Pokemon Puzzle League FAQ V. 1.2.8 (Nov 24th, 2000)
By Steven Reich (yoshi1001@aol.com)
My Website: http://www.smbhq.com/pokewatch/

Copyright 2000 Steven Reich. Do not use any part of this FAQ without
my permission or I will send Pavel Chekhov to "Waporize" you.

Contents:

1. About this FAQ
2. Questions
3. Puzzle University
4. 1P Stadium
5. 2P Stadium
6. Spa Service
7. Marathon
8. Time Zone
9. Characters
10. The "Master" Code/Other Info
11. Media Guide
12. Conclusion

1. About This FAQ

This faq will get you started, but assumes you have basic knowledge
of the game. It also compares it to its predecessor, Tetris
Attack.

Revisions:

1.2.8 (11/24/2000): Finished profiles.

1.2.7 (11/10/2000): New Music Guide section.

1.2.5 (10/20/2000): New "Cinema Guide" section.

1.2.1 (10/20/2000): Mewtwo code info, as well as other stuff.

1.1.9 (10/12/2000): New info in section 10, Spa Service, and characters.

1.1.6 (10/7/2000): Lots of stuff, but check out The "Master" Code.

1.1.4 (10/6/2000): Character, spa service info.

1.1.2 (10/5/2000): Character, legal info.

1.1.0 (10/4/2000): Yet more puzzle info.

1.0.8 (10/2/2000): Yet more puzzle info.

1.0.7 (10/1/2000): More puzzle info.

1.0.5 (10/1/2000): More misc. updates.

1.0.3 (9/30/2000): Added info on the puzzle master.

2. Questions

Q: Who is the Puzzle Master?

A: I'm not sure entirely. Ritchie says Giovanni hasn't even seen the
Pokemon Puzzle Master. However,(spoiler) Mewtwo (more on him later) 
claims to be the puzzle master, and Giovanni definitely saw him.
(Though if you asked him, he'd probably say, "Mewwho?")

Q: Mewtwo?

A: You sound like Pokemon: The First Movie! Actually, if you go to
sound test SFX 269-272, you'll notice that these are battle voices
of a certain Phillip Bartlett-voiced character that likes to talk
about destiny (read: the Twoster). Additionally, the voices 
preceding that belong to a series of Pokemon identical to Ash's.
In fact, the Pikachu voice is exactly the same as the Pikachu clone
from Pokemon: TFM. Technically, it should be Pikachu, Blastoise, and
Venusaur, but oh well. Additionally, SFX 382-385 contain additional
Mewtwo phrases, including an introduction phrase.

Q: So how do I battle Mewtwo?

A: Beat Gary the second time on very hard. You will go to the 
victory cutscene, but this time Ash will notice something odd 
about the trophy, and you will be warped to Mewtwo's chamber 
to battle him.

Q: Can you play as Mewtwo?

A: Well, sort of.

Q: What do you mean, "Sort of?"

A: There's a code, but it's kinda crippled. See the 2-Player Stadium section.

Q: How do I unlock the hidden characters?

A: To unlock all the hidden characters (except Mewtwo), go to the
2P Stadium character select screen and hold down L, R, and Z on
BOTH controllers. This is very similar to the Tetris Attack code
of the same nature.

Q: But no one else is around!

A: You can do it. Get creative (ever hear of a chin?).

Q: Wait, isn't that woman in the puzzle elite called Prima?

A: Well, yes, one episode of the TV series had her and called her
Prima, but the game calls her Lorelei (her proper name).

Q: Aren't there lots of other codes?

A: Yes, but since I haven't found them myself, I can't legitimately
claim them. Once they become common knowledge, I'll tell you.

3. Puzzle University

Tetris Attack Equivalent: Puzzle Mode. I'm not sure if the basic 
puzzles are the same, but I doubt they all are.

Types of Puzzles

Basic: Standard puzzles.

3D: Puzzles in 3-D mode.

