Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire (Game)

Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire

GAME » on November 21, 2002

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are the third set of Pokémon games in the franchise and were released in 2003.

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Overview

Pokémon Ruby title screen

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are the twin titles of the 3rd generation in classic Pokémon fare. They follow the established formula with a young boy or girl starting their own quest to become the Pokémon Champion by battling their way through the region's gyms and finally facing the Elite Four (Concept).

Along the way they must also thwart the evil Team Magma (in Ruby version) or Team Aqua (in Sapphire version), who seek to awaken one of the legendary Pokemon to expand either the earth or the sea, and allows the player to come in contact with one of the ancient legendary pokémon, Kyogre (Concept) or Groudon (Concept).

Gameplay

Treecko, one of the new Pokémon added to the Hoenn Region.

The game follows a simple turn-based RPG system, that is unique in that the player's trainer can acquire party members from battling and capturing them. They travel the world escorted by a team of up to six creatures that can be swapped out and trained with new attacks and tactics. The battles themselves are a turn based affair with the trainer able to use items to bolster the team or catch new Pokémon.

Additions from previous generations include new Pokémon to catch, battling with two creatures at a time in special 2-on-2 battles with other trainers, and there is a new gadget called the Pokénav, replacing the PokéGear from the previous generation.

New features

Battle mechanics

2-on-2 Pokemon Battle

In certain situations, trainers may now participate in double-battles, using two of their Pokémon versus two of an opponent's. This was a first in the series. Pokémon may choose which enemy to use a move on, and certain moves may affect both combatants.

Abilities and Natures

Pokemon Contest Condition

Abilities are now present in all Pokémon, and have effects both inside and outside of battle. Examples include lowering the foes attack (Intimidate) or increasing the power of Grass moves (Overgrow).

Natures were also introduced in this game. They affect a Pokémon's stats. An example would be the Hasty nature.

This nature is beneficial to a Pokémon's speed in the long run, while hindering its defense stat. Natures also affect which Pokéblock a Pokémon will love and hate, like or dislike.

Pokemon Contests

These are contests in the game that allow Trainers to display their best breed of Pokemon.

Ribbons from a victorious Contestant

All the moves in the game are used, but are categorized within 5 types; Cool, Beauty, Smart, Cute, and Tough. All corresponding types are designated to specific contest judging.

The objective is to impress the judge the most in 2 forms; sheen, and move appeal. Sheen is determined by what Pokéblocks are eaten, which can raise the required quality of sheen in that stat area. The second way is through Appeals, which are taken in turns, to earn hearts from appealing. the one collecting the most stars wins.

Secret Bases

Fortree City is teeming with bases

Secret bases are what they say; a secret base away from home that the player's trainer can decorate with many different items. It also draws on a concept first seen in Gold and Silver, whereby upon completing the main story, the player can battle their friends' teams for experience points, money, and Pokedex sight entries at their secret bases.

Secret Base display of goods

Linking with a friend and mixing records provides a copy of their secret base that can be accessed. also, Secret bases can be made using the move Secret Power (TM 10) in holes in walls, piles of grass, or certain trees.

Legendaries

The Legendary Pokémon available without special events are:

Groudon

Rayquaza (Concept), a Dragon/Flying type at level 70.

Regice (Concept), Ice type at level 40.

Regirock (Concept), Rock type at level 40.

Registeel (Concept), Steel type at level 40.

Ruby version only:

Latios (Concept), Dragon/Psychic at level 40.

Groudon (Concept), Ground type at level 45.

Sapphire version only:

Latias (Concept), a Dragon/Psychic at level 40

Kyogre (Concept), Water type at level 45.

Special Event Legendary Pokémon

Jirachi

Latios (Concept)/ Latias (Concept) - It's possible to catch the opposite Lati- to that roaming in the game with an Eon Ticket.

Jirachi (Concept) - Found in Pokémon Colosseum (Game) Bonus Disc at Level 5, or at Nintendo Event.

Deoxys - Found in Nintendo Event.

Pokedex

The Pokédex of Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald includes all the Pokémon from the previous two games (once the national dex is unlocked).

Hoenn Pokedex

The first 151 Pokémon are listed in the Pokémon Red/Blue Pokédex section. Pokémon 152 to 251 are listed in Pokémon Gold/Silver's Pokédex section.

All Pokémon new to Ruby/Sapphire are listed below, with the National Dex Number on the left, and Hoenn Dex on the right. Entries from previous generations have their national dex set as blank.

252/001 Treecko (Concept)

253/002 Grovyle (Concept)

254/003 Sceptile (Concept)