About this game
Developed by Intelligent Systems and released in September 2000, Pokémon Puzzle Challenge brings the Panel de Pon puzzle mechanic to Game Boy Color dressed in the Pokémon Gold and Silver cast. Players swap adjacent coloured blocks to create chains and clear the field against Pokémon opponents, with difficulty scaling through a full roster of Johto gym leaders and Elite Four members. The satisfying combo system, combined with the Pokémon license, made it one of the most accessible puzzle experiences on the handheld.
Key Features
The core mechanic involves swapping horizontally adjacent blocks to align three or more of the same colour, which then clear. Chain reactions score bonus points and send garbage blocks to the opponent's field in versus mode. Multiple modes — Challenge, Puzzle, Time Zone, and Vs — extend replay value considerably.
The Story Behind
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge arrived during Pokémon's second-generation peak, when Gold and Silver were captivating players globally. Intelligent Systems, known primarily for strategy RPGs like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars, demonstrated their versatility with this polished puzzle game. The Panel de Pon system — originally released in 1995 on SNES as Tetris Attack outside Japan — finally received a portable home through this Pokémon-branded entry.
Tricks & Tales
The Japan title, Pokémon de Panepon, directly references Panel de Pon — the parent series developed by Intelligent Systems. Outside Japan, the 'Panepon' name was unfamiliar, so Western releases used the Pokémon Puzzle Challenge branding instead. Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile — the Johto starter trio — appear as selectable opponents alongside the gym leaders.
Collector's Guide
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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