WORLDBUILDING: The Great Compendium of the Harmony Games

[LightningTopaz]

Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice, and lightning...because you'll have to undergo a crazy competition to restore the balance!

Part Mario Party, part Legends of the Hidden Temple, and part GUTS with a dash of Wild and Crazy Kids for good measure, "The Games of Harmony" is Pokemon Channel's smash hit kids' game show that's taking the Pokeworld by storm! While audiences love the crazy challenges as three contestants (or Heroes, as they are called on the show) battle it out to earn the right to brave the perils of the Temple of Harmony and retrieve the Moonlight Orb that maintains the balance of fire, ice and lightning (according to show lore)

Here you will find crew profiles, challenge descriptions, temple room descriptions, and much much more!

The contents(you are here):

The Basics of the Game
The Guardians of Harmony
Meet Ash
Meet Misty
Meet Brock
Meet Lugia
Meet Mina Watabe
A Typical Day on the Set

The Games, by type:

Free-for-all games:

Buried Treasure
Power Orb Pass
Crazy Cutters
Platform Peril
Poke Ball Panic (fan favorite!)
Get the Ball Rolling
Grab Bag
Teratex Tumble (fan favorite!)
Island Defense
Rolling Roulette
Rufflet Race
Sink or Swim
Stamp on the Ground
Dizzy Dancing
Tile Driver
Blowing Off Steam (fan favorite!)
On Thin Ice
Parachute Plummet
Key and Logic
Circle Swim
Free Throw Follies
Picture This
Snow Wars
Ready for the Trace
Paths of Peril
Chimchar Chase (fan favorite!)
Home Run Hero
Sakura Storm
Crystal Crazy
Maddening Maze
Pika Popstar
Piplups on Parade
Race the Runes
Flag Flummoxed
Pinball Panic
Hero of the Mountain
Pika Seeka
Ice Runner
Maniac Manor
Plasterpiece
Circle of Power
Spot'em All
Ranger Rush
On the Rails
Over the Hedge
Cheri Put
Trace Invaders
Target Truss
Get to the Point
Winding Route
Dance Fever
Seashell Scamper
Defusion Dash

Guardian vs. Hero games:

Jewel Jump
Balancing Act (fan favorite!)
Pokemon Pursuit
Tug o' War
Musical Memory (fan favorite!)
Target Trap
Swimmer Search (fan favorite!)
Boulder Blast
Candle Fight
Wipeout
Balloon Bother
Riff-Raft
Follow the Leader
Cannonball Flight
Gotta Catch'em All
Doggie Dash
Power Surge
Stage Fight
Spell Smackdown
Ball Wet
Rock Smashers
Snow Slider
Hide and Go Sing
Danger Dishes
Labry-light
Blizzard Blow

Ally games:

Bobsled Blitz (fan favorite!)
Speed Hockey
The Great Deflate
A Shocking Turn
Cave Conundrum
Scale Storm
Tile and Error
Touchdown Terror
Whirled of Color
Seeing Double
Cube Crush
Diglett Thrill
Super Slicers
Down to the Wire
Blustery Blowdown

Solo games:

The Path of Trials
Beautifly Blunder
Happini Havoc
What's That Sign?
Mercy Switch
Rock Runner
Head for the Clouds
Heroic Heave
Drop the Bomb
Squirtle Stacker
Mon Maker
Sort the Shelves
Pogo Panic
Pegged to Win

Bonus games:

Quiz of the Guardians(fan favorite!)
Leap of Faith
Mystery Prize
Balloon Roulette
Waves of Windfall

Tiebreaker Duels:

Guardian Slots
Tunnels of Terror
Harmony Heave
Stop the Pop
Quick Draw
Tic Tac Go
Jewels in the Mist
Race to the Top
Volley-Balloon
Shocker

Darkrai/Minion games:

Darkrai's Teratex Tumble
Darkrai's Tug 'o War
Darkrai Slots
Darkrai's Revolution
Darkrai's Triple Trouble
Darkrai Shuffle
Darkrai's Darts
Darkrai's Doom Berries
Darkrai's Drop
Darkrai's Hero Hors d'Ouevre
Darkrai's Fire Walk
Darkrai's Blockstacle Course
Berry Ballistics
Sneasel Slide
Coast Clearer
Paintball Panic
Free Falling
Capsule Monsters

Temple Rooms

More to come as the game takes shape!