Action: In these puzzles, you usually need to move tiles while others
are clearing.

Class 1:

Puzzles: 30 (all basic)

Background: Ritchie and Sparky

You shouldn't need much help with these.

Class 2:

Puzzles: 50 (30 basic, 10 3D, 10 action)

Background: Lorelei and Poliwhirl

The basic puzzles are harder, but the new 3D and action are pretty
simple.

Class 3:

Puzzles: 50 (30 basic, 10 3D, 10 action)

Background: Brock and Vulpix

The 3D and action puzzles are harder, and the basics are extremely tough.
As an added challenge, see if you can beat puzzle 30 with one move still
left. 

Puzzle tips:

- When you first see a puzzle, be sure to count the number of each
block color. Make sure you always have at least three.

- Figure out the possible clearings of the blocks.

- When all else fails, experiment.

- A strategy that works particularly well for small-move puzzles is
to check how many possible first moves there are, and work through
them.

- Generally speaking, 3D puzzles are just puzzles with a small
"activation" area and a large combo/chain.

- Start an action puzzle with the assumption you need to move pieces
while others clear.

- I know it sounds more Jedi master than puzzle master, but sometimes
you need to feel where the blocks should go rather than think about it.

Puzzle Questions

Q: What happens when you beat the puzzles?

A:1. You get to see the credits. (nice, considering the puzzle mode usually
gets jipped)

2. You get 130 "Special Puzzles."

Q: What do you get for beating the Special Puzzles?

A: Nothing!

Q: What?

A: Well, okay, the credits, but you already saw them.

Q: Is there a code for the Special Puzzles?

A: See The "Master" Code below.

Q: I need help with a specific puzzle.

A: Gamefaqs has a perfectly good puzzle FAQ.

4. 1P Stadium

Tetris Attack Equivalent: VS Com. This mode was considerably shorter,
with 10 stages on Easy, 11 for normal, and 12 for hard and very hard.

Tetris Attack Ladder:

Easy:
1-8 Yoshi's Friends->9. Hookbill Koopa->10. Naval Piranha

Medium:
Easy->11. Kamek

Hard/Very Hard:
Medium->12. Bowser

Pokemon Puzzle League Ladder:

Easy:
1. Gary->2. Brock->3. Misty->4. Lt. Surge->5. Erika->6. Koga->
7. Sabrina->8. Blaine->9. Tracey->10. Team Rocket->11. Giovanni

Medium:
Easy->12. Ritchie->13. Lorelei->14. Bruno

Hard:
Medium->15. Gary

Very Hard/Super Hard:
Hard->16. Mewtwo

Note: If you lose (nay, when you lose) to Mewtwo, you go back to
the second Gary battle (I think this rule was Gary's idea). This
also happens if you select return to select.

Stadium Questions

Q: Argh! The computer just got really hard all of a sudden!

A: Yes, this has happened to me several times, first on Lorelei
on Hard, then with Tracey on very hard, and again with Lorelei
on very hard. Just keep trying (don't worry, you get unlimited
tries, though the continue counter stops on 99).

Q: Does Pokemon choice affect the amount of garbage sent?

A: No.

Q: How do I access Very Hard mode?

A: On the level select screen, hold Z and press L, L, B, A.

Q: What about Super Hard?

A: Forget I mentioned it, unless you have an IQ of 200. 

Stadium tips:

- Convert garbage into chains by lining up blocks under the forming 
ones.

- Start out strong with some chains and combos.

- If they get on your nerves...turn the SFX off!

5. 2P Stadium

Tetris Attack Equivalent: VS mode.

This is basically the same as before, but with a human opponent, the
option of 3D mode, as well as different game options. Look there for
more info.

Q: Hey! You were going to tell me how to battle as Mewtwo!

A: Oh, yes well, the code (from cheatcc.com) is to go to the character
select screen, hold z on controller 1, and press B, Up, L, B, A, Start, A,
Up, R (Bulbasaur). This will allow you to play as Mewtwo.

