• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2006
Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. It's simple without being easy, and it's fun without being frustrating.
  2. This game is the best Pokemon spinoff I have ever played, and I dare tread into volatile territory and say this is the best Pokemon game I have ever played. It was fun every step of the way, even if I lost at times. I was always motivated to have "just one more crack" at catching the tricky ones, especially the ones at the Jungle Relic dungeon.
  3. With next generation touch screen gameplay that works perfectly, an incredibly well created main quest, and a lot of extra Pokemon to catch this is a must for fans of the series and fans of Action RPGs. The use of the DS' touch screen is unprecedented and has really captured a new form of gameplay. [JPN Import]
  4. Pokémon fans will lap it up, but will likely be left craving the more traditional Trainer-based titles when the game comes to a close.
  5. It may be no substitute for the real thing, but is by far and away the best stop-gap we've seen so far.
  6. Pokemon Ranger isn't as deep and involving as the main Pokemon adventures, but as far as spin-offs go this is one of the best. A simple but fun adventure. [Apr 2007, p.85]
  7. An interesting diversion from the usual adventure but it needs a bit more freedom. [May 2007, p.70]
  8. Pokemon Ranger has a similar look and feel to all the other lighthearted Pokemon games, but invites you to capture all those critters in a rather exciting new way.
  9. 71
    It's a meaty, albeit linear, adventure with some cool DS mechanics...it's just nothing earth shattering or classic.
  10. Pokemon veterans will also breeze through the comparatively light challenge Ranger provides, but newcomers to the franchise will enjoy the challenge. [Dec. 2006, p.112]
  11. Narrow-minded and frustrating, but Pokemon Ranger demands genuine skill. It gets so many things right that the RPGs get wrong. Give it a whirl. [May 2007, p.67]
  12. 70
    As was the case in Mystery Dungeon, it's nice to take another trip though this monster-infested world in a game that doesn't play like, well, 90% of the other Pokémon titles. I just wish that Ranger's gameplay didn't grow old so quickly.
  13. Pokemon Ranger is worth a try, but like the gameplay, it ends up going around in circles.
  14. Pokemon Ranger is definitely a game for pokemanicas looking for a fix until the next true chapters in the series are finally released in N. America.
  15. Pokemon Ranger is an enjoyable marketing sidequest, despite lacking depth or challenge. Pokemon fans will find it a satisfactory appetizer to tide them over until the main course arrives next year.
  16. Despite being loveable and well-made, Pokémon Ranger's combat system is too shallow to grip your attention.
  17. The new hands-on capture system is not enough to make this an essential Pokemon adventure.
  18. The real disappointment, aside from the painful hand-holding of the main storyline, is the glint of true potential the game's main mechanic shows at times.
  19. The dull, simplistic puzzle-solving relies on a gimmicky control scheme to distract you from the fact that it's barely a game in any sense of the word.
  20. It's good to see Nintendo keep trying new things to refresh an aging title, and taking advantage of the unique opportunities the DS offers. But by putting a little bit more thought into the music and graphics, they could have made a pretty good game, instead of one that is merely okay.
  21. 32
    Pokémon Ranger is one of the big misses in this franchise's history. It can be entertaining for a short time, but uninteresting game mechanics and utter lack of difficulty will result in most players putting this game aside for good even before the relatively short story is completed.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 3 out of 6
  1. JerryT.
    1
    This game is terrible. its just incredibly frustrating. you just circle these pokemon over and over and some of them move around all retardedly or there will be 3 of them that will move around retardedly. the only reason i played this game all the way through was to get the manaphy egg for the diamond/pearl. so to sum it all up dont buy this unless youre gunna get diamond/pearl. Full Review »
  2. Pokemon Ranger fails within the pokemon franchises history. The entire concept of the game does not work, drawing circles around pokemon, instead of catching and battling trainers. Would be good as an added edition to another pokemon game but not as it's own game. The gaame is tiring and becomes extremely frustrating throughout, with many pokemon seemingly impossible to catch. The story line works well but apart from that Pokemon Ranger is just another game to throw onto the pile. Full Review »
  3. JessicaK
    9
    I really do like this game. The only thing is that the partner pokemon you can choose from are sort of lame. Besides that, the game has a very, very dramatic storyline. The thing I really enjoyed about this game was the whole "target clear" idea. Its kind of like the hms in the other pokemon games, but you use it on basically any target in your way. I just really like the idea of this game. Full Review »