The Battle mode is exactly what it sounds like. Using Pokémon from your Gameboy Advance game, or from Story mode, you can battle in various Colosseums. You can also play 1-4 player multiplayer. Each player will need a Gameboy Advance, GBA-to-GameCube cable, and a Pokémon cartridge. Battling with friends is a lot of fun, but there isn’t too much more to be had in battle mode.

     While the Story mode carries this game pretty far, some Pokémon fans may be annoyed at the fact this game isn’t a traditional Pokémon game. The shadow Pokémon system is unique, and fairly fun, but it also draws out a game that feels like an abbreviated version of a more traditional Pokémon title. Although you can use your story mode Pokémon against a Pokémon Ruby or Sapphire player using the GBA-to-GameCube link, you probably wouldn’t want to. The Story mode player has a much more limited number of Pokémon to catch, and has a severe limitation of having all of his attacks on the main screen (where the other player can see it, and act accordingly). Any user on a GBA gets to use the small screen to call the shots. Players will probably find it a little unfair.

     Unfortunately, Pokémon Colosseum shows its Nintendo 64 heritage a lot. The graphics don’t necessarily look “bad,” they are fair from impressive. The game runs at a somewhat low frame rate by today’s standards. If you just came off of Mario Kart: Double Dash or something, you may not like what you see. Most Pokémon featured in the N64 Pokémon Stadium titles have the exact same 3-D models in Colosseum, making them look quite primitive. The music is pretty good, but one can’t help but notice some oddities. For example, why does an obvious Disco nut have salsa music playing for a main theme? Why don’t the battle themes sound more Pokémon-esque? Why do the most powerful bosses have an anti-climactic ambient theme? Some of the soundtrack makes little sense.

     This may sound like a lot of negativity, but Pokémon Colosseum isn’t all bad. Seeing the various Pokémon attacks in battle is quite a sight. The attacks are colorful, and have cool lighting effects that are a lot of fun to watch. The story is original, and will definitely appeal to a slightly older audience, while keeping everything safe enough for kids. The multiplayer functions strengthen this title greatly for anyone who has Poke-maniac friends. Choosy gamers may want to rent this title first, because they might be a little disappointed after spending $50.