Arashi Gaiden
Arashi Gaiden
Game
Game2021
Dodgeball Academia
Developer Pocket Trap
Dodgeball Academia is a sports role-playing video game developed by Pocket Trap and published by Humble Games. The game was released on August 5, 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 4. It combines real-time dodgeball gameplay with role-playing elements and a story set at a school dedicated to the sport. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
252 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Oct 30, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
91
LovedLoved
163 positive · 16 negative
95% range 86–94%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 163 | 16 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 24 | 1 | 36 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Lemmy * | 1 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
291 of 312 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
91% recommend · 166 yes, 16 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 182 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (642 of 681 positive).
Players praise the game's charming art style and vibrant presentation. [1][2][3] Many enjoy the fun, fast-paced dodgeball combat and RPG elements. [4][5][6] Some reviewers note the gameplay becomes repetitive and lacks depth. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
The aesthetic is super fun, but game itself feels half-baked. Combat never gets much more skillful than the reflex test of catching/dodging balls - your characters have slightly different moves and there are ostensibly different rulesets, but they all play largely the same. Matches are made more difficult by making them less legible, crowding the small arena with extra balls and characters with unclear hitboxes. …
- [4]
This game made me feel and wanting to be young again. Dodgeball Academia is what it sounds and more. You play as a student named Otto who's goal is to become the very best through hard work and friendship. Sounds cheesy, but the dialogue is so well written, you can catch many clever references. And even though the character's personalities is somehwat cliche, I loved them! "GO CRUSH THEM, MINA!" The graphics are an …
- [2]
This game is basically one of those sports movies you see, a protagonist must overcome numerous factors to become the champion of dodgeball, and while it may seem dumb, it works incredibly well. This game is straight-up amazing, it's a semi-short game (It took me 16 hours to 100% complete it), but it's got adorable visuals, funny writing, and amazing combat. Just playing this game makes me want to play dodgeball. To …
- [12]
I would really rather put this as a sideways "meh" review and that hurts. It's a solid game that is seriously let down by some just absurdly crappy design choices that make no sense at all. Your "sprint" has you curl up like a ball and roll, but you have no real directional control so you just slam into things. It's a minor annoyance, but it builds up. The really bad call though, the most wretched of all bad calls …
- [1]
(english version of this review after the pt-br text!!) O TIPO DE OBRA QUE ADMIRO TANTO QUE FICO PENSANDO "QUERO UM DIA TER A OPORTUNIDADE DE FAZER PARTE DE UM PROJETO DESSES" porque se eu como audiencia(?) já fico toda orgulhosa por ser algo que veio de casa (nosso país), imagina ter FEITO isso!! sério, maravilhoso dodgeball academia é um deleite (nuncausei essa palavra na minha vida mas foi ela que me veio a mente …
Summarised from 34 of the 255 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Dodgeball Academia talk about charming, colorful art style and visuals; those who didn't talk about gameplay becomes repetitive over time. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Dodgeball Academia received generally favourable reviews from critics according to the review aggregator Metacritic. The game’s mix of sports and role-playing elements received praise from the critics. The critics praise for the game includes its energetic style and its mix of dodgeball with character development and narrative elements. Some reviewers also noted the variety provided by different teammates and abilities, which add strategic depth to matches. However, some critics felt that parts of the game could become repetitive over time, particularly during longer sections of the campaign.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 252 · most liked firstThe next game that I'll be playing is Dodgeball Academia! ngl I know a little bit about this game, from what I've heard it's an RPG with dodgeball as the theme! That's about all I know, but the art style on the cover art looks really cool! The concept is intriguing, so I'm excited to jump in!
positive · AI labelView post →I played Dodgeball Academia! The game took around 13 hours to beat. This was an awesome game! The gameplay was a ton of fun, and the dodgeball theme was unique! The game also had a chill story with a cool cast of characters, and the art style was bright and colorful! It was a blast to play through!
