Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Pokémon Ruby Pokémon Sapphire
North American box art for Pokémon Ruby depicting the legendary Pokémon Groudon. Pokémon Sapphire Version box art depicts the legendary Pokémon Kyogre
Developer(s)	Game Freak
Publisher(s)	The Pokémon Company
Distributor(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Junichi Masuda
Producer(s)	Hiroyuki Jinnai Takehiro Izushi Hiroaki Tsuru
Artist(s)	Ken Sugimori
Writer(s)	Toshinobu Matsumiya Akihito Tomisawa
Composer(s)	Go Ichinose Morikazu Aoki Junichi Masuda
Series	Pokémon
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance
Release date(s)	^JP November 21, 2002[1] ^NA March 19, 2003[1] ^AUS April 3, 2003[1] ^EU July 25, 2003[1]
Genre(s)	Role-playing video game
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Pokémon Ruby Version and Sapphire Version (ポケットモンスター ルビー&サファイア Poketto Monsutā Rubī & Safaia, "Pocket Monsters: Ruby & Sapphire") are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and internationally in 2003. Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version, was released two years later in each region. These three games (Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald) are part of the third generation of the Pokémon video game series, also known as the "advanced generation". Remakes of the two games, titled Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, were released for the Nintendo 3DS onward worldwide on November 21, 2014, exactly twelve years to the date of the original Ruby and Sapphire release date, with the exception of Europe, where it was released on November 28, 2014.^[2]

The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the previous games; the player controls the main character from an overhead perspective, and the controls are largely the same as those of previous games. As with previous games, the main objectives are to catch all of the Pokémon in the games and defeat the Elite Four (a group of Pokémon trainers); also like their predecessors, the games' main subplot involves the main character defeating a criminal organization that attempts to take over the region. New features, such as double battles and Pokémon abilities along with 135 new Pokémon, have been added. As the Game Boy Advance is more powerful than its predecessors, four players may be connected at a time instead of the previous limit of two. Additionally, the games can be connected to an e-Reader or other advanced generation Pokémon games.

Ruby and Sapphire received mostly positive reviews, though critics were divided in their assessment of the games, especially on the gameplay and graphics. Most of the complaints focused on the fact that the gameplay had not changed much since previous generations. With the popularity of Pokémon on the decline at the time, the games sold less than previous generations. However, they were still commercial successes; with around 16 million copies sold according to IGN, they are the best-selling games for the Game Boy Advance.

Gameplay

The basic mechanics of Ruby and Sapphire are largely the same as their predecessors'. As with all Pokémon games for hand-held consoles, gameplay is in third-person, overhead perspective and consists of three basic screens: a field map, in which the player navigates the main character; a battle screen; and the menu, in which the player configures his party, items, or gameplay settings. The player begins the game with one Pokémon, and can capture more using Poké Balls. The player can also use his/her Pokémon to battle other Pokémon. When the player encounters a wild Pokémon or is challenged by a trainer to a battle, the screen switches to a turn-based battle screen where the Pokémon fight.^[3] During battle, the player may fight, use an item, switch his/her active Pokémon, or flee (the last is not an option in battles against trainers). All Pokémon have hit points (HP); when a Pokémon's HP is reduced to zero, it faints and cannot battle until it is revived. If the player's Pokémon defeats the opposing Pokémon (causes it to faint), it receives experience points. After accumulating enough experience points, it may level up; most Pokémon evolve into a new species of Pokémon when they reach a certain level.^[4]

Apart from battling, capturing Pokémon is the most essential element of Pokémon gameplay. During battle with a wild Pokémon (other trainers' Pokémon cannot be captured), the player may use a Poké Ball on the wild Pokémon. If successful, the Pokémon will be added to the player's active party (or stored if the player already has the maximum six Pokémon in his/her party).^[5] Factors in the success rate of capture include the HP (and/or status effects such as Paralysis or Sleep,) of the target Pokémon and the strength of the Poké Ball used: the lower the target's HP and the stronger the Poké Ball, the higher the success rate of capture is.^[6]

