Welcome to Poketopia, home of the world's greatest Pokemon masters. These folks have gathered from all over the world to prove their Poke-worth, unleashing their loyal Pokemon against others in a series of heated battles. It sounds enticing, especially with online play. Unfortunately, Pokemon Battle Revolutionfails to deliver, sticking with stone-age gameplay and limited online options. So much for the Pokemon revolution.
Once in Poketopia, a guide tours players through the game options, then a battle tutorial breaks down the arena combat. A world map gives access to several coliseums, with more unlockable over time, and a shop gives players access to upgrades in exchange for points earned from winning battles.
Playing online is, without question, Revolution's biggest feature, and one of the most disappointing. Challenge other trainers to a battle by logging on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, using a pre-set friend list or jump into a random battle with players all over the world. The idea sounds right, but shoddy connectivity and the lack of leaderboards, medals or any type of tournament set-up doesn't do any favors for the online play.
Once inside the arena, Pokemon fans will be delighted with the game's battle system. Trainers choose three (out of six) Pokemon for battle and issue commands using a menu system. From there, they have absolutely no control over their Pokemon or its direction, watching it lash out and receive damage from its opponent without lifting a finger during each turn.
Those who own a Nintendo DS and a copy of Pokemon Pearl or Diamond will get much more mileage out of the game. Link the two systems together to transfer Pokemon from the DS to the Wii version and use them in battle. Alternately, players can use the handheld as a controller, calling up attacks and keeping a close eye on their status. The game can still be played without the DS, either by pointing the Wii remote at the screen with a blue Pokeball indicator or holding it horizontally. However, none of these control set-ups save the game from boredom.
Without the DS game, Revolution lets players customize trainers, but they can't select their own Pokemon. It seems like a bogus alterative, blatantly created to force players (or their exhausted parents) to spend another 150 bucks to get the full experience. Rip. Off.
As for visuals, the battle arenas look great on their own, but once the battles begin, the game starts to look more like a GameCube game. Some of the animation and battle damage looks solid, but that's interspersed with uninspired design. The inefficiency of actual combat can't be ignored, either -- warring Pokemon strike from a distance, and then run in for a lame-looking biting or tackling attack. Sound consists of some proper background music and an over-excited announcer, who, fortunately, can be silenced in the options menu.
Fans won't care how bad the reviews are for this game they'll buy it anyway. Everyone else should pass on Pokemon Battle Revolution and wait for another Wii game with a robust online experience. Fortunately, with Mario Strikers Charged on the way and Metroid Prime 3 (rumored to have an online component) not far behind, they won't wait long.
Final Score: 5/10
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