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Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 167 Ratings

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  • Summary: Pokemon XD is a sequel to the role-playing game Pokémon Coliseum. You'll play as Michael, a Pokémon trainer who is trying to thwart the evil Cipher. Cipher plans to control the world by using the powerful, but unpredictable, shadow Pokémon. Now you must fight back byPokemon XD is a sequel to the role-playing game Pokémon Coliseum. You'll play as Michael, a Pokémon trainer who is trying to thwart the evil Cipher. Cipher plans to control the world by using the powerful, but unpredictable, shadow Pokémon. Now you must fight back by collecting your own shadow Pokémon and beating Cipher's goons in battle. Pokémon XD also lets you import Pokémon from Game Boy Advance Pokémon games and participate in head-to-head battles with other players. Expand
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Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Official Movie 1
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 27
  2. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. Nintendo Power
    85
    With the phenomenal graphics and custom rule sets, XD provides a perfect environment for battling friends. [Nov 2005, p.102]
  2. Gale of Darkness is one of those games that will use its claws to grab you by the gonads until you complete it.
  3. Fails to stand up to typical console RPGs in terms of story telling and game mechanics. It simply does not offer the complexity that console gamers would expect and hope for in an RPG title.
  4. 65
    An overall unimpressive title from people who should know better, Pokémon XD feels like a quickie cash-grab.
  5. Saccharine, ultra kid-friendly situations and plot lines.
  6. 60
    The game is addictive, fun, and quite lengthy, but these half-fledged console outings are wearing thin, if only because the franchise has the potential to be something great.
  7. As far as Nintendo seems to be concerned, at least until the first DS outing, Pokémon begins and ends with the Game Boy. Pokémon XD is tedious and restrictive. The message is clear: if you want Pokémon, crack open a GBA.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 44
  2. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. Oct 17, 2012
    10
    Outstanding. This sequel fixed all of the problems Colosseum had while keeping the fun elements of Pokémon that we all know and love.Outstanding. This sequel fixed all of the problems Colosseum had while keeping the fun elements of Pokémon that we all know and love. Sure, you can't catch any Pokémon you want, but I honestly like the Shadow Pokémon system. For those who don't know, the plot revolves around and evil organization called Cipher returning from the events of the first console game and using Shadow Pokémon to accomplish their goals. Shadow Pokémon are simply Pokémon whose hearts have been sealed off allowing them to become more powerful than they were before(but with a few usage drawbacks). It's the job of the silent protagonist, Michael, to capture and purify all of the Shadow Pokémon he can and destroy the revived Cipher organization. I do believe this game is worth giving a shot: Pokémon XD, it's a different Pokémon adventure, but a damn fun one. Expand
  2. Sep 6, 2017
    10
    Love this game! It's just amazing! I love the story, love the characters (Except for Jovi!) WAY better than X and Y! I absolutely recommendLove this game! It's just amazing! I love the story, love the characters (Except for Jovi!) WAY better than X and Y! I absolutely recommend this game, and in Beastprogamer's words, If you hate it, then you're as silly as Justin Bieber! Expand
  3. Apr 21, 2014
    10
    Most underrated game ever. Critics don't appreciate this game enough, and it needs love. While not the best Gamecube game, it should be anMost underrated game ever. Critics don't appreciate this game enough, and it needs love. While not the best Gamecube game, it should be an essential addition. Memorable characters, a plot that has more depth than most Pokemon games, and challenging. Plus, who doesn't love the fact that an Eevee is your starter? Expand
  4. Dec 12, 2014
    9
    A fantastic pokemon game but with many differences to the gba or ds games. in this game you cannot catch all the pokemon in this generationsA fantastic pokemon game but with many differences to the gba or ds games. in this game you cannot catch all the pokemon in this generations pokedex witch was not a good idea, but this teaches players to use what they do have. It sucks i cant have my absol but a houndoom does work as well Expand
  5. May 19, 2023
    9
    This game is a complete departure from the standard Pokemon formula. I have owned this game since 2005 and replay it every 3 or 4 years. NoThis game is a complete departure from the standard Pokemon formula. I have owned this game since 2005 and replay it every 3 or 4 years. No other pokemon game has caught my interest like this one has. The game presents a nice challenge with a compelling objective.

    Not without it's issues though. The repetitive foes falling from the ceiling can be very frustrating, the variety of available pokemon is kind of weak especially for catching wild (only 9), there is no form of customization beyond your name. I would have at least liked a female option.

    Unfortunately, being a GameCube game in short supply, good luck trying to buy this game for under $100, going on eBay for $100 - $300. So unless Nintendo releases a version for switch, emulation is very easy and offers a better gaming experience than the GameCube that could be ran on some very weak hardware, just do not max out the settings.
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  6. Feb 28, 2021
    8
    Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is probably the best console Pokémon game that has a lot of fun and a lot of flaws. It has great environments,Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is probably the best console Pokémon game that has a lot of fun and a lot of flaws. It has great environments, fun gameplay, and a gripping story. However, the game gets repetitive after a while and I would have liked a little bit more freedom on the exploration aspect. However, this is still a good game and worth your time. Expand
  7. Jul 9, 2022
    1
    XD is the sequel to Colosseum and almost the same game in fashion. While they do make the Shadow Pokemon far more useful and easy to purify,XD is the sequel to Colosseum and almost the same game in fashion. While they do make the Shadow Pokemon far more useful and easy to purify, they took out even more of the battling cups compared to Colosseum, you are still forced into double battles almost the entire time, and still has the same stench of laziness of using the Game Boy Cries over the realistic cries of Stadium and Stadium 2. Overall it is lacking even compared to Colosseum, with the only thing fantastic being the soundtrack. Expand

See all 44 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

57
6
#6 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2005