Detective Pikachu Reviews

Detective Pikachu is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.7 / 10.0
Jan 1, 1970

Detective Pikachu is an ambitious proposal with an acceptable execution. Take the amazing world of Pokémon and give it an interesting twist. The game experience is accessible to everyone. However, it may be too easy for some players.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jan 1, 2014

A different take on a beloved character, Detective Pikachu is clearly aimed at a very young audience with its interesting, funny story.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.2 / 10.0
Jan 1, 2014

A brand new world crammed with pokemon from seven generations who share their lives in harmony with humans. Pity that the lack of proper challenges leaves the impression that only true fans of Pokemon and family kids will fully enjoy the title.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Daily Dot
Top Critic
Mar 20, 2018

Sorry, Detective. Maybe your story will turn out better on the big screen.

Read full review

IGN
Top Critic
8.2 / 10.0
Mar 21, 2018

Detective Pikachu offers a bold take on the iconic Pokemon, which succeeds thanks to Pika Prompts that build Pikachu beyond detective stereotypes. Even though I figured out cases far before their end, each one utilized the world of Pokemon to its fullest, and ultimately offered a unique Pokemon experience that I hope we see done again soon.

Read full review

GameXplain
Top Critic
Liked-a-lot
Mar 22, 2018
Detective Pikachu - REVIEW (3DS) video thumbnail
7 / 10
Mar 22, 2018

Detective Pikachu's simple gameplay and story is made better by its goofy and entertaining star.

Read full review

6 / 10.0
Mar 22, 2018

I want to see a lot more of Detective Pikachu despite my misgivings with his 3DS debut. I just hope the next game is a little more fleshed out and doesn't tease us so heavily, but developer Creatures was able to build the skeleton of a low key adventure romp.

Read full review

CGMagazine
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Mar 22, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a title that fans of Pokémon shouldn't miss out on, especially those who are fans of the anime series or those who can't get enough of Pikachu's rosy red electric cheeks. For those looking for a bit more substance in their Pokémon games are encouraged to check out one of the numerous RPGs based on the series available on the 3DS.

Read full review

8 / 10
Mar 22, 2018

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.

Read full review

Recommended
Mar 23, 2018

An entertaining slice of Pok'mon sleuthing set within a vibrant version of the series' world.

Read full review

85 / 100
Mar 27, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a surprisingly charming Telltale-like game filled with humor, twists, and a sassy electric rodent. More than a mish-mash of minigames, it's a shockingly solid title with first-class voice acting.

Read full review

78 / 100
Mar 27, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a remarkable spin-off, which can be enjoyed thanks to the winks it makes to the Pokémon franchise, his humor and, above all, his protagonist: a peculiar and mocking Pikachu. It may not be especially hard and repetitive, but it's a game worth playing.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Mar 27, 2018

Detective Pikachu ranks as one of the most interesting Pokémon spin-offs we've seen in years, and does an wonderful job of offering a fresh perspective on a world we've become almost uncomfortably familiar with in recent years.

Read full review

3.5 / 5.0
Mar 28, 2018

The quirkiness, presentation, strong voice acting, and characters help push past the simplistic gameplay and the narrative the game tells is surprisingly engaging. I had no idea what to expect from Detective Pikachu going in, but it ended up being one of the most unique Pokemon spinoffs ever.

Read full review

Evan Slead
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2018

Detective Pikachu takes several steps away from the traditional Pokémon experience, with only a handful paying off. The beautiful imagery and distinct world-building will please any Pokémon fan, but the gameplay might leave them wanting more. While the point-and-click-style experience is a novel idea for the gameplay, it never manages to fully grab the player's attention.

Read full review

Scarlet Bell
Top Critic
7.8 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a game I feel is held back by its overly child-friendly ideas. I can wholeheartedly recommend this to those wishing for their children to experience Pokemon in a new light, but older fans of the series will be left underwhelmed.

Read full review

7.6 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a simple yet charming adventure, with a great roster of cast members and an adorable couple as the main characters. A must buy if you have kids who love Pokémon; on the contrary, if you consider yourself a true adventurer, remember that this one's a pretty easy game.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2018

Detective Pikachu moves far away from the main series, boasting a strong narrative and a charismatic protagonist that bears little to none resemblance to the Pikachu we're familiar with. In spite of its faults, this first experiment managed to entertain us, and we can't wait to get some new adventures with this coffee-lover detective.

Review in Italian | Read full review

70 / 100
Mar 28, 2018

For kids and Pokemon fans, this game is sure to be a delight

Read full review