
We’re now just over a year into the Switch’s life and, despite knowing that the core Pokémon franchise will make the leap from 3DS to the new hybrid console at some point in the future, we know absolutely nothing about how the series might evolve with the huge system differences. Keeping the Poké-dream alive on the dedicated handheld, however, is Detective Pikachu, and between its fresh approach to storytelling and wonderful visual presentation of the franchise’s world, we’d be more than happy to see some inspiration be taken from this spin-off for future titles.
The game seems to be the beginning of a new side to the franchise that The Pokémon Company deeply believes in - we already have a live-action film in the works with some pretty big names on board – and rightly so; we haven’t really seen a Pokémon game quite like this before and it shines brighter because of it. Sitting somewhere between the likes of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games and the core series, Detective Pikachu gives you a great sense of how humans and Pokémon live together, allowing you to properly see both sides of that dynamic.

Detective Pikachu himself is undoubtedly the star of the show. While the initial shock of seeing that cute little mouse we’ve adored for 20 years suddenly turn into a gruff, heavy coffee-drinking sass machine took us slightly off guard, he soon had us chuckling away at his little patronising comments. Working alongside Pikachu is Tim Goodman, the human hero in the story, and together they make a truly likeable team that could easily work well on the big screen. There’s a bucket-load of charm shared between the pair of them, usually appearing during mini cutscenes, with Pikachu comically stealing the limelight wherever possible. You won’t be able to trigger every single one of these scenes in a single playthrough, but the giant Pikachu amiibo will allow you to unlock them all, should you be lucky enough to have one at your disposal.
The gameplay itself sees the two tackling cases together, with Tim talking to humans and Pikachu talking to other Pokémon as they explore Ryme City to find out what has happened to Tim’s father - and solve a variety of criminal mysteries along the way. Tim can understand what Pikachu is saying which, aside from working as a comedic effect, also plays a part in the grand scheme of the plot. You can ask potential witnesses questions from a menu of options, gathering little nuggets of information that will later be used to crack each case, and as you discover more and more info, you’ll also be able to go back and talk to the same people (or Pokémon) to ask them new questions based on your latest findings. Talking to everyone is key as you’ll always be able to find out the information you need from those around you.

The bottom screen of the 3DS houses menus that keep all of the information you’ve uncovered safely written down for you; if you forget what someone has said, you can just check back through all of the notes there. Once you and Pikachu have collected enough information, your electric buddy will prompt you to solve the case, tasking you with remembering what has been said and piecing different bits of the puzzle together. For the most part this is all very standard, easy stuff, but you do have to pay attention to what’s going on unless you want to just guess your way through Pikachu’s quizzes; there were times when we weren’t 100% confident on our answers, even with this approach.
Aside from this gameplay loop there are also sections that contain quick time events, tasking you with pressing the ‘A’ button at the right time to trigger the next cutscene or mashing the button to interact with objects. There is no real penalty for missing these, though, as you’ll usually just be treated to a slightly different scene if you mess up. One early example sees Pikachu falling from a great height and, should you leave it too long before pressing the button to catch him, he’ll simply bounce off you safely and carry on regardless.

The game is split up into nine different chapters, tripling in size from the initial Japanese release’s three. These vary in length from anywhere between 40 minutes and a couple of hours’ worth of playtime, and showcase a great variety of locations such as caves, laboratories, a cafe, a beach, and more. The tasks you’ll be completing over the course of the game feel pretty repetitive, so the differences in scenery are welcome - especially in certain chapters which provide you with a much larger area to explore.
Some chapters have quite a limited, linear feel to them, seeing you explore back and forth, left to right through sectioned-off areas, but the larger ones open the game up a little further, often containing maps to help you get around. The larger chapters tend to offer a wider variety of gameplay styles, too, with some traditional-feeling point-and-click style action being present on occasion where you’ll need to examine crime scenes for key evidence.
