Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX Reviews

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6 / 10
Apr 19, 2022

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is a competent re-edition of the two original games that gives some of its elements a more modern flair while keeping the series' main characteristics intact. While it's inevitable to find that some of the elements feel outdated, this is still a fun and creative experience, and one that will make long-time fans of these cult classics very glad to have them on a Nintendo Switch.

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
6.5 / 10.0
Mar 8, 2022

Monster Rancher was a product of its time and it has aged better than some. For those wanting a Pokemon equivalent, this game is not for you. This is more aimed at hardcore simulation fans who carry a nostalgia from that era of gaming. It is cool to have these games available again, but without the CD functionality it feels like a hollow gesture. I wish we could have used QR codes or something to that effect, that is what made Monster Rancher unique, and now it is just a really deep simulation with a nostalgic wrapper.

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6.5 / 10.0
Feb 1, 2022

The endless circle of gameplay with other companions has closed, but it has not brought any more. The collection lacks a strong campaign, a good dose of the story or motivation.

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Unscored
Jan 13, 2022

Dated gameplay mechanics, presentational inconsistencies, and a lack of graphical updates make it hard to recommend this to anyone who isn't already a fan of the franchise.

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GBAtemp
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Dec 29, 2021

Overall, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is ok. If you're a fan of the series, or if you just want a game you can play in the background while doing something else, it may be a good choice for you. With plenty of monsters to generate and decent QoL improvements, you'll certainly get your money's worth at only $29.99. But if you're expecting an in-depth monster breeding simulator with lots to do...well, it'd be best to look elsewhere.

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3 / 5.0
Dec 28, 2021

Nothing comes easy in Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX. These are fairly poor ports of two pretty good games, with the best part of them stripped out. I still had fun revisiting these games after so many years, and players able to overlook the poor interface and lack of guidance can still definitely find a good time here, but you’ll need to work for it.

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8 / 10.0
Dec 27, 2021

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX successfully brings two classic games to today's platforms. Even more than twenty years after their original releases, the unique concept remains fun and interesting, and the implementation of the search for a music catalog ensures that part of the magic of generating new monsters through discs remains preserved, albeit partially.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

3 / 5.0
Dec 23, 2021

I’m glad that Monster Rancher 1&2 DX came out because it gives curious players and myself a chance to check out a cult-classic monster series.

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No
Dec 21, 2021

It’s a faithful remaster that will send old school fans on a serious nostalgia high without tainting your memories of it, and that’s fantastic. Newcomers might not be swept off their feet and its gift of pleasant memories may only work out for fans of the classics. But that’s okay, we’ve been waiting a really long time.

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8 / 10.0
Dec 17, 2021

Monster Rancher is easy to pick up, put down, and really starts to take off when you start experimenting with different ways to customize your monsters. If you have any nostalgia for the titles, or are looking for something a little more old-school, Monster Rancher will be sure to pique your curiosity.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2021

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX has unfrozen a classic simulator, making some necessary additions to make the title more suitable for modern gamers. Unfortunately, the games still clearly show their age, especially in the visual aspect. Considering its style, the game is worth it to the most dedicated fans of the genre, but other than that, it's hard to recommend it.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

60 / 100
Dec 14, 2021

The combination of rumor, magazine publication, and CD trading is what made the Monster Rancher games special. It’s hard to recreate that kind of feeling today. But, Koei Tecmo did it very well. The only problem is that there’s not much content in the game, and without multiplayer capabilities, mileage doesn’t go very far. If I have any advice for anyone attempting to play this game, it’s to share this nostalgic story of how the game worked, and don’t just look up the stats of the best monsters on the internet. Play with some friends, use your favorite albums, and see what you get, because that is what makes Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX unique. Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is an effective nostalgic novelty, but as a monster raising sim, it’s pretty meh.

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6.5 / 10.0
Dec 13, 2021

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is a faithful recreation of the PlayStation titles that weren't available to everyone in the '90s. The CD monster creation system has been replaced with a large music catalogue and the ability to fast-forward through battles is a welcome addition as the game can feel very repetitive when you are constantly in tournaments.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 12, 2021

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX will be a joy for more nostalgic players, but it's unlikely that it will manage to captivate a wider audience.

Review in Italian | Read full review

5 / 10.0
Dec 11, 2021

If you’re looking for some childhood nostalgia, look no further than Monster Rancher 1 + 2 DX. If you have never played these games before, this will probably do absolutely nothing for you because, to be honest, these games are much more sluggish than they ever felt back around release. Welcome to the joys of the evolution of gaming. Some games can withstand the test of time, others can not. Monster Rancher is unfortunately a game that should be returned to solely for nostalgia’s sake.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 9, 2021

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX may retain issues from the past and have a thin story but it's enjoyable monster raising mechanics and unique summoning system remains a joy all these years later.

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6 / 10
Dec 9, 2021

For fans of the series, or for players looking for a slightly more involved grind during their commute than the usual mobile fare, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX offer a heap of monster-rearing pleasure. However, this pair of titles is truly a product of its time: a lack of tutorials, janky graphics, and a set of opaque gameplay systems reliant on heavy grinding might prove too high a barrier for the average creature collector. Pick this up only if you’re prepared for a nostalgic romp through the highs and lows of late nineties game design.

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3 / 5.0
Dec 9, 2021

While some may find the graphics and sound too outdated to enjoy, players looking for a trip to the farm will find their plates very full.

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Unscored
Dec 9, 2021

Monster Rancher 1&2 DX is a game that you will enjoy if you're a big fan of the franchise. The bundle has new features, but is a remaster without any technical improvements.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2021

That’s what makes Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX so fascinating. You see, Monster Rancher makes more sense now than it did then.

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