New gameplay features

The most prominent change in the battle mechanics is the introduction of double battles, in which the opposing parties each use two Pokémon at the same time. Consequently, certain Pokémon moves can affect multiple combatants at once.^[7] Multi battles were added alongside double battles. They are identical to double battle, but there are two trainers to a side, each controlling one of the two Pokémon sent out. Also new to the games are innate abilities and natures; the former is shared by every Pokémon of a certain species, while the latter may vary among a particular species. Abilities grant their holders certain powers in battle, such as immunity against certain types of moves or strengthening a certain type of move. Natures, like innate abilities, affect the strength of Pokémon in battle; however, they affect the stats of the Pokémon rather than directly affecting the strength of the moves.^[8] Another stat introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire is Condition, an important factor in Pokémon Contests, mini-games in which participants perform moves before a judge. Both Pokémon and their moves have a Condition, which is increased by using Pokéblocks (candies made from berries).^[9] Ruby and Sapphire were the first games to have different weather conditions (sunny, rain, hail, and sandstorm), and these affected battle in unique ways.^[10] Secret bases were added as a one off feature where players could open up a hole in the world and customize the place with various items picked up in game. Players who linked up with others who set up secret bases were able to battle an NPC version of that trainer within their secret base.

Like Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Ruby and Sapphire keep track of real-life time; this influences events like tides and berry plant growth. However, unlike their predecessors, Ruby and Sapphire do not differentiate between day and night. Also, due to the differences in the technical specifications of Game Boy link cables and Game Boy Advance link cables, Ruby and Sapphire cannot be linked with Pokémon games of previous generations; one cannot battle with or trade to the previous generations.^[11]

Connectivity with other devices

Ruby and Sapphire have limited e-Reader support. Nintendo released Battle-e Cards, a set of e-Reader cards that contained trainer battles in which the player could see previously-hidden Pokémon.^[12] A special e-Reader card called the Eon Ticket was also released; obtained through the Mystery Gift function, the Ticket allows the player to reach a place called Southern Island. There, the player faces either Latios or Latias, depending on which version the player is using.^[13]

Ruby and Sapphire are also able to connect to the GameCube games Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and Pokémon Box. In the former two, once players reach a certain point in the game, they are able to transfer Pokémon between Colosseum/XD and Ruby/Sapphire.^[14] Additionally, those who pre-ordered Colosseum were able to access the Pokémon Jirachi and see a preview of the movie Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker. Box, a so-called Pokémon "Microsoft Office", allows players to store and organize their Pokémon on the GameCube.^[15] Also, in the European version of Pokémon Channel, players could receive a Jirachi at a certain point in the game, which they could then transfer over to Ruby/Sapphire.

Synopsis

Setting

Ruby and Sapphire are set in the Hoenn region, designed to be similar to Japan's island of Kyushu.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire take place in the Hoenn region, located some distance from the Kanto and Johto regions featured in previous games. The design of Hoenn was based on the Japanese island and region of Kyushu; however Hoenn is rotated 90° relative to Kyushu, as Junichi Masuda felt that it would provide a better gameplay balance.^[16] Like Kyushu, Hoenn possesses many smaller islands, and part of the region is dominated by sea routes, several of which contain areas where the player can dive underwater.

Story

Like other Pokémon games, Ruby and Sapphire's gameplay is linear; the main events occur in a fixed order.^[17] The protagonist of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire is a child who has recently moved to Littleroot Town. At the beginning of the games, the player chooses either Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip as his or her starter Pokémon from Professor Birch. His or her friend, the protagonist's rival, is also a Pokémon Trainer and occasionally battles the player.^[18] The games' two main goals are defeating the eight Gym Leaders, proving oneself worthy of challenging the Elite Four and Champion to become the new Champion and completing the Pokédex by capturing, evolving, and trading to obtain all 202 Pokémon (It is possible to obtain all 386 Pokémon, but this requires trading with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen).^[19]

In addition to the main quest of defeating the Gym Leaders, there are side quests in which the player can aid NPCs by fulfilling tasks (usually obtaining items); other side quests involve catching legendary Pokémon. The most prominent subplot involves Team Aqua and Team Magma, crime syndicates who want to use Pokémon to alter the climate of Hoenn. In Ruby, the villains, Team Magma, want to use the legendary Pokémon Groudon to dry up the oceans of Hoenn and increase the region's landmass; in Sapphire, the Team Aqua are the villains and they try to use Groudon's counterpart, Kyogre, to increase the region's water levels.^[20] The player's father also introduces the player to Wally, a sickly young boy whom the player helps capture a Pokémon to be his companion as he moves away from the big city. Wally eventually overcomes his illness and becomes a successful Pokémon trainer, ultimately becoming the final challenger the player must face before the Elite Four.