 

[LightningTopaz]

The Basics of the Game

The main game consists of four rounds (technically preliminaries and three rounds) of two games apiece--the first contestant to receive two Jewels of Protection (by winning four games), earns the right to brave the Temple of Harmony and retrieve the Moonlight Orb.

However, there is also a third Jewel of Protection hidden within the temple--finding this jewel not only gives the runner an extra life, but oftentimes a prize

Opposing the three players is Darkrai, who stole and hid the Moonlight Orb to start with--every once in a while he (or one of his minions) will interrupt the game and force the three players to play one of his own games (which result in a jewel half being taken if you lose). Darkrai games and minion games do not count as one of the four games needed to win two Jewels of Protection. If the winning contestant has half of a Jewel when they win the game, their Guardian will gave them the other half (or another jewel, if they only have one). If there is a tie, a tie breaker duel game is played.

Finding and restoring the Moonlight Orb results in Darkrai being banished and tons of cash and prizes

 

[LightningTopaz]

The Guardians of Harmony

Aside from the games, the real stars of the show are the Guardians of Harmony (played by Ash, Misty, and Brock)--in addition to protecting the contestants from Darkrai and his minions, they serve as everything from cheerleader, assistant, game leader, in between game entertainment, and will even make the games easier or harder depending on hostess Mina Watabe's mood.

Each contestant represents one of the three Guardians--and over 120 episodes (so far), the three Guardians are relatively even when it comes to number of times won--Ash has won 40 times, Misty has won 41 times, and Brock has won 39 times. They do have a friendly competition as to who wins the most times over the season, usually with a small prize or the losers doing something for the winner.

In Season 1, the losers treated the winner to dinner (which Misty made a nice dinner for Ash with Brock helping). In Season 2, a 2000 credit ($20) movie gift card was at stake (Brock won it), and in Season 3, they have an epic shopping spree at stake (with ten episodes left in the season, it is a dead heat between the three.)

At the start of the game, they introduce the players to Lugia (and the viewers in the audience and at home) They are also known to play music, play games with the audience, dance or any number of other things during commercial breaks.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Meet Ash

The Guardian of Lightning (his Hero wears yellow), he is usually the one to drive Darkrai (or a minion) away at the end of a Darkrai game (regardless if the players lost jewel shards or not) Both on camera and off, he is gung ho and excitable, making him the most enthusiastic cheerleader. This can sometimes get him into trouble (much to Misty's chagrin), but he knows how to bounce back and make things right again.

His spellsong (for driving Darkrai and his minions away or aiding the Heroes) is <i>Karuto, iichiida shou...</i>. (the spells themselves are special effects that are added in later--all three Guardians wear gloves with hidden lights inside as part of their costume--the hidden lights are only timed to go off if they sing their incantation. Ash's can randomly perform the normal flash pattern or a "backfire" flash pattern, but he can set it so the "spell" is cast successfully every time) Sometimes, his spell may even backfire during a game, making the game harder.

Game Appearances:

Balancing Act
Tug o' War
A Shocking Turn
Pokemon Pursuit
Maddening Maze
Pika Popstar
Mystery Prize
Power Surge
Stage Fight
Spell Smackdown
Ball Wet
Pika Seeka (releasing the Pikachu the players have to then find)
Hero of the Mountain
Follow the Leader

 

[LightningTopaz]

Meet Misty

The Guardian of Ice (her Hero wears sky blue), she is the one hosting water or ice based games (being the swimmer in Swimmer Search, to name one example). Her hair-trigger temper is legendary, especially if Ash is charging into the fray without thinking. Despite this, she really does care about her co-stars, the players, and the crew. (even if she has to keep Ash in line) Fiercely competitive, she plays to win, but thankfully, does know how to lose gracefully.

