US, November 3, 2006 - With a Pokemon game launching to Japan just a few weeks after the console's 12/2 Japanese release, it would seem that Nintendo is down right serious about this whole Wii thing. Of course, the franchise hasn't been as successful on consoles as it has on portable systems. We see that possibly changing with Pokemon Battle Revolution, which we sampled today at the Nintendo World Wii demo event in Nagoya.
Battle Revolution appears to be an advanced version of the Pokemon battle games that were moderate successes (moderate when compared to the portable RPGs, that is) on the N64 and Cube. Starting with two Pokemon allies, you and a rival face off in a Pokemon trainer battle until one remains without any Poke... men... in his arsenal. Pokemon fans will be instantly at home here when they pick up the Wiimote.
That is, if they pick up the Wiimote. Pokemon Battle Revolution is a perfect combination of console and portable gaming. Not only can you import you Pokemon from Diamond & Pearl and use them in 3D, but you can even make use of your DS as a controller. That's right, while full Wiimote controls are included, you'll be able to control the game in its entirety using the DS.
Nintendo had both forms of play set up for demo today. We first tried out the DS connectivity mode. The DS interfaces with the Wii wirelessly; you can actually see a signal strength meter on the screen as you battle! You use the DS stylus to select attacks, targets, view status, switch out Pokemon and even surrender (note: the game doesn't ask for confirmation!). Anything you'd normally do via on-screen menus is now handled via DS menus.
The interface on the DS end of things is a little bit plain, but it gets the job done. It's heavily text-oriented, with your only clue to which Pokemon is which being the tiny bitmap images that accompany the menu choices. If you're not into Pokemon, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed. Of course, you can always look on-screen for a full 3D version of your Pokefriends. But even then the uninitiated (yes, that includes me... sorry!) may be confused next to a more experienced opponents (I swear that kid had two DS systems on him and was playing both Pearl and Diamond at the same time!).
On the Wii end of things, with the DS taking care of all the nasty menus, the screen is used exclusively to show the on-going battle. Everything is set up like a tournament broadcast, with announcers calling the action and some slick camera work. Even the life meters are 3D objects that appear beneath your Pokemon as they incur attacks. While the battles are as long as their Pokemon Coliseum counterparts, the exciting presentation make the five plus minute fights a bit more interesting.
Opt to go without the DS, and all the menus and battle options appear directly on the television screen. You then use the Wiimote as a pointing device to select attacks. There's nothing special about the control scheme, but then again, the humans aren't the one doing the fighting in these Pokemon games.
Based on the demo, Pokemon Battle Revolution feels like Pokemon Coliseum with pointer controls and the option to use your DS as a controller. Of course, we haven't explored the hidden depths of the game, nor have we seen anything related to the story mode. All should be cleared up in mid December as the game hits Japan