Release Date: March 18, 2016
A three-dimensional fighting game with Pokémon. Pokkén Tournament has been made by the key creators of the Tekken and Soulcalibur series. It was initially released in Japanese arcades in July 2015. Wii U console version introduces many fixes, as well as a single player mode. Fights take the form of one on one duels on closed arenas.
Pokkén Tournament for WiiU is classic fighting game with the Pokémon as fighters. It is a result of collaboration between Nintendo and the devs from Bandai Namco, led by Katsuhiro Harada (known for his work on Tekken series) and Masaaki Hoshino (who supervised the Soulcalibur franchise). It debuted in Japanese arcades in July 2014, and then there came the console version, which added new single player options and fixed many things, thanks to the players’ feedback.
The basics of Pokkén Tournament for WiiU follow schemes of the most popular three-dimensional fighting games. Two contestants face each other on an enclosed arena, with players being able to choose from several Pokémon, including those from old and new entries in main RPG series. The list includes e.g. Lucario, Machamp, Suicune, Gardevoir, Pikachu, Gengar, Weavile, Charizard and Blaziken. Each of them has different fighting style and unique combos. Additionally, other Pokémon can be summoned for a few seconds to support player’s character, like Frogadier, Eevee, Lapras or Whimiscott, all with single-use, powerful attacks.
Pokkén Tournament lets us face both artificial intelligence, or real players – through LAN or the Internet.
Colorful visuals offer many details, both in Pokémon models and carefully designed arenas. Additionally, veterans of main RPG series will recognize familiar sound effects and music.
Platforms:
Nintendo Wii U
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Nintendo
Age restrictions: none
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Game Ratings for Pokken Tournament Video Game.
Destructoid: 7.5 / 10 by Chris Carter
Pokkén Tournament is more than meets the eye, and it would be foolish to judge it just based on the Pokémon name alone. Bandai Namco has crafted a deep brawler that deserves to be up there with a lot of the competition, but some logistical issues specific to the Wii U hold the game back a bit more than I'd like.
Game Informer: 7 / 10 by Kyle Hilliard
Pokkén is a fun fighter with familiar Pokémon characters and surprising depth, but it failed to become a fighter I see myself playing for years to come
GamesBeat: 79 / 100 by Willie Clark
Pokkén Tournament isn't quite as successful as some of the other Pokémon releases and other genre experiments (Pokémon Conquest comes to mind), but it offers high-energy battles and a unique framework for fights, even if it could use some tweaking. It's fun, and it has a battle ecosystem with real potential. Also, I do think its multiplayer could have legs in the esports scene.
Average score from votes.
![[0:30] trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/86741345.jpg)
