Pokémon Puzzle League is a puzzle video game in the Puzzle League series developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Released in North America on September 25 2000 and in Europe on March 2 2001 its Puzzle League-based gameplay has a focus on puzzle-based strategy in the game's grid-based format. To advance to new levels players are required to combat the game's trainers and gym leaders similar to the ones featured in Pokémon Red Blue and Yellow. One of several games based on the Pokémon anime it features lead protagonist Ash Ketchum his Pikachu his companions Brock and Misty the Kanto Gym Leaders and other characters from the series.