Editorial Review

Are you looking for a new Pokemon challenge? With a focus on continuing the story, Pokemon Emerald brings together elements and characters from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Emerald is the third adventure to take place in the Hoenn region, and it features all new areas and exciting new plot twists.

In Pokemon Emerald, your character is an aspiring Pokemon Trainer and new inhabitant of Littleroot Town. You'll enter the neighborhood amid a truckload of boxes, eager to explore your new environment. Eventually, you'll stumble upon a challenge that forces you to select from three Pokemon -- Torchic, Mudkip or Treecko. Once you decide, you can begin your quest to become the world's greatest Pokemon Trainer.

If you've played the Ruby or Sapphire installments, you'll recognize many of the locations in Emerald. Although familiar, quite a lot has changed in Emerald. The most exciting addition is Battle Frontier. No matter how well you think you know Hoenn, you will always discover something entirely new. Plus, you may even encounter a new Gym Leader in your journeys.

You are up against stiff competition in Emerald. Team Magma and Team Aqua once again look to disrupt the peaceful civility of Hoenn. Unlike Ruby and Sapphire, both gangs have set up camp in this adventure. That means you'll be facing double-the-evil, double-the-clever, scheming plans. To really spice things up, Emerald has added sightings of the rare Pokemon Rayquaza. The plot thickens!

The Battle Frontier of Pokemon Emerald brings together seven battle facilities. Each area provides a unique battle experience. Special Trainers called Frontier Brains head each facility and they will test every aspect of your combat skills. Your victories will be memorialized in the form of Frontier Symbols, and you must defeat the Frontier Brain at each location several times in order to earn your awards.

With new locations like Battle Dome, Battle Arena, Battle Factory, and Battle Pike, Pokemon Emerald will throw you awesome new twists and challenges. The new adventure in Hoenn is full of adventure and has plenty of opportunities to hone your battle skills. Just keep your composure, explore the island, and you can become the world's greatest Pokemon Trainer. ... Read more

Features

• For use on the GameBoy Advance or the GameBoy DS

Reviews (16)

If you didn't get Ruby or Sapphire, this is a must-buy
Pokemon 3.5 (Emerald Version.) An updated version of 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. Two years later, the revised Emerald version was released. 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! And YES, the Emerald version makes graphical improvements over Ruby and Sapphire. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's noticable.
-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 RUBY AND SAPPHIRE, AND FIRE RED AND LEAF GREEN . 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.
-YOU CAN NOW GET GROUDON AND KYOGRE IN ONE GAME! BOTH of these creatures are now available in a single game, at level seventy each no less! And YES, Rayquaza is still available for catching (the cover should give that away), as are Latios and Latias.
-BATTLE FRONTIER. This is the major addition to Emerald over the early Pokemon 3 releases, and it's a damn good addition to the game.

CONS:
-YOU CAN'T TRADE WITH THE OLDER GAMES (Game Boy Color and before)! 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.
-WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PLAY THROUGH THE WHOLE GAME TO GET TO THE BATTLE FRONTIER!? This was a huge disappointment, since I've already essentially played through the game already in my older Ruby and Sapphire games.

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 compatible with the Fire Red and Leaf Green, you may want to get them too (or know someone who does.) Either way you look at it, Pokemon 3 is a damn good portable RPG. And if you're gonna get one version of it and don't already have Ruby or Sapphire, get Emerald.

Don't waste your money if you have Ruby/Sapphire
Okay, it's fun.Can't deny that. And yes, there are a few new features.However, unfortunely it's mostly the same old Ruby/Sapphire game recycled.If this were a PC game, they would have released it as an add-on to the original for half the price, not as a whole new game.
Save you money and wait for the next series to begin instead.

emerald
hi bought this game last week and i finshed it today i put 4 stars because its like ruby and sapphier exept some places but over all it dezervs 5 starshint....for those who have this game and finshed it go to the safari zone and walk there u will notest that pokemons from silver and gold verion will be there exampel like milktank and todile and lots andlots of pokemon will be there (beating the elit 4 is requiered)

sorry about my spelling iwas writing fast
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    2. Strategy (Strategic)    3. Video Games    4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    5. GBA    6. Action    7. Adventure   

Editorial Review

In a surprising number of ways, the Nintendo DS is quite unlike any video game system that's come before. First, there's the two screens, one above and one below. The idea might seem like a gimmick -- the screens are far enough apart that you won't be able to see them as one long screen -- but the format works in a complementary way. Depending on the game, the DS serves action in one screen and details, maps, stats, or alternate views in the other. Switching your eyes between screens takes a little getting used to, but quickly becomes automatic, like checking a rear-view mirror while driving. Both screens are back-lit and a little larger than that of the Game Boy Advance SP, so they'll be easy to see in most conditions.

Players can control games using the touch-sensitive bottom screen of the DS.

The bottom screen also functions as a PDA-style touchpad. It comes with a small stylus, as well as a stylus that attaches to your thumb. This touch screen might be both the best and worst feature of the DS. One one hand, it brings the freedom of PC-style mouse control into gaming, but using it also tends to block what's going on in that screen. For example, while playing the Metroid Prime: Hunters, you could use the left thumb pad to move, the left shoulder button to fire, and the touch screen to look and jump. As you track foes on the bottom-screen map, however, your view will be partially obscured by your own right thumb.

The good news is that Nintendo has stressed a lot of comfort options, both in the operating system and in their games. Want to play Metroid without the touch-pad? Select a different control scheme in the game's option menu, which also includes configurations for lefties. You can even customize your DS to automatically play the inserted title or to start with the main menu, choose which screen to display your GBA games, to add a nickname for wireless play, and more.

Up to 16 players can connect wirelessly within a 100-foot radius.