Mewtwo: Ahem...

A: What?

Mewtwo: There are a few stipulations, aren't there?

A: Oh, yes. My site coworker has reminded me to warn you of some limit-
ations of this code:

1. When the code is entered, the game shifts immediately to the Mewtwo
stage background. Both characters use Pikachu.

Q: You mean both Mewtwos, right?

2. No. Player 1 is Ash, and Player 2 gets to be Mewtwo.

Q: What if I put Player 2 on COM (via the options menu)?

3. Mewtwo will be computer controlled (but at the set level)?

A: Does 3D mode work?

4. Mewtwo can be played on all variations of 2P mode, but the 3D AI 
will be limited, as usual.

Q: Anything else?

5. In order to go back to change settings, choose no at the play again
screen. Choosing yes will go right back to another battle.

6. Spa Service

Tetris Attack Equivalent: Stage Clear. It also had a special battle
after the third round.

Not much to say here that isn't in the manual, except that with 3D
mode, it becomes much harder.

Q: Um...why is James is wearing women's clothes?

A: Wouldn't you like to know? 

Q: Argh! Giovanni is so tough! I can't beat him!

A: Calm down, or else you'll break something! Your first, immediate 
priority has to be finding a combo, and not stopping. However, this
will probably not be enough. Your only true hope is to get a Super
Jigglypuff Stop (for lack of a better name). This occurs when the
blocks have nearly reached the top of the screen. when this happens
ANY combo or chain will max out the block freezing time to five
seconds. This effect continues until the blocks have been cleared 
from the danger zone, so it may be in your best interest to keep
some there until you can clear everything out. Two good SJSes, or
one exceptional one should give you enough time to knock out 
Giovanni.

Q: I still can't win!

A: It wasn't easy for me either. Just keep trying.

Q: I can't damage Giovanni at all!

A: Only combos and chains will harm Giovanni.

Q: So, um, how much damage do these chains and combos do?

A: I don't know about chains: but combos follow this formula:

#Of energy taken away=combo size-3

Q: What do you get for beating Butch and Cassidy?

A: You get to watch a cutscene of them being thrown in jail.

Q: That's it? For being so hard to beat, and only getting to try once?

A: Well, if you return to select, you get another chance, but you lose
your high score.

7. Marathon

Tetris Attack Equivalent: Endless. Aside from a few options, the same.

You're going to lose eventually. just try to make chains and combos to
stop the tide.

8. Time Zone

Tetris Attack Equivalent: Time Trial. Once again, 3D mode is new.

All I can say is play it like Marathon, because aside from the time
limit, it is.

9. Characters

Ash

From: Pallet Town

Who he is: Ash Ketchum desires to become the greatest Pokemon Master in
the world.

Pokemon: Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur

Gary

From: Pallet Town

Who he is: Gary Oak is the grandson of Professor Oak. Nobody likes his selfish
attitude, except for the cheerleaders who follow him everywhere. 

Pokemon: Krabby/Kingler, Growlithe/Arcanine, Nidoran (female)/Nidoqueen

Brock

From: Pewter City

Who he is: A gym leader, Brock has many brothers and sisters, which he raised
until his father showed up again.

Pokemon: Vulpix, Geodude, Zubat

Misty

From: Cerulean City

Who she is: Misty is someone who could probably end up next to the word
"tomboy." She blames Ash for breaking her bike.

Pokemon: Horsea, Psyduck, Staryu

Lt. Surge

From: Vermilion City

Who he is: A veteran of...something, Lt. Surge is also known as 
"The Lightning American."

Pokemon: Jolteon, Raichu, Magneton

Erika

From: Celadon City

Who she is: In addition to being a gym leader, she also sells
perfume.

Pokemon: Tangela, Weepinbell, Gloom

Koga

From: Fuchsia City

Who he is: A Pokemon-training ninja, Koga specializes in the poisonous
variety.

