Released in France on September 21, 2012 on Nintendo DS (as Apprends avec Pokémon : À la Conquête du Clavier), Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure is one of the most unusual Pokémon games. Sold with a real wireless AZERTY keyboard, it teaches you to type by writing the names of Pokémon. A clever educational title, far more fun than traditional typing methods.
Typing to Study
The hero, an apprentice typist, joins Caro Base and the Elite Typists’ Club, who study Pokémon by typing their names. On each course, Pokémon appear: you have to type their names quickly and without mistakes to study them. Points reward speed and accuracy. More than 400 Pokémon await, up to Reshiram and Zekrom.
A Keyboard for a Map
The world map is an AZERTY keyboard: each key is a course, from the A Castle to the P Volcano, by way of the Backspace Cavern or the Function Tower. There are around sixty courses, each with three medals, and some clever variations: chases, combos, caves where you must type the right letter, endless courses. See the courses.
Well-Paced Progression
The game starts gently, with the full name displayed, then shows only the first syllable. Special keys, capitals, accents and punctuation arrive gradually. Gold medals demand real progress. Adults and children alike will enjoy it, and you really do type faster by the end.
The Drawbacks
The wireless keyboard that comes with the game is small and not very comfortable, and not everyone wants to type Pokémon names for hours. The game was never released in North America.
Our verdict
A successful educational title that turns learning the keyboard into a Pokémon hunt. A curiosity that deserves a place in any collection.
What we like
- A real, effective typing method
- More than 400 Pokémon to study
- A very well-designed keyboard-shaped map
- Varied courses and 180 medals
What we like less
- A small wireless keyboard
- A concept that can wear thin
- Only for those who want to learn to type
