Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team

 DS
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 195 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 195
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 195
  3. Negative: 15 out of 195
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ItsRaininMen
    Jun 20, 2013
    10
    A great game! A wide variety of Pokemon that you can have on your team, a fun story, fun side-stories, lots of places to explore! It's challenging enough to keep you busy and entertained, but not so challenging that you get angry and frustrated and give up. I honestly cannot think of any ways this game could have been made better. Heavily recommended!
  2. Pokemon3245
    Nov 11, 2015
    9
    Ign sucks,ign sucks,ign suck,ign sucks,ign sucks,ign sucks (game revolution is even worse )dkjdjdicnfiskjdjekdmjckcmdjdjfjfmfmckkc kmridkakzka screw you ign
  3. Christian
    Sep 7, 2006
    10
    This game is the game that all Pokemon lovers where waiting for.
  4. nonnikchief
    May 20, 2011
    9
    This game is great, and not just for die-hard pokemon fans. Of course, being a pokemon instead of a trainer is a really nice touch, and ensures that there are many different things than the main series. There are so many new items, the moves sometimes work a bit differently, but the thing i love most is the idea of "recruiting" pokemon onto your team, rather than catching them. It adds aThis game is great, and not just for die-hard pokemon fans. Of course, being a pokemon instead of a trainer is a really nice touch, and ensures that there are many different things than the main series. There are so many new items, the moves sometimes work a bit differently, but the thing i love most is the idea of "recruiting" pokemon onto your team, rather than catching them. It adds a strategic layer to the game. The story is fantastic, and is very long. There is so much to do, and there is a ton of stuff after you beat the game. The graphics are great, the gameplay is solid, and this is overall a great game. There is some replayability, especially if you want to try out playing as different characters. If you get tired of this, DON'T sell it. Just tuck it away on your shelf. Because believe me. You'll want to play it again soon.… Expand
  5. bknuryuu
    Nov 24, 2015
    7
    This game is decent. Not great, but not terrible.

    The gameplay is pretty repetitive, and fairly punishing. Not hard, but if you faint in a dungeon, you have to start over, which is really frustrating. It's a high price to pay for a misstep or errant twitch that pushes a button you didn't mean to. Doing the same process of "dungeon crawling" got pretty boring pretty quickly. It was fun    This game is decent. Not great, but not terrible.

    The gameplay is pretty repetitive, and fairly punishing. Not hard, but if you faint in a dungeon, you have to start over, which is really frustrating. It's a high price to pay for a misstep or errant twitch that pushes a button you didn't mean to. Doing the same process of "dungeon crawling" got pretty boring pretty quickly. It was fun for the first couple hours, but it didn't have me hooked.

    The music is nice. It's very Pokemon-esque, but it's a whole different kind of adventure-type music characteristic of the normal series. I felt sound effects were nailed on the head; hits and attacks felt pretty satisfying when they landed on an enemy, as well as using items.

    What really sold me was the story. The introduction and quiz really made me feel like the Pokemon I got was something based on my personality, making the protagonist someone I really got involved in. In the end, the story was what pushed me to get through the game. The repetition and grinding was almost worth it in the end thanks to the touching ending. It was an experience I'll never forget, and hit me harder than I expected. Kudos to the dev team for making such a heartwarming conclusion.