Pokemon: Venomoth, Voltorb, Golbat

Sabrina

From: Saffron City

Who she is: Having  developed her psychic powers as a child, Sabrina has
split into two people-one who trains Pokemon, the other embodied in a
doll who just wants to play. The recombination of these two people was
the topic of three episodes of the TV series widely considered to be some
of the worst ever created.

Pokemon: Abra, Hypno, Alakazam

Blaine

From: Cinnabar Island

Who he is: Blaine is a recluse with a hairpiece, which he wears to hide his
identity while working at the Big Riddle Inn.

Pokemon: Arcanine, Charmeleon, Magmar

Tracey Sketchit

From: Orange Islands

Who he is: A Pokemon artist, Tracey sketches them.

Pokemon: Marril, Venonat, Scyther

Team Rocket

From: Viridian City

Who they are: Quite simply, Jessie, James and Meowth continuously fail to
capture Ash's Pikachu.

Pokemon: Wheezing, Arbok, Golbat

Giovanni

From: Viridian City

Who he is: Giovanni is the head of Team Rocket. He funded Mewtwo's creation,
but Mewtwo destroyed his HQ.

Pokemon: Sandslash, Persian, Nidoking

Ritchie

From: Unknown

Who he is: Very little is known of this character, aside from his friendly
demeanor.

Pokemon: Sparky (Pikachu), Zippo (Charmander), Happy (Butterfree)

Lorelei

From: Indigo Plateau

Who she is: One of the great Pokmon trainers of the world, Lorelei is widely 
revered across the globe.

Pokemon: Cloyster, Dewgong, Poliwhirl

Bruno

From: Indigo Plateau

Who he is: Bruno is another great Pokemon trainer who stresses the connection
between the Pokemon and their trainers.

Pokemon: Onix, Hitmotchan, Primeape

Mewtwo

From: New Island

Who he (it?) is: Mewtwo is the result of millions of dollars put into 
years of cloning research. However, due to abuses by his early trainers,
Mewtwo detests humans.

Pokemon: Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur (Mewtwo's profile actually leaves
open a very good Monty Hall joke involving,"clone number 1, clone number
2, or clone number 3?")

10. The "Master" Code/Other Info

At least, that's what Bob Barker would call it. Go to the title screen, hold Z,
and press A, B, R, A, A, B, R, A (Abra twice). This will trigger a chime. If you
go back to the game, all the difficulties in 1P Stadium mode, and all the
puzzles will be available. If you enter the code again, these features (unless
otherwise earned) will disappear. If you want them back, re-enter the code 
again.

The Profile Glitch

Note: This works  regardless of the visibility of Mewtwo's profile.

1. Go to Mewtwo's profile (use the R button till you get to the end).
2. Hold Z  and press A,B, and R.
3. Go to the title screen and wait until the profile demos come up.
4. The pictures should be replaced by the title screen, which becomes more
messed up with each person.

The glitch disappears when the unit is shut off.

Freeze!

If you leave the game on the post-2P game victory screen for a while, the
game freezes.



Errors:

Misspellings

Profile demos:

Giovanni's and Bruno's locations are misspelled.

Plot Errors

Mewtwo should be off his anti-human kick, since this game occurs after
Pokemon: The First Movie

There should only be one Sabrina voice, since Ash banished her other 
personality.

As I covered before, Giovanni has seen the Puzzle Master.

Others:

It the cinema scene after you beat Mewtwo, the award is clearly engraved
only on one side. However, on the congratulatory screen, the award is
engraved on both sides (this is really just the programmers trying to be 
cheap and hoping we wouldn't notice).

11. Media Guide

Cinema Scenes

Here is a listing of all known cinema sequences in the game, and how to
see them.

Key:

(U) Unvoiced character
(E) Exclusive cinema appearance

Scene 1: Game Intro

How to see it: If you can't find this one, you're really pathetic, because
that mans you haven't figured out how to press any button (other than Z)
at the title screen.