That's right, the DS is wireless-enabled. Say good-bye to that daisy-chain of network cables that was previously necessary for portable multiplayer gaming. Nintendo's proprietary wireless format has a radius rated at 30 to 100 feet depending on environmental interference with its signal. Surely, it's more than enough for friends to game from one end of the bus to the other. We experimented in a small, nearly empty parking lot and got great reception at the upper end of that rating. The DS network can handle up to 16 users, though you can expect the maximum number of players to vary from game to game.

Also, unlike all but the earliest video game systems, the DS comes with a built-in application. It's called PictoChat, and it allows people to write and draw pictures in a chat-room format. Since it's built in to the DS operating system, you'll always be able to interact with other DS users.

The built-in program PictoChat lets you write and draw with others.

But not all is new; Nintendo has re-invested some favorite features of older platforms into the DS. It's backward compatible to the Game Boy Advance, which means that older Game Boy and Game Boy Color games won't work in this machine but GBA games will run fine (sadly, the wireless feature doesn't extend to GBA games). Like the GBA SP, the DS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides approximately 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge. Old timers might recognize the A/B/X/Y face buttons from the Super Nintendo controller, though they're not in the same positions. The standard headphone jack and wide-body comfort of the first GBA model is back, coupled this time with the SP's screen-saving clamshell design. In terms of its ability to display graphics and sound, the DS is a little better -- and a whole lot smaller -- than the Nintendo 64.

Overall, the Nintendo DS represents a rather large leap in portable gaming. With some mystery shrouding the future abilities of its internal microphone (voice recognition) and its IEEE 802.11 wireless network, the DS may have left some surprises up its sleeve. --Porter B. Hall

Pros:

• Great design marries innovative new features with great features of old systems and lots of customizable options
• Wireless up to 100 feet
• Built-in PictoChat lets you write and draw pictures with up to 15 other DS users

Cons:

• Sometimes hard to see and use the touch screen at the same time
• Wireless multiplayer feature won't work with GBA games
• Can't connect to other wireless devices...yet

Reviews (570)

new vs old
ever since the ds came out systems bine loosing money, psp then came out and now its a battle psp vs ds. in my eyes which sould be everyones nintendo has been out since the early 90s and playstation late 90s i trust oldies more they allways come bacl but do new stuff noooo.remember nintendos first hand held it stunk so does the psp. so dont get new gwt old. ps there comming out with pda on the ds not psp.

PSP vs. DS? PSP Takes It In 2 seconds. Why?
GRAPHICS
PSP: AMAZING GRAPHICS! WE ARE LOOKING AT A PS2 IN YOUR POCKET!
Nintendo DS: I do not own one but some of my friends have them and I have played one, Nintendo DS, were looking at some what of a SNES in your pocket.
VIDEO
PSP: Plays videos at the quality, speed, and picture of a plasma screen!
Nintendo DS: Dosn't even play them.
MUSIC
PSP: As good as an IPOD. The memory sticks cost less than an Ipod and have just as much storing space.
Nintendo DS: Dosn't even play music.
DURABILITY
PSP: I have dropped mine 2 times, no problems, I have no dead pixels.
Nintendo DS: Well, lets say if we go by the quality of it mabye 2-3 days of playing no more no less. :P
DESIGN
PSP: Sleek, sweet button and speaker placemet. 4.3 inch screen tops DS anyday.
Nintendo DS: OOOO 2 screens! WHO CARES who wants to poke everything you see on the screen, and probably have it broken in a day or two because your jabbing it constantly!
OVERALL
Lets see the score ummm lets see.... 5-0 for PSP? WOW everybody says DS is better :O. Well who cares about a stupid litte plumber when they can have a decent game not about a plumber with his boyfriend Luigi! PSP gives you better selection of games better all around, so Nintendo, and kids out there your wasting your time with a dumb money grab. And as for Nintendo corp, give it up you guys suck! Sony is way better than you.Nintendo thinks they can add a little useless screen in there charge and extra 100$. I say boycott Nintendo they can't even compete! Mario and his boyfriend Luigi can go and cry with their stupid creators! I suggest go buy a PSP, and if you don't have money sell your DS its not worth owning!


Too Bad It Dosn't Go Lower Than 1 Star! Negative 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Stars From the_truth


PS: I would put more zero's but, theres no use wasting my fingers on a DS review

PSS: I shouldent have even wrote this review its wasting time and finger strength, not to mention valubal website space that coul be used for more PSP praise

Utter Dissapointment From the_truth

Superior To The PSP?!?
I personally, do not see how anybody can possibly say that this is better than the PSP.The people who compare this to the PSP and try to make it sound better come up with very, very lame reasons such as that they want a pure gaming system.Well, movies or music would not hurt to have on a handheld, but either way, you could not buy the movies or memory cards to put music on.These people also say that they do not like sports games, what is what most of the games on the PSP are, then the game selection of PSP still bashes PSP.The PSP still has NFSU Rivals, Midnight Club 3: DUB Ediion, Wipeout Pure, Twisted Medal: Head On, Metal Gear Acid, Ridge Racer, Lummies, Tony Hawk and Grand Theft Auto (Coming This Summer) while on DS you get NFSU 2, Warioware Touched, Asphalt Urban GT, Ridge Racer, Super Mario 64 are the only games worth looking at for the DS.These Nintendo Fanboys also mention that the games for the DS are about $35 and are about $50 for the PSP.Well, you truly get a better deal with the PSP games.The PSP games hold 1.8 GIGs and are $50, meaning that you are paying less than $30 a GIG.The DS games are $35 and hold 1.1 GIGs so you are paying a a bit over $33 a GIG.This does not even go into the excellent graphic advantages or giant screen or better games of the PSP.The price of the unit is good because a DS, a portable DVD player, and an MP3 player is well over $250.The PSP also comes with a memory card that has enough memory to save all of the games you will get (it is 32 MB and the career mode of each game is about 2 MB, so it holds removable data of 16 games.)The movies are DVD quality but since the movies can not hold as much as a DVD there are no extras like deleted scenes.The movie selection coming by this summer is very good.The price of a memory stick is lower than the price of an MP3 player with equal memory.I know I said way too much about the PSP but I would get it if I were you.I have a DS and it is now collecting dust since I got PSP.So, I would not get DS and get a PSP.DS is a mediocre system while the PSP is a great system. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. As theworld's smallest video-game platform, the Game Boy Advance SP is also the first to use a built-in rechargeable battery.

