Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Nintendo Gamer
    74
    A pleasant diversion. [Oct 2010, p.56]
  2. Nov 14, 2010
    70
    An interesting game and has an audience that would be interested in it, but consider this as an application evolved.
  3. Art Academy's potential to encourage latent talent or simply inspire a new hobby shouldn't go unnoticed.
  4. While it won't make you the next Van Gogh or Cézanne, Art Academy certainly provides you with the basic toolset to develop your dormant talent. However, it doesn't come close to replacing the real thing.
  5. It might not be a game, but this is as entertaining a slice of edutainment as you'll ever find. Even if it's not quite the bargain it first appears.
  6. For those of you who purchased both of the original DSiWare titles, Art Academy does not offer enough new content to justify a third purchase. However, the retail release fixes several issues that Second Semester suffers from by combining both lessons, offering an improved product overall.
  7. Nov 2, 2010
    67
    Bottom line is, if you want to learn some of the finer points of how painters do what they do, or are really devoted to improving your visual art, you could likely find some help in this.
  8. Nov 12, 2010
    65
    Would-be artists can check it out for a decent introduction to drawing and painting, but those truly interested in building a solid art foundation will need to seek a more robust course load elsewhere.

Awards & Rankings

33
34
#34 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Jan 3, 2021
    6
    Piola. . .
  2. May 30, 2020
    8
    Art Academy is a very unique type of game. There really is no goal or objective but painting and the resources that Art Academy providesArt Academy is a very unique type of game. There really is no goal or objective but painting and the resources that Art Academy provides suffice. The ten lessons in the game are all well designed and do a good job of teaching you how to use the painting tools to create your own masterpieces. One thing to touch on is how nice the game sounds, Every thing from the brief interludes between steps in a lesson to the sound of your paintbrush are a pleasure to hear.

    The only real issue is a lack of content in the game, After the 10 lessons there are a few more that are pretty much the same lesson but with a new object to paint. The lessons never visit feature abstract paintings, portraits, or anything beyond landscape paintings and still life. Art Academy could have been greatly improved from extra modes or more lessons.

    Overall I think Art Academy is worth your time and the price of entry. It serves as a decent teaching tool and a welcome oddity in the DS library that players of any age can find enjoyment and relaxation despite it's relatively low amount of content.
    Full Review »
  3. Apr 4, 2016
    9
    I think this is a pretty good way to learn some art skills if your style of art you want to learn is mostly still life and painting withI think this is a pretty good way to learn some art skills if your style of art you want to learn is mostly still life and painting with references. Although even if you are solely into, say, cartoon art or portrait art, I still feel like there is some stuff to be learned from here. I had a lot of fun doing the lessons, and feel like I learned some stuff. My only real problem was how it would sometimes make me break from the instructions just to do something small like mix my paints when I could do that after the instructions, but since it may be helpful to people who have memory problems, I'm all for possible accessibility. Full Review »