Amazon.com

Pokémon Sapphire's updated graphics with weather effects, amazing sound, more than 200 Pokémon with over 100 new species--as well as its faithful adherence to the existing series of Pokémon games--makes for a welcome evolution in the series.

First, the game has a lot in common with Pokémon 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 the game's handy-dandy Pokédex helps players keep track of the many stats. You're main goal is still to beat all the Gym Trainers and become the Pokémon 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 Pokémon 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 Pokémons while covering their weaknesses. For example, you can now have a water Pokémon watch your fire Pokémon's back.You can also attack more than one Pokémon 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 PokéBlock, which is a little super-charged candy that raises your Pokémon's "Condition" attributes. You can then groom your Pokémon 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 Pokémon Sapphire has a kickin' multiplayer system, too. You can trade Pokémon, 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 Pokémon in battle
• Much needed graphic and sound facelift
• Nice multiplayer feature (requires link cable and extra game cartridge)

• Can't trade Pokémon with Game Boy Color

Reviews (227)

Pokemon Sapphire is a nice piece of work
I have been playing the Japanese version of Sapphire for about 20+ hours now, and I believe I might be able to shed some light on what to expect.

Overview: The game starts out with the ability to choose between a boy and a girl character. Like previous games, you may choose the name of your character HOWEVER you can not choose the name of your rival. After taking care of some basic things, you head out to become a Pokemon master. The same aspects of the previous games once again apply, and of course, Team Rocket(in the form of Team Aqua) will once again try to stop you. The game is very easy to follow and manipulate, so even the youngest fan won't have a hard time becoming a Pokemon master.

Graphics: Unlike Crystal, the Pokemon are no longer given an "intro" animation. While this does reduce battle time significantly in the long term, it might be a dissapointment for many younger players. However, the animation for attacks and item usage has been greatly improved. Certain attacks, like "attract" are now given a greater spotlight and have become long-term status effects. This new addition, along with many other new TMs, will greatly delight even the oldest Pokefan.

Music: The music is rather cheesy. This newest release does feature variations of the battle themes that most G/S/C fans are accustomed to, but the variations aren't incredibly good.

Pokedex: Yes, the Pokedex has once again gone a major upgrade and it will not be a dissapointment. The most interesting feature is that your Pokemon will now be shown relative to your character, giving the player a better idea of how large each Pokemon is.

New Pokemon: If you expect the new release to have lots of cutesy Pokemon, you will be in for a let-down. 186 of the "old" Pokemon are not availble in either Sapphire or Ruby, and as you can not trade with the earlier versions of the game, completing your Pokedex will be impossible until further versions are released. The nice thing is that, until Milo Town(3rd town), you won't encounter any of the old Pokemon. This means that you can not longer rely on familiar faces like Mareep and instead you'll have to adapt to new Pokemon like Jigumaguma. There are 5 Pokemon featured in this game that can not be caught in Ruby; Habunake, Hassboh, Latias, Kyogre and Runatoon. Both Latias & Kyogre are "legendary" Pokemon.

Overall, despite the music and the inability to trade Pokemon with previous versions, this is a great game that will keep anyone busy for hours on end. Sapphire is definetely worth the [price].

Pokemon Sapphire for Gameboy Advance SP Rules!!! #1 GAME!
This game is absolutly the best Pokemom game I have ever played. It has cool all new and better sound effects and music, it has more citys and bigger citys and towns to go to than other games, and you can fight with two on two battles! The graphics and colors are magnificent and the different Pokemon are awesome!
The contest is cool because you can see if your Pokemon is cool, cute, tough, ect. It has more TM and HM moves to choose from and it even has a cool new feature that lets you use a special HM on an odd looking tree or cliff and you can create your own secret clubhouse base! The story begins as you choose a boy or girl. Then you start in a small town, Little Root, and your goal is to
become the best Pokemon Trainer in the Hoenn Region, the contenent you play in. It is fun and I assure you it will probobly be a great adventure for anyone. Overall this game is
the best I've seen and I would give it more than 5 if I could!

Greatest Pokemon Game Ever!!!!!
Trust me, you've got to get this game. I think that that the originals were fine and there graphics were lagging but sapphire has a great story and great graphics, the game is great because you are in the all new Hoenn Region and only 52 of the original pokemon were kept and the new pokemon are so cool, if you have any intrest in this interview you obviously are thinking about buying it, buy it! The game is the best, the features are the best, buy it!<br /> <br /> Sapphire rules all. Sapphire kicks the originals out of commission. Sapphire is definitely, a game that will be remembered as a great game.

Awesome
This game is amazing! I love it. Please, by all means buy it. I don't feel like writing a huge review so u can live with this.

Best game ever better then retarded ruby
I love this game and i am still playing it and my favorite pokemon is deoxys. ... Read more

Features

• Card-style role-playing game
• Includes wireless adapter so you can join up to 39 other trainers for battle
• Trade or battle Pokemon among Ruby, Sapphire, and Colluseum editions of the series
• Breed Pokemon to take advantage of evolved characteristics
• For 1 to 4 players

Reviews (20)

A small step for mankind, but a great leap for Pokemon!
Title; Pokemon Fire Red
Players;1-40 (in the union room)
Genre; RPG
Introduction; Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green are both remakes of the original two Pokemon games that launched in Japan which were Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green. The mass popularity of these games then led to the release of Pokemon Blue, and then Pikachu (Yellow as we know it)version.
Review; Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green are definately my most anticipated titles at the moment. Why? Because of four reasons.
1.It's OFFICIAL POKEMON!
2.It comes with the super-cool Wireless Adapter which clicks into the holes either side of the link cable port and the link cable port and allows you to play Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green WIRELESS!
3.Every place has had a complete makeover, and the sound has been improved too, making the graphics as good as Ruby/Sapphire!
4.Nine new islands have been added to these games, but they aren't like Johto, Kanto, Hoenn or Orre. No, they are just a few towns each.
(...)