Shortly before approaching the town of the first Gym Leader, the protagonist first encounters the Team Magma/Aqua in the Petalburg Woods, where he or she rescues a worker from Devon (a company that manufactures Pokéballs) and recovers Devon merchandise.^[21] Upon arriving in Fallarbor Town (after defeating the third Gym Leader), the protagonist discovers that Professor Cozmo, an astronomer, has been kidnapped by Magma/Aqua. The protagonist traces them to a cave, Meteor Falls, but is too late to stop them from escaping to Mt. Chimney with a meteorite. The protagonist follows Magma/Aqua to Mt. Chimney where they are preparing to use the meteorite to alter the climate of the region. The protagonist defeats the Team's leader, however, and returns the meteorite to Professor Cozmo.^[22] Shortly after the protagonist defeats the fifth Gym Leader (the protagonist's father, the first time such a character appears), Magma/Aqua again attempts to change the region's climate by stealing a Castform, a Pokémon with the ability to change the weather, from the Weather Institute.^[23] After the protagonist defeats the sixth Gym Leader, Magma/Aqua steals an orb with the ability to control a legendary Pokémon (Groudon in Ruby, Kyogre in Sapphire). Magma/Aqua then steals a submarine from Captain Stern in Slateport City; the protagonist, however, infiltrates the team's hideout, but fails to prevent the submarine from being used. Magma/Aqua, then travel with the orb to the Seafloor Cavern, where Groudon or Kyogre resides; the team then uses the orb to awaken the legendary Pokémon, but they have chosen the wrong one and have instead enraged the Pokémon instead of putting it under their thrall. Once awakened, the Pokémon travels to the Cave of Origin and causes a region-wide drought (Ruby) or severe rainstorms (Sapphire). When the protagonist defeats (or captures) the Pokémon, the region's weather returns to normal.^[24]

Development and release

Development director Junichi Masuda

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were developed by Game Freak and Nintendo under the direction of Junichi Masuda. As with its predecessors, Ken Sugimori was the art director, although these were the first games in which he did not single-handedly produce all of the art.^[25] When asked where his design team came up with the ideas for all of the new Pokémon, Sugimori stated that they got their ideas from past experiences in their childhood involving nature, animals, and the media and then base them on insects. Even looking at the world in a different perspective sometimes provided inspiration for the creatures. "First we select an insect and after that we add essential elements to the insects to make it more like Pokemon, such as adding some hard shape to it, to be more like steel," Sugimori said, describing the process of creating a Pokémon.^[26]

As the Game Boy Advance was able to handle newer, enhanced graphics, Ruby and Sapphire were the first games in the series that allowed up to four people to share information at one time, as opposed to the previous limit of two. However, the development team used a more basic graphics engine in order to keep the game simple and not overly confusing. The team wanted the games to appeal to a large audience, so the software was designed to be easy enough for younger generations of children to play, but new features were added to bring the veteran gamers back.^[26]

Masuda stated that the basic philosophy of all Pokémon games is communication; in the Pokémon series, this is manifested in trading and battling with other people. When asked about the new concept of double battles, the developers noted that they tried to focus more on the original one-on-one battles as the main type of competition and only added the double battles as a "new challenge". They stated that if they receive positive feedback about the double battles, the feature may appear more in future generations.^[26]

The games were the first in the series that did not contain all of the Pokémon from previous generations. Sugimori stated that the team tried to include all the new Pokémon as well as some from previous generations. When asked about any features that could not be included due to technical restrictions, Masuda noted that he wanted each individual Pokémon to make up to three different cries depending on its mood.^[26]

Nintendo did not promote Ruby and Sapphire at the 2002 E3 convention;^[27] however, it launched a USD $7 million promotional campaign that lasted from March to May 2003.^[28] In addition to rewarding pre-orders of the games with merchandise, Nintendo held a contest in which participants submitted videos of themselves singing the Pokémon theme song with their own re-written lyrics; the grand prize for that event was a Lugia PT Cruiser.^[29][30] Later that year, Nintendo launched the EON Ticket Summer Tour, in which 125 Toys 'R' Us stores across the United States offered the Eon Ticket e-Card in stores from July 19 to September 1.^[13][31] Nintendo aired two television advertisements, "Faces" and "Names", on prime-time network, cable, and syndication. "Faces" featured Pokémon juxtaposed with human look-alikes; "Names" featured people shouting out the names of Pokémon and emphasized the fact that the games introduced 100 new Pokémon.^[28] Additionally, Nintendo collaborated with United Kingdom beverage brand Vimto to promote the games.^[32]

Audio

The audio of Ruby and Sapphire consists entirely of game music; all dialogue is on-screen. The music, composed by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose and Morikazu Aoki, is completely instrumental except for two tracks with vocals, "Trick Master" and "Slateport City". The soundtrack of the game was released under the Mediafactory label in Japan on April 26, 2003; the album reached #297 on the Oricon charts and charted for one week.^[33] Junichi Masuda wrote only battle tunes, Go Ichinose wrote most of the town, route, fanfare & 'Spotted' tunes, whereas Morikazu Aoki did the remainder.

