Pocket Rumble

 Switch
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17

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  1. JJTX
    Apr 27, 2019
    6
    Pocket Rumble looks great and really does emulate the style and substance of fighting games from the Neo Geo Pocket. Where it fails is an absolutely unforgiving difficulty and lack of approachability. There is a training / tutorial mode, but it is poorly implemented and offers stunted, obtuse instruction in even basic techniques. Opponents in Arcade Mode are so ruthless, novices willPocket Rumble looks great and really does emulate the style and substance of fighting games from the Neo Geo Pocket. Where it fails is an absolutely unforgiving difficulty and lack of approachability. There is a training / tutorial mode, but it is poorly implemented and offers stunted, obtuse instruction in even basic techniques. Opponents in Arcade Mode are so ruthless, novices will likely fail to get past even the first opponent. PR is aimed exclusively at top-tier fighting game fans, which is a shame, because with some adjustments to the AI and at least one or two variable difficulty levels, it could be a fighting game for everyone.… Expand
  2. RandomKidGaming
    Feb 1, 2019
    8
    For a $10.00 game, this does the job really well. There are quite a few game modes. I really like the "Easy to learn, hard to master" types of fighting games, and this is no exception. I really like the presentation, the simple controls are great, and it's just really addicting to duke it out. Overall, it's not as good as something like Super Smash Bros., but for being what it's trying toFor a $10.00 game, this does the job really well. There are quite a few game modes. I really like the "Easy to learn, hard to master" types of fighting games, and this is no exception. I really like the presentation, the simple controls are great, and it's just really addicting to duke it out. Overall, it's not as good as something like Super Smash Bros., but for being what it's trying to be, it's really nice.… Expand
  3. MonkeyDumplings
    Aug 5, 2018
    7
    An amazing game with great pixel art and graphics - so it definitely will win the heart of most people. On the other hand, there is no variety with that pixel art. Basically, with only 8 characters, the game gets boring fast. If you're with a friend - great! it'll be fun for 5 rounds and you'll be sick after trying every character. If you wish to master a character it does take some timeAn amazing game with great pixel art and graphics - so it definitely will win the heart of most people. On the other hand, there is no variety with that pixel art. Basically, with only 8 characters, the game gets boring fast. If you're with a friend - great! it'll be fun for 5 rounds and you'll be sick after trying every character. If you wish to master a character it does take some time and garners some replayability.
    I do have to tip my hat to the gameplay. It is ridiculously satisfying and fun the first times once you know what you're doing and the person you're playing with is on your level.    … Expand
  4. fbnaulin
    Jul 7, 2018
    8
    A well crafted little fighting game, with some degree of depth. Commands are easy, but you will have a good time understanding how to beat CPU on Arcade Mode. Online Ranked works almost flawlessly. Great value for such a small price.
  5. fishforbrains
    Jul 7, 2018
    6
    Marketing as a " simplified fighter" couldn't be any further from the truth. 10 hours of playtime equated to zero wins against the cpu, and zero clears of arcade mode. I'm no stranger to fighting games, but this is NOT a game you can jump into without serious hours of practice.

    The cpu is EXTREMELY difficult. The game reads your inputs so it always counters your attacks, blocks, and    Marketing as a " simplified fighter" couldn't be any further from the truth. 10 hours of playtime equated to zero wins against the cpu, and zero clears of arcade mode. I'm no stranger to fighting games, but this is NOT a game you can jump into without serious hours of practice.

    The cpu is EXTREMELY difficult. The game reads your inputs so it always counters your attacks, blocks, and buffers. You get little to no recovery time so once you're down in a corner, you can be combo'd from full to 0 just trying to stand up.

    CPU aside the game COULD be very fun, but the AI in this game ruined the fun for me. No difficulty setting except in 'vs' mode but even on "easy" the game's cpu is slightly more difficult than max difficulty in street fighter.

    Nice graphics, mediocre soundtrack (many amazing chiptune artists out there could have done better), very small roster, no difficulty setting, all harm the enjoyment. I really wanted to love this game, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth after each round.    … Expand
  6. Malooga
    Jul 6, 2018
    8
    Excellent re-imagining of a classic. Consider this the fighting game for those tired of getting out-skilled in larger titles like Street Fighter. The focus is on mastery of 3-4 skills and kick-punch combo's/range. So just like a fighting tutorial the whole objective is mastery of the hit box.

    A great pick up and play title - but pro's should be wary of meat-on-the-bone here. Its a light    Excellent re-imagining of a classic. Consider this the fighting game for those tired of getting out-skilled in larger titles like Street Fighter. The focus is on mastery of 3-4 skills and kick-punch combo's/range. So just like a fighting tutorial the whole objective is mastery of the hit box.

    A great pick up and play title - but pro's should be wary of meat-on-the-bone here. Its a light fighter, competitive play is going to be riddled with inconsistency. This means everybody has a better chance of winning, but also that skill won't take you as far.

    8/10 - well worth the price tag.    … Expand
  7. globogim
    Jul 5, 2018
    9
    It's a simplified fighter with impressive depth, GGPO netcode, effective tutorials and more. It even has frame data and hitboxes in training mode. The style is unique and clean, with plenty of homages to classic fighting game characters. You can turn off the scanlines entirely if you don't like them. This is perfect for the Switch in particular thanks to the simple controls, great forIt's a simplified fighter with impressive depth, GGPO netcode, effective tutorials and more. It even has frame data and hitboxes in training mode. The style is unique and clean, with plenty of homages to classic fighting game characters. You can turn off the scanlines entirely if you don't like them. This is perfect for the Switch in particular thanks to the simple controls, great for jumping into for a couple rounds. For the price, I can't see any fighting game fan not liking this… Expand
  8. patman1996
    Jul 5, 2018
    6
    Today I bought pocket rumble for the switch after playing it. it was one of the most unfair fighting games I have play. but they are something in the game that I'll like. the games art style has a chance to it with the spite of the characters and the backgrounds of the stage. and I did play pocket rumble multiplayer at a game convention in London a couple of months ago and I thought it wasToday I bought pocket rumble for the switch after playing it. it was one of the most unfair fighting games I have play. but they are something in the game that I'll like. the games art style has a chance to it with the spite of the characters and the backgrounds of the stage. and I did play pocket rumble multiplayer at a game convention in London a couple of months ago and I thought it was fun. but game CPU will always spam the same attack and an even if you chose the easiest difficulty and it would act like you chose the hardest difficulty and the music can be forgettable.
    after that, I feel like they are much better fighting games out there than this or if you still think the pocket rumble look interesting just wait until the game is on sale.    … Expand
  9. superkeefo
    Jul 5, 2018
    9
    For this price this is a great introduction to fighting games, simple inputs for new players but a lot of depth too. A few UX issues in terms of menus, but nothing major.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    85
    Complete or not, this is one incredibly fun fighting game, and a great value for $10. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 22]
  2. Edge Magazine
    Aug 16, 2018
    70
    Combo timings can feel a little strict - and, like so many games in this genre, could be better explained to novice players - but that's easy to forgive in a game that strips away so many common fighting-game frustrations with such an easy elegance. [Issue#323, p.118]
  3. Switch Player
    Jul 26, 2018
    80
    Pocket Rumble is a delightful fighting game boasting tight gameplay and lovely visuals. Its brutal difficulty is a bit at odds with the simplified control scheme, but as with anything, perseverance breeds excellence.
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