Pokémon Master Trainer

Cross the map as a trainer, collect Pokémon and challenge the champion at Indigo Plateau.

Designers: Koichi Ooyama, Bill Sabram
Published by: Estrela
Editions by: Hasbro, Milton Bradley, MB Spiele, MB Spellen, MB Jeux, MB Giochi, Tomy

Pokémon Master Trainer is a 1999 board game in which every player is a trainer, played by an Ash Ketchum figure, crossing a fixed map on the way to Indigo Plateau. You roll, move and collect Pokémon along the road, and your catch is your ticket to the finale: a battle against the reigning champion, who is represented by cards. Item cards give you or your creatures special powers, and trainers can also take each other on before they get there. It is a light adventure with dice at the center, aimed at kids of about seven and up who already know the monsters by name. Adults get a pleasant, easy two hours of company rather than a puzzle.

Travel the map toward Indigo PlateauCollect Pokémon and use item cardsTrainers can battle each other

Who it's for

You have a child, about seven or older, who loves Pokémon and wants a board game that feels like the journey from the show.

Not for you if…

You want real strategy for adults. Dice and cards steer most of the outcome, and the game is built around the franchise rather than clever decisions.

Vibe's take

Light, fast-moving and driven by dice and cards. Kids who know the creatures love collecting them, and the item cards add small surprises along the way.