Many decried the original Game Boy Advance's reflective LCD screen and its reliance on external light sources. The Game Boy Advance SP's main feature--optional backlighting--fixes this complaint nicely, but it's the wealth of other features that makes this system so surprisingly good.

At first look, you might think the SP is a sleek travel alarm clock. When closed, it's just as tall and deep as the original GBA, but only half as wide. Due to its clamshell design, the screen is always protected from everyday scratches. A small button in the center of the console turns on the backlighting element for use in low-light situations, like in a moving car.

The SP comes with a well-designed power adapter that recharges a built-in battery; its prongs fold in for easier storage. Our informal tests found that it takes about four hours to fully charge (you can even play it while it's plugged in and charging), and the battery lasts about 11 hours with the backlighting constantly on--your results may vary. Using the backlighting less often will conserve battery power.

Withseparately soldcables, you can connect the Game Boy Advance SP to other GBAsfor multiplayer gaming (above) or to theNintendo GameCube(below) to access secret levels, exchange data, or use other specialfeatures that vary from game to game.

The quality of the backlighting is very good. It's bright and clear when looking directly at it, but degraded from other angles. This is only a problem for friends who are watching the screen from over your shoulder.

But size, power, and affordability do not come without trade offs. There's no headphone jack here, though Nintendo promises an adapter. The system isn't very loud at its highest volume, and the sound can be turned down to socially acceptable levels. The L and R shoulder buttons are a fraction of the size they were on the GBA, and thus are harder to hit. Also, the reduced size of the SP is slightly less comfortable for adult hands than the GBA, but perhaps more comfortable for smaller hands. The cartridge port placement on the lower part of the console is fine for GBA games, since they are flush with the console body, but older Game Boy Color carts will stick out in a way that takes some getting used to.

Open it up and the hinge will seek out a preferred, pre-set angle (about 150 degrees), though you can open it a bit wider or narrower for your own comfort. The hinge stands up well to lateral pressure, and over all, the SP seems just as rugged as its predecessor--which has proven to be very rugged, indeed. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• CPU: 32-Bit ARM with embedded memory
• Memory: 32 KB with 96 KB VRAM (in CPU), 256 KB WRAM (external of CPU)
• Screen: 2.9-inch reflective TFT color LCD
• Display Size: 1.6 by 2.4 inches (40.8 by 61.2 mm)
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio
• Colors: 511 simultaneous colors from a palette of 32,768
• Software: Fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game paks
• Light Source: Front light integrated with LCD
• Size (closed): 3.3 by 3.23 by .96 inch
• Weight: Approximately 5 ounces
• Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 10 hours continuous play with light on; 18 hours with light off; 3 hours recharging

Features

• Screen: 2.9" Reflective TFT Color LCD
• Display Size: 1.61" x 2.41"
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
• Color: Simultaneously display more than 32,000 colors.
• CPU: 32-bit RISC-CPU with embedded memory.

Reviews (81)

Excellent Game System For The Money.
I'm a 35 year old man and -- I admit it -- I bought this thing for myself.Once you've made the initial investment in the hardware, the games cartridges themselves are relatively inexpensive(...) making it a good system for the casual video-gamer (like me) or the serious hobbyist.

Game cartridges are also within the monetary grasp of many older children's allowances, so a GameBoy Advance could be used to teach children discipline with money.In other words, buy your kid(s) the hardware (and at least one game) to start with and then let them purchase other software when their funds permit.And, of course, game cartridges make inexpensive presents when birthdays or holidays come around.

As for me, game play is very enjoyableand I'm thoroughly impressed with the graphics considering the screen size and pixel depth available to the system. (Currently I'm playing my first two cartridges: Spider-Man 2 and Star Wars III: Revenge Of The Sith.)

Overall, for young or old, the GameBoy Advance is a great system (even surpassing its gimmicky touch-screen sibling, the Nintendo DS).The only thing an adult player has to consider is that the majority of games are marketed mostly to those in their early teens and younger.Other than that, its excellent.To top it all off, a GameBoy Advance can also play movies and TV shows with GameBoy Advance Video cartridges.

In short, if you're looking for an affordable expandable video game system, either for you or for your children, get this.

good stuff by carly goldman
Once I saw this Item I said "mom can we buy this" she said "No" I really wanted this and just so you knowall kids love this ytoy so as a birthday present buy this toy for your child.

