Pokemon Channel review (GameCube)

Pokémon Channel uses a simple first-person perspective--with a hand-shaped pointer that you can use to interact with your environment--as your primary interface. Your ability to interact with your surroundings is pretty limited. You can turn your TV on and off, and you can switch channels by using your pointer to press the buttons or by using your GameCube controller, which has the on/off and channel-changing functions mapped to it. When watching TV, you can choose to zoom and have the program take up the whole screen, or you can pull back slightly, which lets you see Pikachu's reactions to the programming. You're also able to interact with various items in your room. You can interact with Pikachu by calling him and having him investigate objects in your room. In some cases, having Pikachu check out objects rewards you with collectible items.

Additionally, you're also able to leave the confines of your room--if Pikachu will let you--so that you can explore your front and backyards. Both areas feature appearances by assorted pokémon, who vary depending on the time of day. You have limited interaction with everything to one degree or another. In the backyard, you can have Pikachu eat fruit, talk to wild pokémon, and tend to a garden. In the front yard, you can talk to wild pokémon and can eventually catch a bus to see some new sights--once you've gotten the right pass. New areas also offer some minigames that you can engage in, like fishing. There are also new wild pokémon to talk to. Talking to wild pokémon usually triggers an impromptu quiz that rewards you with a Nice card if you answer correctly. Unfortunately, given that you're usually tied to watching television, you won't be getting out and about as often as you'd like.

The game's graphics are decent but unspectacular. All the pokémon are nicely done in 3D and feature distinct animations that suit their personalities. Pikachu is naturally the best-looking of the lot and has an expressive face and a varied assortment of animation. The environments you explore look fine and offer clean detail that doesn't push the GameCube hardware at all. There's a nice bit of technical flashiness to the various television programs in that you can zoom in and out of them on the fly without affecting playback, which is cool. The video quality of the Pichu Bros. episode is good. The Pokémon Mini games offer the same zoom-in-and-out option that's a nice touch as well.

Audio in Pokémon Channel is sparse and sometimes annoying, thanks to the signature cries of the menagerie of pokémon. You'll hear some catchy music in the assorted programs, but it starts to grate after some of the mandatory repeated viewings you'll have to endure. The various sound effects in the game are fine but minimal. This sadly puts the weight of the audio burden on the pokémon voices, which, while accurate, are naturally repetitive.

Overall, Pokémon Channel has some interesting ideas, such as going around and interacting with wild pokémon in a 3D world and having the GameCube clock affect gameplay, for example. Fundamentally, they're hampered by the gimmick of having to "virtually" watch television programs. There's some nice content in here for fans of the franchise, as there are quite a few pokémon to be found in the game. Furthermore, there are a ton of items to collect, and there's even some replay value, but it's a chore to get to because of the limited gameplay. Although clearly aimed at children, the game fails to offer a very compelling experience for younger gamers due to the long stretches of time you spend being forced to watch the programs in order to progress further. Ultimately, Pokémon Channel fails to capture the addictive and inventive appeal of its handheld predecessors due to weak gameplay, bland visuals, and sparse sound.