35/40

By Charles - March 8th, 2026

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is a relatively unknown game, especially since it hasn't been released on Nintendo Switch Online yet. I remember getting this game on 3DS years ago and being very surprised with the depth and quality of this game. This is the most fun I've had with a Puzzle Game!

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

GBC, 2000

~$700 Sealed

~$60 Used

Other Releases:

Virtual Console

Presentation

10

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge has a ton of very detailed sprites and backgrounds, the most important of which is the main puzzle screen. It looks great, very clearly showing the Pokémon that are battling as well as the blocks. The music is all fantastic as well, mostly made up of vastly improved remixes from Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. It's hard to believe they are on the same console. The music even speeds up when you are close to losing. The effort put into the presentation of Pokémon Puzzle Challenge makes it clear that this isn't some cheap spinoff.

The backgrounds are detailed but not chaotic.

Controls

10

The controls are very simple, but there are a lot of tutorials and explanations to help your puzzle skills. The D-pad controls movement, and you use the buttons to swap blocks. Everything is very self-explanatory. There are secret cheat codes to unlock new modes, but you're even told these if you get far enough in the game. There isn't much else to say - it's very well done.

The game's theming is around Generation 2.

Content

7

There is an absurd amount of content in this game. There are a ton of different modes and challenges including a story, puzzle and endless mode. The story mode is fantastic, acting as a recap of Generation 2's story, including more levels the higher the difficulty setting. The game is very challenging but extremely rewarding once you get good enough. The issue is that some of these extra modes and content are just ridiculous. You're presented with pretty much everything from the menu, but some of the modes are extremely difficult or contrived. It can feel very frustrating to play once you're done story mode. It feels like you need to become literally the best in the world at this game to finish everything.

Story Mode is a streamlined Gold and Silver.

Fun Factor

8

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge feels like the perfect puzzle game at first, especially the story mode. The game looks, sounds and controls great. The issue is feeling the motivation to keep on playing. A lot of the modes are kind of boring and don't have very interesting rewards. There's only so much of this "Panel de Pon"-type puzzle game to be played before you get bored. The ridiculous challenge of some of these modes means that you just want to move on and play something else. However, if you can find the motivation to keep playing, I couldn't recommend a puzzle game more. The amount of effort that was put into this game is exceptional.

Puzzle mode is the worst of all. It's painful.

Worth the Time?

Worth the Money?

I think that this game is definitely worth a try. You should try to complete every difficulty of Story Mode and Line Clear Mode. Puzzle is hit or miss, so I would only try to complete it if you really enjoy it.

If you really want to play this game on a Game Boy, I think it's worth the money. However, I have to assume that it's coming to Nintendo Switch Online sooner or later.

Screenshots from Pokémon Puzzle Challenge | Video Games & Apps, used for review purposes.