Pokemon Sapphire Version (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2003)

It isn't difficult to explain why Nintendo's Pokémon franchise has remained so incredibly popular since the first Pokémon games were released for the Game Boy Color in late 1997. At the epicenter of the franchise are hundreds of different types of cute, cuddly, and memorable critters mostly based on real-world animals--and in the world of Pokémon, they're routinely made to beat the stuffing out of each other. That's a formula for success if ever there were one: combining the world's love of things that are cute and the world's love of When Animals Attack. Anything as popular as Pokémon opens itself up to criticism from those with only a superficial knowledge of the material--it's tempting to think that any Pokémon product is just for little kids. Yet in fact, the original Pokémon games for the Game Boy Color were solid role-playing games on their own merits, but with lighthearted themes and some unique twists. The new Pokémon games for the Game Boy Advance, dubbed Ruby and Sapphire, are pretty similar and likewise can be recommended to anybody. They're good looking, they're fun to play, and they offer a lot of lasting value and variety, though they're a bit too easy.


There are approximately 200 Pokémon waiting to be caught, and half of them have never been seen before.
As with the original Pokémons Red and Blue, the new Pokémons Ruby and Sapphire are for the most part identical. The box covers are different, the title screens are different, each version has a handful of unique Pokémon that aren't available in the other version, and a few of the story details differ depending on the version. One version isn't better than the other, and since the two are basically the same, only the true Pokémon fanatic should even consider getting both--the idea is to convince a buddy of yours to get the opposite version, so you can trade Pokémon, battle with each other, and ultimately catch every last one of the critters, which you can't do with just one version of the game.

So the good news is you can't go wrong with either version. They play out according to the classical console role-playing game formula. You choose to play as either a boy or a girl, name your character, and then set out on a lengthy adventure as you attempt to become the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world. Along the way, you'll visit a number of different towns, compete against their top Pokémon trainers, talk to a bunch of different people (many of whom give you stuff), fight wild Pokémon on land, on the sea, and underground, race around on a bicycle, surf on a Pokémon's back, and more. The structure, size, and plot of Ruby and Sapphire are a lot like those of previous Pokémon RPGs.

The game was exactly as described. Graphics were amazing. Although I am bummed out of how they fixed the cloning cheat. I mean it allowed the player to have all starters in the begining. The game is great and story is still CATCHING ALL POKEMON, while defeating the Elite Four.

The only bad-side is the developers adding a hundred more pokemon and trade b/w other games to have all pokemons.

For information of the NEW 100 types, just search the web or watch the TV.

Overall, fantastic game and graphics, new features and options.

First I would not recommend buying anyplace but a registered eBay store This specifically includes Auctions. Since the first time I purchased it, it was a Pirated version. However the stores registered on eBay are Reliable.

I bought the game in order to play it.

Since I have played previous versions

I normally Buy them at local game stores but sadly The game is discontinued in the US.

As for Pokemon Games as a whole. I do not personally recommend them except for the arduant fan since they are elitist. With some pokemon going only to those who are lucky enough to

1) Live in a major city.
2) Have time to waste in Extremely long lines when these rare pokemon are made available. (Mew & Deoxys for example)

I would however recommend any other type of nintendo games just not any from this (pokemon) franchise.

Despite what Nintendo will tell you, the objective of the game " Gotta Catch um all" is extremely unreachable. And while it is not necessary to fill all these extra pokemon in your pokedex. The game IS geared toward having these pokemon for completion of it.

Unlike the megaman franchise where you can complete the game without the special chips you can get at these conventions.


(Your pokedex will be absent at least 2 entries (Lugia and Ho-oh 2 more of these pokemon can be caught in colloseum 1 or 2 and transferred to the games after completion. They did make a disk with Jirachi available and you can usually find a copy (if you are patient in your local gaming store)


So if you can handle playing a game without completion then buy it.

But I would not reccomend it for anyone under 12 or anyone who needs to "catch um all"


Weretiger

Should they ever get past the unfair sales practice. I would highly recoomend these games as fun and entertaining and even somewhat educational.

The game is fun and builds onto the basic format of previous games in the Pokemon franchise. There are a ton of new pokemon to catch, places to explore, trainers to battle, and a bunch of interesting side quests to kill additional time. The game's graphics and sound are updated to match the capacity of the Game Boy Advance. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire have sold the most out of all games for the GBA and for good reason.

My only personal lament is that the newer Pokemon games are designed to force die-hard fans to trade between all 4 of the third generation games (not counting Emerald) in order to "catch em all", and it can be rather difficult to find people to trade with between all 4 cartridges, not to mention that some of the legendary Pokemon are only made available by attending IRL special events which your average gamer is never going to participate in.

EDIT: Too all ebayers looking for Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, or for that matter any well-known GBA games: beware of obscure sellers with few/no reviews or feedback. Many of the copies of such games on Ebay are bootleg copies that are poorly programmed and assembled. I was screwed over a couple times by buying illegitimate copies of games which wouldn't save or function properly. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU BUY FROM.

Pokemon Sapphire is a great game I love it. It takes place in the Hoenn region. Where you set off to become a pokemon master. You get to start off with chooseing your first pokemon where you can choose a mudkip, torchic, or treecko. As you play you'll battle the gym leaders. You'll also have to battle team aqua. the over all feeling is this game is awesome.