Cast (in order of appearance):
Pikachu
Ash Ketchum
Professor Oak(E)
Announcer (E)


Description: Basically, this scene consists of Professor Oak telling Ash all 
about the Pokemon Puzzle League.

Rating: Okay, I guess. 2.2 (out of 4)

Scene 2: Hard Labor

How to see it: Beat 1P Stadium on the hard setting

Cast (in order of appearance):
Pikachu
Ash Ketchum
10,000 extras


Description: A few seconds long, shows Ash and Pikachu with the trophy
in a stadium.

Rating: Forgettable. 1.8 (out of 4)

Scene 3: Meet the Puzzle Master

How to see it: Beat 1P Stadium's  Gary II on the very hard or super hard
setting.

Cast (in order of appearance):
Pikachu
Ash Ketchum
10,000 extras
Mewtwo


Description: Starts out like no. 2, but the the trophy warps Ash to the
chambers of (dum dum dum) Mewtwo, the true Puzzle Master (shame on you if you 
didn't see this coming).

Rating: Easily the most dramatic of all the cinemas. Also has great music.
3.7 (out of 4)

Scene 4: Weakling Human!

How to see it: Lose to Mewtwo (I know, REAL hard)

Cast (in order of appearance):
Mewtwo

Description: Mewtwo says, "I have no time for games," possibly one of the
best (and most ironic) video game quotes ever. This is also one of the few
times in the history of Pokemon that Mewtwo smiles, if ever so slightly.

Rating: I see this one far more than I'd like, but it's okay. 3.1 (out of 4)

Scene 5: Congratulations! (Major Spoiler)

How to see it: Beat Mewtwo

Cast (in order of appearance):
Ash Ketchum
Pikachu

Description: Mewtwo (not shown) teleports Ash and Pikachu back to their pool,
where Ash comments that the experience might have been a dream (this is the
guy who spent weeks looking for Vermilion city). However, Pikachu notices that
Ash has received a deluxe paperwei-I mean the Master trophy.

Rating: Videotape this one, but only because you'll want proof. 2.7 (out of 4)

Scene 6: The Sundance Kitt and Caboodle

How to see it: Beat Butch and Cassidy in Spa Service

Cast (in order of appearance):
Officer Jenny (U)(E)
Butch(E)
Cassidy(E)

Description: Officer Jenny shuts the doors on a police van and Butch and 
Cassidy say, "We want another chance!" 

Rating: Nice to see Officer Jenny, but insufficient given the difficulty. 
2.7 (out of 4)

Scene 7: Blasting Off Again!

How to see it: Beat level 6-5 in Spa Service

Cast (in order of appearance):
Jessie(E)
James(E)
Meowth(E)

Description: In their balloon, the following dialogue occurs:

James: We were careless!

Jessie: No, we were selfish!

Meowth: We were careless and selfish!

All 3: Team Rocket's blasting off again!

Rating: Somewhat funny. 3.3 (out of 4)

Scene 8: Arrivederci, Giovanni!

How to see it: Beat Giovanni in Spa Service

Cast (in order of appearance):
Giovanni(E)

Description: Giovanni says, "Let's see how you do against the Puzzle Master!"

Rating: Seems thrown in. 2.1 (out of 4)

Music:

Note: Songs marked as "unknown" are probably original, but not verified.
#1
Used: Puzzle Village, Ash's Theme
Source: 2BA Master (Verse)
Rating: 1.6 (out of 4)

#2
Used: Ash's Panic Theme
Source: 2BA Master (Chorus)
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#3
Used: Gary's Theme
Source: Pokemon World (Verse)
Rating: 2.4 (out of 4)

#4
Used: Gary's Panic Theme
Source: Pokemon World (Chorus)
Rating: 2.8 (out of 4)

#5
Used: Brock's Theme
Source: Viridian City (Verse/Chorus)
Rating: 2.3 (out of 4)

#6
Used: Brock's Panic Theme
Source: Viridian City (Verse/Chorus) (yes, I know Brock is from Pewter)
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#7
Used: Misty's Theme
Source: Catch Me If You Can (Verse/Chorus)
Rating: 2.4 (out of 4)