positive · AI labelView post →In terms of the vibe of Dodgeball Academia, it's pretty chill! The game revolves around a dodgeball school, it's pretty lighthearted and doesn't take itself too seriously! The game has a bumping OST as well, and I really like the art style, it's colorful and looks super cool! It's an awesome vibe!
positive · AI labelView post →I love the dialogue segments in Dodgeball Academia! The game has no spoken dialogue, but does a fantastic job of presenting the dialogue using audio and visual effects! My favorite is when a character yells, the screen shakes with a punchy sound effect! They're super entertaining dialogue segments!
positive · AI labelView post →My first impressions of Dodgeball Academia are: it's super cool! The game is an RPG with a dodgeball theme, it's really unique! The battles take place in real-time, and characters are able to use abilities and counter incoming balls! Some matches have a ton of action on screen, it's fun so far!
positive · AI labelView post →The aesthetic is super fun, but game itself feels half-baked. Combat never gets much more skillful than the reflex test of catching/dodging balls - your characters have slightly different moves and there are ostensibly different rulesets, but they all play largely the same. Matches are made more difficult by making them less legible, crowding the small arena with extra balls and characters with unclear hitboxes. There's not much beyond the matches - outside of combat, you're mostly just…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Our previous title, Dodgeball Academia is currently 60%(!!!) Off on Steam! Don't miss out on our crazy take of Sports RPG 🏐 store.steampowered.com/app/1422420/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Another amazing 2D Zelda-like from the developers of the criminally overlooked Dodgeball Academia I can not stress how well designed the levels are in this. They get so much game out of very simple to use and understand mechanics. I'm having a blast
neutral · AI labelView post →A thread with a LOT of environment concept I did to the lovely Dodgeball Academia Game. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did making those : ] #gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →Game 145: Dodgeball Academia A very funny and lighthearted RPG, where traditional combat is ditched in favor of dodgeball matches, this one feels like a playable animated show, with its fantastic presentation, huge cast of colorful characters and quirky, yet endearing plot. VAI BRASIL!
positive · AI labelView post →A fun world with great writing, but that can't make up for the repetition of the game. You go from point A to point B, then play a dodgeball match. Repeat this at least a hundred times and that's the entirety of Dodgeball Academia. After a few hours, it feels like a chore to continue the same thing.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game made me feel and wanting to be young again. Dodgeball Academia is what it sounds and more. You play as a student named Otto who's goal is to become the very best through hard work and friendship. Sounds cheesy, but the dialogue is so well written, you can catch many clever references. And even though the character's personalities is somehwat cliche, I loved them! "GO CRUSH THEM, MINA!" The graphics are an excellent blend of 2D characters in a 3D environment. Gameplay is incredibly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread." — Bilbo Baggins Dodgeball Academia has a lot going for it, but ultimately, it doesn't offer enough to recommend. On the positive side, the game clearly shows care and attention to detail. The graphics are a standout, with a 3D world and 2D characters that create a vibrant, eye-catching aesthetic. The story, while not particularly deep, is light-hearted and enjoyable…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It has the aesthetics and writing of a typical Saturday morning cartoon. Dodgeball Academia follows a generally lighthearted story of a world taking a sport way too seriously, with its players having superpowers and scientists researching new ways to have fun with it. As an RPG, its story is short but flavourful, full of vibrant characters and cheesy jokes. The actual dodgeball combat is satisfying when you smash your opponents and frustrating when you get stunlocked. The battles tend to mix…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Dodgeball Academia is one of those rare games that manages to turn something as simple as dodgeball into a full-blown adventure filled with charm, humor, and surprising depth. Developed by Pocket Trap and published by Humble Games, it blends the spirit of a Saturday morning cartoon with the mechanics of a sports-themed role-playing game, resulting in an experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The story follows Otto, a wide-eyed newcomer to a prestigious academy where dodgeball isn’t…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →When I was browsing the store, this game just smiled at me: #DodgeballAcademia! I am now experiencing the adventures of Otto on his way to becoming a dodgeball champion. — #PlayStation #ShareYourGames #Gaming