    7/10 overall. Gameplay is repetitive and punishing, but the story is definitely top notch.    … Expand
  6. Cyte
    May 28, 2016
    10
    The game isn't perfect by any means, it can get a little repetitive at times and the story takes a little while to get interesting. However, it's perfect in my eyes and this game had a massive impact on my life. The story is amazing and the gameplay gives a fresh twist on Pokemon. In my opinion, this is the best game ever made, second only to the sequel, Explorers of Time/ Darkness/ Sky.
  7. WeronikaC.
    Nov 26, 2006
    10
    This game is perfect for anyone who loves adventures, and especially mysteries. This game is based on partnership, where you and your partner try to save the world, and perhaps even others.
  8. MaryanneD.
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Its an awesome game, go Pokemon!
  9. ewokonfire
    May 20, 2013
    9
    This game is what was so badly needed...A pokemon game that isn't afraid to be difficult. Constantly difficult. It might not be exactly NetHack, but compared to an main-series pokemon game it hates you. I never found it get especially repetetive, as the constant tension kept things going. And as for The Very Definetaly Final Dungeon...You'll have nightmares about the sentence 'It's aThis game is what was so badly needed...A pokemon game that isn't afraid to be difficult. Constantly difficult. It might not be exactly NetHack, but compared to an main-series pokemon game it hates you. I never found it get especially repetetive, as the constant tension kept things going. And as for The Very Definetaly Final Dungeon...You'll have nightmares about the sentence 'It's a monster house.' for weeks!… Expand
  10. VideoGameCritic
    Sep 24, 2013
    7
    The issue with this game isn't that its not fun, its not that its horrible in anyway but the issue is that its doesn't fell like a Pokemon game.Its an awesome dungeon crawl that has fantastic music and really good graphics but its far from a typical Pokemon game. The best part from this game is the end when you evolve not because I hate been in the first evolution but I really dislike thatThe issue with this game isn't that its not fun, its not that its horrible in anyway but the issue is that its doesn't fell like a Pokemon game.Its an awesome dungeon crawl that has fantastic music and really good graphics but its far from a typical Pokemon game. The best part from this game is the end when you evolve not because I hate been in the first evolution but I really dislike that I'm level 90 and a weak charmander. That's just me tho, I really do like this game its not bad at all. The reason that I gave it such an average score is because that its not really that amazing. The whole game is just ok not great not bad just a good game. Its like Pokemon pinball, the game is a really good time killer that you can play at a doctors office but to be honest I would never of played this game if I was not 11 when it came out. Regardless I still recommend look at this game and trying this out.… Expand
  11. guitarguy001
    Feb 15, 2014
    8
    An underrated RPG. Great story, great music and a good morality tale for the player. The characters are pretty well developed, though there are some that i consider forgettable (The major teams besides Team ACT). I recommend this game to anyone who likes a good RPG.
  12. Synnett
    Dec 22, 2016
    10
    Out of all the games that I owned, this is the one I played the most, in the thousands of hours. I fell in love with the mechanics, and the multiple challenges brings me joy. The story is extremely rich and deep, the music is fantastic. The addition of a second screen was really great too, as it added a few nice options, even if it wasn't up to the DS standards. By far my favorite game ofOut of all the games that I owned, this is the one I played the most, in the thousands of hours. I fell in love with the mechanics, and the multiple challenges brings me joy. The story is extremely rich and deep, the music is fantastic. The addition of a second screen was really great too, as it added a few nice options, even if it wasn't up to the DS standards. By far my favorite game of all times, I'd recommend it to anyone.… Expand
  13. SnivySomnia
    Oct 22, 2012
    10
    This game is an experience and a damn amazing one. The dungeons do get monotonous while replaying the game, but seriously Gamespot? You can do better than that. The story is this game's highlight. While you can agree with McDumbass and make two accounts to hate on this game and it's story, it's easily the most compelling storyline Pokémon has offered, still unmatched by its sequel.This game is an experience and a damn amazing one. The dungeons do get monotonous while replaying the game, but seriously Gamespot? You can do better than that. The story is this game's highlight. While you can agree with McDumbass and make two accounts to hate on this game and it's story, it's easily the most compelling storyline Pokémon has offered, still unmatched by its sequel. If you'd rather have improved gameplay and a predictable story then I recommend its sequel, Explorers of Sky. If you agree that story makes an RPG of this caliber, then this game is for you.… Expand
  14. Chammy
    Feb 2, 2013
