Pokémon Dash[b] is a racing video game developed by Ambrella and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was a launch title both in Japan and Europe. Dash was released in Japan on December 2, 2004; Europe on March 11, 2005; North America on March 14, 2005; and Australia on April 7, 2005. It was the first Pokémon game to be released for the Nintendo DS.
| Pokémon Dash | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Ambrella[a] |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Director(s) | Muneaki Ozawa Miki Obata Shin Naka Yoshihiro Hatta Norio Matsumura Kunimi Kawamura |
| Producer(s) | Kunimi Kawamura Hitoshi Yamagami |
| Designer(s) | Miki Obata Norio Matsumura |
| Programmer(s) | Takayuki Ito Yosuke Suma Nayuta Taga Ein Terakawa Hisato Matsumoto |
| Composer(s) | Miki Obata |
| Series | Pokémon |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The player uses a stylus to control a Pikachu and race through checkpoints. After players have passed each of the number of checkpoints in order, the course is completed. Dash has multiplayer support, and can connect with 6 different devices.
Gameplay
editDash is a top-down perspective racing video game in which the player uses a stylus to control a Pikachu and race through checkpoints. After players have passed all the checkpoints in order, the course is completed. The stylus is used by moving the stylus in the direction the player wants Pikachu to run. Along with racing on the ground, there are races in the sky using balloons.[2] There are many different terrains such as mazestone paths, forests, beaches, water, swamp, and lava pools. Throughout the courses are power ups which allow the player to run on different terrains without slowing down.[3] Dash also features a training cup, which is given to players starting the game for the first time. After completing the training cup, the player has the chance to play in the Grand Prix Mode. There are five main cups to compete in GP mode. Dash also offers harder GP modes that can be unlocked, which put the player against a faster level of Pokémon. Each cup has five courses within its area.
Connectivity to other devices
editDash has multiplayer support. Up to six Nintendo DS units can be connected together allowing six Pikachus to race each other at once.[2] Dash features compatibility with the Game Boy Advance games Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, or Emerald. If the player inserts any of those cartridges in Slot 2, and has completed GP mode, they can play courses shaped like the Pokémon in their team. The time to complete the courses depends on factors like type and level.[2]
Development
editDash was developed for the Nintendo DS by Ambrella, who also developed Hey You, Pikachu! and Pokémon Channel. It was first revealed October 7, 2004, as a launch title for Japan.[4] Dash was released in Japan on December 2, 2004; Europe on March 11, 2005; North America on March 14, 2005; and Australia on April 7, 2005. Before the North American release, The Pokémon Center had pre-order deals which included keychains and DS carrying pouches.[5]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 48.91%[6] |
| Metacritic | 46/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 58/100[8] |
| Game Informer | 55/100[9] |
| GamePro |    [10] |
| GameSpot | 5.2/10[11] |
| GameSpy | [12] |
| IGN | 5/10[2] |
| Nintendo Power | 56/100[13] |
The game received generally negative reviews, having an aggregate score of 46/100 on Metacritic,[7] and a score of 49 on GameRankings.[6] IGN's Craig Harris rated the game 5/10 because the player could only play as Pikachu, even in multiplayer mode, and that the single player mode could also be finished within hours.[2] GameSpot's Alex Navarro rated the game 5.2/10, stating Dash "is simply one of the laziest uses of the DS's touch screen technology to date".[11] GamePro's Slo Mo rated the game 3.5/5 stating "Dash might not make much of a splash, but it should be a good kid-pleaser."[10] GameSpy's Phil Theobald rated the game 2/5 stating "Gimmicky titles like this may be cute diversions, but they're no substitute for the real deal."[12] Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game 58/100, calling it a "cute and fun little racing game that has a great multiplayer component, but there's simply not enough to it."[8] Nintendo Power rated the game 56/100, stating "Controlling Pikachu with stylus strokes is actually quite fun, but as a racing game, Dash isn't fully realized."[13] Game Informer rated the game 55/100, calling it more of an exercise in anger management than a game.[9] While discussing the mixed quality of Pokémon spin-offs, Retronauts cited Pokémon Dash as an example.[14]
By December 23, Dash had sold 109,000 copies.[15]
Notes
edit- ^ Co-produced and supervised by Nintendo Software Planning & Development.
- ^ Japanese: ポケモンダッシュ, Hepburn: Pokemon Dasshu
References
edit- ^ Harris, Craig (2005-02-19). "Pokemon Dash Pre-Order Deal". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ a b c d e Craig Harris (March 14, 2005). "Pokemon Dash - Nintendo DS Review at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ Craig Harris (December 6, 2004). "Pokemon Dash - Nintendo DS Preview at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ Anoop Gantayat (October 7, 2004). "NDS Japanese Launch Details - DS News at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ Craig Harris (February 18, 2005). "Pokemon Dash Pre-Order Deal - Nintendo DS News at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b "Pokemon Dash for DS - GameRankings". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b "Pokemon Dash for DS Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b Electronic Gaming Monthly May 2005, p.138
- ^ a b Game Informer May 2005, p.132
- ^ a b Slo Mo (March 22, 2005). "Pokemon Dash Review from GamePro". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b Alex Navarro (Mar 11, 2005). "Pokemon Dash Review for DS - GameSpot". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b Phil Theobald (Mar 13, 2005). "GameSpy: Pok¿mon Dash - Page 1". GameSpy. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ a b Nintendo Power May 2005, p.90
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ IGN Staff (December 23, 2004). "DS Wario and Mario Lap PSP Ridge Racers - DS News at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved 2010-12-16.