#8
Used: Misty's Panic Theme
Source: Catch Me If You Can (Verse/Chorus)
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#9
Used: Lt. Surge's Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 2.8 (out of 4)

#10
Used: Lt. Surge's Panic Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 3.0 (out of 4)

#11
Used: Erika's Theme
Source: What Kind of Pokemon are You? (Chorus/Verse)
Rating: 2.7 (out of 4)

#12
Used: Erika's Panic Theme
Source: What Kind of Pokemon are You? (Chorus/Verse)
Rating: 3.1 (out of 4)

#13
Used: Koga's Theme
Source: Unknown
Rating: 2.4 (out of 4)

#14
Used: Koga's Panic Theme
Source: Unknown
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#15
Used: Sabrina's Theme
Source: Everything Changes (Verse)
Rating: 2.6 (out of 4)

#16
Used: Sabrina's Panic Theme
Source: Everything Changes (Chorus)
Rating: 2.8 (out of 4)

#17
Used: Blaine's Theme
Source: My Best Friends (Verse)
Rating: 2.9 (out of 4)

#18
Used: Blaine's Panic Theme
Source: My Best Friends (Chorus)
Rating: 3.1 (out of 4)

#19
Used: Tracey's Theme
Source: Unknown
Rating: 2.3 (out of 4)

#20
Used: Tracey's Panic Theme
Source: Unknown
Rating: 2.6 (out of 4)

#21
Used: Team Rocket's Theme
Source: Double Trouble (Verse)
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#22
Used: Team Rocket's Panic Theme
Source: Double Trouble (Chorus)
Rating: 2.9 (out of 4)

#23
Used: Giovanni's Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 2.4 (out of 4)

#24
Used: Giovanni's Panic Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#25
Used: Ritchie's Theme
Source: Together Forever (Verse)
Rating: 2.4 (out of 4)

#26
Used: Ritchie's Panic Theme
Source: Together Forever (Chorus)
Rating: 2.7 (out of 4)

#27
Used: Lorelei's Theme
Source: Pokemon Dance Mix (Verse)
Rating: 2.6 (out of 4)

#28
Used: Lorelei's Panic Theme
Source: Pokemon Dance Mix (Verse)
Rating: 2.9 (out of 4)

#29
Used: Bruno's Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 2.5 (out of 4)

#30
Used: Bruno's Panic Theme
Source: TV Show
Rating: 2.6 (out of 4)

#31
Used: Gary II's Theme
(Duplicate of BGM #3)

#32
Used: Gary II's Panic Theme
(Duplicate of BGM #4)

#33
Used: Mewtwo's Theme
Source: Unknown
Rating: 3.4 (out of 4)

#34
Used: Mewtwo's Panic Theme (does Mewtwo really panic, though?)
Source: Unknown
Rating: 3.2 (out of 4)

 
12. Conclusion

Thanks:

My Parents: For obvious reasons.

NickWhiz1's Tetris Attack FAQ: For Time Trial info.

VGF: For hosting my site.

Nintendo: Duh.

Mewtwo: He gets angry when I don't thank him.

Me: Everyone needs self-esteem.

Rachel Lillis: Even if I'm sick of Misty's "good battle!"

The Continental Congress: 200+ years late, but still...

cheatcc.com: Bulbasaur code.

The Merriam Webster and Garfield Dictionary: For helping me spell arrivederci.

Places Authorized to host this FAQ:

gamefaqs.com
gameadvice.com
www.smbhq.com/pokewatch/
fbgames.com

Copyright 2000 Steven Reich. Do not use any part of this FAQ without
my permission or I will send Pavel Chekhov to "Waporize" you.
Steven Reich (yoshi1001@aol.com)
My Website: http://www.smbhq.com/pokewatch/

Closing Quotes:

"I have no time for games!"-Mewtwo
"Can't win 'em all!"-Lorelei
"What! No fair!"-Me