Poofy fluffy babey wabey cutesy wutesy rootsy tootsy GBASP!!
LUV MI GB IT CYOOT! LUV IT! SMAL AN KONVENYENT SOOOOO SLIK! LUVLI AN BYOOTIPHOOL! CYOOT AN FLUFFY[K MAYBEE NT SOO MUTCH THT] BUT VERY SWEET AND SMELLY AND CUTE AND POOFY AND CONTUMACIOUS AND UTTERLY WONDERFUL AND CONTEMPORARY AND INTERESTING AND WARM AND FUZZY AND INVITING AND SPACIOUS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Reviews (16)

If you didn't get Ruby or Sapphire, this is a must-buy
Pokemon 3.5 (Emerald Version.) An updated version of 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. Two years later, the revised Emerald version was released. 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! And YES, the Emerald version makes graphical improvements over Ruby and Sapphire. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's noticable.
-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 RUBY AND SAPPHIRE, AND FIRE RED AND LEAF GREEN . 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.
-YOU CAN NOW GET GROUDON AND KYOGRE IN ONE GAME! BOTH of these creatures are now available in a single game, at level seventy each no less! And YES, Rayquaza is still available for catching (the cover should give that away), as are Latios and Latias.
-BATTLE FRONTIER. This is the major addition to Emerald over the early Pokemon 3 releases, and it's a damn good addition to the game.

CONS:
-YOU CAN'T TRADE WITH THE OLDER GAMES (Game Boy Color and before)! 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.
-WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PLAY THROUGH THE WHOLE GAME TO GET TO THE BATTLE FRONTIER!? This was a huge disappointment, since I've already essentially played through the game already in my older Ruby and Sapphire games.

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 compatible with the Fire Red and Leaf Green, you may want to get them too (or know someone who does.) Either way you look at it, Pokemon 3 is a damn good portable RPG. And if you're gonna get one version of it and don't already have Ruby or Sapphire, get Emerald.

Don't waste your money if you have Ruby/Sapphire
Okay, it's fun.Can't deny that. And yes, there are a few new features.However, unfortunely it's mostly the same old Ruby/Sapphire game recycled.If this were a PC game, they would have released it as an add-on to the original for half the price, not as a whole new game.
Save you money and wait for the next series to begin instead.

emerald
hi bought this game last week and i finshed it today i put 4 stars because its like ruby and sapphier exept some places but over all it dezervs 5 starshint....for those who have this game and finshed it go to the safari zone and walk there u will notest that pokemons from silver and gold verion will be there exampel like milktank and todile and lots andlots of pokemon will be there (beating the elit 4 is requiered)

sorry about my spelling iwas writing fast
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA   

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. As theworld's smallest video-game platform, the Game Boy Advance SP is also the first to use a built-in rechargeable battery.

Many decried the original Game Boy Advance's reflective LCD screen and its reliance on external light sources. The Game Boy Advance SP's main feature--optional backlighting--fixes this complaint nicely, but it's the wealth of other features that makes this system so surprisingly good.

At first look, you might think the SP is a sleek travel alarm clock. When closed, it's just as tall and deep as the original GBA, but only half as wide. Due to its clamshell design, the screen is always protected from everyday scratches. A small button in the center of the console turns on the backlighting element for use in low-light situations, like in a moving car.

The SP comes with a well-designed power adapter that recharges a built-in battery; its prongs fold in for easier storage. Our informal tests found that it takes about four hours to fully charge (you can even play it while it's plugged in and charging), and the battery lasts about 11 hours with the backlighting constantly on--your results may vary. Using the backlighting less often will conserve battery power.

Withseparately soldcables, you can connect the Game Boy Advance SP to other GBAsfor multiplayer gaming (above) or to theNintendo GameCube(below) to access secret levels, exchange data, or use other specialfeatures that vary from game to game.

The quality of the backlighting is very good. It's bright and clear when looking directly at it, but degraded from other angles. This is only a problem for friends who are watching the screen from over your shoulder.

But size, power, and affordability do not come without trade offs. There's no headphone jack here, though Nintendo promises an adapter. The system isn't very loud at its highest volume, and the sound can be turned down to socially acceptable levels. The L and R shoulder buttons are a fraction of the size they were on the GBA, and thus are harder to hit. Also, the reduced size of the SP is slightly less comfortable for adult hands than the GBA, but perhaps more comfortable for smaller hands. The cartridge port placement on the lower part of the console is fine for GBA games, since they are flush with the console body, but older Game Boy Color carts will stick out in a way that takes some getting used to.

Open it up and the hinge will seek out a preferred, pre-set angle (about 150 degrees), though you can open it a bit wider or narrower for your own comfort. The hinge stands up well to lateral pressure, and over all, the SP seems just as rugged as its predecessor--which has proven to be very rugged, indeed. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• CPU: 32-Bit ARM with embedded memory
• Memory: 32 KB with 96 KB VRAM (in CPU), 256 KB WRAM (external of CPU)
• Screen: 2.9-inch reflective TFT color LCD
• Display Size: 1.6 by 2.4 inches (40.8 by 61.2 mm)
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio
• Colors: 511 simultaneous colors from a palette of 32,768
• Software: Fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game paks
• Light Source: Front light integrated with LCD
• Size (closed): 3.3 by 3.23 by .96 inch
• Weight: Approximately 5 ounces
• Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 10 hours continuous play with light on; 18 hours with light off; 3 hours recharging

Features

• Screen: 2.9" Reflective TFT Color LCD
• Display Size: 1.61" x 2.41"
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
• Color: Simultaneously display more than 32,000 colors.
• CPU: 32-bit RISC-CPU with embedded memory.

Reviews (81)

Excellent Game System For The Money.
I'm a 35 year old man and -- I admit it -- I bought this thing for myself.Once you've made the initial investment in the hardware, the games cartridges themselves are relatively inexpensive(...) making it a good system for the casual video-gamer (like me) or the serious hobbyist.

Game cartridges are also within the monetary grasp of many older children's allowances, so a GameBoy Advance could be used to teach children discipline with money.In other words, buy your kid(s) the hardware (and at least one game) to start with and then let them purchase other software when their funds permit.And, of course, game cartridges make inexpensive presents when birthdays or holidays come around.

As for me, game play is very enjoyableand I'm thoroughly impressed with the graphics considering the screen size and pixel depth available to the system. (Currently I'm playing my first two cartridges: Spider-Man 2 and Star Wars III: Revenge Of The Sith.)

