Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
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| Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs | |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory Creatures, Inc. |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| System | Nintendo DS, Wii U Virtual Console |
| Release Date | Nintendo DS JP March 6, 2010 US October 4, 2010 EU November 5, 2010 AU November 25, 2010 Wii U Virtual Console PAL June 9, 2016 JP August 3, 2016 US August 4, 2015 |
| Rating | ESRB: E |
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs is the third and last of the Pokémon Ranger games.
Story[edit]
Two young Pokémon Rangers named Ben and Summer (one of whom is the player character depending on the chosen gender) have been sent to the islands that make up the Obliva region by Professor Hastings to investigate the increasing movements of a group of Pokémon thieves known as the Pokémon Pinchers. One encounter ends with the player character washing up on Dolce Island while the other is kidnapped by the Pinchers. At Dolce Island, the ranger befriends a local ukelele-playing Pichu. The Ukelele Pikachu becomes the player's partner Pokémon as the Ranger sets out to continue exploring the Oblivia region and thwart the mysterious plans of the Pokémon Pinchers.
Gameplay[edit]
This game follows gameplay similar to the previous two games but with some usual tweaks. Ranger Signs are added, which can be drawn during a capture to summon a legendary Pokémon that the player has met to help. The Capture Styler also levels up after successful captures to become more efficient. Ukulele Pichu is the player's only partner Pokémon (stepping back from the previous game's swappable fourteen partners), and the player can have up to seven captured Pokémon with them at a time that will be released after using their abilities to help on the field or in battle. Pokémon with the Fly move have also been added to make traveling between the various islands easier.
The game once more consists of a series of missions which must be performed and also contains 51 optional Quests which can be performed for the citizens of the region. One new feature is that the player can unlock wireless multiplayer missions with up to four players. Some missions are set in the past, with the player being brought there by Celebi, although Ukelele Pichu will be left behind during these missions. The game also adds in some other DS-oriented features, such as using the stylus to calm down agitated Pokémon or turning the screen vertical for some chase sections. Another unique feature is at Rand's House, where Nema has a special machine which could be used to rechallenge boss Pokémon and visit a model of Dolce Island so that player could capture the remaining Pokémon for the Ranger Browser. There is a total of 307 Pokémon from the first four generations which are chronicled within the Ranger Browser, and specifically nearly the entire second generation is covered within the line-up. The past also has its unique Browser with a different order that only covers 223 Pokémon.
Like the previous games, Guardian Signs has a series of extra Ranger Net missions that could be downloaded after completing the game. These included missions in which special event Pokémon could be caught for the fourth generation games. Like Shadows of Almia, these missions were only available for download for a limited amount of time. All of the limited missions expired in early 2011. Only two Ranger Net missions could be downloaded at any point. These involved the fourth generation's main legendary trio of Dialga, Palkia and Giratina as well as Arceus and did not feature any transferable Pokémon.
Connectivity[edit]
In what seems to be the Pokémon Ranger tradition, Guardian Signs can transfer some special Pokémon obtained from Ranger Net missions to any of the fourth generation color versions (including HeartGold and SoulSilver). The usual Manaphy egg was joined by Deoxys, Heatran and Shaymin as Pokémon that could be transferred upon completion of their respective missions. However, the expiration of the Wi-Fi missions renders this function useless for anyone who has not already downloaded them when they were available.
Legacy[edit]
Ports/Remakes[edit]
- In 2016, it was released for download over the Wii U as part of the Wii U Virtual Console.