It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; if that is the case, Pokémon should be very flattered by the release of Fossil Fighters, the Red Entertainment-developed and Nintendo-published title that saw release in August of this year. Fossil Fighters undoubtedly shares many similarities with Nintendo’s popular collection series, yet still has a few features that do enough to allow it to carve out its own niche. That said, how far you delve into the world of Fossil Fighters will ultimately depend on how much enjoyment you derive from playing games that heavily involve monster collection and dueling.
Fossil Fighters places you in the role of a young man who travels to Vivosaur Island via boat. This island is a place where dinosaurs, termed in game as 'vivosaurs,' exist as fossils and where able trainers can resurrect them to fight battles. After entering your name and hearing more about what Vivosaur Island has to offer, you will eventually meet Dr. Diggins, Vivosaur Island’s resident guru. Diggins gives you your first fossil, but you will eventually learn to excavate more fossils from the ground via sonar, as well as how to clean said fossils with specialized tools. Afterward, you will then be sent on your way to fulfill your dream of being a top-quality fossil fighter.
As in Pokémon, your journey in Fossil Fighters will give you the opportunity to meet interesting characters who will serve to either help or hinder your progress. You will come across rivals, foes who seek to use fossil fighting for their own nefarious ends, and individuals who will provide services to you in exchange for various favors. You will also learn secrets about the island and yourself that go far beyond the simple act of fossil fighting and excavation.
Similarities to Pokémon aside, Fossil Fighters does bring some new ideas to the table; one example is through its fossil excavation process. Once you find a fossil, you then have to engage in a minigame where you use the stylus to hammer away the rock that the fossil is contained in, and then drill away any excess grime that is surrounding it. Success in this endeavor is measured by excavating the fossil both intact and before the time limit. It is an interesting idea that goes beyond the simple collection aspect that is set forth in Pokémon and similar titles.
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