Overall, for young or old, the GameBoy Advance is a great system (even surpassing its gimmicky touch-screen sibling, the Nintendo DS).The only thing an adult player has to consider is that the majority of games are marketed mostly to those in their early teens and younger.Other than that, its excellent.To top it all off, a GameBoy Advance can also play movies and TV shows with GameBoy Advance Video cartridges.

In short, if you're looking for an affordable expandable video game system, either for you or for your children, get this.

good stuff by carly goldman
Once I saw this Item I said "mom can we buy this" she said "No" I really wanted this and just so you knowall kids love this ytoy so as a birthday present buy this toy for your child.

Poofy fluffy babey wabey cutesy wutesy rootsy tootsy GBASP!!
LUV MI GB IT CYOOT! LUV IT! SMAL AN KONVENYENT SOOOOO SLIK! LUVLI AN BYOOTIPHOOL! CYOOT AN FLUFFY[K MAYBEE NT SOO MUTCH THT] BUT VERY SWEET AND SMELLY AND CUTE AND POOFY AND CONTUMACIOUS AND UTTERLY WONDERFUL AND CONTEMPORARY AND INTERESTING AND WARM AND FUZZY AND INVITING AND SPACIOUS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Features

• Play the most memorable and exciting scenes from Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II Attack of the Clones and the forthcoming Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
• Choose from over 30 of your favorite Star Wars characters, ranging from the legendary Jedi Knight, Obi-wan Kenobi, to everyones favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca, to the evil villains of Revenge of the Sith. Every character has unique weapons and abilities--which provides for a different gameplay experience every time
• Use 'The Force' to manipulate environments and objects in order to solve puzzles
• Massive array of vehicles including Naboo fighters, pod racers, speeder bikes, and yet-to-be-unveiled vehicles from Episode III Revenge of the Sith
• Two-player 'drop in, drop out' mode

Reviews (4)

Too short and gets old FAST
I'll make this short, I BEAT THIS GAME THE SAME DAY I GOT IT. It barley covers episodes I, II and III, note how on the description it says that the game covers the most exciting and memorable scenes from all three movies? WELL THAT'S ALL THEY GIVE YOU! The day after i got it it was still kinda fun but then i played it a little more and it just got plain BORING.DON'T make the same mistake I did. I would rather save my money and buy actual legos or a different game.

Legos Rock
I love this game and can't put it down. It's great that you don't really kill people, they just fall down into Lego bricks. My mom has even tried to play this game. I like using the Force the best. It's cool to switch back and forth between Anikin and R2D2 in the beginning. I haven't gotten through the whole thing yet but it's kind of challenging because there's no talking to give you hints or anything.

Very good game
A very good game. not as good as Pokemon but still very good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Star Wars (Starwars)    5. Action    6. Adventure   

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA   

Features

• Action/adventure game based on the plotline of the movie.
• Play as all the film's main characters.
• Fighting, racing, and puzzle action/adventure gameplay featuring the characters' unique superpowers.
• Live the films action, adventure, and humor over 18 levels.

Reviews (21)

Not a good choice for younger kids
My 4 yr old is crazy about The Incredibles and counted the days until his Incredibles game arrived in the mail. It was very disappointing. It is a lot of punching and being shot at and that's about it. Since The Incredibles appeal to a very large and young audience (and I know older folks too). I really thought the game would be more appropriate for younger children. It's not. My son loves Zelda, Urbz, and Mario Kart but unfortunatelythis was a waste of money and a big disappointment for a great little guy.

Awsome!!!!
I saw the movie and it was Awsome and I know 99.9% or movie games are good!

This game SUCKS!
DON'T BUY IT! Movie was awesome, game is glitchy, and just plain not fun. SUCKS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA   

Features

• Use power-ups like Warp Whistle and Frog Suits
• Battle in the land, air and sea
• For 1-4 players with Game Link cable
• Help Mario and Luigi stop Bowser and his trouble-making kids
• Run, crush and stomp over your enemies as you conquer 8 different worlds

Reviews (149)

Excellent!
My niece got this game and some other games but i think she likes it the best. so do i. She is so shellfish that she doesn't let me play. so i told my mom to buy one for me.FUN. I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IT.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE MARIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a really good game and I strongly reccommend it for ANYBODY!!!!! I love all if the levels and they never get old!!!! This game is AWESOME!!!!

still my childhood favorite
This game is excellent!It is just like the super mario brothers games that were out when I had my first Nintendo game player.It is identical to the Super Mario Bros 3 original, but they added additional secrets and graphics that give it a more modern video game appeal. Absolutely the best game for kids, it has goals and requires strategy, which many video games today lack.This is a game I still enjoy playing as an adult. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Video Games    4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    5. GBA   

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    7. Strategy (Strategic)   

Features

• Comes with a free carrying case from ALS
• Just like the classic Nintendo Entertainment System
• Features the classic games Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Ice Climber
• Comes with headphones designed exclusively for the GBA SP
• Game Boy Advance SP Classic bundle

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Features

• Use the magic of the cap to shrink and explore the world of the Minish lying hidden just beneath your feet.
• With the help of all-new items like the Gust Jar and the Mole Mitts, shoot blasts of air or claw through dirt to reach new regions.
• Unravel the secrets of the Kinstones to solve puzzles, unlock hidden areas, and restore happiness to the people of Hyrule.

Reviews (55)

Beautiful! Miyamoto brings back more fun!
Okay, hour 1 of minish cap: It's 6:00pm and I'm still stuck on this one puzzle, the size of a piece of dust and Ezlo isn't helping me... success! I found the Jar of Gusts! I suck the spiderwebs off (You're sick if you're thinking what I think you're thinking I'm thinking you're thinking.) with the jar and get out of the extra entrances, quite frankly I'm entertained.

