Pokemon Rumble World

 3DS
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
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  1. NZGamer
    Mar 28, 2016
    80
    In its fully-evolved form, Pokémon Rumble World works much better here than as a freemium game.
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 27, 2015
    80
    A great example of "Free-to-Start" done right. [Issue #15; May/June 2015, p.28]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Nintendo Life
    Apr 26, 2015
    80
    Pokémon Rumble World takes the basic beatdown gameplay the spin-off series is known for and combines it with fun connectivity features that give it a uniquely social feel.
  5. Impulsegamer
    Feb 8, 2016
    70
    Pokémon Rumble World is a fun, albeit simplistic adventure through the world of this franchise which definitely targets the younger gamer!
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 21, 2015
    70
    Pokémon Rumble World is simple and repetitive, still fun and charming. You don't really need to buy anything to enjoy it and the gating system in place merely slows you, but it's for the best since it can get boring fast.
  7. Cubed3
    Apr 18, 2015
    70
    Overall, it is an impressive free-to-play title with fair micro-transactions that speed up the experience yet are in no way necessary to enjoy the game.
  8. 3DJuegos
    Apr 10, 2015
    70
    Pokémon Rumble series finds its place thanks to "free to start" model. This new iteration is repetitive as ever, but it's a good choice for people looking for instant fun.
  9. Destructoid
    Apr 8, 2015
    70
    It's fairly shallow but very fun in spurts, and the best part is that players can truly enjoy the game for more than a few minutes at a time without feeling like they aren't getting anywhere.
  10. LevelUp
    May 16, 2016
    65
    Rather than a game for the hardcore Pokémon enthusiast, Pokémon Rumble World feels like it was made for a casual fan that likes the beat'em up elements of the series better than its RPG traits. The other issue with Pokémon Rumble World lies in its graphical presentation, more akin to the first 2009 release than to a modern game. Something should be done about it.
  11. Atomix
    Jun 5, 2016
    60
    Albeit really simple and easy to learn, Pokémon Rumble World is a game that quickly turns in something really monotonous and predictable. We can deny that its charm is something that will captivate many Pokémon fans but, after a few hours of gameplay, we felt that we had seen everything it had to offer.
  12. 4P.de
    Jan 29, 2016
    60
    A weird mix in which you don’t hunt and collect more than 700 Pokémon but toy versions of Pikachu and his friends. With redundant mechanics, dependence on sheer luck and annoying remnants of its free-to-play roots, this is a half-hearted “gotta catch em all”.
  13. GameCrate
    May 14, 2015
    58
    Pokémon Rumble World has its fun moments, but it takes a bit too long to get there and once there it plateaus quickly and falls off.
  14. Digitally Downloaded
    Feb 3, 2016
    50
    It’s difficult to conceive where the audience might be for this game. Players who already have the free-to-play version may as well just stick with that. Either you’re still playing it (and thus have likely finished just about everything and would simply be replaying through everything you’ve already done again), or you’ve stopped playing it and therefore you’re done with what Pokemon Rumble World offers.
  15. The Jimquisition
    Apr 10, 2015
    50
    As an early foray into free-to-play games, it shows that Nintendo at least isn’t willing to fleece customers with a kind of reckless abandon showcased by the locusts of the mobile game world – but it’s going to have to do far better than this to justify its monetary desires.
  16. Nintendo Enthusiast
    May 11, 2016
    45
    Pokemon Rumble World isn’t necessarily a bad game, but it’s not of the quality I would expect from Nintendo.
  17. Metro GameCentral
    Apr 10, 2015
    20
    Gameplay doesn’t come any more shallow and mindless than this, but at least it’s a little fairer with its free-to-play microtransactions than Pokémon Shuffle.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best 3DS Game of 2015
15
#15 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
21
#21 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 101
  3. Negative: 21 out of 101
  1. JinxazuMarai
    Apr 9, 2015
    10
    Nintendo has slowly been introducing Free to Play games for a while now. And the first two being this and Pokemon: Shuffle. Now while I couldNintendo has slowly been introducing Free to Play games for a while now. And the first two being this and Pokemon: Shuffle. Now while I could go into detail about Pokemon: Shuffle, I am providing a review of this game and countering any hateful reviews beforehand. Now, Those upon going into the e-shop will see the words "Free-to-start" As iwata has already stated that he hates the term, "Free-to-play" This will come into play later and explain how nintendo has done micro-transactions right. You start out fine, Playing with a pikachu as part of a tutorial and the story is rather simple yet cute. The game features air balloons, that allow you to go to different worlds seperated by three-four lands. Each land features a total of 16 pokemon. You rely on a roulette system to make your choice, although alternatively you can still get the land you want if you know how you do it as the roation goes one way and the lands goes the other.

    Upon completing the level, The balloon must refill. In the meanwhile, you can complete challenges to gain more pokediamonds to unlock more balloons or clothing. There is a ranking system that increases by one for every pokemon you capture that is different, So if you catch a pidgey, You get one exp, Catch it again, It won't happen. But getting another pokemon that's different gets another exp. Every rank unlocks more features. There is also a password feature, allowing for furture special pokemon. Currently there are two, Smeargle and Pancham which give "Gift" traits identified by blue text. I won't spoil what they do, that's for you to find out. The biggest enjoyment is the collection. As you slowly fill up you collection, You have a limit but can purchase more and the amount and the cost is fair. Starting out by 2 gems and then 4 by then you would have around 340 and it's noticed. If you send off any unwanted pokemon, don't feel bad, they leave a gift behind of ten coinds each which helps get trees which act as passive abilites. Now, As I mentioned before, The game is free to start but there is a pay out option. When you purchase the 3000 gem pack, which is about 30 or dollars, you have infinite gems. You receive 20 gems per day to save up for future events or retries or anything. That's what anyone else will not tell you. You can purchase yourself out of the free to play model. Still have fun and really that's all to it.    … Full Review »
  2. bazimon
    Apr 8, 2015
    0
    This game is, in its entirety, a cheaply made money making scam published by The Pokemon Company. It contains little to no 'entertaining'This game is, in its entirety, a cheaply made money making scam published by The Pokemon Company. It contains little to no 'entertaining' gameplay, which is riddled with microtransactions, and instead of rewarding players who wish to play more then 10 minutes of the game, they force you to sit back and wait for 40 odd minutes to three hours for a measly 3 minutes of actual gameplay.
    There is no strategy in the game besides mashing the A button and hoping the RNG is on your side, the player has little impact on what stages to select and Pokemon they wish to capture and the games visuals are entirely lackluster and bland.
    This game lacks the minimal amount of charm, reminiscent of 'Pokemon Trozei' found in The Pokemon Company's earlier 'freemium game', Pokemon Shuffle that made that game somewhat playable, and causes 'Rumble World' to flop as a whole.
    Even less entertaining then the 'Rumble U' game, 'Rumble World' slips face first into a pile of shredded glass and Pokemon droppings, only further reflecing the decline of quality in the Eshop's Free-to-Play market as a whole.
    Not worth the 110MB it takes up on the 3DS, rather get a 3DS theme... it will entertain you far more then this load of money-making garbage.    … Full Review »
  3. rubin
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    Almost a complete copy-paste of 2009 game but with added annoying microtransations. Music, stage structure, character models - everything wasAlmost a complete copy-paste of 2009 game but with added annoying microtransations. Music, stage structure, character models - everything was copied 1 to 1 from the old Wii game. Oh sorry, there was one new addition - now you don't even have to press any buttons to attack, the game does it for you! Pathetic. So glad I didn't have to pay money for this garbage.… Full Review »
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