The game isn’t without its problems, though; that sense of repetition we mentioned is an ever-present issue that naturally builds and builds with each passing hour. The story is truly gripping and, when you couple that with the constant location changes, you’ll definitely want to see the game through to the end, but with most cases being a little too simple for mature audiences, you might start to lose a little of the initial excitement later on. Similarly, making any wrong guesses – or doing anything incorrect at all, in fact – has absolutely no consequence on the game. This is great for younger players who will need second chances, of course, but it means that you can just keep pressing every dialogue response with no thought whatsoever until you pick the correct answers, if you so wish.

There are moments where you’ll figure out cases early on, too – and you might even spot key items that will play a central part of the chapter – but until the game formally directs you towards that particular goal, you’ll be unable to do anything about it. It makes sense, being a narrative-driven game, but occasionally this feels like sections are being stretched a little to push up the game’s 10 to 12 hour length.
Despite these little niggles, though, we couldn’t help but come away from the game with ridiculously wide grins on our faces (even if we were surprised to see everything end so soon). Detective Pikachu presents the Pokémon world in the way many of us dreamt about growing up; people and Pokémon interact with each other just like in the anime series, with each monster having their very own unique and wonderful personality, and it is this aspect that we’d love to see make its way to the main series.

The visuals only boost the magic and wonder, too, with some of the most gorgeous character models we’ve seen in the series appearing throughout. Watching a Ludicolo waitress perform an adorable little song and dance, as well as carrying coffee mugs on her lily pad-style head, is a true wonder to behold. The game doesn’t contain any 3D visual support, which is a shame considering how pretty it can be, but you’ll likely be too soaked up in the storytelling to care.
Conclusion
Detective Pikachu might be described as a spin-off, but the visual and narrative direction the game has taken is an incredibly welcome one that we would love to see again. The gameplay can be a little too easy and repetitive at times, and we were surprised to see the ending appear so abruptly, but everything is presented within a very solid package that will have kids and adults alike hooked. Dedicated fans of the series will likely get the most out of the experience, with the game’s art, storytelling, and genuinely likeable cast showing the world of Pokémon in a great new light, but we’d urge anyone interested to give this one a go. Our adventure only just ended but we’re missing our Pika-pal already.
Comments 75
No Danny DeVito...0/10.
I don't like being that guy (especially when I'm planning on buying all of Atlus' planned 3DS releases), but... I have no desire to play this on 3DS, so I'll give it a pass.
@Ralizah
Same here. I'll wait for a HD remaster on switch
Been waiting for this one for a while. I expect to like it despite the apparent flaws.
Sorry, but all my focus is on Pokémon Switch. I don't care about any 3DS Pokémon game anymore.
More creativity than the last six pokemon games combined, means I will buy into it. Although I seriously cannot understand the nondesire to play a game just cause its on 3DS. It's not like its a hundred hours long lol.
OK, can we all not moan about how this isn't on Switch or isn't exactly how you wanted to be, or something? The smaller Japanese version of the game was started in 2013 and released in 2016, of course they're gonna keep it on 3DS for its final release. Maybe work on upscaling it in the future, but give them chance to release it as they intended.
I, for one, am happy to see my beloved 3DS get even more support, but I am very biased towards it! (But I love my Switch too!)
I'll get it but probably not right now thanks to the spring sale.
Imma buying this up. I want to wait for it to come for Switch but... I need this now!
10 to 12 hours is good with me. I don't have time for every game to be 30 or 40 hrs of content
Come back when you‘re on Switch, game! Totally getting the Amiibo tho.
@Nintendo
Why Its not on switch???
@ieatdragonz I think it's less that it's on the 3DS and more that so many 1st and 3rd party titles are finding their way to the Switch after their initial launches on other consoles.
And seeing as the Switch doesnt have backwards compatibility, I think many are just ready to move forward rather than be "forced" to hang on to the past . Unless there really will be a 3DS successor.
I'll definitely be getting this.
@ieatdragonz - On that same ship as you. Going to be honest, I feel many have feigned interest of it anyway and would like the idea of it on Switch. You know, just in case they get over the ego of the game not being a big budget system seller and spiritual "port" and actually play the game when it drops in price.
@SanderEvers Is that what we're calling a long narrative-based title, these days?
Excellent. Certainly going to treat myself to it after all my deadlines.
buying it as soon as I am done with Alliance Alive.