DISC 1

Disc 1 No. Track Title (Japanese) Track Title (English Translation) Composer Arranger 1 タイトルデモ ～ホウエン地方の旅立ち～ Title Demo ~Departure in the Hoenn Region~ Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 2 タイトルデモ2 ～ダブルバトル～ Title Demo 2 ~Double Battle~ Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 3 タイトル ～メインテーマ～ Title ~Main Theme~ Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 4 オープニングセレクト Opening Select Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 5 ミシロタウン Littleroot Town Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 6 オダマキ研究所 Birch Laboratory Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 7 ハルカ May Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 8 たすけてくれ！ Help! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 9 戦闘！野生ポケモン Battle! Wild Pokémon Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 10 野生ポケモンに勝利！ Wild Pokémon Defeated! Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 11 101番道路 Route 101 Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 12 コトキタウン Oldale Town Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 13 ポケモンセンター Pokémon Center Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 14 回復 Recovery Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 15 視線！たんぱんこぞう Glance! Youngster Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 16 視線！ミニスカート Glance! Lass Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 17 戦闘！トレーナー Battle! Trainer Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 18 トレーナーに勝利！ Trainer Defeated! Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 19 レベルアップ Level Up Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 20 トウカシティ Petalburg City Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 21 連れて行く Bring Along Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 22 104番道路 Route 104 Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 23 トウカの森 Petalburg Woods Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 24 マグマ団登場！ Team Magma Appears! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 25 戦闘！アクア・マグマ団 Battle! Team Aqua/Magma Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 26 アクア・マグマ団に勝利！ Team Aqua/Magma Defeated! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 27 カナズミシティ Rustboro City Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 28 トレーナーズスクール Trainer's School Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 29 海を越えて Crossing the Sea Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 30 ムロタウン Dewford Town Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 31 視線！うきわガール Glance! Tuber♀ Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 32 カイナシティ Slateport City Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 33 海の科学博物館 Oceanic Museum Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 34 110番道路 Route 110 Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 35 サイクリング Cycling Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 36 ゲームコーナー Game Corner Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 37 当たり！ Success! Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 38 残念 Bad Luck Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 39 BDタイム BD Time Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 40 大当たり！ Jackpot! Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 41 シダケタウン Verdanturf Town Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 42 113番道路 Route 113 Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 43 ふたごちゃん Twins Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 44 ハジツゲタウン Fallarbor Town Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 45 ロープウェイ Ropeway Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 46 えんとつやま Mt. Chimney Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 47 視線！やまおとこ Glance! Hiker Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 48 111番道路 Route 111 Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 49 ジム Gym Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 50 戦闘！ジムリーダー Battle! Gym Leader Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 51 ジムリーダーに勝利！ Gym Leader Defeated! Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 52 バッジゲット Get Badge Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 53 わざマシンゲット Get Technical Machine Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 54 なみのり Surf Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki

