Pokémon Rumble

Pokémon Rumble
Pokémon Rumble logo
Developer(s)	Ambrella
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	WiiWare
Release date(s)	JP June 16, 2009[1] NA November 16, 2009[2] EU November 20, 2009[3]
Genre(s)	Action RPG
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: A ESRB: E10+ PEGI: 7
Media/distribution	Download

Pokémon Rumble (titled Melee! Pokémon Scramble (乱戦！ポケモンスクランブル, Ransen! Pokemon Sukuranburu^?) in Japan)^[4] is a Pokémon video game for WiiWare. It was developed by Ambrella.^[5] Pokémon Rumble was rated "E10+" by the ESRB, making it the first Pokémon video game to be given an ESRB rating higher than "E" for Everyone (for Mild Cartoon Violence). The game, in North America, is 1500 Nintendo Points, the equivalent of $15.00.

Gameplay

Screenshot showing Mew and Ivysaur fighting with the enemy Pokémon

The player controls Pokémon as they battle other Pokémon in a series of linear dungeons and enclosed arenas. The game features real-time melee-based gameplay, which has been likened to that of Smash TV.^[6]

The game uses a Wii Remote held sideways. The player starts off with a low-level Pokémon with only one attack at their disposal. By battling wild Pokémon through a number of levels the player collects coins which can be used to buy new attacks or recruit more Pokémon. When the player obtains a high enough level Pokémon, the doors to the Battle Royale room open, where they take on dozens of Pokémon at a time in an enclosed arena. The player must defeat all of the Pokémon in order to rank up, eventually facing much stronger and even Legendary Pokémon.^[5]

The game supports up to four players simultaneously in co-operative and competitive modes.^[2] It also features a password system which unlocks certain Pokémon. Passwords have been found in Nintendo Power magazines, the official game website, or online.

Demo

A free demo released on the Wii Shop Channel also entitles the player(s) to play the game. It includes a number of functions including: The Normal Introduction, a few stages allowing the player to get the feeling of each stage. Pokémon can be recruited and the Terminal can be used. Once a Pokémon is recruited with Power Points of 100 or more (or they lose all their lives twice) a short video is displayed in which the Battle Royale doors open and then a screenshot appears stating that the demo is over.

Reception

IGN rated the game as 6/10, saying that it is "mindless, but fun", but doesn't have enough depth to keep playing. They went on and criticized the developers for being lazy and reusing models from My Pokémon Ranch.^[7] Metacritic gave the game a 59/100 and has a user score of 8.8.^[8]

PixlBit has given Pokémon Rumble a 3.5/5 and has recommended the game to fans of Pokémon games and brawlers. The review also acknowledged that while the game has a steep 1,500 Wii Points price tag, there is not enough content and replay value to justify the price.^[9]

Sequel

On June 10, 2011, the Japanese Pokemon website announced a sequel, Pokémon Rumble Blast. The game, which was released in Japan on August 11, 2011, will be a Nintendo 3DS exclusive. The expected price in Japan will be ¥4,800 (approx. $59.75).^[10]

References

1. ^ Gantayat, Anoop. "Take Pokemon Pics in Pokemon Scramble". Andriasang.com blog. Tokyo, Japan: Andriasang.com. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/06/16/pokemon_scramble/. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Try Before You Buy: Nintendo Offers 5 Game Demos to Guide Holiday Shoppers". Nintendo of America. 16 November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20326. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
3. ^ "Pokémon Rumble". Nintendo of Europe. http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wiiware/pokmon_rumble_15082.html. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
4. ^ Fletcher, JC (2009-09-03). "Get ready to Pokemon Rumble at PAX". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/get-ready-to-pokemon-rumble-at-pax/. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 
5. ^ ^{a b} First Impressions: Melee! Pokémon Scramble
6. ^ Melee! Pokémon Scramble announced for WiiWare
7. ^ Jack DeVries (November 16, 2009). "Pokemon Rumble Review - Wii Review at IGN". http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1045854p1.html. 
8. ^ "Pokemon Rumble (wii) reviews at Metacritic.com". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/pokemonrumble. 
9. ^ Lukasz Balicki (April 14, 2010). "PixlBit - Pokémon Rumble (WiiWare) Review". http://pixlbit.com/reviews?action=showReview&reviewId=132. 
10. ^ http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2011/06/g110609_01.html

External links

• Official website (English)
• Official website (Japanese)