Pokemon Ruby Version

"The game, like many pokemon, has evolved"

Don't you remember when Pokemon Red and Blue were released? Ah, those were the good times. Well, after Red and Blue (which were awesome games, by the way) they made Pokemon Yellow, which pretty much updated Read and Blue, but very little. And then they decided that no, that wasn't enough, and put out Gold and Silver. I had my doubts, but the games turned out great. And then they did Crystal, which did what Yellow did to Red and Blue. Well, just when I thought the series was dead, what do you know, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire come out. Well, after playing them through and finally collecting every Pokemon yet again (with some exceptions, like Mew and Celibi) I can say that this, like all other Pokemon games, Is the best game for the GBA right now. Yes, it's the same old, same old. But, it's still fun enough to warrant a purchase, and once you get into it, you'll be addicted (maybe to the point where you'll also buy the other version, another GBA and link cable, just to trade Pokemon. Hey, it happened with me). So, listen on for the reasons why you should have this popped in your GBA right now.

Typical Pokemon graphics is the best description I can give you. Yes, they take advantage of the system and use the available 32-bits to their best ability, but it's still the same old Pokemon style stuff. And no, new logos don't cut it. So some of the graphics are advanced and deserve quite a bit of recognition, while others seem recycled, and simply have an added color or shadow. So there isn't anything too great here, but it does support the GBA and work out, and doesn't get in the way at all. And nothings choppy. No slowdowns caused by graphics, nothing that you may find in other games. That's a good thing. 9/10.

The sound is pretty classic. I can complain about some of the new town's music (which in my opinion was done terribly) but they still have that battle theme, a little advanced with a few added bits, but otherwise solid. I can say 5 of the towns/cities had acceptable music, but for the most part, it wasn't to great. But everything and anything else is standard Pokemon fare, and it just works out, you need no doubts (except a few towns). 7/10.

Oh boy! The beef of it. Gameplay. We've all played a Pokemon one time or another, be it on that classic Gameboy, the Gameboy color, or maybe Gold and Silver on the GBA. However you experienced it, you know what it's all about. For the story - You try to make it to the Elite four and defeat them, but some odd team (For Pokemon Ruby, Team Magma and for Pokemon Sapphire, Team Aqua) is trying to do something terrible and it gets in the way of your adventure. So you end up with two quests - Earn all 8 Gym badges and make it to the Elite Four, and rid the world of Team Magma/Aqua and make everything safe and all that. It's the same for all Pokemon games. So what keeps this game above the rest? Well, the new two on two battles, for one. It may sound like a gimmick, or it may sound too difficult. But it's actually as easy as a regular battle. Plus, if you don't really like them , you're really only forced to have one of these battles once during the game (against a Gym Leader). But, if you have a friend with this game and link cable, you can enjoy this two on two battle style whenever you like. I find it quite fun, and the way Nintendo pulled it off works. Now, for two, there's the fact that you can breed Pokemon. Sure, you could do that in Gold/Silver/Crystal, but with all the different additions it'll feel brand-new to you here. First off - new Pokemon, new breeds. Second off - moves are learned from the male Pokemon, should he know them. Third off - The Pokemon can start in Baby form should it have one! I think that's about the only way to get baby Pokemon right now. Anyway, you'll have tons of fun figuring out which Pokemon goes with which, and which moves are learned, etc. Very much improved. And one more thing sets this apart - Groudon and Kyogre. Those two very much legendary Pokemon bring new power to the games, and make you feel like you really are the Pokemon master, should you catch one. Those two new legendaries are more powerful than the Lugia and Ho-oh, or even Mewtwo! They're real power hitters. You just HAVE to play the game and feel the experience. The Gameplay is top-notch. Nothing in the genre could perfect it more than it already has. Bravo. 10/10.

You will keep playing and playing on and on for quite some time, until Red and Blue Advance comes, anyway. It's got a story, and that story does end, but the training of your Pokemon never does. And so you also have to collect all of them, each and every single one. That'll keep you at the game forever. Plus, many side quests (like collecting all TMs) add to the list of things to do. You'll be here quite a while. 9/10.

Closing comments - Pokemon has never been so fun. Here, you get better (though sometimes re-used) graphics, pretty good sound, amazing gameplay and close to never ending re-play. There's no arguing - this is the best RPG on the GBA right now. And had the sound been a tad better (and had I felt like giving away 10s to those in the 9 area) this game'd get a good 10/10. But...

Verdict - ...Nope, there's that dreaded sound in some areas bringing this down to 9/10. It is still and excellent game and one that should not be missed. Buy. Both Ruby and Sapphire. It isn't a purchase you'll ever regret.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/11/03