@DTFaux It would definitely been cool if the development team would have the time/resources/reason to develop it for the Switch as well. However the game has been in development for a long time considering it was episodic.
Plus I don't think people are complaining simply because every "other" 1st party titles are coming to the Switch. When Sushi Striker was first revealed people had the same "Why isn't this on Switch?" reaction. Now that its on Switch you don't hear anyone singing the developers praises, because they never had interest to begin with.
@Paraka People want what they can't have. Some people actually called me a Nintendrone for defending the games on the 3DS haha.
Reading through this review I'm getting pretty big MySims Agents vibes from this. This may have just sold this game for me!
I'll buy this if it ever comes to the Switch.
Like Another Code on Wii
@Nintentoons I know it's only your opinion, but i can't help but notice something about many gamers: Whenever a game comes out that's highly similar to another, it always seems to be "a rip-off" in the eyes of gamers. Can't two similar games co-exist without people minimizing one of them or making comparisons?
This is more noticeable when it comes to niche titles. So if a new lawyer-type game comes out, it wouldn't surprise me if people call it an Ace Attorney rip-off.
I've been excited for this since it originally released in Japan, so I'll be picking it up ASAP. So glad to hear it's an expanded version.
@diablo2 I agree...all games are the same in some ways, and all companies tend to copy to go with the fanbase. Nintendo has theres, Sony has theres and Microsoft has theres. I have all 3 of the newer consoles (PS4, Switch and XBONE). I love the Super Lucky's Tale game on XBONE, but every time I play it, I definitely see the Mario and Sonic copycat in it, but, for ones who don't own anything nintendo, it's a welcome treat for them...just like PS3's Playstation All Stars Battle Royale (which copied from Smash)...both are different, both are basically the same, but for the ones that don't own nintendo, they get Sony's, or vice versa. I think it's just the fact that people love complaining and defending their own games, and don't realize that their game probably wasn't the first of it's kind. And, these detective-type games were around since the age of computers came into play...I guess we can start saying that it copied off of Dejavu (NES and PC) or even a few that were out in arcades!!!! Anyways, I agree whole heartedly with your opinion!!!!
It does seem odd to release a 2D only Pokemon game on the 3DS now.
@ieatdragonz - Happens a lot with me too, and sometimes an "Xbot" when I call Nintendo out on their garbage actions too.
And your example of Sushi Striker is EXACTLY the right example of how people would treat Detective Pikachu if it moved to Switch. Some may even claim it as Nintendo's Pokemon Switch game.
Kinda feels like a game where you can get most of the experience watching a playthrough rather than spending $40.
depending on which one you read first, either this review is answering destructoid's question, or destructoid's is sarcastically repeating the words of this one.
@Anti-Matter You can change the voice to Japanese with subtitles in the game if you really want. But Detective Pikachu sounds gruff no matter the language
Loving all the salty switch owners. Don't be mad at nintendo because you bought the wrong console.
Not interested in Pokemon until it releases on the Switch
this is nintendo's way of making fans spend money on a dead console. the 3ds is dead, they can talk all they want. i love the 3ds but the next game I'll buy for it will be in a few years when people start getting rid of them
And now to turn it into a movie!
Looks cute, probably a fun game for kids, but I am not that interested in it.
I know many want this on switch, but I think it suits much better to 3ds! Can't wait to pick it up
I'll be grabbing this, though not on launch day. I actually don't mind that the narrative is a little on the short side when compared to some games; not all good stories have to be 30+ hours long!
@diablo2 Calling everything a 'rip-off' or a 'cash-grab' or a 'scam' lets people indulge their 'gamer victim complex' with few quick keystrokes. It's basically saying 'everyone is out to get me but I'm clever enough to see through it'; simultaneously paranoid and aloof. Which probably says more about us gamers than I'd like to imagine.
Also, even if you were to make comparisons, the Layton one is a bit flimsy. I played the game when it first released on the Japanese eShop, and I'd say it had a fair bit more in common with the Ace Attorney games (particularly the 'out of court' sections) than with the Layton series. Layton's central mechanic is solving puzzles, which are largely unrelated to each other and tenuously linked to the case in question. Ace Attorney on the other hand has you hunting down and using information to solve specific cases, which must be recalled later in order to piece together a comprehensive picture of an event. Deceptive Pikachu is highly structured around this idea.