Nostalgia+Technology=A Really Great Game!
This game is great! If you want Kanto pokemon in your Ruby/Sapphire, this game is for you. It offers the original 150 pokemon (Mew is currently unobtainable), some Johto pokemon and even Deoxys in two cool new forms.

Travel to some of your favorite original places, from the Viridian Forest to the Unknown Dungeon, and some new places, including the 9 brand new "Rainbow Islands!" Even use the wireless adaptor to travel to the Union Room, where you can chat, trade and battle others in the room without a link cable (even though the link cable is still compatible with the game)!

Good news for you Charmander fans: Charmander can learn metal claw at level 13, meaning Brock's going to be a whole lot easier with Charmander!

Overall, this game combines the latest GBA innovations with nostalgia, and I find it a great (and fun) game. I could play it for months.

AWSOME!!!!
MAN I JUST I GOT S GAME! AND ITS OFF THE CHARTS.This game is so much better than all the restput together.This game starts u all the way back in the Kanto region and u go through the old story line.But the sounds effect are better,better grafics.Not only do you get this game you also get the wireless adapter pack witch alows u to play wirelessly theres a new feature caleed the union room its like a chat room but better u can trade talk battle as long as you got a wireless adaptor and a version of the game its awsome. SO WHAT ARE WAITING FOR GET OUT THERE AND GET THIS GAME!!!!

pokemon fire red
I'ts awesome I love it and reccomend it to people who like pokemon.

this one awesome game
At last a pokemon game that allows you to catch em all plus this game comes with an Wireless adopter which is way better than a link cable.the first time l saw this game in a maganzine l thought wow. also l try out the other pokemon games and beat it(except for the catch em all)and l bet this game will do too ... Read more

Features

• Return to Kanto to experience the original duo's plot
• Prove yourself in the region's Pokémon League, bring down Team Rocket, and pursue new storylines
• Bring the Pokémon you catch into Pokémon Ruby, Saphire, and Colosseum
• Comes with a free Wireless Adaptor
• For 1 to 4 players in the Direct Corner, or up to 40 in the Union Room

Reviews (14)

Wonderful Moment!!
I am a HUGE fan of pokemon even though people tell me I'm not a child anymore (I'm 14) Who cares! I'm totally excited about the Green/Red games appearing. I just recently played my old red and remembered how much I loved it when I got it. This will be even better. The new connector to link battles and chatters is new and a great idea. New graphics, new people and eh...imported things from the other version is going to be a great installment. I'm really looking forward to getting this game...so should you!

OMG a re-make of PKMN Red/Green
This game gives you the chance to talk to people and trade/battle without actully having to do any connecting any cords, and because it's one of the first games to have this accesory, they give it to you free with the purchace, this will make Nintendo go up in Pok'emon products, and, which i highly doubt, more people could like the remake better, and actully buy more! The old game revolutionized the gameboy system, and this game gives honor and respect to, probably, the best gameboy game ever, an awsome chance to relive it's golory days, with a few new changes

That's the best game
If you are a pokemon fan this is the game for you. This game is similar to red version, except it contains all the cool futures of Ruby and Suppire. When i first started this game i thought it will be boring, but i was wrong, this game was the best pokemon game i ever played. You can catch Enti, and othe Jhotoe's pokemon. This game is twice as long as red version. It has 7 extra island that conatins Jhotoe's pokemons. You can get Lugia, Ho-Oh too. The graphic is awsome, the trees and the houses look better than in Ruby/Suppire version. Believe me this will be the best pokemon game you ever buy.

Awsome remake!
The makers of pokemon did a great job remaking the classic games that got most of us fans hooked better gameplay better graphics better story line and the endless new possibilities i definatley give this game 5 stars although they should have came out with a ocean blue as well that would have been neat

Another one? Ah well.
Pokemon merchandise has faded ever since the cards came out. But the games still show that Nintendo has some potential. I'm no pokemon fan. And I certainly do not collect TCG cards. But I have been buying pokemon games since Gold/Silver came out. Nintendo shows that Pokemon can still be in just not in a collecting way. Leafgreen and Firered show almost no "revolutionary" gaming experiences or "leaps" from its predecessors. But it's still fun. Wireless Adapter? We can wait until Nintendo DS comes out. graphics? Not very new. I've seen better. Just get F-Zero when it comes out. But the fun cannot be matched by almost none and gameplay is quite good. So even though pokemon merchandise TCG is out, Nintendo gaming is definetely in. ... Read more

Features

• Upload Pokemon from your Game Boy Advance and battle on your television
• Completely compatible with Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire
• Battle with more than 200 Pokemon
• Join with friends to combine strengths in new two-on-two battles
• For 1 to 4 players

Reviews (120)

Update for my other review
This game sounds very fun In adventure mode the story is that an evil organization has made pokemon evil and now they use them as there slaves. Your job is to defeat the evil pokemon and steel them from the organization.Now whats even greatter is that the new pokemon games that are possibly coming out 8 websites that I read said there going to come out Q3 Witch is July - september. They are remakes of the other ones the orginal pokemon blue and red they are called pokemon fire red and green leaf and the pokemon can be transfered into pokemon colosseum and if you dont know what green it is ok only the japenese people know red and green where the first pokemon games and blue was a later version in japan but green never made it anywhere over seas and also there is going to be a wireless link bundled with it. It supports up to 5 players but there has to be special games that support this feature and best of all its wireless so you dont have to put up with the link becoming lose.Over all pokemon colosseum is going to be great and so are the new gba games.

pokemon colosseum
It is one of the grates games i have played in my life.I love playing it.

