Pokemon Rumble Blast

Common Sense Media says

Simpler, streamlined Pokemon shows more violence.

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 
(i)
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Pokemon Rumble Blast gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

As with all Pokemon games, there are mixed messages. The game is about fighting, but it's also about making friends.

Positive role models

There are no trainers here, just the Pokemon creatures (or toy versions of them, really). The main characters are a mean, bragging Pokemon who wants to be the next Battle Royale champion, and you, who everybody else hopes will beat the braggart. You're the nice guy, the one other competitors respect because you have honor.

Ease of play

The control scheme is very intuitive and easy to use. The difficulty ramps up as you move along, but does so at a nice smooth pace.

Violence

The Pokemon battle each other with various types of attacks -- fire blasts, water squirts, electric jolts, vine whips, etc. As opposed to many other Pokemon games, you actually see the melee-type attacks hitting the opponents in this one (though it's still all very cartoony). Defeated creatures either disappear or turn into a collectible toy for you to pick up (and you will then have that creature on your team).

Sex
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

The Pokemon universe is vast and wide. This game is a tie-in to a multitude of other games, cartoons, comics, and toys.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable
Privacy & safety
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pokemon Rumble Blast is a less complex, more streamlined Pokemon experience. Newcomers to the series can easily jump in here with no prior knowledge of the games or characters. However, the fighting here is a bit more straightforward than in classic Pokemon games -- here the attacks are directly shown, as opposed to being represented symbolically. Still, the violence is very unrealistic and cartoony. As with all games for its 3DS system, Nintendo recommends that children under age 7 do not play the game in 3D because the effects can damage developing eyes. Parents have an option to turn off the 3D effects by using the Parental Controls found on the 3DS.

Parents say

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AGE
7
QUALITY
 
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Kids say

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AGE
6
QUALITY
 
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What's it about?

The characters of POKEMON RUMBLE BLAST are wind-up toy monsters that like to compete in arena battle royales. All the Poke creatures are tired of one braggart and his friends winning all the championships, so they urge and cheer you on to face him and become the new champ. Before you can do that, you'll need to venture around different environments, fighting wild Pokemon and winning over many of them as teammates.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Other Pokemon games have made a splash with engaging storytelling and deep strategic gameplay. In Pokemon Rumble Blast, both the plot and the strategy are greatly simplified, but it doesn't really diminish the enjoyment factor. This is a faster, more furious gaming experience then you'd usually associate with the series, but frankly, it's a nice change of pace. If anything was bringing down the Pokemon series, it was the sameness that occurred from one installment to the next. Rumble Blast bursts onto the scene with an invigorating jolt and feels really fresh. It's also a great way for newbies to ease their way into the world of Pokemon.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the violence in the game. Pokemon is a game centered around fighting, but the fighting is considered a sport within this game. Does this make the violence more palatable? What about the cartoon-like nature of the graphics? Does that make a difference?

  • The story here has a strong message about sportsmanship. Which characters in the game exhibit good and bad sportsmanship?

Game details

Platforms:Nintendo 3DS
Price:$39.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:Nintendo
Release date:October 24, 2011
Genre:Action/Adventure
ESRB rating:E10+ for Mild Cartoon Violence (Nintendo 3DS)

This review of Pokemon Rumble Blast was written by

Christopher Healy

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.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Teen, 16 years old Written bySophistikit October 27, 2011
AGE
7
QUALITY
 

Great game

Very fun game. My cousins, little kids of course, love it (and I do too)! The only thing I have bad to say about it is that it has a bit of violence, but there is absolutely no blood or gore. If you look up Pokemon, you'll see how kid-friendly it really is (: Also, if you are looking to get this game for free, or maybe another game, go ahead and check here: Thanks, and have fun!
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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Teen, 13 years old Written byJPayne77 December 30, 2011
AGE
5
QUALITY
 

reviw for pokemon rumble blast for 3ds

it is good for any pokemon lover. i like it because it is a very relaxing game. This game has abosultly no drugs mild vilenec (no blood) no vulger language perfect for kids from 5 - 10. if u dont want ur kids to play it in 33d you can turn off the 3d.. so you can play it in 2d and 3d.
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Kid, 11 years old February 18, 2012
AGE
10
QUALITY
 

Parents should consider 3D for kids over 7.

Amazing 3D effects. I love it. It's also my first Pokemon game,and I'm into it.
What other families should know
Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
Safety and privacy concerns
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