positive · AI labelView post →Decided to give this game a go because it reminds me of a game I played for the GBA back in the day, and its from the same guys that made Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, which I also really liked. It is a very silly game, but in a good way, took me 10h to 100% the game and it was a really good 10h, it does not overstay its welcome! It is also wholesome, which I did not expect, Kinda of reminded me of the Yakuza game, but instead of funny mafia and middle age man jokes, is about dodgeball…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you are learning a language (especially the devs native language: Portuguese- shoutout Pão de queijo, coxinha, guarana), there is a feature that allows you to switch between them as you play. This works just by pressing a button at any time during the game! Dodgeball Academia is really fun! The story is engaging, and the characters are a riot. The developer has said that he takes a lot of inspiration from the Pokémon games and it shows. I highly recommend it. If you like the art that you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I reviewed Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - the new game from the devs behind the incredible Dodgeball Academia. Pipistrello is incredible, essentially a GBA-inspired top-down Zelda with amazing movement and puzzles. www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/71147...
neutral · AI labelView post →Hope there will be a sequel to the Inter-School Tournament with Otto and the Gang. Dodgeball-tastic fun indeed! ૮ ˶´ ᵕˋ ˶ა ૮ ˶´ ᵕˋ ˶ა
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hey folks, remember Dodgeball Academia, that neat Brazilian sports-RPG I talked about earlier this week? Well, that game's dev just released their latest game, and it's looking pretty sweet. I'm getting it next week, can't wait to play this one!!
neutral · AI labelView post →This is just missing an endless mode or a way to enjoy the game by yourself once the singleplayer game is done. As well as some form of character creation. If they added one/both of those. I'd still be playing this game. Nothing scratches a sports sim enthusiasts itch other than certain kinds of games. This was one of them. Unfortunately, after the single-player and secret content, there's just nothing more. It is indeed a humble game. 10/10 would recommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I recommended, but it's a HEAVILY mixed recommended. A vibrant, upbeat and colourful presentation. Gives a combination of Cartoon Network and Cliche Shonen Anime vibes, specifically, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, which I certainly don't mind. Love that colour scheme. Very varied cast of characters, of all shades, shapes and such (oh species too how about that), but don't get your hopes up thinking your favourite may be playable. Humour can be hit or miss, as mentioned up top, has a rather cliche…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I feel like this game is a victim of way too many cooks. Each individual cook has made something great. There are a lot of systems that just don't play well into each other. Enemies that you face seem to have their own unique strategy that you can learn to play around and beat. This makes it feel more strategic. You can also individually target each enemy so you can focus on one that is more problematic. BUT then they throw in generic battles and group fights where it devolves into more…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33025671-Missi-the-Achievement-Huntress/] Please see my curator page for more games that are well worth your time Approximate amount of time to 100%: 10h Estimated achievement difficulty: 1/10 With accessibility difficulty options, 7+ without Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1 Is there a good guide available: Yes, You can find one [url=https://www.xboxachievements.com/game/dodgeball-academia/guide/] here or…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is basically one of those sports movies you see, a protagonist must overcome numerous factors to become the champion of dodgeball, and while it may seem dumb, it works incredibly well. This game is straight-up amazing, it's a semi-short game (It took me 16 hours to 100% complete it), but it's got adorable visuals, funny writing, and amazing combat. Just playing this game makes me want to play dodgeball. To anybody reading this, I really recommend this game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I need anikis... What you normie civilians would call "bros".