A sad try to keep the trend thriving.
While Colosseum is fun... some what, and the Pokemon them selves look cute and cool (Or in wailord's case, properly HUGE) but the game all together is a sad try to get more people back into the World of Pokemon. I personaly break it down like this:

Fun level: 6/10
Let's face it, one of Pokemon's long time falws is there aren't many truly difficult battles. Once you get the second badge you just grow (which takes forever I'll admit)till your team is strong enough, and then fight. This time however, you have all the badges, and you start with a team that can both take a pounding and dish it out as well. The added challange of stealing Shadow Pokemon dose add a spark that helps, but not enough.

Gamer freindly: 9/10
The controls are easy, all the basic stuff is all there. But you now have to get to a computer to save. I have been just about to fight one of the few tough battles, and the last save spot is a 2 minute walk from where I am standing. The loss of save anywhere hurt how freindly the game is to what the Gamer sometimes has to deal with. However, a good gamer (which is just about any gamer really) can easilly adapt to this minor problem.

Story: 9.5/10
The idea of you being a reformed criminal is a nice way to go at it. Plus that fact that in the begining movie you steal something from your former team, and then blow up the hide out, adds a kind of ironic humor games rarely have. Then the whole bit about Shadow pokemon is a nice touch. The story line it self is nice really, but like all Pokemon games, it isn't perfect. For example, where are the cops I mean come on. You're still a criminal for all they know, and the 2 cops you DO meet just stand there and say "Hello. The city seam to have a lot of crime in it lately" Some police ofrce.

Game Length: 5/10
Ok, this is POKEMON we're talking about here right? The game that requires a week to really get started right? Not this time. With in a couple of weeks I had stolen Suicune, Entei, and was totaly unstoppable. In the time it normaly takes to get a third of the way through normaly, I had allready fought the last battle. Sorry guys, but this game is just WAY too short for Pokemon.

Graphics: 10/10
The attack and Pokemon graphics are one of the few things that save this game. The cute Pokemon are cuter, the cool are cooler and size is finnaly acurate. I was never able to imagine Wailord's size for example. I sure can now, WHAT A WHOPPER! True some graphics are better than others, but any game like this has that quality.

Overall: A disapointing 5/10
Let's face it, the makers of Pokemon were just too desperate to put a new game for the gamecube on the market. They should have just stuck with the traditional game, made this one longer, or made a Pokemon stadium that could connect with Ruby, Saphire, and all of their predicessers. True Pokemon fans will still enjoy this game, but if Nintendo want to keep Pokemon alive, they had better do ALOT better next time.

super duper collosuim game
this is the best game ever i got a quilava and i beat your ex boss i snagged suicune,entei,and rakiou.on the first try i failed to snag entei but once i got to relgem tower i battled him again and snagged entei.

Please! Please! DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!ur rippin ur selvs off
Oh yea Pokemon Colleseum looks like the best game people made BUT!!! Ur not goin 2 beleive how much this game stinks. Yea sure good graphics but it really is dissapointing because
.1 Ur character looks like he just came out of a teletubie graveyard.
.2 There is so little u can du.
.3 That girl looks like she goes around havin a crush on u
.4 Any1 wud raher play Pokemon Channel
Please rent it if u wunt 2 try it but don't buy it ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pokémon Ruby's updated graphics with weather effects, amazing sound, more than 200 Pokémon with over 100 new species--as well as its faithful adherence to the existing series of Pokémon games--makes for a welcome evolution in the series.

First, the game has a lot in common with Pokémon 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 Pokédex helps players keep track of the many stats. You're main goal is still to beat all the Gym Trainers and become the Pokémon 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 Pokémon 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 Pokémons while covering their weaknesses. For example, you can now have a water Pokémon watch your fire Pokémon's back.You can also attack more than one Pokémon 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 PokéBlock, which is a little super-charged candy that raises your Pokémon's "Condition" attributes. You can then groom your Pokémon 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 Pokémon Ruby has a kickin' multiplayer system, too. You can trade Pokémon, 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 Pokémon in battle
• Much needed graphic and sound facelift
• Nice multiplayer feature (requires link cable and extra game cartridge)

• Can't trade Pokémon with Game Boy Color

Reviews (249)

Pokemon Ruby Preview
I know it's a bit late but I'm here to tell you (in 1,000) words about Pokemon Ruby. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire will have 135 new Pokemon! Instead on the usual 100 new. You can do 2 on 2 battles which will make the game a little more interesting. NO MORE TEAM ROCKET!!!! Yay! Boo! Now there are two more teams, Magma and Aqua. Team Magma (which u battle in Ruby only) wants Groudon while Team Aqua (which u battle in Sapphire only) wants Kyogre. Instead of there only being 5 or 6 legendary Pokemon, there are 8 legendaries! To take over the 3 birds and dogs there are minerals. Rejiice: Ice Type, Rejisteel: Steel Type, and Rejirock: Rock type. Mew and Celebi are taken over by Jiraachi: Psy./Steel! Mewtwo says hello to Deoxys: Psy. type. Lugia and Ho-oh will be taken out by the two new birds, Latios: Psy./Flying, and Latias: Psy./Flying. Everyone give a warm welcome to Rekkuza! Rekkuza: Dragon/Flying. In both you have the choice of being a Boy or a girl. But they are different in each game. Here's some bummers: Mostly all of the Pokemon between Bulbasaur and Celebi, you cannot capture (without cheating). #2 You don't go to: Kanto, ORANGE ISLANDS (obviously), or Johto!
Tata that's all for now!

