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Pokémon Rumble is a beat em up Pokémon game released on Nintendo Wii and available for 1500 Nintendo Points. The game features Pokémon from the first and fourth generation, as toys that came to life, battling each other through different stages. As the game progresses, the player has a chance to befriend the Pokémon they beat. The befriended Pokémon can be switched instantly within the stages, which can give the player the advantage over the current enemies, as the Pokémon attribute weakness and strength rules also apply to the game. Clearing stages earns the player points that can be used to purchase new moves for their Pokémon, which will make them stronger and gets them ready for the "Battle Royale".

The Battle Royale is the game's main event, unlocked after the player recruits a Pokémon with a high enough Power Level, and where they have to battle waves of Pokémon at once, in order to prove their Pokémon's strength. When it comes to graphics, the game pictures the Pokémon in 3D models very similar to those of Pokémon Ranch, but with smoother animations. All the Pokémon attacks are animated and are fun to watch. The game features some soundtracks from the previous spin off Pokémon games, like Pokémon Channel, along with new exciting ones.

Official Description

Introducing a new kind of Pokémon challenge, available exclusively to the WiiWare service! Pokémon Rumble is an action game in which you control Toy Pokémon (referred to as "Pokémon") and take on wave after wave of other Pokémon in a variety of stages.

Befriend some of the defeated Pokémon along the way, adding them to your collection and granting you the ability to use them in battle. Switch between collected Pokémon at any time, taking advantage of the fact that the amount of damage you deal depends on the type of move used and the type of Pokémon hit. Be the last one standing to gain the right to compete in the Battle Royale and test your skills against many Pokémon at once.

Or team up with three people for some multiplayer action, working together to take down tough Bosses and earning points that can be used towards recruiting or training Pokémon. You can even save your favorite Pokémon to your Wii Remote controller for exchanges with friends.Mewtwo in Pokemon Rumble

Combining beautiful cel-shaded graphics and exciting game play features with the world of Pokémon, this is one Rumble you won't want to miss!

Pokémon

All of the first and fourth generation Pokémon are available in the game. There are three ways of adding Pokémon to the player's team, either by befriending them, by password or by ticket:

Pokémon Recruited through friendship: When the player defeats the enemy Pokémon in the game stages, there is a chance that they will be later on recruited. The player might also encounter some Shiny Pokémon and these will automatically be befriended. In the menu list, some Pokémon names will appear in different colors depending on whether they're typical Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon or Pokémon with Special Skills:




Pokémon earned by Password: Pokémon Rumble features a Password system which allows acquisition of specific Pokémon. The Passwords are found in different sources, whether on the official game website or on Nintendo Power Magazines. They also differ from a region to another:






Pokémon earned by the Release Tickets: In addition to the Pokémon Passwords, the game also features a fun Release feature. If the player releases 5 copies of a Pokémon, they'll get a ticket unlocking its evolution. 5 copies of the final evolution of a Pokémon are released, the one previous to it will be acquired through ticket. Some release combos may unlock special and rare Pokémon like the legendaries.

Game Modes

The game can be played whether in single mode, teaming up with the AI, or with friends in the multiplayer modes. There mainly two modes in the game: the Adventure mode and the Battle Royale mode. The game will feature only the first generation Pokémon within the different Adventure stages and the Battle Royale, until the next difficulty level "Advanced Mode" in which the Pokémon featured are from the fourth generation. To unlock the Advanced Mode, one has to beat 4 difficulty Ranks in normal. Completing the Battle Royale in Normal difficulty level, Rank C will unlock the next Rank. Ranks are in order : C,B,A and finally S. Defeating Mewtwo in Normal difficulty Rank S, will unlock the Advanced Mode difficulty level. Finishing Rank S, in Advanced difficulty will Unlock the hardest difficulty level, Ex Mode in which both Pokémon from generation one and four will appear.

• The Adventure Mode: It's mainly made of 6 different stages, where the player can befriend and recruit a wide variety of Pokémon. At first, the player will start in the Silent Forest stage, with fairly weak Pokémon. Clearing the stage will unlock the rest of the stages. Within the stages, the player will have to befriend different Pokémon and build a stronger team, until they befriend a strong Pokémon with high Power Level or reach the Power Level with their own Pokémon, unlocking the Battle Royale. The stages available are as follows :
• The Silent Forest: A green forest, where mostly Bug and Grass Pokémon dwell. It is advised to use Fire and Flying Pokémon, to faster clear the level.
• The Rocky Cave: A dark cave, lit by crystals and the home of Rock and Fighting Pokémon. Using Water and Psychic Pokémon will help clear the area faster.
• The Windy Prairie : A wide prairie housing a variety of Pokémon but mostly the Normal type, thus, using Fighting Pokémon will give the player the upper hand.
• The Bright Beach: A sunny beach and the habitat of Water Pokémon. Electric Pokémon use is advised.
• The Fiery Furnace: A construction site built on magma, where mostly Fire Pokémon live. Having Water Pokémon will give the advantage.
• The Eternal Tower: A dark ancient tower, in which Electric and Poison Pokémon will be encountered. Using Rock and Ground Pokémon is encouraged.
• The Battle Royale Mode: Clearing the Battle Royale is the principal objective of the game. It is an all out battle where a large number of Pokémon fight until one remains standing.

Videos

Check out these videos of Pokemon Rumble, Wii Ware including TV Commercials, Trailers and the intro video.

The official Trailer

A review of Pokemon Rumble (WiiWare) by CGUndertow

A U.S TV Commercial for Pokemon Rumble

 

Trivia & Facts

• Pokémon Rumble was the first Pokémon game to be released digitally then physically.
• Shiny Pokémon with Special Abilities have their names blue only.
• Pokémon Rumble was the first game in the Pokémon Rumble series, followed by Pokémon Rumble Blast, Pokémon Rumble U and Pokémon Rumble World.

Sales figures

No official sales numbers were released about the game, but seeing how well the game was received, it was presumed to have successful sales campaigns.           

Review scores

• Despite the critics about the recycled Pokémon models from My Pokémon Ranch, Pokémon Rumble was well received and managed to get good scores on many major review websites. Let's take a look at these scores :
• Jack Devries from IGN thought "It was mindless, but it was fun'', giving Pokémon Rumble a score of 6/10, the equivalent of "Okay" on the IGN scale.
• On GameRankingz, Pokémon Rumble earned a score good of 66.20% over 5 reviews, while it had an average one of 59% in Metacritic, based on 9 critics.
• Overall, although the game can be a little repetitive, it's still fun and challenging and a great pass time for any Pokémaniac.

Media & Artwork

Screenshots from Pokemon Rumble (WiiWare)