Pokémon: Magikarp Jump
Train Magikarp to jump higher in league competitions.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump is a free mobile game for iOS and Android, released in May 2017. It was developed by Select Button and published by the Pokémon Company. Players raise Magikarp to compete in jumping contests.
To progress, trainers boost a Magikarp’s Jump Power (JP) through training sessions, upgrading equipment, and feeding it berries. Training points regenerate over time, and food appears in the pond periodically. Upgrades can also be purchased with real money. Random events may increase or decrease JP, trigger special occasions, or even cause the loss of a Magikarp.
Players catch Magikarp from a pond using a fishing rod; better rods unlock after clearing a league. Caught Magikarp live in the trainer’s pond, which can hold decorations to aid growth. Supporting Pokémon provide rewards like JP, coins, food, or diamonds at set intervals.
Magikarp come in different colors: red (most common), pink (moderately rare), and gold (rarest, and initially most powerful). These colors can have qualities that improve tournament win chances. Once a Magikarp reaches its maximum level (tied to the player’s rank), it enters League Battles. If it loses at max level, it is retired, and the trainer must catch a new Magikarp and restart the current league, though previously beaten trainers can be skipped. The JP ranking changes based on how many times the player completes leagues.
As of August 2017, the game had ten core leagues plus three Expert leagues, each with different rewards.
Reception was mixed. On Metacritic, it scored 64 out of 100. Game Informer’s Kyle Hilliard found training and league sections boring but liked that new Magikarp level up faster and enjoyed the silly premise. Nintendo Life’s Joe Merrick praised the crisp artwork and music (compared to old RPGs and Yoshi’s Safari) but criticized the lack of gameplay depth, especially in leagues. Pocket Gamer’s Harry Slater called it strange yet compelling, noting the lack of player control but still finding it entertaining. Polygon’s Allegra Frank praised the bond with Magikarp and said it captured the spirit of the handheld Pokémon RPGs. Time’s Matt Peckham called it “so dumb it just might be brilliant,” with the only complaint being the forced retirement of Magikarp after reaching a certain level.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Select Button
- Publisher
- The Pokémon Company
- Director
- Koya Nakahata
- Producer
- Kanako Murata
- Designer
- Takumi Tsukada
- Programmer
- Keisuke Miyagawa
- Composer
- Solidtune Inc.
- Series
- Pokémon
Facts from the source article.
Reader's Guide
Magikarp Jump received a Metacritic score of 64, indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics offered varied assessments: Game Informer's Kyle Hilliard found the training and league sections boring but praised the faster leveling of new Magikarp and the goofy premise. Joe Merrick of Nintendo Life commended the crisp artwork and music, which he compared to old role-playing games and Yoshi's Safari, but criticized the lack of gameplay depth, especially in the leagues. Harry Slater of Pocket Gamer called the game strange yet compelling, noting the lack of player control but finding it entertaining. Allegra Frank of Polygon gave strong praise, comparing parts to the main Pokémon role-playing games and highlighting the player's bond with their Magikarp, calling it a smart, cute, and endlessly entertaining game that captures the spirit of the handheld titles. Matt Peckham of Time gave a positive review, describing the game as 'so dumb it just might be brilliant,' with his only complaint being the forced retirement of Magikarp after reaching a certain level. The game's significance lies in its niche appeal as a simple, humorous mobile spin-off that focuses on a single Pokémon species, offering a lighthearted alternative to more complex Pokémon mobile games.
Did You Know?
- If a Magikarp loses a League Battle at its max level, it is retired and the trainer must catch a new one.
- Training points are recovered over time, and food periodically spawns in the Magikarp's pond.
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