Wii Review: Pokemon: Battle Revolution

Review by: Average_Joe

Pokemon: Battle Revolution is the first of a series that began with Pokemon Stadium on the Nintendo 64. The thing with Battle Revolution is that it only contains a single aspect of the entire Pokemon franchise, the battles. And unfortunately the Pokemon battles alone are quite boring and after only a few moves, already becomes repetitive especially if you lack Pokemon Diamond or Pearl as if you have not already put in the effort to either of the two then the game does not have much going for it.

Pokemon Battle Revolution is set in the island of Poketopia, a place where Pokemon trainers can battle each other to their hearts' content. The best way to acquire the full experience of this game involves interaction with Pokemon Diamond or Pearl on the DS but there are a few other ways to battle. The DS battle mode is the simplest, and in a way, it best exemplifies what this game is all about: making Pokemon fights look cool. Players use their Diamond or Pearl DS games and the DS itself as the controller. This allows two to four players to have a Pokemon throw-down as big, polygonal versions of the pocket monsters do their thing on the TV.



Pokemon Battle Revolution's multiplayer options don't end with local battles as in addition to the local multiplayer options, Battle Revolution can be played online against other players. It's gives you the option to either battle randomly against other trainers or directly challenge another trainer who you have exchanged friend codes with. Heres the draw back, your friend code for Pokemon Battle Revolution isn't the same as the code for the Wii itself. It's not much different from how the DS is used online and Nintendo has stated that it intends on doing the same for any Wii games that go online. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone however it remains a bit of a hassle.

It's also possible to import Pokemon you've captured in Diamond or Pearl into the Colosseum mode, where you can make yourself a trainer out of a few basic models and battle your way through each different Colosseum. Each victory will gain you a sum of money that can be used to acquire new clothing and accessories for your trainer or trainers. It is also possible to transfer items and information from the game back to your DS such as the mystery items but unfortunately that's the extent of the games ability to send information back to DS. It's recommended that you have a copy of Diamond or Pearl before purchasing Battle Revolution as without at least one of them, your options for this game will be quite limited. For example: In the colosseum mode, you can't build your own trainer from the ground up; instead you have to choose a pre-designed trainer who comes with a set group of pokemon. You can still dress up whichever trainer that you choose, but you're stuck with the Pokemon that came with him/her. Luckily you'll eventually gain access to other trainers that you can trade, but it still remains limited.

Unfortunately despite if you take advantage of the DS connectivity you will still face the core problem of the game, that none of the battles are really involving. You choose which of your Pokemon you'll bring into battle, then you pick one of the four attacks. After that "complicated" procedure is complete all thats left to do is watch the pokemon bash each other. Although this same repetitiveness is in the core game, Battle Revolution is not compensated by progress- Your Pokemon grow stronger, you capture new Pokemon, and the story progresses. In Pokemon Battle Revolution, the battles are an end unto themselves.

The biggest disappointment for this game though is the at best, half-assed job at making the battles and attacks look exciting or fun. Everything, the trainers, arenas, pokemon, ect look good but there is no emotion to the movement, no drama to the action. Sure, some select attacks look flashy and the game manages to make throwing a ball look exciting but majority of the attacks look very plain. To top it off, the trainers look stiff and stagy when they command the pokemon like they are just going through the motions. It's probably best to warn people that there is a at first amusing announcer that quickly turns to irritating but luckily there is a mute for him.

Most would imagine the game to be exciting due to the constant mention of DS connectivity but sadly the entire game is faulted by straight-forwardness and being single minded. Although some may find that seeing the pokemon they spent hours training in 3D good enough reason to buy this game but everyone else; it's even less appealing then a real pokemon game.

The game largely favors those who have experience with the franchise, leaving those new to it in the dark to try and enjoy the little given to them.