Her spellsong is <i>Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...</i> and is usually used to conjure things (usually to make the game harder) and shoo Darkrai and his minions away. Her spell does "backfire" on occasion, and when it does, it makes the game easier instead of harder.

Game Appearances:

Balancing Act
Tug o' War
Pokemon Pursuit
Mystery Prize
Spell Smackdown
Ball Wet
Ice Runner
Hero of the Mountain
Swimmer Search
Wipeout
Riff-Raft
Snow Slider
Waves of Windfall
Danger Dishes
Blizzard Blow

 

[LightningTopaz]

Meet Brock

The Guardian of Fire (his Hero wears red), Brock is the yin to his co-stars' yang. Ever the peacemaker, he's usually the first one on the scene when fighting breaks out, and on camera, is the one to review replays in case of a photo finish. He typically tends to host the musically themed games and games that involve rocks, as well as asking the questions in the Quiz of the Guardians (which range from relatively simple to mind numbingly hard, although it is fairly rare for him to ask an impossible question). If Quiz of the Guardians is the day's bonus game, he is given the questions ahead of time to be sure he can pronounce unfamiliar names and words. But don't let his peaceful demeanor fool you--underneath the peaceful exterior is a skilled tactician that can turn the most thought out plans on their heads!

His spellsong is <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul</i>, which usually conjures items needed for the game or protects the Heroes from Darkrai and his minions, although it can do everything from simply creating a flash of light for Hide and Go Sing to a rain of rocks and "lava" (actually red slime) for "Spell Smackdown". It is fairly rare for the spell to "backfire", but when it does, it usually grants a small pre-or post game bonus.

Game Appearances:

Balancing Act
Tug o' War
Pokemon Pursuit
Mystery Prize
Boulder Blast
Spell Smackdown
Ball Wet
Hero of the Mountain
Circle of Power
Hide and Go Sing
Musical Memory
Candle Fight
Follow the Leader
Quiz of the Guardians

 

[LightningTopaz]

Meet Lugia

The Guardian of the Temple of Harmony itself and the Moonlight Orb, this lifelike animatronic replica of the Diving Pokemon himself oversees the game, explains the rules to the different challenges, and interacts with Mina, the Guardians, and the Heroes. Created using the latest in animatronics technology, he overlooks the large set from his majestic den by the Moonlight Orb's pedestal (the large cave hides his inner workings from prying eyes, and only a select few besides maintenance and the show crew ever get to see how he works)

Among some of his features:

--He can come into, or out of, the cave
--He can remember your name, what you like, and what you are wearing
--He can say millions of different phrases
--Realistic facial expressions and portrayals of emotion

 

[LightningTopaz]

Meet Mina Watabe

The host of the show, Mina's enthusiasm and energy has won hearts all over the Pokeworld. Known for her trademark rope slide onto the set and her banter with the Guardians and Lugia, she basically keeps the show moving, starts the games (by blowing a referee's whistle), helps keep score, and provides play by play commentary on the different games. Her adventurous spirit lives on off camera as well, usually exploring caves, diving, and camping around the Nimbasa area on her off days.

The cast and crew admire her determination in the face of a challenge, even when things don't go right. It's under her leadership that the show is as popular as it is--and shows no sign of slowing down.

She's usually one of the first ones on the set every day, going over what games are to be played that day and in what order, as well as getting to know the day's contestants and making sure she knows how to say all the names. Oddly enough, most of her banter is ad libbed,which isn't a bad thing, if millions of fans have proven.

 

[LightningTopaz]

A Typical Day on the Set

Before any of the cast arrives, the crew are usually there early in the morning, tidying up the set, making sure all the games' parts are working as they should, making sure the Trio's trigger lights and the projection of Darkrai are working, and most importantly, making sure Lugia is working.

Mina and the Trio arrive soon after, where they discuss the two groups that are playing that day, going over pronunciations, and what games are being played over breakfast.

The two groups of contestants arrive as Mina and the Trio get into costume.

Show A's opening is filmed.