get's easier further in the game
Okay, first of all I bought a copy of this in late March at Wal-mart. Many of my friends had either Ruby or Sapphire already and I was ready to rejoin the Pokemon games (just the games not the cards and shows) I popped the game into my clear colored GBA and began my adventure throughout the game (luckily I had the game guide with me while I was playing.I decided to pick the water pokemon Mudkip as my starter because soon it evoles into a massive water-ground pokemon that knows Earthquake AKA Swampert. I received all the nessecery equipment before I went on my trek and I had a great time playing. I gave my character the name Jimmy. If you think that sounds absurb then wait til' I tell you that I named myself Barfbag in Silver. I was sort of bummed that I couldn't name my rival and that you only battle your rival about 3 times. Luckily, there's another person that fires up power to the game. His name is Wally and is a timid and sickly boy whom your Dad (the Petalburg City gym leader) asks you to help him catch his first pokemon (Ralts). Wally soon becomes very important to your quest.As I went on I captured pokemon such as Shroomish and Taillow who are now in their late 40's and 50's. I now have 96 pokemon and many of them are evolved because of the wonderful EXP Share which helps them receive experiecnce points without having to put them in battle. The gym leaders aren't as tough as their puzzles surronding the gym, although it took me many times to beat Tate and Lisa. I soon found myself confronting the Elite Four. Team Magma who replaces the worn out Team Rocket and very slick and commanding even though I knock the crud out of them they are still an excellent addition to the game. There's also a little side show entertainment values such as two on two battles and pokemon contests. I don't really want to say moch about thise simply because there isn't much to say. I found Groudon the featured legendary pokemon was difficult to catch but I got him after my 29 ultra ball. I soon went to the Elite Four and I struggled greatly with them but now I've beaten them 26 times! My favorite of the Elite Four is Sidney who sports a mohawk along with a toothy grin and he's veery sly even though he's easy for me. I disliked the champion Steven because he seems very mean and nasty when you talk to him. After the Elite Four I went on to catch more pokemon, battle the Elite Four over 20 times in order to raise my pokemon to highter levels. Then I did stuff like played the slots at the game corner and try to beat the Battle Tower and complete my Pokedex. That's all I have left to say about the game but I am still enjoying it for a great amount. I is truly a game that's worth the wait. Before I go, I'll show you all the pokemon in my party. SWAPERT: level 68 GROUDON: level 81 METAGROSS:level 64 0r maybe 65 GIRAFARIG level 63 RAYQUAZA level 74 and KECLEON level 56.

one of the best pokemon games to date.
Yes this game is the old same old same old. Additionally, many of the best features of gold and silver are missing, however the game still stands tall above the rest!

Recommended for anyone who can read! Seriously it is that good.

4.5 stars - Not the best Pokemon RPG but excellent still
Pokemon 3 (Ruby and Sapphire versions.) The third installment in the Game Boy Pokemon RPG series.

Nintendo's Pokemon franchise became a massive success in its native Japan relatively quickly. Although it took the franchise a little longer to catch on in America, it finally did catch on, and when it did, it took the nation by storm. Pokemon games and products sold like crazy, despite the fact that the franchise was virtually unrecognized in America at its time of release. By 2003, the phemonenon was pretty much dead in America, but still, Nintendo went ahead and released the two latest adventures in the series, Ruby and Sapphire. How do these games up? Read on for my review.

PROS:
-THIS GAME GIVES YOU MORE OF THE SAME MONSTER CATCHING AND BATTLING ACTION THAT YOU HAVE GROWN TO LOVE IN THE FIRST AND SECOND GAMES. To put it simply, if you liked the first game, it's quite unlikely that you won't like this one.
-THE GAME GRAPHICS ARE DRASTICALLY IMPROVED OVER THOSE OF THE PREDECESSOR TITLES. In this game, the graphics are not only improved, but the game is also optimized to make usage of the Game Boy Advance's thirty-two bit technology. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it's as good as a Game Boy Advance game like this can look!
-IT'S NOT JUST A REHASH OF EARLIER GAMES. Although the game uses the same general formulas, the game is entirely new, and the world is much larger this time around. Even after you beat the game, there is still a ton of stuff to do, like capture all of the creatures in the game and train new monsters. The game even introduces the concept of two-on-two battles!
-NINTENDO DESIGNED THIS GAME WITH PLAYER CONVENIENCE IN MIND. Remember how in the first games you had to go through all those menus just to use an item (like your bike or fishing pole?) Well, in this game, you can set the select button to use an item! This really comes in handy and speeds up the general flow of the game.
-TONS OF NEW CREATURES AND ABILITIES. Many of the old Pokemon are gone, but there are tons of new ones! And some of the new ones are pretty damn cool. Needless to say, there are new legendary ones as well.
-YOU CAN TRADE WITH POKEMON SAPPHIRE, AND THE UPCOMING FIRE RED AND LEAF GREEN GAMES. This is necessary to complete your Pokedex, since no one game has every creature.
-THE GAME REUSES THE CONCEPT OF BREEDING POKEMON. If you get a male and a female Pokemon together at the Daycare center, they just might lay an egg! This concept is necessary to get many of the "baby" Pokemon in the game.

CONS:
-YOU CAN'T TRADE WITH THE OLDER GAMES! This is a huge problem which is the major reason the game doesn't get a five-star rating in my book.
-MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THE OLD GAMES HAD WERE NOT FIXED FOR THIS GAME. Examples of this include not being able to rename Pokemon you get in trades, not being able to unlearn HM moves on your own, and the general pace of the game moving too slow.
-CONSIDERABLY MORE DIFFICULT THAN EARLIER GAMES. Chances are you're a gamer who is looking for a challenging portable RPG, but in many ways this game is TOO difficult. It seems that no matter how much you level up your monsters, it just doesn't seem to be enough in many places.
-THE MYSTERY EVENT/EON TICKET CONCEPT IS FLAWED. Why, you ask? YOU NEED AN E-READER FOR THEM! And, to say the least, the E-Reader is a rip-off! Why didn't Nintendo find another way to incorporate these elements into the game?
-WHY DOESN'T THIS GAME USE THE TIME OF DAY AND DAY OF THE WEEK SYSTEM THAT THE PREVIOUS GAMES USED? This was one of the best things about the previous games, and I am disappointed not to see it here.

