PokeMon Puzzle Challenge

Introduction: Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is an official Nintendo and Intelligent Systems puzzle game released for the Game Boy Color in 2000. It is not a traditional RPG or a ROM hack, but a standalone puzzle title based on the Panel de Pon (Tetris Attack) engine. The game is set within the Johto region from Pokémon Gold and Silver, framing its puzzle battles as a challenge to defeat the region's Gym Leaders.

Gameplay & Mechanics: The game does not involve capturing Pokémon, exploring a world map, or traditional RPG combat. Instead, players clear falling puzzle panels by matching three or more of the same color in a row or column. Clearing panels builds a gauge, and when full, the player sends garbage blocks to the opponent's screen. The core gameplay loop involves progressing through increasingly difficult puzzle stages against Gym Leaders and the Elite Four. The difficulty is tiered across several modes, with the main challenge coming from the opponent's speed and puzzle-solving under pressure, making it unrelated to concepts like Nuzlocke runs or mechanical splits from the main series.

Key Features:

• Johto League Structure: The primary mode, Gym Leader Castle, tasks the player with defeating all eight Johto Gym Leaders and the Elite Four in sequence, with Lance as the final opponent.
• Multiple Playable Characters: Players can select from ten different Trainers, including Ethan, Kris, and various Gym Leaders, each with their own unique puzzle block style and difficulty setting.
• Diverse Game Modes: Beyond the main castle, modes include Marathon for endurance, Time Attack for speed, and a Vs. Mode for two-player link cable battles, providing substantial replay value.

This title remains a distinct and well-regarded part of the Pokémon spin-off library, offering a pure and challenging puzzle experience set against a familiar Johto backdrop.