The Title Screen

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (for GBA) and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (for Nintendo DS) are two of the newest Pokemon games to be released. The two games are very similar, with just a few minor differences, so get whichever one you have the system for.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon takes a very different spin on the Pokemon series. For the first time on any Pokemon game, the story is told entirely from the Pokemon's perspective. Yes, that's right, you actually get to play as a Pokemon!

One of many random questions asked at the beginning of the game.

At the start of the game, you will be asked numerous questions that help the game determine your personality. Based on the answers you provide, you (the player) will be transformed into a Pokemon that suits your personality. Unlike other Pokemon games where the character you play as is silent and lets the supporting characters do all of the talking, you (as the Pokemon you become) will actually talk and interact with the plot.

You can become one of 14 different Pokemon!

Each of the 14 Pokemon that you can become has a variety of different moves, strengths, and weaknesses. Mudkip and Squirtle, for example, tend to have a little extra Defense and Special Defense. Skitty can learn a lot of disabling moves. Meowth and Eevee can both learn a wide selection of TMs, making them more versatile than the others. Charmander and Cyndaquil can both learn Smokescreen, a very helpful disabling move. Pikachu can learn Thunder Wave, which is another great move. All Pokemon seem to be pretty well-balanced, so my recommendation is to go with the Pokemon you get!

Your Partner is quite fond of you.

You will also be able to choose a Partner Pokemon that will be your sidekick through the adventure. The Partner Pokemon you choose can be one of the 14 Pokemon that you didn't choose, except you can't choose a Partner of your same type. (For example, if you end up being a Treecko, you can't choose Bulbasaur or Chikorita as your Partner.) This is to keep your team as balanced as possible.

A battle, Mystery Dungeon style.

Battles in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon are quite different from the usual Pokemon battles. Instead of having to wade through tall grass to fight wild Pokemon, you will now find them roaming around the floors of any dungeon you enter. More like traditional RPG games, your entire team can participate in the battle, as can the enemy's team.

Each Pokemon gets an action during each turn. Every step you take in the dungeon counts as an action, so if you take a step in any direction, your partner - as well as any enemy Pokemon - may follow suit, or may choose to use a Move of theirs, an item they're holding, or just hit you with a direct attack.

The new battle system takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun.

Early on in the game, you will be able to recruit Pokemon to join your Rescue Team (Party). All you need to do is defeat the Pokemon and have room in your Party. Then, the defeated Pokemon may decide that it wants to join your Rescue Team. You will need to have a Friend Area that the Pokemon can go to, however. Friend Areas can be purchased at Wigglytuff's Friend Area Shop in Pokemon Square. Just don't let the new recruit faint before you make it out of the dungeon, otherwise it won't join your Rescue Team!