OVERALL:
Pokemon 3 is a damn fine RPG, even if it doesn't quite top Pokemon 2. If you have a Game Boy Advance, this is an excellent game to add to your collection. A little word of advice - you can NOT get all of the Pokemon in one game, so if you get Ruby, you might want to make sure a friend owns or will buy Sapphire, or vice versa. Also, these games are going to be compatible with the forthcoming Fire Red and Leaf Green, so you might want to start building up monsters in this game now so that you can import them into that game when it comes out! Either way you look at it, Pokemon 3 is a damn good portable RPG.

Great game
I llllllllooooooooovvvvveeeee Pokemon! Pick Treeko if you want to lose. Pick Torchick if ya want to win! ... Read more

Editorial Review

If there's anyone out there who thinks that the Pokemon craze would just be another fad, disappearing from public consciousness in a matter of months, well, think again. The popularity of the Japanese monster collecting game shows no sign of slowing and may in fact be growing thanks to improving technology, evidenced in new products such as this hand held Pokedex. It features electronically stored information on all 200 Pokemon Advanced monsters and features such as personalization and tracking up to six of your favorite Pokemon. You can earn trainer points as you capture the various critters on various different terrains offered. Beyond the traditional capture game, there are other challenges available including a Pokemon quiz and a new game where you help Mudkip run without tiring the poor guy out. The Pokedex may not appeal to someone who isn't already a Pokemon fan but for those who are hooked, it's a lot of fun. Three AAA batteries are required but not included. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Editorial Review

Attention! The rare and powerful Pokemon called Pikachu desperately wants a playmate. Squeeze its paws and watch its ears wiggle, its mouth move, and its red cheeks light up. And listen to a cute voice saying (over and over, with variations in emphasis and intonation), "Pika-Pika-Pikachu!" The more you play, the more excited this furry yellow fellow gets. Fans of the Pokemon phenomenon will definitely want to get their own paws on plush Pikachu, who measures 8 inches from ear tips to toes. Requires three AA batteries (included). --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Features

• Play pinball with your favorite Pokemon from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
• Shoot the Poke Ball to find, catch, and evolve Pokemon
• Use the Game Boy Advance Link Cable to share your Pokedex and Hi-Score information with a friend
• Play on both the Ruby and Sapphire fields
• For 1 or more players

Reviews (27)

For die-hard pinball fans, and every Pokemon fan out there.
A reincarnation of Pokemon Pinball based on the Pokedex of Ruby and Sapphire versions, this title offers updated graphics, absolutely nerve-racking sound, and all the gameplay conventions of the first game. Okay, so you'll probably want to rip that cartridge out and mangle it after listening to the ridiculous music more than five minutes. But put that aside, and you've got a solid pinball game. Catch Pokemon with your monster ball, evolve them, hatch them, you name it. If you're a veteran of the first game looking for something besides new pokemon in this sequel, just stop right where you are -- you won't find it here. As with the first game, this is pinball... with one major element missing: anything resembling a multiball mode. And without multiball, the casual gamer that isn't instantly won over by the fact that the game is busting at the seams with a couple hundred of everyone's favorite critters is going to get bored sick with the slow gameplay and mildly repetitive minigames. Pinball fans, this is NOT a top-notch representative of the genre if that's what you're looking for. Catching the critters with your 'monster ball' is the lifeblood of the game, so if you can't get enjoyment out of that portion, you'll be sick of the game in general. The game sports two tables and seven minigames, with pokemon omnipresent in every last inch of them, right down to the plunger and the all-important bumpers. The minigames and the end-of-ball bonuses are where most of your scoring comes from, since the lack of a multiball mode also amounts to a lack of any "jackpot" scoring.Bottom line? As long as you can put up with the frustratingly slow pace of the game, its good fun. Replay Value: HiOverall: 3 out of 5 starsGraphics: This has to be one of the most colorful games ever made, and for some, that may mean its hard on the eyes. Smooth animation, a fair level of detail, and well-drawn characters.3.5/5Control: Its a pinball game. What needs to be said about control? Tilt is controlled through the GBA's shoulder buttons, and its just not possible for a pinball game to have unintuitive controls. No complaints.5/5Sound: And you thought elevator music was bad. Select pieces of the music were plucked straight out of the Ruby and Sapphire games, but the music that wasn't will make you want to go into convulsions before long. Keep that volume control DOWN.1/5Fun factor: In the end, a solid, if uninspired title. This is a game that just doesn't bring enough new to the series beyond GBA-updated graphics and the new Pokedex.3/5

Pokemon Pinball strikes back!
The video games in the Pokemon franchise are very hit or miss. For every Pokemon Gold or Pokemon Silver, there's a Pokemon Snap or Hey You Pikachu to bring the series back down. In 1999, Nintendo decided to try their hand at something a little different with the Pokemon characters - a pinball game. It ended up being one of the hits, so it's no surprise a sequel was released for the Game Boy Advance! Read on for my review of Pokemon Pinball: Ruby And Sapphire.

PROS:
-Perhaps the greatest thing about this game is that you don't have to be a Pokemon fan to enjoy it.
-The game contains a good deal more depth than your average pinball game.
-There is an element of Pokemon capturing, which makes this a very interesting game.
-There are two different tables, one of which has monsters not found on the other and vice versa
-There are a number of bonus events as well.

