The most important thing to remember when considering this game: it's NOT a Pokemon game. It's basically an improved rouguelike with Pokemon in it. (a.k.a The 'Mystery Dungeon' series = easier rouguelike with an actual story, music, and better graphics.) If you want a good idea of what the gameplay is like, go search Google for 'Nethack' or 'Crawl', play a floor or two, and decide if you like the gameplay or not (don't worry, Mystery Dungeon is much easier). Play through a few characters. If you do, buy it. If you do not, don't. Younger kids might not have enough patience to sit through a proper dungeon, but the game's major messages (take pride in what you do, don't ever give up, always help others, and learn to have gratitude) are worth it. Oh... the game is playable without knowing how to read, but it sort of looses all its purpose and charm, so only give it to READING kids.
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Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
(2006, Game Boy Advance - Action/Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Game Boy Advance)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
It's Pokemon! But not up to snuff.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team was written by Andrew Bub
Parents need to know that while this is a Pokemon game, it doesn't offer the polish, quality, and depth of gameplay fans have come to expect from the Pokemon series. Instead of finding, raising, and training a Pokemon from scratch, and then earning more Pokemon, this game is about combat and exploration only. One nice thing: For the first time, young gamers can play as a Pokemon. However, that novelty is not enough to overcome the repetitive gameplay. And while the game generates random game environments to explore, the game quickly became tedious.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about what it's like to play the role of a battling Pokemon monster. Which Pokemon do they like to be? What is it like to find and recruit friends, solve puzzles, conquer dungeons, and save the day in a magical pretend world? Do you like this format as much as the earlier Pokemon games?
More on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
What’s the Story?
POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: RED RESCUE TEAM comes from ChunSoft and is basically a Pokemon-themed version of their long-running series of Mystery Dungeon games.
The game begins by having players answer a series of questions to determine what kind of Pokemon monster they will become. From there, the task is to search the virtual world for fellow Pokemon to challenge, befriend, and then take with you to clear countless and randomly generated dungeons. The dungeons make up the play world of this game and they are filled with treasures to collect and monsters to defeat. The combat is turn-based and not very tactical, although players can link moves in one turn. The objective is to make it through a dungeon by finding the staircase to the next dungeon.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Pokemon is still a gaming phenomenon, despite the fact that it's been around for over a decade now. The reasons for this longevity are simple: solid gameplay and a hook that's irresistible to most children: once you start, you "Gotta catch them all!" Regardless of this marketing ploy, the Pokemon games (both card and video games) have generally been superb -- until now.
This newest episode, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, seems contrived. The developers have crammed the Pocket Monsters into a game environment that's not a good fit for them. While the action is nonstop and the random generation of the dungeon's configuration offer lots of replayability, the challenge is low. Playing through the game becomes a chore rather than a joy.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/25/2006, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
Our Members Say
See all 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
It's a hit or miss sort of thing.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Nice Game
Since I loved Explorers of Darkness, I decided to get this game, and I ended up liking it. I even cried at the end! I started out as a Torchic, and now I'm a Blaziken! I love Explorers of Darkness, too, but in this game, I got a great surprise after I evolved and then completed a mission. I was in bed on the hay in my house, and...I was sleeping! Not walking in place like Explorers of Darkness, but sleeping! I was so happy!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
"The game is more of a story then playing it"
I played lots of Pokemon games, they are all about humans and pokemons working as a team. Pokemon Rescue Team is a new type of game play for Pokemon. I have to say that the game isin't that fun after you played half way, but is has a great story plot that keeps telling to continue and find out why have you have turned into a Pokemon. I beat the hole game and I have got to tell everyone that the ending was actually pretty good. I made a power point of what the whole story is about, and is actually 100 pages long... Another thing is that you don't have to use a line to connect, you can use passwords too. Spending $34 dollers on that game, I think it was a good choice. P.S=Play it only if you REALLY don't have anything to do. (Or you don't have a life lol)
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Fun and Hard!!!!
It's very challenging at times but overall, I like it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
FANTASTIC
This game was absolutley fantastic. I actually clapped when I finished it! Everything about it, the story, the picture, the graphics, the obsticles, just fantastic. And the whole game is fun and its about helping others. Beautiful. I'm a tough person, but I actually cried at the end. This adventure just has you on edge the whole time!
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