So even if he's going to accuse it of being a 'rip-off' of something, he's got the wrong series.
A few years ago, this same group of complaining Switch owners were having a fit that there were games being released on GameBoy Advance instead of 3ds. Or on GameCube instead of Wii. I say get over it. In another few years you will be having a fit that games are being released for the Switch instead of whatever new console you've replaced it with then. Can't anyone be happy to have some games on old AND new systems?! Ridiculous.
It's looking like this game is getting some love.
I preordered form the official store, but it's been stuck in "The sender has advised us they're preparing your item." since yesterday. Looking doubtful it'll arrive on launch day.
If it had 3D I would have picked up a copy I dont see the sense in releasing titles like this on the 3DS any longer and yes I know there is a 2DS which don't make much sense to me either when we have a portable console like the Switch . I think the stereoscopic 3D effect has seen it's swan song for titles, unless Captain Toad or the Luigi's Mansion remake have stereoscopic 3D which I really hope they do I for one am a huge fan of it.
i picked up new 2ds pikachu edition need the game now
I've been waiting for this game for a long time.
I would consider getting this then (which is inevitable because of the movie) the models look pretty good for the 3DS, it would have been better to get a port on Switch. Here's hoping this and the Super Mario movie can finally break the Hollywood video game losing streak
@BionicDodo I'm quite happy that they sacrificed the 3D and instead went for nicer graphics. It is probably the best looking 3DS game I have ever played.
A store near my workplace put up the game too early, so I have already finished the first chapter. So far it is way too easy and I think I can already guess what the big plot twist will be at the end of the story but I'm really liking the characters, especially Pikachu.
@gatorboi352 and if you bought both consoles but would rather it be on the newer one?
@Romeo-75 On the Direct they do mention Captain Toad as having '3D visuals' as a USP - meaning something the Switch doesn't have. I take this to mean that at least this title will have our much love stereoscopic 3D. I also I'm still a huge fan of it - I'll be really shocked if LM doesn't have it when Dark Moon did - especially since it appears to be built directly from the same engine.
Sad to see people passing up great games just because it's on last-gen hardware.
After hearing the voice for Pikachu in this game, I'm not sure if Renolds can do it for me in the movie. Time will tell. I'm ready for this game though!
@NicolausCamp
+1
Yes, Really is very sad, and, well, again, people really like Negativity;
Don't believe me? See comments:
Reasons why some people won't buy this great game:
-Because is for 3DS
-Is for a Last gen / "Dead" console
-will wait until Switch version
Oh well...
I fancy giving it a try some time but as usual I have a backlog to get through.
We'll be getting the game and the amiibo. Kind of looking forward to this one.
Spin-offs are fine but should remain spin offs. I want the main series brought to Switch first(Of course I want it updated, expanded on and improved, but I still want the main series to live on).
This game is cute but the idea of playing a game with this much dialogue and cinematic presentation on the outdated 3DS just puts me off incredibly. I know it was released in Japan a good while ago so I understand it, but it's still a downside. If this game ever gets a Switch Port, or a Switch sequel, I will play it then.
Can't be as bad as Hey you pikachu
@nowshining
"I believe it is Ryan Reynolds = ####@@@@...For the Movie to play Detective Pikachu...."
Exactly...
It's not on Switch because this is a localization of an older 3DS game and updating it for Switch would've taken tons of work.
I love my Switch too, people. But hell, the 3DS is still a great portable. Not like you can't carry it around, and not like there aren't tons of other great games for it that warrant doing so. It was made with 3DS in mind (which has functions the Switch doesn't), so I'd probably get it for 3DS even if they did make a Switch port.
Complain about Luigi's Mansion not being on Switch. That one ACTUALLY makes no sense.
@Anti-Matter I'm pretty sure what they were trying to say is that Pikachu has a different voice actor in the game...
This Switch port begging is getting really annoying. Any time the 3DS (or even Wii U) is mentioned, we have to sit through "where's the Switch port", "why", and "I refuse to buy a great game on a console I own, because it's not Switch".
