First Look: Pokémon Rumble Blast (Screenshots Included) Posted by Martin Watts on August 16, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Do You Want to Be the Very Best?

The 3DS is finally getting its first Pokémon game this October and there’s a ton of juicy new details about it. Be thankful eager trainers, for Pokémon Rumble Blast looks like it stays true to the series’ most exciting aspect: the battles. If you’ve ever played Pokémon Rumble on WiiWare, then you should already have a pretty good idea of what Nintendo will be offering in this new title for 3DS.

The game is set in the unusual world of Toyland, and all the Pokémon have taken on a toy design – if you’re familiar with something like Bakugan (which I’m not, but I sell a ton of the things for a living), you’ll see a strong resemblance between the two. According to Nintendo, the player will explore “imaginative levels filled with Toy Pokémon, players can battle and collect more than 600 Toy Pokémon in all – including Pokémon from the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games”.

The formula does differ somewhat from the more traditional Pokémon titles. Rather than set battles between two trainers, players can use their Pokémon to team up against tough bosses (such as the legendary Pokémon Reshiram & Zekrom), or engage in a “Battle Royale”, a mode where you must be the last Pokémon standing in a free-for-all match.

The most promising feature at the current moment in time, however, is the multiplayer. For example, two players can team up and adventure together over a local wireless connection (there’s no mention of WiFi play just yet unfortunately). In this mode, players can play through the normal adventure mode in levels that they have previously completed, and by doing so, they have an increased chance of befriending defeated Pokémon. Also, players will be able to challenge one another via StreetPass, and this mode includes custom Miis. If you’ve finished the other Mii Plaza games, then this looks to be right up your street.

Although it’s a spin-off title that has more in common with the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Rumble Blast looks like it could be a fun in-between title for 3DS owners that are waiting for the next big game in the franchise. With the 3DS’ software line-up still looking pretty barren until November 2011 at the very least, Rumble Blast should help tide gamers over until the holiday season’s bigger releases.

Pokémon Rumble Blast is set to release on 24 October, 2011 and is being developed by Ambrella. For more information about the game, visit the official website. Also, don’t forget to check out our screenshot gallery below. The game will also be fully-playable in glasses-free 3D.