CONS:
-Let's face the facts, no pinball game can hold your attention forever.
-The rumble feature doesn't contribute anything to the game.
-There are only TWO tables - more would have been nice.
-Since this is a Pokemon game, many hardcore gamers may be reluctant to try it.

OVERALL:
Overall this is a good pinball game, and one of the hits in the Pokemon series. If you've got a Game Boy Advance, this here is a game worth checking out. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's sure to kill some time for you.

Best Game Ever
Every pokemon pinball fan must buy this game. Buy this game it is awesome!

uuuck!
I hated this game. I mean, it's just pinball, (my least favorite arcade game,) if you don't like pin ball even a little bit...this game is really not for you.

Fun but challenging
This game is fun, but it's very challenging. The object of the game is to capture ALL Pokemon, which would take FOREVER! I like this game but for some reason, I feel like I made my dad waste $36 on a challenging game. Get the game, but it's not worth it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Featuring a new adventure that's filled with numerous enhancements andinnovations, this long-awaited sequel to Pok&eacute;mon Red, Blue,and Yellow greatly improves upon the series' winning formula, and makesfor an even more insanely addictive and wholly absorbing gaming experience.

Like Pok&eacute;mon Gold--which essentially is the same story, with minorgameplay variations--Pok&eacute;mon Silver casts players in the familiarrole of a young Pok&eacute;mon Trainer who's out to collect as many differentkinds of Pok&eacute;mon as possible. As in previous games, gameplay consistsmostly of exploration (completing various quests in the process) andPok&eacute;mon battles, which employ a unique battle system that's like acomplex twist on rock-paper-scissors.

But, despite the similarities, it's quite apparent that Pok&eacute;monSilver is a whole new ball game from the start. The game is played out inreal time, with the current time and day of the week (recorded by an internalclock) having a direct impact on gameplay elements, such as what Pok&eacute;monyou'll find in the wild, and when certain events occur and characters appear.

While there are too many new and improved features in Pok&eacute;monSilver to list here, among the highlights are 100 new Pok&eacute;mon(including two new types), new evolution processes (including breeding), and amore streamlined game interface that has better-organized menus and buttonshortcuts.

Although it's easier to progress in Pok&eacute;mon Silver than in theprevious games, the sheer amount of fun and game time that's involved isdaunting. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better value than this one. --JoeHon

Pros:

• Insanely addictive and wholly absorbing gaming experience
• Time and day of week impact gameplay directly
• Bevy of new features and hidden secrets
• Improved graphics and more streamlined game interface

• Minor compatibility issues when using Game Link with previous versions

Reviews (152)

Fun for adults, too....
Let me just state at the outset here that I am a 32-year old engineer who has been playing and loving electronic video games since he stuck a quarter into a Galaxian machine in 1981. I first kinda got interested in Pokemon after my young kids fell in love with the TV series. After watching umpteen episodes with them, I got interested in the different types of Pokemon and how they compared to each other. I decided to give the Silver version a shot, having never played any of the previous Red, Blue, or Yellow versions.

I was hooked immediately! The plot is easy to follow without getting boring, and there are plenty of little side quests to make things interesting. You can start out with your choice of Totodile (my pick), Cyndaquil, or Chikorita. The level of difficulty of the game will be determined by your starting choice. The game has two basic goals: (1) Acquire all gym badges and defeat the Pokemon League while fighting off your rival and Team Rocket, and (2) collect all 251 Pokemon. Most of the pokemon are fairly easy to find and catch, some are pretty hard, and there are a few that are almost impossible to catch. But, they can all be caught with a little time and patience. Some are only available by trading with other versions of the game, and some are "baby" pokemon that can only be obtained by breeding two adult pokemon together. And, of course, there are the two "super-rare" Pokemon Mew and Celebi, which can realistically only be obtained through a Game Shark or other similar device.

That leads me to my one and only gripe about the game. If it were possible to obtain all 251 Pokemon, no matter how difficult, without having to resort to things like the Game Shark, I would have happily given this review 5 stars. I also have kind of a problem with the fact that you have to have access to more than one version of the game to get all the Pokemon. I know Nintendo talks about how much fun trading is and all, but to me, it just seems like a gimmick to sell more copies of the game. I know several kids who have purchased both Silver and Gold versions becuase of this. Not everyone has easy access to trading partners.

Since I bought Silver, I have also played through a copy of Pokemon Red. If you have only played Red, Blue, or Yellow, let me assure you that Silver (and Gold) is a major improvement. The new versions eliminate many of the more irritating deficiencies of the old version with an improved backpack for item storage and a new device that lets you tell instantly where you are without having to carry a Town Map in the backpack. Backpack space will definitely be at a premium, so anything that clears up space is a positive feature.

After having played through Silver and collected all 251 Pokemon (yes, I actually purchased a Game Shark), I have not played it again. Why? Because after all the time and trouble I went through to collect all the Pokemon, I just can't bring myself to erase them all. (A great improvement for the next Pokemon would be to allow multiple saves on the cartridge.) For those who are interested, my "dream team" that I used to beat the game were: Feraligatr, Pidgeot, Magneton, Kadabra, Magmar, and Dragonite.

Overall, this is an AWESOME game. If you enjoy RPG games such as Final Fantasy, then you will enjoy this and the other titles in the Pokemon series. Enjoy!

