Home / News Articles / Pokemon Battle Revolution gets Poor Reviews
The recently released Pokemon Battle Revolution for the Nintendo Wii has been panned by most of the gaming community as a poor game. Most Pokemon fans also agree with this assessment and in fact the game is a letdown and a step back from previous Pokemon console games like Pokemon Stadium and Stadium 2. Below are a few excerpts from some of the major game reviewing sites.

So what's the point of Battle Revolution, then, if all it does is duplicate a portion of the real Pokemon games in a less-fulfilling way? Honestly, not much. Those who have drained every last moment of enjoyment from the DS game might appreciate it as a way to eke a little more challenge from the experience. And really obsessive types might appreciate the fact that the announcer guy from the cartoon performs (highly repetitious) running commentary during in-game battles. Everyone else, though, will simply regard this as a waste of money.
Rating: 4.5/10 (Bad) 1UP Review: http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3160748


The real draw here should be competing with other players over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect. Sadly, it's far too difficult to really get anything resembling a fulfilling online experience out of Pokemon Battle Revolution. Until Nintendo decides to give its online gamers leaderboards and true stat-tracking, this type of release can only be recommended to the most die-hard of Pokemon fans.
Rating: 3/5 (Fair) GameSpy Review: http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/pokemon-wii/800791p1.html


What is perhaps most disappointing about Pokemon Battle Revolution is its half-hearted job of making the fights look exciting. The Pokemon themselves, the trainers, and the colosseums all look good, if a bit aliased, but there's just no drama to the action. The game manages to make watching the trainers throw out the pokeballs look exciting, and some of the attacks have a good amount of flash. However, there are also a number of really plain-looking attacks, and those are the ones that you seem to see repeatedly. Most of all, the way the trainers interact the Pokemon in the ring just looks stagy and stiff, as if they're all just going through the motions. It's also worth noting that there's a ridiculous play-by-play announcer who goes from accidentally amusing to repetitive and grating within the first hour. Thankfully, he can be muted.
Rating: 5.5/10 (mediocre) GameSpot Review: http://www.gamespot.com/


Stadium-style Pokemon games have been around since 2000 on N64. We have watched the franchise become a worldwide phenomenon and seen its evolvution over four portable systems and three consoles. For whatever reason, however, Pokemon Battle Revolution takes a step back, actually removing content from older attempts, making the true "Stadium" experience a one-trick pony. Gone are the multiplayer mini-games, the ability to play the portable game on the big screen, the endless extra features, and overall "hub" feel of the console Pokemon experience. Pokemon Battle Revolution is neither a full-fledged RPG on Wii nor a fully-realized stadium effort, as the core of the game has been cut down to online or offline battles. The single player mode is a joke, there is a huge lack of true customization or depth, and the multiplayer mode while certainly appealing to core gamers offers very little beyond what DS had. You'll pay $50 for a stripped down seven-year-old design that offers worldwide random battles in place of a full-fledged RPG, voice chat, or any actual depth found in the handheld versions. For less money you can get well over 60 hours of gameplay on DS, and far more multiplayer (both local and online) anywhere you go. Pokemon Battle Revolution is a $50 loyalty tax for Wii Pokemon fans, and was far better seven years ago on Nintendo 64.
Rating: 5/10 (Meh) IGN Review: http://wii.ign.com/


Nintendo really letdown the majority of Pokemon fans who have been eagerly awaiting this game. Like many of the above reviews, we recommend that you rent this game and save your money for upcoming games like Super Smash Bros.