Nintendo  |  Barcode: 045496730901

Pokemon Pinball - Game Boy Color

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Pokémon Pinball is a high-energy pinball spin-off developed by Jupiter and HAL Laboratory, published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color in 1999. While it functions as a traditional pinball experience, it is technically a "Gotta Catch 'Em All" simulator, challenging players to collect all 151 original Pokémon to complete their persistent Pokédex. The game is a technical standout for the era, utilizing a unique, oversized cartridge that houses a built-in Rumble Pak motor.

The gameplay is technically defined by its "Catch" and "Evolution" modes, which transition the game from arcade scoring to RPG-lite progression. In Catch Mode, players must strike pop-bumpers to reveal a Pokémon's silhouette before hitting the revealed creature multiple times with the Pokéball to capture it. Evolution Mode requires the player to collect specific items appearing on the field to evolve caught Pokémon, which is the only way to register certain entries in the Pokédex. The ball itself serves as a multiplier mechanic; as players score points, the Pokéball can upgrade into a Great Ball, Ultra Ball, or Master Ball, drastically increasing point yields.

Technically, Pokémon Pinball is one of the few Game Boy Color titles that is backward compatible with the original Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket, where it displays in four shades of gray. The cartridge’s rumble feature is independent of the console's hardware and requires a single AAA battery to operate; however, the game remains fully playable without a battery if the player chooses to disable vibration in the options menu. The game features two distinct tables—Red and Blue—each with its own layout, specialized bumpers (Voltorbs vs. Shellders), and exclusive Pokémon based on the original 1998 Game Boy titles.