DISC 2

Disc 2 No. Track Title (Japanese) Track Title (English Translation) Composer Arranger 1 119番道路 Route 119 Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 2 ヒワマキシティ Fortree City Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 3 120番道路 Route 120 Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 4 インタビュアー Interviewers Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 5 サファリゾーン Safari Zone Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 6 視線！ジェントルマン Glance! Gentleman Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 7 ミナモシティ Lilycove City Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 8 美術館 Art Museum Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 9 わざ忘れ Forget Move Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 10 ユウキ Brendan Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 11 戦闘！ユウキ・ハルカ Battle! Brendan/May Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 12 進化 Evolution Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 13 進化おめでとう Congratulatory Evolution Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 14 フレンドリィショップ Poké Mart Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 15 おくりびやま Mt. Pyre Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 16 視線！サイキッカー Glance! Psychic Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 17 視線！オカルトマニア Glance! Hex Maniac Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 18 おくりびやま外壁 Mt. Pyre's Outer Wall Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 19 アジト Hideout Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 20 どうぐゲット Get Item Junichi Masuda Morikazu Aoki 21 アクア団登場！ Team Aqua Appears! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 22 戦闘！アクア・マグマ団のリーダー Battle! Team Aqua/Magma's Leader Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 23 目覚める超古代ポケモン Awakening the Super-Ancient Pokémon Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 24 日照り Drought Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 25 大雨 Heavy Rain Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 26 ダイビング Diving Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 27 ルネシティ Sootopolis City Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 28 めざめのほこら Cave of Origin Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 29 戦闘！超古代ポケモン Battle! Super-Ancient Pokémon Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 30 視線！ビキニのおねえさん Glance! Swimmer♀ Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 31 サイユウシティ Ever Grande City Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 32 きのみゲット Get Berry Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 33 コンテストロビー Contest Lobby Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 34 コンテスト！ Contest! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 35 結果発表 Result Announcement Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 36 コンテスト優勝 Contest Championship Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 37 おふれのせきしつ Sealed Chamber Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 38 戦闘！レジロック・レジアイス・レジスチル Battle! Regirock/Regice/Registeel Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 39 カラクリ屋敷 Trick House Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 40 すてらねぶね Abandoned Ship Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 41 バトルタワー Battle Tower Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 42 チャンピオンロード Victory Road Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 43 視線！エリートトレーナー Glance! Cooltrainer Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 44 四天王登場！ Elite Four Appears! Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 45 戦闘！四天王 Battle! Elite Four Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 46 チャンピオンダイゴ Champion Steven Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 47 決戦！ダイゴ Decisive Battle! Steven Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda 48 ダイゴに勝利！ Steven Defeated! Morikazu Aoki Morikazu Aoki 49 栄光の部屋 Room of Glory Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 50 殿堂入り Induction to the Hall of Fame Junichi Masuda Go Ichinose 51 エンディング Ending Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 52 The END The END Go Ichinose Go Ichinose Bonus Tracks No. Track Title (Japanese) Track Title (English Translation) Composer Arranger 53 TRICK MASTER TRICK MASTER Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 54 SLATEPORT CITY SLATEPORT CITY Go Ichinose Go Ichinose 55 STEVEN STONE STEVEN STONE Junichi Masuda Junichi Masuda

Reception

Critical response

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 84% (55 reviews)[34][35] Metacritic 82% (33 reviews)[36][37] Review scores Publication Score 1UP.com B-[38] CVG 9 / 10[39] Eurogamer 7 / 10[40] Famitsu 34 / 40[41] GameSpot 8.1 / 10 (Ruby)[42] GameZone 9.5 / 10 (Ruby)[43] IGN 9.5 / 10 (Ruby)[44]

The games met with mostly positive reviews. IGN gave them an "Amazing" 9.5 out of 10 rating and awarded them the Editor's Choice Award; in 2007, the games were collectively named the tenth best Game Boy Advance game of all time in an IGN article.^[45] GameZone also gave the games a 9.5 out of 10 rating and gave the games an Outstanding Award.^[43] GamePro gave the games 5 out of 5 stars and named them Editor's Choices.^[46] ComputerAndVideoGames.com gave the games a 9 of 10, and GameSpot gave the games 8.1 out of 10.^[39] Eurogamer and 1UP.com were less enthusiastic about the games, however; Eurogamer gave the games 7 out of 10, and 1UP gave the games a B-.^[38][40]

Reviewers were divided in their critiques of the games, especially concerning the gameplay and graphics. IGN praised the "deep design" and noted that the addition of features such as double battles greatly increased the strategic aspect of the games. GamePro also thought that the addition of double battles "add[ed] challenge" and "made the harder battles far more strategic than before—the way the game should be".^[46] Likewise, ComputerAndVideoGames.com called the gameplay "incredibly compelling and addictive".^[39] GameZone noted that the gameplay was more refined and challenging than that of previous titles.^[43] However, GameSpot called the games "a cakewalk from start to finish" and claimed that Ruby and Sapphire "don't offer much of a challenge".^[42] Eurogamer also felt that the mechanics "[get] very tired, very fast".^[40] 1UP.com also felt that the games were formulaic and that double battles were underused.^[38]

ComputerAndVideoGames.com was enthusiastic over the graphics, calling them "gorgeous".^[39] Other reviewers were less enthusiastic, however. GamePro felt that the graphics were only "a fair bit prettier" than those of the Game Boy color games;^[46] GameZone said that the games "still [use] the simple animations and basic character designs that were created for the original, color-less Game Boy".^[43] IGN and 1UP.com noted that the graphics had received only a minor upgrade,^[38][47] and Eurogamer felt that the graphics had been upgraded to a "functional level at best".^[40] The audio was generally well-received: GameZone and GameSpot both felt the audio was catchy; GameZone gave the audio an 8 out of 10 score, saying that while the music "was annoying at times, [...] it's also very good. [...] I found myself humming the music when I wasn't playing". Other complaints included the removal of the time system of Gold and Silver and the inability to import Pokémon from the games of previous generations.^[47]