BEAT RED, BLUE , YELLOW, NOW GOLD
You get the features the prevous games lack, and it takes much more thought than the other games. Timer, radio(game), night and day, and other things add to the game, certain tasks can only be accomplished at certain days (sunday, Monday,). You can also now breed your pokemon to get the pre-evolved version; leave a male electrabuzz and a female Electrabuzz at the Day Care center in Goldenrod city, and after several steps, the Day Care Man will have an egg, take it and after like 500 steps(if the egg is in your lineup), the ElectraKid(something like that, can't remember the name), will hatch. You can store a trainer's phone number and they will later want to battle again or give you an item(good way to get evolution Stones). You can also REVISIT THE WORLD OF RED BLUE AND YELLOW,get those 8 badges, BATTLE ASH & gary, and more. You have to like Pokemon at least a little bit because the games can be very boring, and time consuming, especially catching the 3 Legendary Cats/Dogs.New MYSTERY GIFT option lets you and a friend recieve a random item that you can DECORATE YOUR ROOM with (in New Bark Town on your computer), or an item that whould be really exspensive. You MOM WILL SAVE YOUR MONEY which helps if you black out, and she will buy items like the Giant Snorlax doll for your room.

I NEED ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!
OK first how and where do you get a Dragon POKE'MON for the 8th gym badge!!Two..how do you get a Dragonite!!! 3..how do you beat TEAM ROCKET in the Radio Tower!! Oh yeah... do i get to see lance (the guy who helps you beat team rocket by the Lake of Rage), do i get to see him again!???! 4.. how do get past the raging waters in the first cave you walk into to KAHNTO!! and how do you get to gym leader 9!! RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONLY THE FIRST 7 BADGES. MY TOP POKE'MON CYNDAQUIL IS AT LEVEL 47!! I HEARED THAT IT CAN GO TO LEVEL 100!! I NEED ANSWERS!!! PLEASE!!!
MY SECOND TOP POKE'MON IS A RED GYRADOS AT LEVEL 32~ I HAVE SURF, FLY,THE BIKE AS MY TRANSPORTATION.I AM STUCK AT THE GYM LEADER #8.I CAN'T EVEN FACE HER!! I NEED A DRAGON POKE'MON!! WHICH POKE'MON CAN USE MOONSTONE!! ME AND MY 8 YEAR OLD COUSIN REALLY NEED HELP AND ANSWERS!! PLEASE!!

The best game in the series
Pokemon 2 (Gold and Silver versions.) The second installment in the Game Boy Pokemon RPG series.

Nintendo's Pokemon franchise became a massive success in its native Japan relatively quickly. Although it took the franchise a little longer to catch on in America, it finally did catch on, and when it did, it took the nation by storm. Pokemon games and products sold like crazy, despite the fact that the franchise was virtually unrecognized in America at its time of release. Finally in the late summer/early fall of 2000, the second games in the series got an American release. How does Pokemon 2 measure up? Read on for my review.

PROS:
-THIS GAME GIVES YOU MORE OF THE SAME MONSTER CATCHING AND BATTLING ACTION THAT YOU HAVE GROWN TO LOVE IN THE FIRST GAME. To put it simply, if you liked the first game, it's quite unlikely that you won't like this one.
-THE GAME GRAPHICS ARE DRASTICALLY IMPROVED OVER THOSE OF THE PREDECESSOR TITLES. In this game, the graphics are not only improved, but the game is also optimized to make usage of Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy enhancements.
-IT'S NOT JUST A REHASH OF THE FIRST GAMES. Although the game uses the same general formulas, the game is entirely new, and the world is much larger this time around. Beat the game, and you can even go to the continent where the original game took place!
-NINTENDO DESIGNED THIS GAME WITH PLAYER CONVENIENCE IN MIND. Remember how in the first game you had to go through all those menus just to use an item (like your bike or fishing pole?) Well, in this game, you can set the select button to use an item! This really comes in handy and speeds up the general flow of the game.
-TONS OF NEW CREATURES AND ABILITIES. The original games had roughly a hundred and fifty-one creatures, and these games give you roughly a hundred new ones! This is too cool.
-THE GAME HAS AN INTERNAL CLOCK THAT KEEPS TRACK OF THE TIME OF DAY AND THE DAY OF THE WEEK. Different events happen at different times of the day and on different days. This makes the game all the more appealing.
-YOU CAN TRADE WITH ALL OTHER POKEMON RPG GAMES THAT PREDATED THE GAME BOY ADVANCE ONES. This will make it easy to get your hands on certain creatures from the old games. In fact, some the old creatures DO NOT appear in these games, so you're gonna have to do some trading to complete your Pokedex.
-THE GAME INTRODUCES THE CONCEPT OF BREEDING POKEMON. If you get a male and a female Pokemon together at the Daycare center, they just might lay an egg! This concept is necessary to get many of the new "baby" Pokemon in the game.
-THE GAME INTRODUCES TWO NEW POKEMON TYPES - DARK AND STEEL. Adding in the new types means you're going to have to rethink your gaming strategies - or create new ones entirely! The new types only add to the overall fun of the game.

CONS:
-MINOR COMPATIBILITY ISSUES WHEN TRADING WITH OLDER GAMES. For example, you can't send the new Pokemon species into your older game, nor can you send old species that have new moves. This is bound to get on your nerves, believe me.
-THE MYSTERY GIFT CONCEPT IS FLAWED. If you and a friend own a Game Boy Color, you can use Mystery Gift with your infrared ports to each get a random item, once a day. The only problem is that this requires a Game Boy COLOR - The Game Boy Advance doesn't have an infrared port!

OVERALL:
Pokemon 2 is, to date (as of July 4, 2004), the best game in the Pokemon series. In my mind, these games are even better than the new Game Boy Advance games, Ruby and Sapphire. If you can find one of these Pokemon 2 games in your local used games store, they are well worth picking up. Pokemon games aren't likely to get a whole lot better than these ones.