I honestly don't understand the mentality. If a new good game came out on Sega Megadrive, I'd buy it, because I own the console. I don't need every game to be on the latest, flashy console. I take it these people don't go back a play any of their past consoles, because they can't stand to look at them? I'd be happy that the money I paid for older console is STILL getting me new content today.
Anyway, I'll get the game at some point, because it sounds fun. Probably pick up the amiibo too, because I've found it relatively cheap.
I feel like I'm looking at screenshots from a PS1 game, what the hell year is this, Nintendo? This game should've been on Switch.
Good thing Amazon UK didn't dispatch my pre-order and have now sent me an e-mail with the following delivery estimate: April 20 2018 - April 26 2018
Thanks Amazon.
@0muros ...because it was developed for 3DS
Ugh why is Amazon now saying my pre-order isn’t coming till April 26th? I’ve been waiting for this since it released in Japan
Well Nintendo UK store pre-order has not shown up in today's post and Customer Services are unable to do anything except escalate this to Customer Relations(!) who will reply at some point in the next 2-3 working days. That's not good enough, really.
@Peterjr1 Thanks we are not sure yet. Maybe a surprise about this game at E3.
I wonder if we'll get a port of this or a sequel when the Ryan Reynolds movie comes out?
@Peterjr1 Complain thru the chat - they'll give you a $5 credit - and make sure to try to get the person in the chat to commit to something date wise or you will cancel your order. What they commit to will be a lie. Chat them again and refer to the last chat - tell them to check the transciprt. Make sure the whole time you are mentioning "this was A PREORDER, why was my copy not secured?" They'll say something about it being a "popular" item. Try to get your shipping speed bumped up to match better shipping, if you're not a Prime member. If the item hasn't shipped yet on the day they promised you it would in the chat, do another chat and complain. Threaten to cancel your order the whole time. At some point they may offer you "full refund if you do not receive it within 48 hrs, but you keep the game". This guarantees you two things, faster shipping even though they delayed sending it, or a free game. This happened to me, it's all lies on their end, and I ended up getting Bayonetta 2 for free (I received it in 49 hrs). WIth Kirby, they still didn't ship until the sunday following release, and I get 5 dollar credit for it. Amazon is the worst with Nintendo stuff. Better to order thru Best Buy's 30 dollar GCU. Only used Amazon because my sister got me a gift card for christmas. Not trying to be a scammer, but they infuriated me in February.
pretty fun
Can you also unlock the extra cutscenes without the amiibo???
You guys have any tips on smashing the A button? I keep missing even tho I am on easy mode.
When does the A button exactly light up on screen ): ? I'm stuck at the part where we're trying to infiltrate the warehouse
I can't imagine why anybody who owns a 3DS would refuse to by a 3DS game they wanted to play, regardless of whether it was for sale two years ago, yesterday, or ten years from now. My microwave is not the newest version available either, but that doesn't mean I eat cold leftovers. Just seems like spite to me.
Anyway, I bought, played, and enjoyed Detective Pikachu. Calling the ending abrupt is pretty generous, if you ask me. It was a nice game, but it feels incomplete with this ending. Maybe they're setting themselves up for sequels - which, fair - but the brevity of playtime and the actual ending made this one feel like half a game rather than a self-sufficient title. I am experiencing a bit of regret for paying $40-something for it, but it was nevertheless a good experience so no big deal.
Soooo they are asking full price for a game that was just a simple download in Japan...okay?!
"The game is split up into nine different chapters, tripling in size from the initial Japanese release’s three"
Okay, I didn't know that.
Wife told me in Japan the second Detective Pikachu game has been released. I am really happy that this first one is finally released here in Europe.
It will be the first Pokemon game purchase for me after all these years. Seems the most interesting of all the series.
@Romeo-75
It makes absolute sense because there's a zero percent chance I'm buying each of my three kids a switch at the current price point. But they all have 2DS'
I guess most new 3ds games are now 2d to get the 2ds XLs to fly off shelves.
Might put up with that for a top line rpg ( strange journey I am looking at you ) , but not here.
Shame as it looked interesting / charming , but unfortunately will have to be a pass / wait till cheap due to no 3d
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