Pokemon Puzzle League FAQ V. 1.1.6 (Oct 7th, 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
11. 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:

1.1.6 (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, which would seem
to suggest Mewtwo is a playable character.

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: I don't know. No word as of yet.

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).

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.

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.

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. No body likes his selfish
attitude, except for the cheerleaders who follow him everywhere. 

Pokemon: Kingler/Krabby, ?,? 

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

Mewtwo

From: New Island

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

Pokemon: Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur (clones)

10. The "Master" Code

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.
 
11. 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...

Places Authorized to host this FAQ:

gamefaqs.com
gameadvice.com
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.
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
