Pokémon Rumble World
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun action-based rerelease adds extras but is repetitive.
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Pokémon Rumble World
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What’s It About?
POKÉMON RUMBLE WORLD is a cartridge version of 2015's free-to-play game but without support for optional microtransactions that cost real money. The game is a fast-paced battler that has you control Pokémon that must fight their way through large areas filled with other Pokémon characters -- more than 700 of them, in fact. If and when your fighter knocks out a rival by using its abilities and special moves, you'll be able to use that defeated Pokémon in future battles. Each stage has its own tougher "boss" Pokémon as well, which can also be captured. Unlike most other Pokémon games, the frenetic action here plays out in real time, as opposed to relying on turn-based moves. Players are also rewarded with in-game currency, Pokémon Diamonds, which can be used to unlock missions in the world via hot air balloon rides.
Is It Any Good?
While this is a rereleased version of a previously released title, the additional tweaks made to the game deliver a fun experience, especially for Pokémon fans. One thing to point out: If anyone bought and played 2015's Pokémon Rumble World -- a digital download that supported and pushed microtransactions -- there's very little reason to pick up this boxed version. Most of the content is the same, although it doesn't asking you to cough up cash to advance through the game. If you're a fan of Pokémon games and aren't interested in paying for progress, then it's worth the $30 to collect and battle more than 715 toy versions of classic Pokémon.
The game is easy to pick up and control, and because combat is simple, fast, and in real time instead of centering on turn-based fights, it's ideal for quick bouts of action when you're on the go. But be aware there's a lot of repetition in the gameplay, a kind of "rinse and repeat" formula, that may grow tiresome during long gaming sessions. There's also no multiplayer support. That said, the game does fold in support for mii characters, powerful mega-evolving Pokémon to help in your fight, and boss characters to defeat. The collectable nature of play is fun, as in other Pokémon games, but there's less meat here in the strategy and combat departments. Ideal mostly for younger or newbie players, perhaps, Pokémon Rumble World may be somewhat shallow, but it delivers a magical thrill for on-the-go Nintendo 3DS gamers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bonds of friendship that develop between a person and her pets. Why do we care about pets, and what are the best ways to treat them?
Discuss what makes the Pokémon franchise so popular and which traits kids like the most in their favorite characters. What makes these characters so special?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release date: April 21, 2015
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- ESRB rating: E10+ for Fantasy Violence, Comic Mischief
- Last updated: April 10, 2020
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