Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Simple controls and deep story highlight this action game.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs  focus on a heroic story and be-kind-to-wildlife theme rather than on the fighting that is normally associated with Pokemon games. In this game, "friendship" is the hero's greatest power -- and the good guys win Pokemon creatures to their side by projecting friendliness toward them. There are some actual battles in the game, between the heroes and the Pokemon that are being mind-controlled by the bad guys, but even in the end of those fights, the defeated creatures simply run off (and can later be "befriended" as well). This is a very kind and gentle action game.

  • The games heroes are trying to stop "pinchers" (i.e. poachers) from capturing Pokémon creatures from the wilderness. The good guys get Pokémon to join them by befriending them. The dialogue speaks frequently of "showing friendship" to the Pokémon in order to win them over. Any time a creature helps the heroes, it is thanked.
  • The heroes are selfless and generous, and extremely well-mannered -- they always say "thank you" after a Pokémon helps them out. They are motivated by the cause of protecting nature and wildlife.
  • Simplified controls make this a very easy game through which newcomers can enter the Pokémon universe. There are thorough tutorials to explain every action you may need to take during the course of the game.
  • Players "capture" Pokemon creatures by circling them with the stylus. The creatures may fight back with fire bursts, electricity, wind blasts, etc., but your character is never hurt by these -- only the "capture styler" (i.e. your stylus) is damaged. If a friendly Pokemon is helping you in the fight, it can get hit by an attack, too, making it run away.
  • Not applicable.
  • Pokemon is a massive media franchise, with more books, games, toys, and TV shows than you can count. This particular game will allow you to transfer (via WiFi) special collectible creatures into other DS Pokemon games.

What's it about?

In POKEMON RANGER: GUARDIAN SIGNS, you play a member of an elite defense force that protects the world by using the powers of the Pokemon creatures they've befriended. You are called upon to reveal the mystery behind a group of villains called "pinchers," who show up and start kidnapping and brainwashing Pokemon. On your way to find the pinchers, you'll traverse a series of islands, befriending all manner of Pokemon and using their varied powers to get past a multitude of obstacles. Wild Pokemon are friended by circling them rapidly with your stylus; creature powers can be used by drawing specific patterns on the touchscreen.


Is it any good?

 

Kids who are new to the Pokemon universe -- or those intimidated by the scores of stats and attributes that you usually need to keep track of in those games -- will find Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs to be an excellent entry point into the series. Its simplified, action-based format for battles can be easily learned by almost anyone. It's possible that hardcore Pokemon fans will find this new format too simple, but hopefully they'll look at it as a refreshing change of pace -- as it is a truly different style of gameplay. Whether rookie or veteran, players should definitely be drawn in by the deep and compelling story. And the collection aspect -- always a key point with Pokemon fans -- is still there, with over 300 species of creatures to find and interact with. 

Online interaction: Kids can download and play new missions that will become available over time.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about the theme of friendship that is so much apart of this game. How does it make Pokemon Ranger different from past Pokemon games in which the protagonists were more actively aggressive toward the creatures they were capturing?


This review was written by Christopher Healy
Kid, 10 years old
October 19, 2011
 
Pokemon Ranger Guardian Signs!
I love this game!It is the third Pokemon Ranger game.No offense, but I have all the Pokemon Ranger games.This game is so awesome that my 21 year old brother plays this game!!

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
October 25, 2010
 
Great
I love this game. Even though I like Shadows of Almia as well, I like the heroes in this game just a little better (not saying I thought the ones from the previous game were complete jerks.) There are some rather deep themes for an E game, but they aren't the bad kind of deep. Although some children may not understand why one of the bad guys thought trying to make himself immortal was a mistake on his part.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
October 16, 2010
 
Good game
This is a nice game that I was able to get free from *tinyurl*/33ghaf9.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
January 3, 2011
 
Pokemon Ranger Gaurdian Signs Review
Pokemon Gaurdian Signs is most likely one of the ABSOLUTE best games of all time. With the special wi-fi missions, the great and long storyline, easy and fun gameplay, it definetly deserves a five star rating.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
October 12, 2010
 

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
April 17, 2011
 
great for everyone!!!
BEST POKEMON GAME I'VE EVER PLAYED!!!!!

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Christopher Healy
Platforms:Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Action/Adventure
Developer:Nintendo
Release date:October 4, 2010
Price:$29.99
ESRB rating:E for Mild Cartoon Violence

This review was written by Christopher Healy

Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.

 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Screenshots


Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.


About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you play Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs?


Already played it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it