Show B's opening is filmed

Game 1 of Show A is played

Game 1 of Show B is played

Darkrai/Minion games typically appear between Game 2 and Game 3, but they can occur earlier or later depending on the show--and some episodes have more than one Darkrai/Minion game. For the purposes of this example day, we will assume they will occur in their typical location

Game 2 of Show A is played

Game 2 of Show B is played

While Game 2 of Show B is being played, the Darkrai/Minion projection is tested to be sure it works.

After lunch, the Darkrai/Minion games for both shows are played

Game 3 for Show A is played

Game 3 for Show B is played

Game 4 for Show A is played

Game 4 for Show B is played

Game 5 for Show A is played

Game 5 for Show B is played

Game 6 for Show A is played

Game 6 for Show B is played

Game 7 for Show A is played

Game 7 for Show B is played

Game 8 for Show A is played

Game 8 for Show B is played

The Temple Runs for both shows are filmed

The awards ceremony is done for both shows

After the audience leaves and the set is cleaned, the cast departs at around 6-7 PM every night. The crew stays later to inspect the electronics and working parts

 

[LightningTopaz]

Free-for-all games

Free for all games entail the three Heroes playing against each other for a shard of a Jewel of Protection. However, some games can produce more than one winner; so in this case, a shard is given to each winner.

The Guardians don't usually play a role in these games, but they do occasionally set things up for the game (for example, Ash releasing a Pikachu into the course for Pika Seeka), give advice (usually at Lugia's request), or cheer on their Hero (particularly in Hero of the Mountain, where they watch and cheer on their Hero from the tops of the three cliffs)

 

[LightningTopaz]

Buried Treasure

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

Somewhere in this expanse of sand lies a shard of a Jewel of Protection. When the whistle sounds, dig through the sand as quickly as you can to find the buried shard. The Guardians have decided to aid you by burying arrows that point to the treasure--if you find one, you're on the right track! Whoever finds the shard within sixty seconds, wins!

--There have been occasions where the shard was not found in sixty seconds--if this happens, each Hero receives a shard
--In one episode, the chest containing the shard was not completely buried, and was visible to the players. This led to a time of five seconds, but it didn't count because the chest was not buried completely, and the game was re-filmed
--Brock has had to review replays for this game.

Trivia:

--The chest is buried somewhere different every playing to keep it challenging.
--Likewise the number of hint arrows is different every playing

Fastest official time: 10 seconds

 

[LightningTopaz]

Power Orb Pass

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

Look carefully at the glowing orb of ice energy the Ice Guardian holds in her hands. Although normally, power orbs are quite stable, this one has been quivering and pulsing a lot, meaning that it may explode at any moment. When you receive the unstable power orb, pass it to the person on your left. The Hero holding the orb when it finally explodes is out of the game, and the remaining two Heroes will pass another unstable power orb between each other. The last Hero standing when this power orb explodes, wins.

--There have been occasions when the power orb (actually a glorified water balloon-like device on a timer) didn't explode on anyone. If this happens, the game is re-filmed
--When the power orb explodes is random--it can go off anywhere from 30 seconds to 20 minutes (although the show record is 5 minutes)
--Misty is the one to send the first orb into play. Mina tosses in the second one.

Misty's advice: "The light around the unstable orb is a clue to how soon it will explode--the brighter it is, the sooner it will explode."

 

[LightningTopaz]

Crazy Cutters

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

As the Guardian birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres were on their way back to inform me that you three were coming, Darkrai caused the roof to cave in, trapping them in rock. When the whistle sounds, quickly cut the rock holding your guardian bird to set them free. Whoever has cut the cleanest at the end of thirty seconds, will free their bird and win.

--The slabs of rock have an imprint of which bird each contestant has to free--red frees Moltres, blue frees Articuno, and yellow frees Zapdos
--The birds are actually holographic projections that only display when exposed to light (eg. cutting the rock)
--Two or all three birds can be freed--if this happens, both or all three winners get shards. It is also possible for neither bird to be freed, in which case no shards are awarded

Ash's advice: "Don't just aim for speed--accuracy is key, too!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Platform Peril

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

Race across this bridge of floating platforms to claim the shard at the other end--however, be aware of the walls and other obstacles on some of the platforms--if you fall, you must return to the start and try again. The first one to reach the other side wins.

