Nintendo Switch Online cannot be said to be lacking in interesting inclusions, as evidenced by the upcoming addition of an N64 classic.
The Nintendo Switch online subscription service is scheduled to receive Pokémon Puzzle League on July 15. The N64 puzzle closely follows Pokemon Snap, which hit the service last month.
Pokémon Puzzle League will also be the first game added to the Nintendo Switch Online N64 slate outside of the originally announced lineup. As such, we should expect a second wave of games to start appearing periodically throughout this year and possibly next.
Join Ash, Brock, and Misty as they gather in the Puzzle Village to compete for the title of Pokémon Puzzle Master! Pokémon Puzzle League is coming to #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members on 15/7! #Nintendo64 pic.twitter.com/GRC9xa09ZlJuly 8, 2022
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You can never have too many Pokémon
Pokémon Puzzle League is a match-3 puzzle game in which you move blocks of different colors. Line up three or more blocks of the same type and they will be removed from the board. By doing so, hopefully you'll be able to chain together blocking lane combinations to score big and take your opponent down.
Pokémon Puzzle League is somewhat unique in that it is closely related to the Pokémon Gen 1 anime that was airing at the time. As such, it contains clips and voice samples from the anime, something quite rare on the N64 in general.
This means that you will be able to play as and against characters from the first season of this iconic anime. Ash, Misty, and Brock join mainstays like Gary Oak, Team Rocket, and the Elite Four.
Frankly, we've been inundated with all sorts of Pokémon titles this year. Pokémon Legends Arceus thrilled players in January by shaking up the tried-and-true formula. And in November, the Gen 9 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games will launch on the Nintendo Switch, bringing a new location and a host of new pocket monsters to catch.
While N64 didn't host a main Pokémon game, it did have plenty of memorable spin-offs. Hopefully we'll eventually get Pokemon Stadium and its sequel to the Nintendo Switch Online service as well. Not just for cinematic battles, but also for those deliciously silly party mini-games.