Pokémon Rumble U

Pokémon Rumble U (ポケモンスクランブルU, Pokemon Sukuranburu U) is a 2013 action video game in the Pokémon series available on the Wii U eShop.^[4][5] It is the successor to the 2011 3DS game Pokémon Rumble Blast. It features all Pokémon from the first five generations. Up to 100 Pokémon and 4 players will be able to play at the same time. It is the first Wii U game to utilize the Wii U GamePad's NFC function.^[6] Each NFC toy costs 200 yen^[7] or £3.99.^[8] It was released in Japan on April 24, 2013, in Europe on August 15, 2013 and in North America on August 29, 2013.

Gameplay

Pokémon Rumble U features similar elements of gameplay to its predecessor; however, in Rumble U, the player controls Pokémon and battles alongside them against other Pokémon in battle arenas. A boss Pokémon must be fought at the end of every battle arena. As the player advances, new battle arenas are unlocked. Further battle arenas can be selected from a menu. Progressively, battle arena difficulties continue to rise. Once a battle arena is completed, the player is rewarded with coins and new Pokémon.^[9] The game also uses figurines, similar to Skylanders and Disney Infinity, to add content to the game.

Plot

After a mishap in the Toy Pokémon Shop, some Pokémon capsules are swept down a river and washed up on a strange riverbank. Pikachu, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott emerge from the Pokémon capsules and set out to find their way back to the Toy Pokémon Shop. On the course of their journey, they discover Pokémon reluctant of returning to the Toy Shop.^[10] It’s even found the four Pokémon were intentionally thrown into the river in the first place.

Development

NFC Capability

Prior to Pokémon Rumble U's release, Nintendo announced it would be the first game to use the NFC component of the Wii U. Around the same time, Nintendo announced figurines would be distributed. Once the game went on sale in Europe, a special edition including two NFC figurines, a poster and a code to download the game was distributed in game stores.^[11] Pokémon figurines are utilized by placing them on the NFC section of the Wii U GamePad; this allows for use of the same Pokémon in-game. NFC figurines have been sold in Japan, Europe and the United States. However, they were not sold in Canada. A Nintendo spokesperson commented, claiming even availability in the United States was limited.^[12]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 49%[13] Metacritic 49[14] Review scores Publication Score Destructoid 6/10[15] Joystiq [16] Nintendo Life 6/10[17] Nintendo Insider 70%[18] PC Magazine [19]

Pokémon Rumble U has received mostly mixed to negative reviews. On Metacritic, the game received an aggregated score of 49, and a user score of 4.9.^[14] Its aggregate score at GameRankings was also 49%.^[13]

Writing for Nintendo Insider, Joe Merrick gave the game 70%, summarising that "Pokémon Rumble U is a simple and fun game, but may bore a few players".^[18]

Mike Manson of Nintendo Life gave a more mixed review, giving Rumble U 6 out of 10; summarising that "Pokémon Rumble U is straightforward fun that's a far cry from the main Pokémon titles, but it does pair some key strategic elements of the series with the button bashing – though there are definitely moments where there's too much going on to keep real track of, which does lead to more reliance on the latter than the former".^[17]

Chris Carter of Destructoid rated the game a 6/10. He critiqued it, finding Pokémon Rumble U too linear, lacking strategy, and repetitive and basic. Despite its flaws, he claims it may be a fun experience with friends and in short periods of gameplay.^[15]

Will Greenwald of PCMag gave the game a 2/5. He criticized it for not living up to the mechanics of Pokémon Rumble Blast and lacking a Pokémon upgrade system, due to what he deemed an unnecessary incorporation of external merchandise into gameplay. If one wants to grow attached to their Pokémon, they must buy its corresponding NFC figurine – only then will they be able to “upgrade” it to their liking. Nonetheless, he said the game is too linear and short to enjoy the upgrades.^[19]

References