    6
    The story is really nice and the game is fun. However the interminable dungeons become repetitive after a while and when you die and have to restart at the beginning it gets frustrating.
  15. Watermelon789
    Jun 15, 2011
    6
    Repetitive experience is found here, all you do is going to Dungeons that never change, making every level the same. The story is nice, and thats a high point in the game.
  16. imoviesreview
    Aug 16, 2016
    9
    While I have not gotten very far in the game I figure I can review with what I got. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is a Turn based Dungeon crawler. One thing that this game is known for, as well as the whole series is the story. The story is that you were turned into a pokemon and taken to a alternate pokemon universe where pokemon can talk and pokemon are the only things in that world. Your meetWhile I have not gotten very far in the game I figure I can review with what I got. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is a Turn based Dungeon crawler. One thing that this game is known for, as well as the whole series is the story. The story is that you were turned into a pokemon and taken to a alternate pokemon universe where pokemon can talk and pokemon are the only things in that world. Your meet your partner and you pretty much wonder why you were brought to this world. The story is very lighthearted and interesting. The world actual feels like a fantasy world with interesting things in it, and worth exploring. The story is great, but then there the gameplay. The gameplay can be pretty fun, but it suffers from a lot of problems. Like I said the game is a turn based dungeon crawler. You move through a the dungeons trying to find the stairs to the next floor, and fight a boss at the end if there is one. While that happening you got to manage your hungry, find the stairs, and try to survive enemy encounters. The enemies can be very tough. Another thing this series is known for is how hard these game can be sometimes brutal. The biggest problem is how randomize the game can be. The deal is that dungeons are randomly generated and they are never the same if you re enter the dungeon. Sometimes the stairs will be right next to where you spawn, but other times it can be a far away from where you spawn. Depending on your situation it can make getting through some of these dungeon a bit luck based. Overall still enjoyable gameplay. The graphics are fairly good from a ds. The music is not very good with some of it sounding out dated. Overall I recommend this game at any price.… Expand
  17. McMucrkle
    Feb 13, 2007
    0
    This game is pants. I am definitely right, and anyone who likes this game is definitely wrong and is insane and boring. The game is rubbish: repetitive (1 town, endless identical dungeons), theres nothing to do except walk in dungeons, boring storyline, generally irritating. It made me want to die quickly. Do not buy this game. Bore off.
  18. TonyH.
    Sep 4, 2007
    3
    While this pokemon game is sort of an upset due to it following a complete different style of gameplay from the orginals that we love. The graphics were really nothing wow worthy and it is definitely not worth the $29.99. I would reccomend playing the originals or pokemon diamond and pearl!
  19. AdamE.
    Apr 28, 2007
    0
    I think Pokemon is brilliant, but this game is terrible! It's repetitive to a fault, with no special sequences. Random generation may provide endless gameplay, but there's a reason why awesome gaming sequences are actually designed by people! This is the worst game on DS and anyone who likes this should play a real game, not something that took about half a month to make.
  20. mcmurkle
    Feb 13, 2007
    1
    this game is pants: i am definitely right... no one who likes this game is right, they are insane and boring, get out. this game is rubbish. repetitive (1 town, endless identical dungeons, about 5 possible actions at any time), boring storyline, generally irritating. it made me want to die quickly. buy the normal standard pokemon games instead where you control a trainer, this is a massivethis game is pants: i am definitely right... no one who likes this game is right, they are insane and boring, get out. this game is rubbish. repetitive (1 town, endless identical dungeons, about 5 possible actions at any time), boring storyline, generally irritating. it made me want to die quickly. buy the normal standard pokemon games instead where you control a trainer, this is a massive let down. bore off.… Expand
  21. RobertC.
    Jul 18, 2007
    0
    Horrible game! I would not recommend it to anyone. I am an avid pokemon game fan but can't believe how boring this game is.....snoooooorre.
  22. Susano
    Aug 25, 2010
    6
    Though it offers much to please die-hard Pokemon fans, your much better off with the GBA version, as this didn't need to be on DS. Theres some nice sprite work here, and fairly satisfying dungeon crawling, but when it gets so boring so fast...youre going to run back to the superior games, that being the main series.
  23. nowells5
    May 29, 2022
    8
