Common Sense Media Review
By Mark Raby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Pokemon drawing app teaches techniques; great instruction.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Pokemon Art Academy
What's It About?
POKEMON ART ACADEMY has a basic storyline that ties together different aspects of the game. But the story has very little to do with the content. Players follow a drawing enthusiast whose goal is to become a famous Pokemon illustrator. It's all about teaching users -- with surprising detail -- how to draw various Pokemon creatures, whether they're using the stylus on the screen of their Nintendo 3DS or pen and paper offscreen.
Is It Any Good?
Pokemon Art Academy is more than a gimmick. It provides a surprising amount of instruction and features, such as the ability to blend colors with pastel markers, add shadows, create depth, and even airbrush. But novice artists shouldn't be intimidated. The game starts with basic instructions and eases into more advanced techniques as kids progress.
Also, since the game teaches real drawing skills, users likely will learn to create drawings with physical tools and a piece of paper (although some of the methods, such as airbrushing, aren't so easy to replicate). Overall, the game does a surprisingly good job of providing instruction in a variety of drawing techniques and can be recommended for kids of all artistic levels.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about expressing creativity in the physical world. What's different about using markers, pens, and pencils on paper compared to drawing on a digital screen?
This is the latest title in the extremely popular Pokemon franchise. Is this really the best way for new fans to explore the Pokemon universe?
Do you think this game would appeal to non-Pokemon fans? Why, or why not?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Subjects : Arts : drawing , painting
- Skills : Tech Skills : digital creation
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Nintendo
- Release date : October 24, 2014
- Genre : Art
- Topics : Arts
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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