Drowning in puddles... teardrops and getting jumped by pieces of pollen... what's not to want or need?! Mr. Miyamoto did not fail us, the gameplay engine was solid, the graphics, good for a GBA game, sound... wonderful! I swear, playing as a super-chibbi is fun, so if you want an affordable good game... don't buy this game... buy it if you want an awesome affordable game! Go Zelda!!!

Cool Game
This is fun, even when you play it again. There is a HUGE amount of kinstone fusions to do, it will take a lot of time to come up with everything. I had to make a separate game where I don't finish the four sword, since i miss a lot of fusions from the town. Also, try making your name dude or cheesy. People start saying really weird stuff.

So Much Fun
I had a ball playing this game. It took a while to finish but it was worth it. Going to start all over again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   

Editorial Review

Nintendo's winning streak of rehashing and enhancing classic SuperNintendo games for the tiny GBA screen continues with this surprisinglyaddictive arcade racer. For those new to the Mario Kart game series, Nintendomascots (Mario, Donkey Kong, Luigi, etc.) race go-carts along fantastic tracksthat feature various offensive and defensive power-ups (banana peels andmushroom boosts, to name two). Accumulate enough points and you'll win circuittrophies.

Each mascot has a ride that handles and accelerates differently, yetthe controls for each racer feel very tight and precise. The highly detailed,cartoony locales of Mario Kart Super Circuit show visuals that are bothvery sharp and fluidly animated. Though not nearly as fast, Mario Kart SuperCircuit looks better and can be more intense than the vaunted F-Zerolaunch title.

If you perform well enough and collect enough coins in atournament, you can unlock a plethora of bonus tracks--some of which are fromolder console Mario Kart titles. The fun multiplayer options includehead-to-head racing and a balloon battle mode, in which you blast other racerswith power-ups in a huge arena until there's only one driver left. --MarkBrooks

Pros:

• Bright graphics that are both fast and fluid
• Multiplayer battle mode is loads of fun
• Many, many tracks!

• May be too cute for some

Features

• 20 all-new tracks.
• Fast-paced driving action.
• Pick from many characters out of the Nintendo World.
• Up to 4 players can race with the Link Cable.

Reviews (255)

"Mario Kart" for the Game Boy Advance
The game is very simple.You choose which mode you want to play, with your options being one-player, multi-player, and something called a "Ghost Exchange" that I've never tried but would guess is similar to the "Pok'emon Crystal Version" thing where you can press yours and your friend's Game Boys together and each get a gift from each other.In one-player mode, you can choose from the mode where you race the computer, a mode where you race yourself to see how fast you can get your time, and a mode that I believe is the older set-up of "Mario Kart" (without the coins and points).Then you choose the level of diffuculty, and pick your character (Mario, Luigi, Peach, and you know the rest.)Afterwards, you battle it out on interesting, colorful tracks, trying to rank high and (except in the timed mode) win a trophy.Like I said, it's simple, but it's also very addicting, and the graphics are fantastic!

The best game ever.
If you want a game thats challenging and fun,well you picked the right game.This game is so cool and the graphics are awsome.There are many tracks to choose from also you can pick the track that you love the most and race your own ghost.

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.

Can't save!
I bought this game used and it is as awesome as mario kart on the big nintendo systems. But I give it 4 stars because it will not save anything! I don't know if this is just a problem with my game or if it's a manufacturing defect in a lot of games, but it's very dissapointing. I can't save any track times, or gp championships. So ever time I turn the ame on, I'm starting all over again so I have to play the entire thing to open up the secret tracks!! but as I said, other than that, this is a very good game if you're into mario kart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jet (Jets)    2. Sports (Sport)    3. Outdoors (Out Doors)    4. Racing    5. Flying    6. Video Games    7. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    8. GBA    9. Racing (Race, Races)    10. Flying (Fly)    11. Car (Cars)    12. Auto (Autos)    13. Plane (Planes)   

Editorial Review

Oh no! It looks like your granddad was right--things really were better in the old days. At least they were if you liked 2-D platform games, and Yoshi’s Island is indisputably one of the best ever made.

Yoshi’s Island goes back in time to recount the touching story of the various Yoshis' attempts to unite Baby Mario with his parents. You don’t actually control the Italian plumber-to-be but instead his dinosaur pal, who has the curious ability to eat his enemies and then immediately turn them into eggs, which he can then fling at more enemies.

Since Yoshi isn’t particularly fast and can float in midair for a few seconds after making a jump, the whole dynamics of the normal Mario gameplay have changed, but the same incredible attention to detail and endless imagination that mark all of Nintendo’s best efforts are still here in full effect. In fact they’re joined this time, after the rather plain-looking prequel, by some wonderful pastel-shaded graphics that were jaw-dropping when the game was originally released in 1995 and still manage to impress now.

As with the other Super Mario Advance titles, this game also contains a four-player version of the original Mario Bros. arcade game, making it even more of a bargain than it already was. --David Jenkins, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Features

• Pair up with Yoshi and all his multi-colored friends to tackle Kamek and Baby Bowser in this fun-filled quest to reunite the separated twins.
• Guide Yoshi over the island's perilous landscape and around the devious traps set by Kamek and his foot soldiers.
• Find morph bubbles and change into unique characters with special abilities. Become a mole-machine and dig your way around the island or change into a helicopter and suddenly go places you couldn't go before.
• Master Yoshi's legendary moves including jumping, stomping, pounding the ground, laying eggs, eating enemies and throwing eggs using a targeted egg-throwing system. Clearing enemies out of your way is now more fun than ever!