Sales

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were highly anticipated.^[48][49] In Japan, they sold 1.25 million units within the first four days of release and were the best-selling games of the 2002 holiday season;^[50] sales totaled around 4.4 million within six weeks of release.^[51] They also became the first games to sell 2 million copies in Japan since 2001's Final Fantasy X and the first games for a hand-held console to do so since 2000's Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4.^{[52][note 1]} In North America, Nintendo sold 2.2 million units by April 2003 (within one month of the games' North American release) in the region alone.^[51] Ruby and Sapphire were the second and third best-selling games, respectively, of 2003.^[53] The games enjoyed success in Europe as well. They were the second best-selling games of the holiday season in 2002;^[54] even before release, European retailers imported cartridges from the United States to meet the high demand for the games.^[55] With around 16 million units sold worldwide, the games are the best-selling titles ever for the Game Boy Advance.^[56] However, analysts noted that with "young kids...gravitating toward Yu-Gi-Oh!" at the time, Pokémon's popularity was waning.^[57] This was reflected in the games' sales compared to those of previous generations: Red and Blue sold nearly 27 million units worldwide,^[58] and Gold and Silver sold over 14 million units.^[59][60]

Related games

Pokémon Emerald

Pokémon Emerald (ポケットモンスター エメラルド Poketto Monsutā Emerarudo, lit "Pocket Monsters: Emerald"), featuring Rayquaza on the box art, is the twelfth game in the Pokémon video game series in Japan, and the eleventh in North America and Europe. The game, an updated version of Ruby and Sapphire, was released in Japan on September 16, 2004; it was released in North America on May 1, 2005; Australia on June 9, 2005; and Europe on October 21, 2005.^[61]

Although the gameplay is as that of Ruby and Sapphire, Emerald introduces new features. The plot is modified; both Team Magma and Aqua are villains who are locked in a constant gang war and awaken Groudon and Kyogre, respectively. When the two legendary Pokémon begin to battle each other, the protagonist must unleash the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza (pictured on the box cover) to calm them. Some of the game mechanics are changed as well. Though double battles were clearly marked in Ruby and Sapphire, in Emerald, two separate trainers might unite to battle as a pair. After the Elite Four is defeated, the player may re-battle Gym Leaders in a double battle if they are called on their PokéNav. Also, Pokémon sprites are animated in battle like they were in Pokémon Crystal.^[62] Probably the most significant addition is the Battle Frontier, an expanded version of the Battle Tower in Ruby and Sapphire.

Another change made in Emerald is the addition of Team Magma's base on the side of Mt. Chimney; moreover, the legendary Pokémon Groudon is found here, rather than in the Cave of Origin. Even though the locations of the legendary Pokémon are different, Team Magma still makes the mistake of taking the blue orb to Groudon, while Team Aqua still makes the mistake of taking the red orb to Kyogre. A new character named Scott is also introduced in this game. Unknown to the player, he is the creator of the Battle Frontier. He follows the player throughout the game, watching them battle each Gym Leader and even meeting up with them when they get to the Battle Frontier.

Emerald has been generally well received.^[63][64] The game has an aggregate rating of 77% on Game Rankings.^[65] GameSpot gave it a 7.5 out of 10;^[66] IGN gave it an "Impressive" rating of 8.0 out of a possible 10.^[62] Eurogamer, however, gave Emerald a score of 6 out of 10. Though it praised Emerald for looking better than either Ruby or Sapphire and for having harder and longer gameplay, it criticized the game for not even being a "half changed update [...] but more of a director's cut".^[67] Emerald was the second best-selling game in the United States of 2005; it sold 6.32 million copies, making it the third-best selling game for the Game Boy Advance.^[68]

In 2011, it was reported that the game was still selling in Japan in 2010 with approximately 7,724 sold that year.^[69]

Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire

Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire, or simply Pokémon Box, is a spin-off Pokémon game for the Nintendo GameCube console, bundled with a Nintendo GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable and a Memory Card 59.^[70] It was released in Japan on May 30, 2003 and in North America on July 11, 2004,^[71] but only through the New York Pokémon Center and its online store.^[70] It is no longer available in either location. The game was released in some parts of Europe as Pokémon Memory Magic due to translation problems,^[72] and Europeans only could get the game by using points from Nintendo of Europe's loyalty program, or by buying the Pokémon Colosseum Mega Pack.^[73]

The game is essentially a storage system for the Game Boy Advance Pokémon games that allows players to trade and store Pokémon that they have caught in Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen onto a GameCube memory card. Players can then organize and interact with their Pokémon on the GameCube, such as allowing them to breed. Unique Pokémon can also be acquired. Another feature allows the games to be played on the television via the GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable. Options such as taking screenshots of the game are available in this mode.^[74] Another addition is the "Showcase", where players can create and display game pieces of Pokémon.^[75]

