Pokemon Ruby

First, the game has a lot in common with Pokemon games Silver, Gold, and Crystal. For example, players can choose to be a boy or a girl trainer, an internal clock sets events at certain times, and you're the game's handy-dandy Pokedex helps players keep track of the many stats. You're main goal is still to beat all the Gym Trainers and become the Pokemon Master. If you've played the old games, you will be right at home. But not all is the same.

The most obvious change is in the battles themselves. Now that two Pokemon can fight on your side at the same time, you can tag-team them against an enemy by taking advantage of the strengths of your Pokemons while covering their weaknesses. For example, you can now have a water Pokemon watch your fire Pokemon's back. You can also attack more than one Pokemon at a time.

A whole new element to the game focuses on how berries are used in battle. And if you collect enough berries, you can take them to a Berry Blender and make a PokeBlock, which is a little super-charged candy that raises your Pokemon's "Condition" attributes. You can then groom your Pokemon for regional contests and compete for ribbons like "Best of Show," which will unlock additional contests. There's even strategy in how to best use your berries: pick too many and the berry tree will disappear; plant berries, though, and a tree will grow. You can also build a Secret Base in special areas of the game, which you can decorate just like you can your room.

And let us not forget that Pokemon Ruby has a kickin' multiplayer system, too. You can trade Pokemon, and link up to four players for incredible battles. The only downside is that you can't link up with the old Game Boy Color games. --Bryan Karsh

Pros:

• You can control two Pokemon in battle
• Much needed graphic and sound facelift
• Nice multiplayer feature (requires link cable and extra game cartridge)

• Can't trade Pokemon with Game Boy Color

New Trainers:
You can't have new Pokemon without new trainers, and each game offers up a never-before-seen pair. Gamers can test Landon and Terra in Ruby and Sean and Marina in Sapphire.

Two-on-Two Battles:
The intense - and tougher - new battle schemes in both Ruby and Sapphire will satisfy even the most hard-core battlers. Now you can battle two characters against your friend's two characters, or link up and battle three friends with each player managing one Pokemon at a time.

Here's some tips:
1.Early in the game, catch a few Zigzagoon! Their special ability can get you a lot of great free items.
2.Make sure to replant berries to keep your berrie supply growing.

I hope this information helps you in your quest to be a Pokemon Master.


Great new RPG   October 28, 2003
plasmaball3000 (Charlottesville, VA USA)
53 out of 59 found this review helpful

Just to start off, this game is essentially the same as Pokemon Sapphire, for those of you who are new to Pokemon. There are some differences, such as who the bad guys are and what Pokemon you can collect, but if you're just starting out with the series, don't worry about that. In the Pokemon games, you start off by choosing to be a boy or a girl, and then you get right into the game. The goal here is to capture wild Pokemon by battling them. Then, you train them so they will be strong enough to fight other trainers' Pokemon,

Pokemon Ruby is a great new addition to the Pokemon family, anyone who enjoyed any of the other Pokemon games will love this one just as much. Even if you are just starting out with the Pokemon games, this is a great way to get in on the action. Ruby has more than 200 all-new Pokemon to capture, updated graphics, new battle styles and tons of other great features.

At its heart, this is an RPG, so if you hate them, stay away from this game. Of course, if you love RPG's, this is a great game for you. The graphics are also wonderful for an RPG on the Game Boy advance. It plays just like the previous Pokemon games (looking in a 2D-like position over your character, but that's pretty good, considering this game is going to take you a VERY long to beat), but now there are added effects such as rain and volcanic ash.

The sound is (thankfully) much better than that of the previous games. The soundtrack fits the game and is pleasant to listen to (if you play for hours on end though, it can get kind of annoying, but that's why you can the sound off).

The most notable new battle mode is the battles where you can have two of your Pokemon battle at once. You can use this to get a good advantage over your opponent by using different type Pokemon together.

And then there is the multiplayer function (you're going to need a game link cable and another game pack, however). You can battle your friend's Pokemon in head-to-head battles, and even trade Pokemon with each other. You can't trade Pokemon with any of the Game Boy Color games though.

Pros:
New graphics
New battle modes
Hundreds of new Pokemon

Cons:
Can take a while to get from one place to another
Wild Pokemon get really annoying when they attack you every five seconds

This is definatly an excellent addition to the Pokemon family. RPG and Pokemon fans alike will love this game (you're going to be staying up late playing this one).


Pokemon   January 7, 2003
Kris (Seaford, DE U.S.A.)
49 out of 62 found this review helpful

I know that there is a lot of people out there that think that pokemon games are for babies. But if if they just give it a try they would probably like it to. If they do not keep it to your self, because I know these two will be the best to pokemon games ever. Especealy because of the 136 new pokemon added to the preveous 251 other pokemon. You get a choice of a fire, water or grass type pokemon. There is soposebly some new LEGENDARY pokemon. You can get Celebi and you are soposed to be able to get mew and mewtwo. the other legendarys are also in the game. better graphics and to top it off you can link it up with pokemon stadium 3 for the Nintendo Gamecub.


So Many new things... or are there?..   February 3, 2003
Douglas Cork (Chicago, Il United States)
42 out of 51 found this review helpful

With the new Ruby and Sapphire games coming out everyone's rushing to buy one... Or are they? Is this game worth getting? Well, lets look at the new things.. There are new 2 on 2 battles. Unfourtuanly, you can only do this in trainer battles and link cable battles(up the four people can battle now!). There are nice new effects like leaving footprints in the sand when you walk, rain on some routes, sunlight when you release the legendary, Groudon, trainer lookup(look at almost all the trainers you've battled and see if they want to battle), pokemon contest, special fruits, you can find latios or latias(depending on which version you're playing) in the wild random after beating the Elite 5, legendary Kyorge(only in sapphire), legendary Groudon(only in ruby, new snake legedary, 3 rock, steel, and ice legendarys, secret bases where you can put up to 16 rugs, dolls, and other things you buy, and more.
I really recommend this game even though you can't catch most of the old pokemon(Bulbasaur-celebi, etc), but there is a way to get them...
Wait and see...


Chris's Game Reviews: Pok'emon Next   January 25, 2003
Christopher (Gloucester, VA)
41 out of 49 found this review helpful

Torchic, Mudkip, and Treecko. Those are the 3 starting monsters. Wynaut, Volbeat, and Yomawaru. Those are other great monsters.
This game is the greatest one yet and Groudon on the cover is very cool. Pok'emon Sapphire has different Pok'emon though. Will they come out with something like Crystal again? This new game features:

2-on-2 battling for trainers and they can both play their Pok'emon at the same time.

You can also see your shadow on the beach, in the water, and in a London type- setting.

100 new pok'emon!

Play as a silver headband wearin' guy or a hot girl!

You probably won't get bored off of this one like the last ones.