Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Nintendo Power
    94
    The Story mode, variety of Battle mode options and amazing level of detail give the game an immeasurable amount of fun and replay value. [May 2004, p.119]
  2. Battle side alone is worth the price of admission.
  3. A top-notch title and a must buy if you’re a fan of this series. It has everything you love about the series and more, even if it is a bit difficult.
  4. Impressive? Definitely. It's very heavy on the Japanese text though, so only hardcore import fans should bother with it right now. By the time it sees a proper UK release in March though, expect to be blown away. [JPN Import]
  5. netjak
    86
    While it is a little rough in the sound department, a few of the visuals are off, and it has slight limitations on how you can obtain your Pokemon, Colosseum is a worthy of a Pokemon fan’s time. This is the full-on console RPG many Pokemon fans have been clamoring for.
  6. It's got almost everything I wanted 3D Pokemon game to have – classic, addictive gameplay, good graphics, an excellent soundtrack, and decent length. It also has something you can't find in today's RPGs: replay value.
  7. TotalGames.net
    84
    The aforementioned RPG mode is where we’ve found most of our time invested in Colosseum vanish. The darker-than-usual portrayal of the Pokémon world is an interesting and commendable change in style and the gameplay itself offers the player a substantially different experience to the handheld games. [JPN Import]
  8. Weekly Famitsu
    83
    8 / 9 / 8 / 8 - 33 gold [Vol 780]
  9. Battling is only a fraction of what makes the Game Boy games special, and although Colosseum expands on this, it doesn’t do the Game Boy games justice.
  10. Could Pokemom Colosseum have been a much better game? The answer is definitely, "Yes", with the need of a better storyline, graphics and more features. Yet, I was impressed with what did make it into Pokemon Colosseum and that above all else I found myself having fun and enjoying the game.
  11. Another slight issues is that while the world seems fully realized, and the interface is standard Pokemon issue, the game isn't nearly as massive or deep as something like "Ruby." [Apr 2004, p.83]
  12. Trainer battle is the focus of this game. It would be a shame for Pokémon gamers not to experience this new style of battle, as it's fairly different from the usual Pokémon fare. Who knows, it may even sway older gamers with its decidedly 'older' look.
  13. It’s an RPG with battles! What more do you want? But it does have its down points, one of them being a high level of frustration endured in some places and don’t forget there being no mini games.
  14. More experienced gamers may scoff early on, but will find more rewards once they start to build up a mini-army of Pokémon, which they can trade online with other dedicated players.
  15. Certainly a step in the right direction to a good 3D Pokémon game.
  16. 76
    Unfortunately, battling takes up most of the Story mode unlike the Game Boy outings which had a lot of side-missions for you to do rather than continually battling other trainers.
  17. 75
    Even with the lack of gameplay variety in its quest, Pokemon Colosseum is one hugely challenging game, and it has enough originality, not to mention a whole assortment uniquely catchable creatures, in its design to encourage both newbies and veterans alike.
  18. The story mode has no where near the complexities and storyline that the Game Boy games have had, and the Colosseum mode is no where near as customizable as the Stadium titles were for the N64. However, both play modes are enjoyable.
  19. 75
    Merely good - hopefully Nintendo will take heed and give us the game we've REALLY been wanting next time around.

Awards & Rankings

39
8
#8 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
7
#7 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 202 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 12 out of 202
  1. Sep 10, 2011
    7
    Its definitely not the best pokemon game ever made, and it especially isn't the best looking Pokemon game but it has fantastic music, decentIts definitely not the best pokemon game ever made, and it especially isn't the best looking Pokemon game but it has fantastic music, decent gameplay, and a good amount of pokemon to catch Full Review »
  2. Sep 6, 2011
    6
    There's almost no difference from Pokemon Colosseum compared to Gale of Darkness. The random RPG battles gets boring after a few continuosThere's almost no difference from Pokemon Colosseum compared to Gale of Darkness. The random RPG battles gets boring after a few continuos apparitions of the same trainers. From my perspective , don't play this console version, play the handheld version. Full Review »
  3. Jun 19, 2011
    4
    This is one of those games that I just plain hate, and really the gameplay isn't horrible. I have this sort of feeling about this game similarThis is one of those games that I just plain hate, and really the gameplay isn't horrible. I have this sort of feeling about this game similar to that of the narrator of "The Tell-Tale Heart" towards the man with the hawk eye. Something about the graphics and music and repetitive battles really just annoy the crap out of me. It also could be that my brother loves this game and won't stop playing it - and this really annoying music just keeps hammering into my head, and then when I try to turn off the volume I still see those annoying graphics. It's one thing to have the same thing happen over and over again with the gameplay (being the Pokemon battles, cuz I'm fine with it in other games), but something about this game pisses me off. Full Review »