Nintendo referred to the game as "the most exclusive Pokémon software ever offered to North American Pokémon fans,"^[76] but it was generally considered to be unnecessary, receiving a score of 50% on Game Rankings from 1 review.^[77] Craig Harris of IGN gave the game a "Meh" rating of 5.0 out of 10, praising the interface, which makes the organization of Pokémon much easier as compared to the Game Boy Advance interface, as well as the emulator which allows Ruby and Sapphire to be played on the GameCube. He also stated that the game was a good deal due to the inclusion of a Memory Card and Cable. However, Harris cited the "Showcase" as "entirely unnecessary and completely out of place," and said that overall the game lacked much to do. He wrote, "It's targeted specifically for the truly die-hard Pokemon fan, but it requires so many specific elements to actually be useful to anyone."^[75] Allgame gave the game three and a half out of five stars.^[76]

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

On May 7, 2014, Nintendo announced that a remake of Ruby and Sapphire, titled Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and it was released for the Nintendo 3DS on November 21, 2014 Worldwide, with the exclusion of Europe, where it was released on November 28, 2014.^[78][79]

Footnotes

General

1. If the two games are counted as one

References

• Game Freak (March 19, 2003). Pokémon Ruby. Nintendo.
• Game Freak (March 19, 2003). Pokémon Sapphire. Nintendo.
• Pokémon Sapphire Version instruction booklet. Nintendo. 2003.
• Hollinger, Elizabeth M. (2003). Pokémon Ruby Version [and] Sapphire Version: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. USA: Prima Games. ISBN 0-7615-4256-6.

