Pokemon comes to GameBoy Advance
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Pick. Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon
Sapphire mark the series' entrance to the GameBoy Advance
platform. We are excited to see this multi-layered and detailed
series again appearing on the latest GameBoy platform. As with
previous versions (the game bears the most similarity to Gold and
Silver), the object of the game is to explore the world of Hoenn,
searching for wild Pokemon to catch and then tame through battle
with the Pokemon players already have.
Although there are certainly
familiar goals and other features of the game, Ruby and Sapphire
include some fantastic features that make the game feel totally fresh and
new. These include the ability to bring two Pokemon into battle
at once (and they can actually help each other out) and improved
graphics. Best of all, Ruby and Sapphire not only include
many familiar Pokemon creatures known to date, they introduce 100 more.
There are also multiplayer options and a rich trading aspect to
the game, which can be enjoyed only with a link
cable.
What is the difference between
Ruby and Sapphire Versions? As with previous Pokemon games,
certain Pokemon creatures can only be found in one of the
versions. In this case, Ruby's unique Pokemon include Seedot,
Mawile, and Solrock. Additionally, there are some Pokemon common
to both games, but that are rare in one version and common in the
other. For example, Volbeat is hard to find in Ruby yet common in
Sapphire, while Illumise can be easily found in Ruby and not very
common in Sapphire.
When children begin the game,
they meet up with Professor Birch, who is attacked by a wild
Poochyena. The Professor needs help and wants players to pick one
of three Pokeballs, each containing a Pokemon, from his bag in
order to fight off the wild Pokemon. As a reward for saving him,
he gives players that selected Pokemon, which jumpstarts their
careers as Pokemon trainers. The starters are Treecko, a
grass-type lizard Pokemon, Torchic, a fire-type bird, and Mudkip,
a water-type fish Pokemon.
Players also get to choose their
role playing gender. In the
game, there are two competing teams, Aqua and Magma, one of which
is evil and the other good, depending on your version. The leader
of the "good" team sometimes asks players for help in
the team's dealings with its competitor.
This program is engrossing and
certainly deep enough to justify the price tag. Pokemon Ruby and
Sapphire versions are involving games with loads of appeal.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Pokemon Ruby or
Pokemon Sapphire
at Amazon.com]
 We have a
help list available--you can call it a cheat or a help list, that's your choice,
but it is a work-in-progress: Locations of Pokemon in Pokemon
Ruby/Sapphire Versions.
See also: Our review of the new Pokemon
FireRed and LeafGreen games for the Gameboy Advance
Pros:
- Multi-layered and rich
gameplay.
- Very involving game that
requires strategy and concentration
- Strong graphics, large
appeal.
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Cons:
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| For Nintendo Gameboy Advance |
By: Nintendo |
Ages: 8-up |
Published: 2003 |
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