Pokémon Playhouse - THE POKEMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

This review of Pokémon Playhouse was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 6 June 2019.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Pokémon Playhouse contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

All available features were considered for this review.

App description

Pokémon Playhouse provides players with the opportunity to interact and play with animated cartoon Pokémon characters, from the popular Pokémon TV show. The child is presented with multiple animated Pokémon characters to play with from the outset and can also gain new characters. Players receive and ‘egg’ which cracks open with every additional game played, and eventually cracks to reveal a new Pokémon character that can be played with. Once one egg hatches, the player gets another egg. Players can explore the Pokémon Playhouse including the playroom, kitchen and playground. Throughout these areas, there are additional games including puzzles, reading a book, identifying Pokémon characters in the dark with a flash light, and grooming the Pokémon. There are no stages or levels to progress (besides gaining more players with the egg progression) and players can continually play the game. A human narrates the whole game, and no written instructions are provided so most children can enjoy this game. There is background music and the Pokémon characters make fun sounds.

Reviewers comments

Pokémon Playhouse is a fun, interactive game with multiple learning opportunities. For example, identifying characters and matching to a puzzle, and reading a book (words are presented on the screen with verbal accompaniment, so children who cannot read can still follow along). Also, continual playing of activities gradually cracks the egg open to reveal a new Pokémon character. 

Although the game is quite basic (as there are multiple elements and games available), this game is likely to provide entertainment for quite young children, but also children slightly older. There is no concerning content such as advertising or gambling. However, although there is some in-app purchasing - it is behind a parental lock and only opens to similar Pokémon apps.

 

In App purchasing

There is In-App purchasing in this game, examples include:

• Access to more similar apps by entering a code written on the screen which would be easily completed for players with basic reading ability. The in-app purchases available are similar Pokémon games.

Online information

Once downloaded, there is no internet connectivity required to play the game.

Gambling

At the time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content. If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact us with the details so we can update our review.

Advertising and product placement

There is no advertising or product placement in this game.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

None noted. 

Coarse language

None noted. 

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

None noted. 

Other

N/A.

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