Notes

1. "Pokemon Ruby Version for Game Boy". GameSpot. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
2. "Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire". May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
3. Harris, Craig (March 17, 2003). "Pokemon: Ruby Version". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
4. Pokémon Sapphire Version instruction booklet, p. 35
5. Pokémon Sapphire Version instruction booklet, p. 37
6. Pokémon Sapphire Version instruction booklet, p. 32
7. Hollinger, p.3
8. Hollinger, p.6
9. Hollinger, p.76
10. Twang, Kuyani (May 8, 2014). "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire speculation bingo". Yahoo News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
11. Pokémon Sapphire Version instruction booklet, p. 50.
12. Harris, Craig (September 12, 2003). "Pokemon Battle-e Cards". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
13. "The Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire "EON Ticket" Summer Tour is coming to Toys 'R Us!". Pokemon-games.com. Nintendo. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
14. "Pokemon Colosseum Linkup Revealed". IGN. News Corporation. October 15, 2003. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
15. Harris, Craig (July 3, 2004). "Pokemon Box: Ruby & Sapphire". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
16. "Hidden Power of Masuda". GameFreak. September 9, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
17. Hollinger, p.12
18. "Walkthrough: Badge #1". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
19. "Guides: Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire Guide (GBA) Walkthrough: Pokemon League Championship". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
20. "Walkthrough: Badge #2". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
21. Hollinger, p. 24
22. Hollinger, pp. 38–40
23. Hollinger, p. 45
24. Hollinger, pp. 61–62
25. "Pokemon Ruby Version Info". GameFAQs. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
26. Masuda, Junichi; Morimoto, Shigeki; Sugimori, Ken (May 30, 2003). Nintendo Interviews: Game Freak on Pokemon!. Computer and Video Games. Interview with Stuart Bishop (Future plc). Archived from the original on February 11, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
27. "Preview: Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire Versions". Gamepro (IDG Entertainment). July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
28. Elkin, Tobi (March 2003). "Pokemon grows up with its demographic; Nintendo puts $7 mil behind latest versions.". Advertising Age, Bnet. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2008.(Registration required to view article.)
29. Harris, Craig (March 12, 2003). "Pokemon Hit the Road". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
30. Harris, Craig (February 11, 2003). "Pokemon Pre-Sell Goodies". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
31. Harris, Craig (August 29, 2003). "Nintendo Celebrates Pokemoniversary". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
32. "Nintendo teams up with Vimto for new Pokemon games". Brand Republic (Haymarket Group). June 24, 2003. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
33. "Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire Super Complete Music" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
34. "Pokemon Ruby Version Reviews". Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
35. "Pokemon Sapphire Version Reviews". Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
36. "Pokemon Sapphire Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
37. "Pokemon Ruby Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
38. "Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire Review". 1UP.com. Ziff Davis Media. January 1, 2000. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
39. Sutton, Maura (May 8, 2003). "Review: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Future Publishing. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
40. Taylor, Martin (September 8, 2003). "Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire Review". Eurogamer. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
41. ゲームボーイアドバンス - ポケットモンスター ルビー・サファイア. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.120. June 30, 2006.
42. Kasavin, Greg (March 18, 2003). "Pokemon Ruby Version". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
43. Bedigian, Louis (March 24, 2008). "Pokemon Ruby Review". GameZone. Gamezone Online. Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
44. "IGN: Pokemon Ruby Version". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
45. Harris, Craig (March 16, 2007). "Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
46. "Review: Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire Versions". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. March 17, 2003. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
47. Harris, Craig (March 17, 2003). "IGN: Pokemon Ruby Version Review". IGN. News Corporation. p. 3. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
48. "Japan Catches A Light Case of Pokemania". Gamepro (IDG Entertainment). December 21, 2002. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
49. "America Braces for Next Huge Pokemon Wave; Pokemon Ruby, Pokemon Sapphire for Game Boy Advance Give New Game-Play and Learning Experience". AccessMyLibrary (Business Wire). March 17, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2008. (Registration required to view article)
50. "EU Wraps Up Microsoft Inquiry". Wired (Condé Nast Publications). Associated Press and Reuters. December 19, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
51. "Nintendo Makes Money". IGN. News Corporation. April 4, 2003. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
52. "Top 30 Japanese Video Games 12/08/02". Gamepro (IDG Entertainment). December 18, 2002. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
53. "2003's top video games.". AccessMyLibrary (The Charlotte Observer). Knight-Ridder/Tribune. March 9, 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
54. "Game Boy Advance shipments hit 10 million in Europe". Gamepro (IDG Entertainment). December 9, 2003. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
55. "Importers warned over GBA Pokemon titles". The Register (Situation Publishing Ltd). April 28, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
56. Rose, Mike (October 15, 2013). "Pokemon X & Y sell 4M copies in first weekend". Gamasutra. Think Services. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
57. "Pokemon pundits see luster fading: new games seen a solid, no record breakers". AccessMyLibrary (Video Business). February 24, 2003. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
58. Safier, Joshua; Nakaya, Sumie (February 7, 2000). "Pokemania: Secrets Behind the International Phenomenon" (PDF). Columbia Business School. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
59. "Japan Platinum Chart Games". The Magic Box. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
60. "US Platinum Chart Games". The Magic Box. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
61. "Pokemon Emerald Info". GameFAQs. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
62. "IGN: Pokémon Emerald Version". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
63. "IGN: Reader Reviews For: Pokémon Emerald Version". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
64. "Pokémon Emerald Reader Reviews at Game Rankings". Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
65. "Pokémon Emerald Reviews at Game Rankings". Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
66. "Gamespot Summary of Pokémon Emerald". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
67. "Review - Pokémon Emerald // GBA /// Eurogamer". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
68. "AOL Games: Pokémon Emerald". AOL Games. AOL. August 3, 2005. Archived from the original on April 18, 2006. Retrieved March 24, 2006.
69. "Yes, People Still Buy This Game Boy Advance Game". Kotaku. April 25, 2011.
70. Harris, Craig (July 20, 2004). "IGN: Pokemon Box: Ruby and Sapphire Preview". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
71. "Pokemon Box: Ruby and Sapphire Release Information for GameCube". GameFAQs. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
72. Tim (September 28, 2008). "N-Europe: News: Pokémon Name Change". N-Europe. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
73. Boyd, Ashley (May 15, 2004). "N-Europe: News: Pokémon Box Gets Starring Role". N-Europe. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
74. "Pokémon Box Ruby and Sapphire Impressions". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. July 10, 2003. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
75. Harris, Craig (July 23, 2004). "IGN: Pokemon Box: Ruby and Sapphire Review". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
76. Marriott, Scott Alan. "Pokémon Box > Overview". Allgame. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
77. "Pokemon Box: Ruby and Sapphire Reviews". Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
78. "Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire". Nintendo. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
79. Watts, Steve (May 7, 2014). "Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire announced". Shacknews LTD. Retrieved May 7, 2014.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/15/pokemon-x-and-y-sales-figures-revealed

External links

• Pokémon Ruby at Nintendo.com (archives of the original at the Internet Archive)
• Pokémon Sapphire at Nintendo.com (archives of the original at the Internet Archive)
• Game Details for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire at Pokemon-Games.com
• Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions on Bulbapedia
  • GBA Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire Music Super Complete on Bulbapedia