THIS GAME GOT ME TEASED AT SCHOOL!
OK well one day at school i took out the game boy and i forgot to take it out pokemon at my house and it caused major teasing!!!! Hint : Don't play if your over 9 yrs old. But still its a cool game but i wish they made a pokemon game thats made for people over 9 yrs old so i can still play in public... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ultra Rare Cards
These five packs of nine cards carry some of the best cards.Cards such as Latias,Latios,Rayquaza.Dragons are some of my favorite types of pokemon.I only like collecting caeds.I don't know how to play.These packs of cards may have the cards of your dreams.Even the cards you have two of may be good to collect.I love these cards and you probably would too. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great game!!
I love this game!! It is very fun! I'm 9 and I love pokemon. My favorite pokemon is Ralts. This booster pack has 9 additional pokemon cards. It is a very good value for kids 8 and over. This is a very good deal. ... Read more

Features

• Innovative unusual game featuring Pikachu and other Pokemon characters
• Surf channels with your pal Pikachu by your side as you interact with Pokemon shows
• Decorate your room with cool stuff you find on the Shop 'n Squirtle Channel
• Turn off the TV and have fun exploring outside
• For 1 player

Reviews (18)

THIS GAME IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
I said it once, and I'll say it again: THIS GAME IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Okay, your mission in the game is to help Professor Oak by watching lots of pokemon-oriented telivision shows with a wild Pikachu that wanders into your room when you first turn on the TV. Later on in the game, you get to nickname Pikachu after it spends the night in your room. You can do lots more than watch TV though... you can run around outside and meet wild pokemon to collect Pokemon Nice Cards, you can shop off the Shop 'n Squirtle network, and you can play games on a pokemon mini system. You can play on Quiz Wobbufett to win money and buy stuff, and then spend it on cool stuff from Shop n' Squirtle. You can buy buss passes and take them to Cobalt Coast, Viridian Forest, or Mt. Snowfall. You can explore the Cobalt Coast beach and go fishing with Pikachu, you can observe the many constelationos of the sky at Camp Starlight in the Viridian Forest, or you can brave through the scary darkness of the Ruins of Truth (and help Pikachu get un-stuck from the Golbat statue's mouth!) at Mt. Snowfall! You can test your pokemon knowledge as you collect nice cards from wild pokemon you meet, or you could just sit back and watch one of the many programs on Pokemon Channel, including an all-new anime never seen on TV... Pichu Bros., featuring a pokemon song never before aired in the US- Meowth's Party! Or, you could paint with the Smeargle 2 and then watch Smeargle himself play critic to your art on Smeargle's Art Study... or, you could just watch Mareep Farm and have a nice long nap...............Well, whatever you choose to do, this game is fun for anyone! I loved it, and I bet you will to! You won't regret buying it, that's for sure!

Very cute GameCube replacement for Stadium minigames
Way back in the days of Red, Blue, and Yellow, a game was released called Pokemon Stadium. It featured tough strategic battles, cute minigames, and useful utilities like Pokemon storage, item storage, and a Pokedex. It was useful and entertaining and remains one of my favorite N64 games.

Later, Nintendo released a similar game called Stadium 2, which was identical to the first but with small adjustments to the unlockable features and battle moe, and including better graphics, new games, and compatibility with Gold, Silver, and Crystal Pokemon. This also was fun and useful.

However, with the release of Ruby and Sapphire, Nintendo actually split the expected Stadium-style games into three: Colosseum (which included battle mode and a new RPG mode), Box (which was purely a storage utility), and Channel (dealing with the mini-game side of things). Box looks like a useful utility, and Colosseum is wonderful, but Channel is a fun mixture between the classic Stadium and Stadium 2 minigames as well as the old game "Hey You Pikachu." In it, you befriend a wild Pikachu which is interested in your new TV (haha). You watch new shows every day, which include Psyduck's news, Squirtle's shopping channel, and Wobbuffet's quiz show. Each day you get new shows. The best part about this game is definately the availability of a special Pokemon episode featuring Meowth and the Pichu Brothers, who first appeared in the 3rd Mini-Movie "Pikachu and Pichu." This show comes in five parts, and you must search for the fifth along with Pikachu.

Though the addition of the animated episode was a wonderful touch, the interaction with Pikachu was not as good as the old game Hey You Pikachu, mostly because of the lack of microphone and the focus being taken off you befriending Pikachu. Also, the mini-games were not as entertaining as the Stadium and Stadium 2 games were. Mostly because of the cute episode, though, I give this game 4/5.

stop anoying your sister
In may I bought this for my daughter Amanda.The minute I got it, my son christian annoyed my duaghter all the way home saying it is a bad baby game.But when he played it he loved it!

total crap!!!!!!!! not worth 2 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I rented this game to play with my little sister when I babysat her. Well its not even a game! you watch your pikachu watch tv. thats all you do! accasionally pikachu will want to buy something on the shopping channel but usually you watch your pikachu watch tv.and the shows are crap. there is even a relaxation channel as if I wasnt bored enough. and since all of the pokemon can only say their name you have to turn on the subtitles. and you can only watch a certain amount of shows each day so you have to wait or reset your system clock. even if you like pokemon you will hate this game dont buy it

dissaponting
this game is good at first having a pikachu as a pet but if you play good for five days the game will be over.so i do not reconmmend to buy this game but if you are a pokemon fan go ahead and buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Toy...
I didn't actually like Pokemon cards when they came out, but ever since I got this for my birthday, I have enjoyed playing with the cards for a while since.If you are looking forstrategy, just use some cards from the sideboard (such as Swellow or Delcatty) and mix them all up!Durability is 1, because you can just rip it up, but overall, this is an excellent starter for Pokemon fans! ... Read more