--The game's setup is relatively simple at first--should Misty decide to make it harder (or if Ash inadvertently makes it harder), several more platforms are added, and some of them move! (slowly, for safety reasons)
--This is one free-for-all game that a Guardian can raise the difficulty for
--Brock has had to review replays for this game

Brock's advice: "There are other jewels on the course, but don't let them distract you. The one at the end is the one you really want!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Poke Ball Panic

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

When Mina shows you a jewel, quickly run to the Poke Ball that matches its color before the others sink in the water. The Poke Balls will move faster over time, so if you are too slow and sink into the water, or fall in the water, you're out. The last person standing wins.

--This is one of the rare games that Mina will participate in. Misty provides the play-by-play for this game.
--When a player is out, the game does not continue until they are removed from the water (for safety reasons)
--It is possible for every player to fall in the water--if this happens, no shards are awarded

Brock's advice: "If you see an onyx, you don't have to move at all--just stay on the center Poke Ball."

 

[LightningTopaz]

Get the Ball Rolling

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

Use the balls you are balancing on to knock your opponents in the water. If you fall off, it will count as a point for your opponents. The last person standing at the end of 60 seconds wins.

--If this is one of the games to be played, the contestants practice rolling around on the balls to minimize the chance of falling off (hence why Lugia says there is a penalty for falling)
--If there is more than one person standing when 60 seconds are up, all the winners get shards
--Brock has had to review replays for this game

Misty's advice: "Don't just ram your opponents--sometimes you can build on their momentum to make them fall in."

 

[LightningTopaz]

Grab Bag

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

One of you has a shard of a Jewel of Protection hidden in your bag of coins. Grab your opponents' bags, and search for the shard, but be aware that they can grab your bag as well! The first one to find the shard before 60 seconds are up, wins.

--None of the contestants know who has the shard until someone finds it--the crew fills the bags beforehand, and no one else is allowed to see which bag has the shard until the game begins and someone finds it
--It is also possible for no one to find the shard--if this happens, Mina reveals which bag has the shard.

Ash's advice: "Not even we know which bag has the shard, nor do we know how it got in the bags." (one of the more humorous pieces of advice)

 

[LightningTopaz]

Teratex Tumble

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

When the whistle sounds, blow up your balloon as quickly as you can until it is full. The first one to blow up their balloon completely in 60 seconds, wins.

--This is one game where other gear is required besides the standard protective gear (in this case, a protective bodysuit, a mask and a specialized mouthpiece)
--The shape of the balloon is different for every contestant--a ball for red, a cube for blue, and a cone for yellow. That said, sometimes the shape will be different (eg. a heart for Valentine's Day, and stars for the start of the year's Pokemon League, to name two examples)
--Popping the balloon is considered a foul--the game is re-filmed if a balloon pops
--The name of the game comes from the brand name of the balloon used

Brock's advice: "Listen for a soft hiss as the balloon nears its full size--that is a subtle clue it is full."

 

[LightningTopaz]

Island Defense

The rules, as explained by Lugia:

At the sound of the whistle, debris will begin raining down on the island you are standing on. If you fall, or are knocked in the water, you're out. Whoever is left standing at the end of 30 seconds, wins.

--The "debris" is really cardboard and foam shaped like junk
--If two or all three players survive, they all get shards

Misty's advice: "Don't get too close to the edge! Debris could easily knock you in the water!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Guardian vs. Hero games

In this type of game, one of the Guardians will play against the three players (or in some cases, the three players have to do something to the Guardian) Most of the time, any of the three Guardians will play the solo role, but some games will be played by a specific Guardian (eg. Ash will play any game involving electricity or speed, Misty will play any game involving water or ice, and Brock will play any game involving music, fire, or rocks). If any player is still standing, all three win.

The Guardian playing is usually decided in advance