Pokémon: Pearl Version

UPC: 045496738518

Platform: Nintendo DS

Publisher: Nintendo of America, Inc.

Developer: Game Freak, Inc.

Category: Role-Playing

Style(s): Third-Person 2D RPG

Synopsis: Pok?mon Pearl expands the series by offering trainers a new area to explore and the chance to catch three new creatures. Single-gamers may choose between male and female characters at the beginning of the game, and then begin their quest to become the League Champion. Players must work their way through Shin'ou, a previously unseen area that is based on the landscape of Hokkaido in Japan. Gamers must take on and defeat members of Team Galaxy, a new threat in the Pok?mon universe. Pok?mon Pearl enhances the series by allowing players to transfer creatures from their Game Boy Advance to the DS using the GBA game slot. Through a wireless connection, gamers may challenge friends to a duel, trade creatures, and talk with friends at the Pok?mon Union. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Health and Safety Precautions Booklet

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad, Other

A solid, colorful manual that details how to play the game clearly. In-game hints make learning how to play Pok?mon even easier.

Good-looking graphics, although it's still too hard to see some of the characters on the overworld map.

A virtual rainbow, Nintendo's extremely popular Pok?mon series has almost more colors than a box of Crayolas. With Pok?mon: Pearl Version (and its sister game, Pok?mon: Diamond Version), the franchise finally makes it debut on the Nintendo DS. Pearl and Diamond add a host of features and mini-games to its core monster-raising game, along with new Pok?mon, a new map, and a new (albeit familiar) story. These additions only deepen an already-rich gaming experience. The story is as simple and direct as a child's nursery rhyme -- become the best Pok?mon trainer you can by raising your little "pocket monsters" and battling them against other Pok?mon. As your Pok?mon get stronger you challenge each of the country's eight gym leaders to duels and collect a badge after defeating them. Along the way, you discover an evil plot to end all life, Pok?mon or otherwise, which prompts you and your Pok?mon to try and stop it. The game's central mechanic, raising your Pok?mon and challenging gym leaders, remains as addictive as ever, but Nintendo has used the capabilities of the DS to make it even easier to trade Pok?mon. Now, instead of seeking out a nearby friend to trade or battle Pok?mon over a link cable, you can connect with other Pok?mon enthusiasts worldwide through the DS's wireless network, or locally by using friend codes. The DS's touch screen is also used in many mini-games, but feels under-utilized in the main game. Just as in previous versions of the game, the only difference between Diamond and Pearl is in the types of Pok?mon you can catch, making trading essential if you want to "Catch 'em all." You'll also have the opportunity to import Pok?mon from previous versions of the game into your Pearl game using the DS's Game Boy Advance slot, which is a welcome feature for fans who invested significant time in previous Pok?mon games. Where Diamond and Pearl really shine is in the sheer volume of activities and information packed in the game. There's just so much to do in the world of Pok?mon that it can be overwhelming at times. From digging for Pok?mon fossils, to making Poffins for your Pok?mon to eat, to growing berries, and more, you will never run out of things to do or discover in Diamond or Pearl. And when you add all of the fun multiplayer options, you have the makings of the best Pok?mon games released on any system to date.

Although some variation exists depending which Pok?mon you pick in the early going, you'll probably only have the time and energy to play through this once -- especially after you've invested hours raising your Pok?mon.

Music varies depending on whether it's night or day, although the battle music is usually all the same. The Pok?mon cries sound a bit tinny on the DS's built-in speakers.

Ten years later, Pok?mon remains as addictive as ever. The new mini-games only add to the fun.

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad, Other.