Pokémon Festival on DS: Mystery Dungeon

***wraggster*** · September 21st, 2006, 19:30

News from Lik Sang

Have you ever thought of what it would be like to walk around as a Pokémon? Now you can, with Nintendo's Pokemon Mystery Dungeon multi-title release (Blue Rescue Team for NDS and Red Rescue Team for GBA). Ok, to be historically correct, you were able to play a Pokémon in Super Smash Bros., but wait for what this game has in store... Developed by Chunsoft, we are presented with an actual RPG here. Your character wakes up one day to find himself to be one of those critters that Ninty has told the world since the inception of the franchise to "gotta catch 'em all". Now it seems to be the other way around: find yourself in an adventure game with semi-turnbased dungeon exploration, where you'll face the challenge of saving Pokémon who have gotten in trouble. Join the Blue Rescue Force on NDS and uncover the mystery behind what turned you into a Pokémon in the first place, meeting more than 380 of your fellow catchables on the way, as well as engage in strategic battles throughout your perilous journey. It's an unique take on the RPG side of things in the Pokémon universe for sure. Great visuals, a dramatic soundtrack and plenty of exciting environments to explore make Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team for NDS the perfect handheld companion for fans of the series.

Shipping within 24 hours for free worldwide (free delivery, like all import games at Lik Sang), the US version of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team for NDS leaves our warehouse for just US$ 44.90. Region-free by nature, any Nintendo DS system globally can be used to play this title. Red Rescue Team for GBA is in stock as well, available for just US$ 44.90. Both versions are similar, but you don't wanna miss out on the brilliant dual-screen action of the Nintendo DS game!

Building up to next week with the Japanese releases of long-anticipated RPGs Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl (both for Nintendo DS), it already feels like Pokémon festival here [Editor: Not that there is anything wrong with it]. Expect full Lik Sang coverage on these two highlights upon release!

NDS Blue Rescue Team: Features and Gameplay

At the start of the game, you'll take a quiz that determines what Pokémon you will become. Right there, you'll pick a first partner Pokémon, that you should choose so it compliments your own type well. Now that you've woken up in the body of a Pokémon and learn that you can freely communicate with others (beats listening to "Pika, Pika!!!"), Butterfree will ask you to rescue her Caterpie. And so the saga begins... After completing this mission, you form the rescue team with your partner Pokémon to go on a grand trip to help as many others as you can. Natural disasters are the main cause that endanger your fellow Pokémons and you need to explore dank dungeons and towering mountains in order to better the situation. The surroundings are lovingly crafted, with atmospheric visuals and charming animations. Having no trainers around means that your team will act on specific tactics you assign to each member. "Gosh, what to do without Poké Balls?" you might ask. Simple: convince others to join your team by defeating them in battle.

Players have various moves and items at their disposal to complete rescue missions and increasing their team's reputation on the way. Dungeons rely on randomly generated maps, guaranteeing a fresh experience every time you enter one. New moves can be learned constantly, which you can link together and execute in the same turn for example (but this costs more points). Customizing attacks and adjusting AI routines is part of the job as well. Failing in a dungeon will make you loose your money earned plus all items gained during your expedition. Thanks to the wireless multiplayer function of the Nintendo DS, other players can rescue a party lost. Exchanging written down passwords lets you help other players no matter what version (NDS/GBA) of the game they are on. If two Blue Rescue Team NDS users with their systems in sleep mode bypass each other, they will be automatically rewarded with a rare item!

After you've rescued a Pokémon, you head to Pokémon Square where you can access all sorts of shops and services. Buy items, store them, hone your combat skills in Makuhita Dojo etc. Friends Areas you need to buy to have a place to stay for the Pokémon that travel with you. The touch screen offers additional information, where you can also opt to use stylus control instead of the usual NDS button setup. Due to the general structure of the game you can easily go for quick-shot sessions, if you don't have time for hours of exploring; the game can conveniently be saved each time after you've saved one critter. All in all, it's a great time for followers of one of Nintendo's most successful brand, with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team on NDS providing a solid Roleplay experience that will keep you glued to your handheld. What are you waiting for, gotta rescue'm all!