Like any pinball game, the main objective is to get points, using the different modes of advances to score them at a higher rate.

"Catch Mode," when activated, starts a 2-minute window of opportunity where the player can attempt to capture a Pokémon.

"Evolution Mode," when activated, starts a 2-minute window of opportunity in which the player selects a captured Pokémon (from the current game in progress only) and attempts to evolve it into another form.

[3] Pokémon Pinball received generally positive reviews, holding an aggregate score of 81.73% at GameRankings.

[4] GameSpot gave it a score of 8.7, citing its use of the Game Boy Color's display and presentation.

They additionally criticized the built-in rumble feature, calling it "a waste [...] of an AAA battery" and a "nice novelty".

[6] Los Angeles Times editor Aaron Curtiss called it a "great game".

However, they criticized the "gratuitous Pikachu appearances" and the "incorrect physics" as detracting somewhat from the pinball experience.