cart off ebay.