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →With energetic visuals and music, characters and gameplay, Dodgeball Academia musters the best of sports anime in this incredible package.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →¿Have you ever thought that there could be a game that, heavily inspired by shonen anime narrative, handles simple humor, looks with a super-hyper-mega cartoon style—too similar to a 2010s CN series—and above all, has gameplay that is fun and in some parts challenging? Well, this is Dodgeball Academia, and this definition fits it like a glove! Developed by the Brazilian studio Pocket Trap (who are responsible for giving the game that very characteristic aesthetic and cartoonish art…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A cozy anime-esque simple jrpg based on dodgeball on the outside, but there is actually a bit of technique to winning the matches, which gives it more depth. I picked this up during the winter 25-26 sale but I also played part of it for free a few years back when it was on the Humble App on my PC. I think it is a stretch at full price, but definitely worth it if any of the keywords I used are interesting to you. 8/10 at 50% off or more, but if you are into this kind of game, you may find…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love all of it! art style, story, and gameplay. Runs smooth on steam deck as well.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New title(s) added to "Stream your own game" on #XboxCloudGaming - A Memoir Blue - Airborne Kingdom - Amnesia: Rebirth - Archvale - Astria Ascending - Bassmaster® Fishing - Beacon Pines - Choo-Choo Charles - DEEEER Simulator - DEMON'S TILT - Dodgeball Academia - Dreamscaper
neutral · AI labelView post →They also made the sports RPG Dodgeball Academia and the beat'em-up/twin stick shooter Ninjin. I played a lot of Ninjin, it's very cool. Their visuals are always pretty fun. store.steampowered.com/app/1422420/... store.steampowered.com/app/809870/N...
neutral · AI labelView post →Started playing a game called Dodgeball Academia and I'm actually in love, it's so fucking good 😁✨✨✨✨✨
positive · AI labelView post →Loved the demo, top down-zelda like game but all your puzzles and combat are built around a yo-yo mechanic very cool.Also by the devs of Dodgeball Academia! Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo 28th May store.steampowered.com/app/2870350/... #blutoid #indiegames #puzzlesgames #zelda #zeldagames
neutral · AI labelView post →A fun mix of Paper Mario, Pokemon, and, well, dodgeball! It doesn't do anything revolutionary but it's a great indie game that I would love to see get a sequel
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am a big fan of classic dodgeball games such as: All-Star Slammin' D-Ball Super Robot Taisen Battle DodgeBall Super Dodgeball Brawlers I wanted to play a modern arcade dodgeball game but couldn't find any until I came across this game. I liked the artstyle, the music and the most important part "the gameplay". The artstyle is really unique and reminds me of the cartoon network artstyle. The music is amazing and the beats suits the game style. The gameplay is surprisingly good for a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →art style is super fun. Unfortunately, the main gameplay loop is not interesting enough for me to continue. The combat does not have much depth and the dialogue, although charming, feels as if it goes on much too long usually.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I would really rather put this as a sideways "meh" review and that hurts. It's a solid game that is seriously let down by some just absurdly crappy design choices that make no sense at all. Your "sprint" has you curl up like a ball and roll, but you have no real directional control so you just slam into things. It's a minor annoyance, but it builds up. The really bad call though, the most wretched of all bad calls I've seen in a good long while - your teammates are quite literally useless.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Insanely good. Incredibly unique and a blast to play. Like someone gave Blitzball from FFX its own game with cleaner mechanics. We deserve more sports-fantasy games like Pyre & Dodgeball Academia.
positive · AI labelView post →Hello friends! It's game time, we're playing Dodgeball Academia - Live Now! www.twitch.tv/affinityinc #affinityinc #dodgeballacademia #twitch #gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →I love Dodgeball ! I was in school the last time I played, but the idea of a video game adaptation only brought back good memories. In Dodgeball Academia, I thought I'd get to create a team, customize the style and stats of my players, all while managing campus life on the side (relationships, training, side activities, mini-games...). Well, not quite. Dodgeball is still awesome though, and so is the visual style of the game. Colorful, with funny-looking characters and a clear interface :…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hello friends! Get your head in the game, we're playing Dodgeball Academia - Live Now! www.twitch.tv/affinityinc #affinityinc #dodgeballacademia #twitch #gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →Dodgezing game! 10/10 Would dodge again
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really wanted to love the game, but it is just endless uninteresting dialog. I tried to push through it and finish the story but there is no way I can take this any longer.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Happy to read that ☺️ Pipistrello is my 2nd game with @pockettrap.bsky.social, 1st being Dodgeball Academia (which was also super fun to work with). And I like that you've picked up Gallineiros: mixing brazilian funk with gba vibes was definitely a fun ride.
