"Awesome!!"

Introduction
It has been a few years since Nintendo released a brand new Pokemon RPG. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire has been hyped as one of the most anticipated game of the year for GBA.

To simply put it, this game really exceeds my expectation. The improvement that they've done with the game is just really much for Pokemon players to enjoy.

Gameplay
Some part of the gameplay resemble the old one, so it should not be hard to be able to play the game if you have played Pokemon RPG games previously.

The most significant changes in gameplay, probably is the ability to go on a two on two battles. This makes battle way more strategical and this feature will be a great challenge for those who loves battling.

The addition of the new Pokemon in the game also helps to make this game an excellent one. You can capture more variety of Pokemon, and you start your new adventure in a completely new continent.

Storyline
Storyline has never been the strongest point of a Pokemon game. However, this game do have a decent storyline with the presence of Team Magma/Aqua (depends on which game you choose). It shows two conflicting ideas from both of the team, and this is certainly a refreshing change from Team rocket, which have been in the previous two series of games.

Of course as usual, the typical Pokemon storyline apply. You need to win 8 badges in order to win the league.

Graphics
At first glance, the graphics are simply amazing. I would say that the graphic is among the cream of the crops for a GBA game. Everything is captured vividly. From the rustling of the bushes to the reflection of yourself in water, this adds a touch or realism to the gameplay. This is a big improvement compared to G/S/C version.

Replay Value
It depends on what are you looking for. If you are someone is more interested in playing an RPG for storyline, Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire might come short of your expectation. However, if you love battling Pokemon the replay value is endless.

Conclusion
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire is a game that will appeal to both old fans and new fans of Pokemon alike. It is not an exaggeration to say that with such a captivating graphics and fun gameplay, the game is among one of the best game for GBA up to date. It has its strength on gameplay and graphics areas.

Final Score
Gameplay: 10
Storyline: 9
Graphics: 10
Replay Value: 10

Final Score: 9.75 (rounded up to 10)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/24/02, Updated 11/24/02