Digimon: World Championship Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Epics	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Namco Bandai	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Aug. 26, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

In addition to your little creatures fighting opponents in the game, you can also go online to find opponents. However, since you don't control any facet of the battle system, the online component is really boring and quite forgettable. There's also the issue that there is almost never anyone on, and finding a match (if you can actually call it that) is close to impossible.

Digimon: World Championship screenshot

The only real value I got from the gameplay came in the form of collecting the different Digimon. Although catching them isn't exactly difficult, it's always nice to catch new and interesting Digimon. However, if you catch too many, your training modules will fill up, and you won't be able to take care of them all. But, as long as you can catch Digimon responsibly, there actually is the possibility of fun here, which is something that is seen too little in this title.

As far as technicalities go, Digimon World Championship actually gets a lot of things right. Visuals feature 2D-based sprites that are both colorful and cute. The sound in this game is cute delightful as well. While it is nothing you would want to listen to over and over, it's not bad as far as handheld gaming scores go, and I was really surprised at the overall quality.

It is really easy to criticize poor games for things like poor visuals and controls, but it becomes something else entirely to criticize a game for being something else. Digimon: World Championship feels a lot like the little handheld virtual pets that inspired it. While this is great for a trip down memory lane, it just doesn't work as a standalone game. Digimon World Championship just isn't fun, because after you're done cleaning up all the poo and watching your little Digimon fight, you start wondering why you ever picked this game up in the first place. So, do yourself a favor and leave it on the shelf. If you really need a Digimon fix, I would stick to your old virtual pet from the 90s.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Graphics are good and have very colorful sprite-based characters and environments.

3.5

Control
Controls are easy to learn and use and are almost exclusively stylus-based.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music is quite standard yet enjoyable. Digimon attacks are often accompanied by digital roars, which can be cute.

2.1

Play Value
Digimon: World Championship is less like a game and more like an expanded virtual pet pocket game from the 90s. As such, there's a lot of content, but it's all rather boring.

2.4

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

A New Kind of Digimon Game: Digimon World Championship features hunting, tactical training, and intense title matches in a first for the popular Digimon World series!

Hunt Wild Digimon: Experience the thrill of the hunt and pursue wild Digimon in the vast Digital World. Capture the wild Digimon with weapons, ingenious traps, and more.

Remember Your Training: The way a Tamer trains and treats a Digimon will change the way the Digimon fights and acts.

Buy and utilize different training aids. Teach your Digimon to be strong, or teach your Digimon to be defensive - it is up to you how to train them! The training combinations are endless.

Over 200 Digimon: Digimon World Championship features over 200 Digimon, including returning favorites like Agumon and Gaomon, as well as some new Digimon.

A Massive Digital World : Some wild Digimon can be found only in certain environments. Snowy mountains, sandy deserts, and lush jungles abound. As the day changes to night, different Digimon appear. Check back throughout the day to hunt the most elusive Digimon!