Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4092 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: 45496735319
• Released on: 2005-03-11
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Subtitled in: German
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .75" h x 5.25" w x 5.00" l, .20 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Nintendo have certainly rolled out the big guns for the launch of their new console. Although a true Pokemon role-playing game is not due for a while yet, the little critters have made their way onto the Nintendo DS via a rather more unusual route.

Pokemon Dash is a racing game viewed from a top down perspective, making its most obvious point of comparison the old Codemasters Micro Machines games. You control one of a dozen or so Pokemon (more courses and monsters can be added to the game if you have a copy of one of the previous GBA games) around an ostensibly simple course of checkpoints.

The big gimmick with the game is that instead of using the D-pad as in a normal race game you have to physically move Pikachu and pals by constantly rubbing the screen as if the stylus was the little fella’s scampering feet. Controlling direction at the same time creates a surprisingly tactile game where you almost feel you’ve got as much exercise as your chosen Pokémon. You have to hit checkpoints in a certain order and the game soon introduces sections where you have to use balloons or the Nessie-like Lapras to cross water, with the former forcing you to skydive to the ground aiming directly at the checkpoint.

As fun as it is, this is an almost unapologetically simple game, with little additional depth revealing itself once you’ve got the hang of the basic principles. It’s still entertaining though and dedicated Pokemon fans in particular will lap it up. --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
Faster than a speeding Latios, here comes Pikachu! Using the Nintendo DS' touch screen, propel your Pokémon towards the finish line by rubbing the screen in the direction you want to move; as you rub the screen more frantically, so Pikachu will tear across the level with that much more zip. The action takes place from an overhead viewpoint, with a series of circuits across forests and dunes to master as well as ever-craftier Pokémon competition to beat. Up to six players (each needs a copy of the game) can race against each other using the DS's wireless multiplayer functionality, and you can even use existing GBA Pokémon games such as Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed and LeafGreen to add a wealth of new courses!

Customer Reviews

Dash onto Amazon to buy your Copy!
I was unsure whether to buy Pokemon dash. I love Pokemon games but Pokemon racing???

How glad am I that I got this. It is a little confusing about what you're doing at first which is why you need to run through and pay attention to the tutorial. Once you get used to the subtleties of this game, you will love it.

Another game where having the dual screen and the stylus just rocks so much - as you are racing through the various terrains, you have a map on the top screen and your main screen as the touch screen where you control how your pokemon moves. You will be tapping and scraping that screen like crazy!

It is slightly easy to complete the standard levels although you still have more to unlock after this and you do need to have mastered all the techniques to get through the harder levels. That aside, you will want to win first place in every single race as it has so much playability and the great thing is that it's something you can pick up and play for just 5 mins or a couple of hours.

Inventive, fun and can't wait for the new pokemon game later this year!

A good launch for pokemon
This is actually good.(Spoiler warning) As Pikachu,you take place in 5 colour cups with 6 races in each race. Using the stylus,you make little pika run in lots of directions,going past checkpoints to get to the end. You play against 5 other pokemon, and your overall score is depended on your positions(1st,2nd,3rd etc.) Coming in 1st,2nd or 3rd unlocks you the next cup, but coming in 4th,5th or 6th means you have to try again. There are lots of things to use to help you get through,like flying across in balloons,or riding across the ocean on Lapras's back. Power ups make you run super fast through a certain bit of ground. Once you have done the main mode,you unlock hard mode,The same but harder and with different players. Plus you get to go on special courses of your GBA POKEMON(Ruby,Sapphire,FR,LG and emerald).
Plus,this is the first pokemon game to feature Munchlax.

Overall:
Good:
Fun and challenging
Ok graphics
Maximum use of stylus
Good idea of using GBA pokemon courses
Good music

Bad:
You can only play as Pikachu in single player
Sometimes quite tyring.

So if you have just completed a long game and want a nice short one,this is the game for you.

Beat That Torchic!!
Run Pikachu Run!!! In this game you control the lovable mouse/electric type pokemon Pikachu as he races others to become the fastest creature in the land. The touch pad is the crucial element to this game as he runs by rubbing the stylus on the touch pad in the direction you wish him to go. The top screen on the DS constantly proves useful as well as it shows your position in the race and where you are on the map, making navigation a lot easier. At times the game can be infuruating but it's certainly very satisfying to see Pikachu win thanks to your superior stylus skills.

Pikachu can win each race by touching pokeball shaped pads in the right order, faster than all the other pokemon. He can reach these pads by running, riding on the back of a Lapras to cross water from island to island or for longer distances, flying in a hot air balloon. There are certain terrains that are harder for him than others such as grass, sand, forrest and lava (!) but you can pick up bonuses that allow him to navigate these more easily as you run around the map. It is very easy and addictive gameplay with many cups to participate in and 3 different 'GP' levels or difficulty levels, similar to Mario Kart. There is also a time attack feature and the ability to create your own tracks by plugging in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Fire Red/Leaf Green into the DS at the same time so that you can challenge your friends to something different in the multiplayer mode. The music is reminiscent of all the other Pokemon games and Pikachu's exclamations of "Pika!" every now again remind you why you love Pokemon so much and sets it apart from other racing games that have been spawned fom popular role-playing or platform games.

Whilst being very addictive and having immense replay value it does have its downsides, at times the Pikachu does not seem to want to follow your stylus as perhaps it should and each cup can become a bit repetitive as you race on the same map within each cup (different maps for different cups) you just have to touch the pads in a different order, or visit one extra island you didn't have to on the previous race. Also as opposed to other DS games the multiplayer function is only available if everyone playing has a copy of the game.

However, all the downsides become worth it when you see your little Pikachu holding his gold trophy when he wins the cup and reacting and giggling when you tickle him with pride with the stylus.