Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon: Susume! Honoo no Bōkendan

Susume! Honoo no Bōkendan gets to the point quickly: pick the Pokémon you want to lead with, choose a partner, and head into turn-based Mystery Dungeon runs. That directness is refreshing if you already know the series and want another compact batch of unpredictable dungeon exploration, especially with its fire-leaning starter selection.

The trade-off is a much lighter adventure than earlier Mystery Dungeon games. Dungeon layouts, recruit options, and the playable roster give it its own flavor, but the reduced emphasis on plot means it works better as a focused roguelike RPG diversion than as an emotional Pokémon journey. For a more story-led series entry, see Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team.

Platform: Wii

Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first hour has a pleasingly no-nonsense hook: rather than answering a personality quiz, you choose both your lead Pokémon and partner outright. That is a small change with a real benefit. You can start with Charmander, Vulpix, Growlithe, Eevee, Cyndaquil, Teddiursa, Torchic, Chimchar, or Buneary because you actually want them, not because a quiz has assigned them to you.

From there, this is a turn-based Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game built around roguelike dungeon runs. Progress comes from dealing with the uncertainty of each dungeon layout and building out your group through recruits. It is familiar ground, but familiarity is not necessarily a knock: the format still has that satisfying rhythm of taking one careful step at a time, deciding how much risk you can accept, and hoping a run develops in your favor.

Bōkendan distinguishes itself through its dungeon names and layouts, its selectable leads, and its available recruits rather than by overturning the series formula. That makes it easy to recommend to someone who wants more Mystery Dungeon in a compact form, while making it a less exciting first stop for anyone hoping for a dramatically different RPG. Pick it for the roster and the dungeon crawl, not novelty alone.

Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon: Susume! Honoo no Bōkendan — screenshot 1

Graphics

The game uses an anime/manga Pokémon look and a diagonal-down view for its dungeon-focused action. Its clearest visual strength is simple recognition: the chosen Pokémon roster is immediately familiar, whether you begin with a fire type such as Torchic or Cyndaquil or take Eevee or Buneary into the dungeon.

Story

Story is deliberately not the main attraction here. Compared with previous Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, Bōkendan is less plot-based, and that changes the feel of the whole package. You are not being pulled onward primarily by a big narrative hook; the next dungeon and the next recruit matter more.

That lighter approach can be a relief if you want to get straight to the RPG loop. It also means the game gives you less emotional momentum between expeditions. If your favorite Mystery Dungeon memories come from character-driven scenes and a steadily developing storyline, this entry may feel slight.

Think of it as a side dish rather than the series’ most filling story. The absence of a personality quiz does at least make the opening feel more personal in a practical sense: you decide who you and your partner are from the start. For a more story-led comparison point, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team is the better fit.

Overall Experience

Susume! Honoo no Bōkendan knows exactly what it wants to be: a concise WiiWare serving of turn-based, roguelike Pokémon dungeon crawling. Its strongest choice is also its simplest one. Letting you select your own lead and partner removes the chance of being stuck with a quiz result you do not like, so you can tailor the adventure around a favorite Pokémon immediately.

The cost is that it does not carry the narrative weight associated with the more plot-focused Mystery Dungeon games. Reworked dungeon layouts and a different recruit pool will matter most to experienced fans; newcomers may wonder why they should choose this lighter entry over a fuller series adventure.

Still, if the thought of guiding a hand-picked Charmander-and-Vulpix pair, or any other available combination, through unpredictable dungeons sounds like a good evening, Bōkendan has a clean, dependable pull. It is worth your time as a focused companion piece for Mystery Dungeon regulars, but it is not the one to choose when you want the series’ richest story payoff.