    Con toda la fiebre Pokemon, Nintendo intentó hacer distintos spin-off para que la franquicia no se hiciera muy repetitiva (algo que al final terminó ocurriendo igualmente). Esta es sin duda una de las mejores, con una jugabilidad en tiempo real y al mismo tiempo por turnos en la cual no hay entrenadores y los pokemon son los protagonistas de una pequeña comunidad. En esta comunidad existenCon toda la fiebre Pokemon, Nintendo intentó hacer distintos spin-off para que la franquicia no se hiciera muy repetitiva (algo que al final terminó ocurriendo igualmente). Esta es sin duda una de las mejores, con una jugabilidad en tiempo real y al mismo tiempo por turnos en la cual no hay entrenadores y los pokemon son los protagonistas de una pequeña comunidad. En esta comunidad existen unos equipos de rescate formados por distintos pokemon que se dedican a realizar misiones para ganarse la vida. Estas misiones van desde conseguir unos ciertos objetos hasta salvar a un determinado pokemon o debilitar a un pokemon legendario que está causando estragos en los alrededores. Muy divertido y un soplo de aire fresco para la franquicia Pokemon. Duración aproximada: 25-30 horas… Expand
  24. KevinM.
    Jul 29, 2006
    10
    Very good Game.
  25. JustinB.
    Oct 1, 2006
    9
    This game is awesome, UNTIL after you defeat Zapdos, then you end up grueling over dying again and again in the next dungeon.
  26. CazC.
    Jun 22, 2007
    6
    Extremely cute and cuddly version of Pokemon where you become the actual pocket monster yourself. Pretty random and repetative at times but fun to complete and definately worth trying it out.
  27. DrewF.
    Sep 27, 2006
    8
    You have to give this game at least a couple of hours before you can really decide if you like it or no. When i first started out, i was flabbergasted. Why did i pay 30 bucks for this? My first thought was to turn around and head back to the store to exchange it. However, a day went by, and i decided to give it another chance. It's funny just how fun the game starts to be when you You have to give this game at least a couple of hours before you can really decide if you like it or no. When i first started out, i was flabbergasted. Why did i pay 30 bucks for this? My first thought was to turn around and head back to the store to exchange it. However, a day went by, and i decided to give it another chance. It's funny just how fun the game starts to be when you really get into the meat of it. Yes, it's gruelling at times, and it can be sadistic (You're on floor 25 of 26, and you die), but there's a very clever password system which allows other players ANYWHERE in the world to come and 'save' you, thus giving you another lease on life to continue. Very ingenious way to revive the password system. Surprisingly fun game that can really eat up the hours.… Expand
  28. srx
    May 2, 2021
    7
    Having replayed this a few years back after playing the other 3 entries, I realized that this game really falls short. That is not to say the game isn't great, but this game has by far the worst story in the series. It's linear and non-sensical, but is interesting and still moving. One of the biggest qualms I have with this game is how the partner pokemon turns into some random guildmateHaving replayed this a few years back after playing the other 3 entries, I realized that this game really falls short. That is not to say the game isn't great, but this game has by far the worst story in the series. It's linear and non-sensical, but is interesting and still moving. One of the biggest qualms I have with this game is how the partner pokemon turns into some random guildmate postgame. That's so lame. This game still has great gameplay, spritework, and soundtrack to warrant a solid 7/10.… Expand
  29. Coramcrash
    Mar 13, 2017
    9
    Il gioco che tuti i fan di pokemon stavano aspettando.
    idea FANTASTICA. Realizzazione piú che buona e level design ottimo.
    nel complessivo il voto é 88/100
  30. kwame
    Dec 4, 2017
    10
    I just love this game so much. This is my favourite in the series, extremely charming, colorful, good humor and a great atmosphere adn music. I love this game and if you are a fan like me, you might love it to.
  31. 1_skydarktime
    Jan 20, 2018
    9
    Where it all started. Not as great and polished as what came later and the recruitment system is a negative as you can lose your new recruits if they are defeated in the same dungeon, but overall still has everything that made this series great, and very good dungeons to explore.
  32. sebastianali
    Jul 6, 2019
    6
    El juego es increíblemente divertido, sin embargo es la misma version de GBA puesta en DS. Sin mejora grafica ni nada. Me atrevería a decir que incluso es peor, debido al mal esquema de controles y la poca utilización de la pantalla táctil, siendo prácticamente inútil. El no haber solucionado los errores de la version de GBA y trasladarla asi nomas le quita varios puntos.
  33. clem666
    May 28, 2021
    6
    'Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team' started on a strong basis: interesting mechanics, amazing story, the possibility to (eventually!) play as a Pokémon, fight and fraternize with other Pokémons, ... On the sketches there were terrific ideas. But sooner or later, you'll get over the "wow" effect, and you'll give up because the disillusionment is horribly hard to surpass.