Reviews (108)

Too MUCH Fun
This game is AWESOME! It was my first GBA game. BUT, there are some cons. Some levels are just too long and/or impossible. Many times I think i just get lucky. Anyway, my dad saw it and didn't put it down until he beat the game. (no, he didn't play for 24 hours straight.) A fantastic game for mario lovers (like me.) A great idea would be to BUY IT!

yoshis back
yeah, and its just as cool as it was on snes, man this game owns!!! i used to play it on the old system for almost 10 hours sraight, and now its back and better than ever! this is a must have for any gba owner!

Cute enough, but I just can't get into it
Super Mario World 2: Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island. Phew! How about that for a title. I admit I found it a bit confusing putting these Mario Advance games in order but I think I've figured it out now. You gotta admit it's a bit convoluted.

This game is a simple 2D platformer like most of the retro Mario games only it has four more levels than the SNES version released in 1995. It's got easy-going gameplay in the typical Super Mario style, gorgeous graphics, generic sounds and not much to keep me interested. Yoshi IS impossibly cute but even for a guy who likes cute stuff this game is just TOO childish.

Graphics A
Sound C
Gameplay B-
Lasting Appeal C ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   

Editorial Review

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

Features

• More sophisticated graphics on Game Boy Advance
• more varied game play, and more than 100 new characters!
• The games include two-on-two battle capabilities and a variety of battle modes. One player can take on two Pokmon simultaneously, and using a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, two players can control two Pokemon each, or four players can play one each, providing deeper and more strategic game play.

Reviews (252)

Sapphire Version
You might not be able to catch all the first 150 PokeMon, but the cool new pokemon and a one-of-a-kind plot, it makes up for it!This game is cool!

BUY THIS
I got this game 1 or 2 years ago and i loved it. I would recomend you start out with Mudkip. I would recomend this game Pokemon fans.

pokemon
i think this game is cool game ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   

Features

• Comes with a free carrying case from ALS
• Just like the classic Nintendo Entertainment System
• Features the classic games Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and ExciteBike
• Comes with headphones designed exclusively for the GBA SP
• Game Boy Advance SP Classic bundle

Reviews (3)

Gameboy advanced sp
this toy is really fun and I don't know what durable means but this toy is awsome

WOW
This kit really makes me wish I would have waited to get my SP...The classic NES design on the SP is outstanding and the games that come included are some of the best games that I have ever played...Overall this is a great package :)

Animaniacs Jammer
I think the game boy Advance sp-platinum is a great progranmed for allto play. my two boys love playing all the game on there have. Iam think about geting the game boy advavce sp flame. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Features

• 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
• Card-style role-playing game
• Includes wireless adapter so you can join up to 39 other trainers for battle

Reviews (89)

I can't believe i'm going to write this...
OK, I'm 18 years old and i'm obsessed with pokemon, have been ever since I was 11. but after a long wait I finally got my hands on firered and i'm afraid to say I was disappointed, not because it was poor quality, because it was excellent, but because it lacked a challenge, everything was the same as the original but it had just been revamped, don't get me wrong I love it and everything but I want something new. if you haven't played the original then definitely buy this game but otherwise don't expect something new

freakin fun!
i have so much fun with these games, it's like the #1 thing to play during travel, or just when you have a boring time at the airport. the funniest thing i did was name my pokemon and rival funny names. my rival's name is mud. while my pokemon have names like dumpface. this game will blow you away with the new islands
and hidden pokemon from new pokemon games.

great game!
you know, it's strange. when two pokemon games come out, one eventually outsells the other one! this may be a remake, but has added features, like the six islands you can venture to and find new pokemon from silver, gold, ruby, and sapphire! yipee! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   

Features

• Assume control of a diverse and powerful army of soldiers loyal to your cause
• Persuade powerful enemy heroes to leave their evil armies and join your growing cause
• For 1-4 players over link cable
• Marshall your forces and draw your steel -- the legendary Fire Emblem roleplaying games have arrived on the GBA
• Defend against usurpers and assassins as you aid young lords on their quest against evil

Reviews (116)

An Intelligent Nod
I have yet to play Advance Wars 1 or 2, Intelligent Systems' modern war/strategy series for the GBA, but I can venture an educated guess that Fire Emblem shares a lot in common with it.Fire Emblem is a strategy RPG reminiscent of the Shining Force series for the Genesis, but it's been forever for me to make detailed comparisons of the two. Fans of Shining Force, Ogre Battle, and/or Advance Wars will probably find a lot to like.

Fire Emblem will be fairly easy for those experienced in these kinds of games.Most of the challenge presents itself in keeping your combatants alive, because if they are killed during battle, you won't be getting a chance to get them back.Not even a chance to revive them from defeat (unlike, for example, the popular Final Fantasy Tactics, where you had up to three turns to revive a fallen comrade).This can present a problem if you don't use tight and well-thought out tactics, because the enemy will always jump at the opportunity to kill the weakest party members within range.Fortunately, there's an ability to "rescue" other members, and even pass them off to others in your group.Anyway, I think it's pretty neat that you can't get them back.It adds an urgent dynamic to the game and forces you to really think your moves through.After the first part of the game, it even tells what the characters who didn't make it to the end went on to do with their lives.Some followed the party (although injured and unable to fight), while others went their separate ways.

In battle, it is prudent that you search out the most advantageous terrain (forests, forts) and engage from there.Also, weapon selection is an important factor, as certain weapons are good against some, bad against others.Rounding out the standard and borrowed strategy-RPG elements is the class system, albeit a limited one (nothing on the scale of an FFT or Tactics Ogre; more like Shining Force).Your units can advance in class with a specific item after reaching level 10.

