The Pokeball

EDIT: An updated version of this article was writtenf or my other website miscrave, just click here to read that improved version of it here.

The Figure finally came out in the US, the release date was September 19th (after being delayed a month) and then apparently pushed back to Oct. 3rd but I found them on my game store this past weekend after the Toys R Us Manaphy event. Glad to see the game finally released here, I've been looking forward to the game since I found the pokemon-figures.com website in 05 or 06.I found it at my local game store and grabbed the two starter sets since its the only things they had.

The game as first released in Europe and Australia to "test" the Market. It seemed odd since I'd think Japan or America where Pokemon is a lot bigger would be a good place to "start" the game. Anyways the game bombed there and from what I've read it made sense. You have a smaller market there, the figures were priced high and the booster randomization of the boosters apparently was very bad. When you're paying a lot of money for something you don't want to have the same "common" figure everyone has.

I feel things have been fixed for the American release though I've already seen two different commercials being played on TV. Also instead of expensive randomized boosters they have three different SKU's:
-A single visible figure
-A visible figure and a "hidden" figure and trainer card.
-A promo visible figure (D/P Pokemon) a visible figure and a hidden figure and trainer card.

You also have the two different starters which include a trainer figure and three Pokemon (all visible). It also includes a rule book, the playing mat, three trainer cards and a figures collection/poster. Those cost $15 which with tax equaled to about $4 a figure, it may seem high for a figure especially for kids but they are worth it. The single boosters I was told cost $3.99 don't know about the other ones. By being able to view the figures and having a "mystery" figure you can still get something you payed for while having something random so its a nice mix.

Anyways now to the review of the actual figures and game:

The packaging on the starter packs is well done, you can clearly see the figures which I think is one of the selling points of the game. Like mentioned the starter pack comes with everything you'd need to play the game, well except an opponent with 3 figures. You can also play the game 6 on 6 but three is enough for a simpler game.

The actual figures themselves are amazing, they are bigger than most figure games which allows them to be very detailed. Even if this wasn't a game the figures should sell themselves. I've collected Pokemon figures since the beginning and these are the best I've seen. The poses and details are great. The spinning bases work without problem.

I had doubts about the game after I read some of the rules from other people who had played it overseas, I thought it might not be that much fun however I was wrong. The game is game is truly simple for most to play but has a lot of complexity as well. The spinning to attack is not bad to the game by adding too much randomness. Three on three games can be fast or long, while six on six is sure to have epic matches that will take longer and add more strategy, especially when you add the trainer figures and cards. The game can only get better with more expansions that would add more strategy. The basic thing is at the end of the game you had fun and you want to pay again. I hope the game is not too expensive for kids as they are the target audience. The game is fun and the figures are amazing. I have played the Trading Card Game since it came out and I think the figure game is a lot more fun. Hope the people and the company give the game a chance as it starts and to see more expansions to the TFG. Highly Recommended to any Pokemon fans whether you like the anime/games/TCG and also recommended to anyone else.