neutral · AI labelView post →After the shitty AI news this week I'll be supporting some fellow brazilian studios Dodgeball Academia steampowered.com/app/1422420 Ekorella Vol.1 steampowered.com/app/1387650/ CODE Bunny steampowered.com/app/3303780/ Metahorror Therapy Session steampowered.com/app/3560830/
neutral · AI labelView post →Super fun little sports RPG with a great visual style. Not super deep but has a ton of personality and feels great to play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Rating 8/10 Pro: 1. Achievements are very do-able 2. Very Diverse cast of characters 3. Visually/Designs are very nice 4. Getting it on summer sale $10 is very worth it. 5. Fun battle system 6. Mix of Paper Mario & Poke'mon vibe. Con: 1. Can get a bit repetitive later on 2. Consumable (heals & revives) are practically useless. You get a healing station in the school and one in the forest. 3. Not too much of a challenge (Might be good depending on you) Overall it's a very neat game with cute…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great graphics. Cool new take on the rpg genre.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is a little bit GBA Mario Tennis, a little bit Pokemon, and a little sports anime in its influence, but really pulls off what it's going for with style and polish. The writing is pretty fun as well. It deserves some more attention.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun game at first but very very repetitive, I ended up hating it while forcing myself to finish it. Bonus is that its not too bad too 100%
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →8.5/10 Dodgeball The Anime
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Review] Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo — A genuinly fun fresh take on the classic top-down 2D adventure formula. __Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo__ is a top-down 2D action-adventure game that released in May of last year, combining classic Zelda dungeoneering and upgrade progression with an urban setting and fresh yoyo tricks. It was developed by Brazilian studio Pocket Trap, who've previously created Dodgeball Academia. * [YouTube trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gkoUxEyjc8) *…
neutral · AI labelView post →Really fun game! Core mechanics are quirky, deep and fun, visuals are beautiful, dialogues are funny and nice to read and it just has this incredible vibe of a cozy rpg adventure. Can't recommend enough
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's Indie Night, and we're back with (arguably) the cutest game we have ever played on stream. Dodgeball Academia starts now! We had a blast last week, so let's have even more fun this week. www.twitch.tv/host_yoo
neutral · AI labelView post →I finished this game today. it's a short but fun and satisfying game. The combat system is interesting, based entirely on throwing balls at the enemy and dodging throw balls, with all sorts of weird special moves, balls that act strangely etc. While levelling helps, you do ultimately need to learn the system. The premise is that EVERYTHING is dodgeball, it is very tongue in cheek and parodies sports anime a lot. Would recommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →my all-time favourite game. indie games are carrying the industry so hard, and pocket trap put out nothing but bangers
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A game that you should not dodge! Dodgeball Academia is a solid little game that follows Otto as he attends a school for dodgeball where students are granted special dodgeball powers and attend dodgeball lessons as well as competing with one another in a tournament. The game breaks up into eight days with the days playing out as their own individual episodes where some issue occurs and the characters need to resolve it. As you progress you play tournament matches, explore the school and its…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Today I will be getting the plat for Dodgeball Academia! Life, depression, life has gotten in the way, so a game that was supposed to be a week venture, ended up being a month venture. The next game I'm playing is THRONEBREAKER. I actually started it last night... I'll be going after the plat 😁
positive · AI labelView post →
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