    I would    'Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team' started on a strong basis: interesting mechanics, amazing story, the possibility to (eventually!) play as a Pokémon, fight and fraternize with other Pokémons, ... On the sketches there were terrific ideas. But sooner or later, you'll get over the "wow" effect, and you'll give up because the disillusionment is horribly hard to surpass.

    I would say the major flaw of this game is its infinite repetitiveness. Get a team, enter a dungeon, look for goals to achieve, succeed without any effort or get wasted for nothing, go home and repeat. Over and over. As I said I also hate the fact that dungeons can be really punitive. The percentage of success or failure depends too much on chance. If you walk on a bad trap, if you are hungry of if the person/Pokémon you have to save dies like a nothing, it's over. And god, AI is not that great in this game. Opponents can be really smart but once you hired them they become stupid as hell.

    From a certain point in your progression the next thing you will have to do is go on a journey for a dungeon long of something like 50 levels. And if you die for stupid things like the ones I described, it suddenly becomes the height of frustration. Conclusion: rage quit. I played it a lot when I was a kid and re-tried it to write this review but it seems that I have reached a point of insane difficulty. Too bad because the story looks really promising. I'll wonder forever if it exists a true end to this.    … Expand
  34. Shimmeywill
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    Solid story, catchy music and fine gameplay. Really addicting and I have hundreds of hours clocked in.
  35. fronts
    Jan 14, 2020
    10
    Mystery Dungeon game with Pokemon skin+quirks. Some of the best Soundtrack in the entirety of gaming. A story that will make any kid cry.
  36. Heskitor
    Mar 3, 2020
    8
    The history of the game is one of the best pokemon historys, but the gameplay is a little bit repetitive
  37. FixR
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    It isn't exactly known how many spinoff series can give their main counterparts a run for their money. But Pokémon Mystery Dungeon easily reaches into that category.

    With gameplay mechanics that, while not for everyone, remain solid and memorable, an actual story to go through plus hours upon hours of unique content afterwards, simple yet memorable graphics, and honest mechanics that    It isn't exactly known how many spinoff series can give their main counterparts a run for their money. But Pokémon Mystery Dungeon easily reaches into that category.

    With gameplay mechanics that, while not for everyone, remain solid and memorable, an actual story to go through plus hours upon hours of unique content afterwards, simple yet memorable graphics, and honest mechanics that allow players to recruit them all without anything like the trading and transferring that ran rampant during the rest of Generation III, Red and Blue Rescue Team are firmly one of the decade's sleeper hits, although the fact that they've not aged as well due to missing mechanics the later games would adopt is a shame.    … Expand
  38. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    9
    Sencilla y llanamente, el mejor spin off de la historia de Pokemon. Un videojuego al que le dediqué centenar de horas, permitiendo por primera vez obtener todos los pokémon de las tres primeras generaciones sin necesidad de tener un amigo (lol) y permitía transferir a Manaphy a la cuarta generación. Desconozco si todos los dungeon crawl implican este nivel de dificultad pero era bastanteSencilla y llanamente, el mejor spin off de la historia de Pokemon. Un videojuego al que le dediqué centenar de horas, permitiendo por primera vez obtener todos los pokémon de las tres primeras generaciones sin necesidad de tener un amigo (lol) y permitía transferir a Manaphy a la cuarta generación. Desconozco si todos los dungeon crawl implican este nivel de dificultad pero era bastante alto. Otro de los videojuegos de mi infancia, sin ninguna duda.… Expand
  39. BellamySacir
    Nov 8, 2020
    7
    This game is the reason I love Mystery Dungeon so much! This is just pure nostalgia!
  40. Zu343
    Apr 14, 2022
    9
    One of the best pokemon games ever witch a great and beautiful Story, but the KI is a problem.
  41. ZangBang
    Feb 6, 2023
    4
    Despite a painfully repetitive, shallow dungeon-crawling structure, Mystery Dungeon offers a decently enteratining tactical experience thanks to a wide variety of Pokémon types, moves and items to strategize with, while exploration keeps the player decently engaged through its survival mechanics. The narrative, although weirdly paced and excessively juvenile at times, is a heartwarmingDespite a painfully repetitive, shallow dungeon-crawling structure, Mystery Dungeon offers a decently enteratining tactical experience thanks to a wide variety of Pokémon types, moves and items to strategize with, while exploration keeps the player decently engaged through its survival mechanics. The narrative, although weirdly paced and excessively juvenile at times, is a heartwarming story about unyielding kindness told with endearing whimsy but also excellently orchestrated emotional beats.… Expand
  42. Satsoku
    Jan 8, 2023
    7
    A solid game like any other in the Mystery Dungeon series. It is arguably a fun to play game if you are a fan of the genre. One issue I had to do with it was that the side quests are very similar and repetitive without giving good enough rewards, so you might want to skip them.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best DS Game of 2006
5
#5 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
3
#3 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 34
  3. Negative: 5 out of 34
  1. Armchair Empire
    80
    Overall, it’s a satisfying Pokémon romp. The perspective is a little different but the addictive turn-based battles and exploration are in full effect and still lots of fun.
    Read full review
  2. PGNx Media
    72
    Only the most diehard Pokemon fans should ever consider picking this game up. The gameplay isn’t especially interesting, the game makes poor use of the Nintendo DS hardware, and the presentation is seriously outdated.
    Read full review
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    50
    Compelling for a while, eventually Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team casts a powerful sleep spell over the toughest of pokéfans.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »