This game is, put simply, fun. The goal of the game is to swap pieces on the screen with each other to line up sets of three or more pieces of the same color to remove them. It sounds simple, but it really isn't. The only way to do well is to master either combos (clearing sets of more than 3) or chains (clearing one set such that gravity pulls down another set immediately after), or both. This, combined with the constant lines of new pieces rising from the bottom can create a peaceful low speed game, or a frantic high speed game, depending on what level you're playing at. What's more, there is a cylindrical "3D mode" which gives the player more playing area to work with, and more tiles to keep from rising to the top of the screen. Also, there is a VS mode where the player can make combos and chains to drop "garbage" on their opponent's play area so that his pieces rise to the top first.
One thing that makes this game unique is the anime cut-scene intro. Even though I'm not a fan of the Pokémon TV series that this intro is based on, it's a pretty cool trick on the N64, considering that the cartridge didn't have nearly as much room for movies as a CD based format such as the Playstation.
The graphics in this game are nice to look at, for the most part, and the game doesn't suffer from any noticeable slowdown unless it is being played in 3D mode VS with a lot going on at once on the screen. The sound effects exist, but won't grate on your nerves, except for the voice-overs, which will probably convince you to mute your TV. The music is mostly variants on songs from the TV show, and are kind of a mixed bag. Some songs will drive you bonkers, while other songs can be nice to listen to while playing the game.
Overall, this game is a pretty cool game, and only loses points in my opinion because of the Pokémon theme to it. If you don't already have Tetris Attack or Panel de Pon for the SNES, or the themeless Puzzle League for the GBA, I'd suggest you give it a go. Since it's the only version with a 3D mode, you might want to try it anyway.
9/10
One thing that makes this game unique is the anime cut-scene intro. Even though I'm not a fan of the Pokémon TV series that this intro is based on, it's a pretty cool trick on the N64, considering that the cartridge didn't have nearly as much room for movies as a CD based format such as the Playstation.
The graphics in this game are nice to look at, for the most part, and the game doesn't suffer from any noticeable slowdown unless it is being played in 3D mode VS with a lot going on at once on the screen. The sound effects exist, but won't grate on your nerves, except for the voice-overs, which will probably convince you to mute your TV. The music is mostly variants on songs from the TV show, and are kind of a mixed bag. Some songs will drive you bonkers, while other songs can be nice to listen to while playing the game.
Overall, this game is a pretty cool game, and only loses points in my opinion because of the Pokémon theme to it. If you don't already have Tetris Attack or Panel de Pon for the SNES, or the themeless Puzzle League for the GBA, I'd suggest you give it a go. Since it's the only version with a 3D mode, you might want to try it anyway.
9/10