Pokemon Ranger

 DS
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. IGN
    71
    It's a meaty, albeit linear, adventure with some cool DS mechanics...it's just nothing earth shattering or classic.
  2. Nintendo Power
    70
    Pokemon veterans will also breeze through the comparatively light challenge Ranger provides, but newcomers to the franchise will enjoy the challenge. [Dec. 2006, p.112]
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  3. GameSpy
    70
    As was the case in Mystery Dungeon, it's nice to take another trip though this monster-infested world in a game that doesn't play like, well, 90% of the other Pokémon titles. I just wish that Ranger's gameplay didn't grow old so quickly.
  5. GameDaily
    70
    Pokemon Ranger is worth a try, but like the gameplay, it ends up going around in circles.
  6. Nintendo Gamer
    70
    Narrow-minded and frustrating, but Pokemon Ranger demands genuine skill. It gets so many things right that the RPGs get wrong. Give it a whirl. [May 2007, p.67]
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  7. Da Gameboyz
    68
    Pokemon Ranger is definitely a game for pokemanicas looking for a fix until the next true chapters in the series are finally released in N. America.
  8. GamesRadar+
    60
    Pokemon Ranger is an enjoyable marketing sidequest, despite lacking depth or challenge. Pokemon fans will find it a satisfactory appetizer to tide them over until the main course arrives next year.
  9. Pocket Gamer UK
    60
    Despite being loveable and well-made, Pokémon Ranger's combat system is too shallow to grip your attention.
  10. The Sydney Morning Herald
    60
    The new hands-on capture system is not enough to make this an essential Pokemon adventure.
  11. Game Informer
    50
    The dull, simplistic puzzle-solving relies on a gimmicky control scheme to distract you from the fact that it’s barely a game in any sense of the word.
  12. Game Revolution
    50
    It’s good to see Nintendo keep trying new things to refresh an aging title, and taking advantage of the unique opportunities the DS offers. But by putting a little bit more thought into the music and graphics, they could have made a pretty good game, instead of one that is merely okay.
  13. Eurogamer
    50
    The real disappointment, aside from the painful hand-holding of the main storyline, is the glint of true potential the game's main mechanic shows at times.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best DS Game of 2006
24
#24 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
17
#17 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 92
  3. Negative: 10 out of 92
  1. kiank
    Jan 17, 2018
    10
    This began what I consider my favorite offshoot pokemon series. I loved playing this game so much and enjoyed the challenge of circling aThis began what I consider my favorite offshoot pokemon series. I loved playing this game so much and enjoyed the challenge of circling a pokemon and catching it. Some of my best memories was playing this with my sister!… Full Review »
  2. Jkk17
    Aug 25, 2017
    8
    I bought Pokemon Ranger because I always loved Pokemon and when I asked my father to buy it for my Nintendo DS he always said NO.

    Some    I bought Pokemon Ranger because I always loved Pokemon and when I asked my father to buy it for my Nintendo DS he always said NO.

    Some months ago I decided that I wanted to try out Pokemon on my Nintendo DSi (I lost my Nintendo DS in holidays when I was a kid) because I always played it in my school laptop with a emulator.

    I bought it in a marketplace and after some days I was already playing it .

    The game isn´t like the classic ones. However , it´s still pretty enjoyable and fun to play. As a PC gamer , I don´t play it at home , but it´s pretty useful when you go on holidays.

    The game is set in the Fiore region and your objective is to preserve the nature and protect Pokemon with your Capture Styler. It´s a short game in terms of story but it can be pretty exciting and fun.

    I got mad sometimes because there are some pretty difficult captures , but if it was Easy it wouldn´t be fun , innit?

    The game is 11 years old but I still recommend it to the Pokemon and "Old" game lovers.    … Full Review »
  3. Chammy
    Feb 2, 2013
    7
    It's interesting because it's different and it's indeed fun! I like the fact that you actually see pokemons running around the field ratherIt's interesting because it's different and it's indeed fun! I like the fact that you actually see pokemons running around the field rather than hiding in the grass and that they interact with nature.… Full Review »
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