OVERALL: 70%
Those familiar with Hey You Pikachu for the N64 which was famous in Japan will find that Pokemon Channel is some sort of a sequel. The previous game featured you talking to Pikachu and guiding him around. However unlike the N64 one Pokemon Channel doesn't use the voices to guide our yellow friend, instead you use a TV! Another simple title yet fun by Nintendo and as the title says the game is all about channels on the TV. First of all, you start with a good amount of channels and a small TV, during the game you'll have to perform several activities in order to expand your channels selection. There are many channels and more to unlock, including news, weather forcasts, fitness, quiz shows, shopping, etc and each appeals to our yellow friend differently. The best thing here is that Pikachu will react differently on each version. So he may appeal to quiz shows and get bored with the news. Variety in personality! As you progress Pikachu will learn from you and start to make his own decisions without your assistance. Till now that's all in the house, the real fun stars when you explore the outside areas. After some time Pikachu will be free to leave his room and explore the local areas at first. You can even check out other monsters. What's even better is that as time passes by you'll be able to visit more locations and interact with more monsters and items. At this point Pikachu will even ride a bus to reach those places. Interacting with monsters and visiting areas isn't the only thing Pikachu is there to do! He can do other stuff from picking mushrooms and flowers to asking the locals of the area some pop quiz questions. And as I mentioned before as you progress more channels will be unlocked giving you more parts of an episode and eventually when you collect them all, you'll have an entire episode of Pichu Bros that accompany the movie. It's not too long.
The game works best with a mouse since it involves clicking around and watching what happens most of the time. No big deal action happening around here so action fans can continue drinking their coke!
Gameplay (7/10):
Plays much like Hey You Pikachu or if you don't know this game then the gameplay is somewhat similar to the Sims where you'll be clicking on items and watch what happens most of the time! There aren't many action parts here, rarely find one. There are many things to do but it's one of the games that makes you sit back and relax. You must collect channels in order to unlock the full episode. You can interact with monsters outside and even visit far away areas by bus. There will be a small hand on the screen where you can move it around, touch pikachu, or make him move anywhere. It's one of the simplest. The most challenges at times would be to answer a question from a TV quiz, but if you got it correctly then you can spend the earned cash in the shop.
Graphics (7/10):
World pf pokemon redesigned in 3D is a cool thing. This game is colourful and looks similar to the cartoon. The locations are many and you can explore many areas like beaches, woods, mountains etc. The games aim it to unlock a never before seen DVD quality animation featuring Pichu Bros. There are many TV channels going from news and weather forcasts to shopping and quiz shows. Beautiful animations but lacks details. Looks more for young kids.
Sound (6/10):
Who hates Pikashu's Pikaaaa! Voice? Nobody. Because it's cool and lovely. All the pokemon voices are lovely and as they are in the cartoon. Listening to them is like listening to the TV series. What was a let down is the ingame music. Can get annoying at times and boring. May take you to sleep. Pikachu's sound reaction is good.
Life-Span (8/10):
It simplisity may keep it for a short time but there are lot's of collectables including 3D pokemon "NiceCard" lenticulare and play a virtual version of Pokemon Mini. Fans will stay entertained as they stay with pikachu and you'll feel that he is actually infront of you. If you think about it there are many things to do excluding action. You can make friends with other monsters, explore more locations, increase the channels variety and by doing so you can unlock a special Pokemon Exclusive episode which can't be found anywhere else.
Overall (70%):
Simple, too simple! But fun and entertaining. You'll spend most of your time clicking on stuff and watching your yellow fellow doing the job. You can even relax and watch Pikachu do whatever he does and enjoy as if you are watching a TV pokemon episode. Variety in channels keeps it good and the amount of collective items is cool. Mini games around is a welcome feature where you can find a Pokemon Mini (handheld) which many gamers aren't familiar with. The game overall is an interacting game where you'll have to interact with everything by clicking on it. From picking flowers to tickling pikachu!
Advice:
Hardcore Pokemon fan may enjoy it and others may find it a bit boring. The mini game is fun and eploring was always fun. If you have a younger brother or sister then you may consider getting it and watch them play it since it's just $30!
Good Points:
1- Lots of collectables.
2- Pokemon Mini included (mini game).
3- 3D collectable cards.
4- Variety in levels to explore, from beaches to mountains.
5- Variety in channels.
6- Exclusive Pichu Bros episode.
Bad Points:
1- The music may send you to sleep.
2- About 1% of action if not less.
3- When Pikachu do stuff without your guidance can annoy you.
4- It's aimed for younger than kids.
5- You can't have other than pikachu! If I'm a poke trainer then I won't own a yellow mouse! I want a Charmander!
-Thanks For Reading-
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