One thing worth mentioning in Fire Emblem is that enemy forces, on some battlefields, are concealed within fog or darkness.The limited visibility adds another layer of danger to the combat, which can be partially alleviated with some items.However, this element only somewhat succeeds.I wonder if the developers could have made it where the limited visibility worked both ways, where the enemy had no way of knowing where you are, and would occasionally stumble into a big pack of your units (I wonder, but I think I know the answer to that one).More importantly, a stealth element is missing in the game, perhaps the ability to sneak up on an enemy without them knowing about your approach.

So, what drives all this fighting in Fire Emblem?The first part of the game has you controlling Lyn, a young woman from the Plains of Sacae, whose family was murdered by bandits, and who is of royal lineage in a far off Kingdom.Her journey takes her to the castle in search of her ailing Grandfather, in order to stop his vengeful brother from usurping the throne.But we find out that this is just a small part of a bigger scheme.Big surprise, huh?The story is ok, and the characters are ok, and the dialogue and writing might be the strongest aspect.However, there's nothing remotely profound or emotional in the melodramatic delivery of the game's story, but that's the norm for video games. Oh well.Instead, you end up developing an attachment to the characters for how well they fight in battle, cheering them on during encounters and hoping they don't get killed. The game succeeds in this.

A Final Fantasy Tactics this is not.It's not dynamic or deep enough in both its gameplay and story and sentiment.However, I'd argue that it's slightly better than Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the GBA.Both games are derivative of what has come, but Fire Emblem's not stepping backwards--only nodding to the past.

Very good strategy/rpg title for the GBA/DS
This game is an excellent strategy title for your Gameboy and will give you dozens of hours of gameply. (My first go through the game was over 24 hours total)

The characters are all pretty much interesting in this game and there are tons of them to pick and choose on missions. The variety of the units and their personalities are what make this game so enjoyable.

And if a unit dies then its dead. No 1-ups or resurrection in this game. If your character dies then be prepared to never see them again.
This really keeps you on your toes as wounded units need rescuers and backup.
However, this can be a pain to play a mission for over an hour then have the boss kill them in one hit, thus causing you to start the level over again...

All in all this is simple to learn, yet highly entertaining game. Pick it up if youre missing some a challenging and engrossing strategy game.

Saved games reset - *sigh*
A fun strategy game overall, but has a major flaw - I can't stand any game that does not let you save anytime you want.I know this game allows you to save at anytime, but the game auto saves for you at the last turn, so that when you die you cannot revert to where you originally saved.I know the designers of Fire Emblem did this so to make the game more challenging or "realistic", so that players can't "cheat" by playing from that save point over and over again, but it actually makes the game more annoying and frustrating.If you character dies, by lets say a way to powerful and out of balanced mini boss attacking you and killing you with one shot, you have to start the whole stupid level over again.

Otherwise, this game would have received 5 stars - trust me, you'll get frustrated and annoyed the 100th time you main character dies, and you are forced to play the level over again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    2. Strategy (Strategic)    3. Video Games    4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    5. GBA    6. Action    7. Adventure   

Editorial Review

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

Features

• Platform: Game Boy Advance
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure

Reviews (283)

fOR THE REVIEW WHO SAYY...
I llllllllooooooooovvvvveeeee Pokemon! Pick Treeko if you want to lose. Pick Torchick if ya want to win, and mudkip , treecko is cool i love more than torchic.

Wow!
This game is great. At first it was very cofusing but now I'm older. This is a great game for boys or girls. I would reccomend it for the ages 9-13. It was a great game and still is. I would reccomend you buying it.

Really cool
I'm 12, and this game is cool. It takes a while, and can be frustrating at times, but I would suggest you buy it. Anyone ages 6-14 would probably like it, even if they don't like pokemon. I don't like pokemon, but I still think this game is cool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   

Features

• Play as SpongeBob or Patrick, each with their own set of unique maneuvers, who must work together to save Mr. Krabs and Bikini Bottom
• Interact with your favorite characters from the movie, featuring voice talent and cameo appearances
• Earn manliness points to get the coolest power ups ever, such as the Cartwheel Attack, Electric Guided Sonic Wave Guitar and Macho Bowl
• Take the wheel of the Patty Wagon with SpongeBob and Patrick for a whole new driving experience
• Explore six huge, movie inspired 3D environments, including bonus levels, hidden items and other secret rewards

Reviews (11)

Mommy look, it's a SpongeBob game. It must be good...
I don't think so. I am a HUGE SpongeBob fan. My friend owns this game for Gamecube. The Gamecube version is great! You KA-RA-TE chop, bubble bowl, and rock out with SpongeBob. Using Patrick you spin around, cartwheel, and smash. That was a description of the Gamecube game. Now, I don't own a Gamecube so I got a GBA game, thinking it would be somewhat the same. I was very wrong. It is a 2d side-scroller, no KA-RA-TE chops, no cartwheel, not one single attack except for smash. You destroy enemies and bosses (very easy bosses) by jumping on their heads. Regular enemies either walk back and forth, float and throw stuff, try to hit you with a hammer, just float up and down or burp on you. Very easy enemies. Even easier bosses. Bosses have their own special combo of attacks. You avoid them(includes running at you, jumping on you, throwing stuff at you) by jumping over them, ducking,or dodging and when they pause you jump on their heads. Do this 3 times and you've beaten that boss, way too easy for gamers. You collect clams to buy so called "upgrades". All these really are are lives, buckets(explained later) and bonus levels. Buckets are buckets full of soap. When you press L SpongeBob drinks the soap and spits bubbles everywhere, destroying every enemy on the sceen. When you hold R you charge up for "hyper speed". When bubbles appear behind you let go of R and you'll run really fast destroying any rocks or enemies in your way. Press A to jump, and A again to float with Patricks pants. B isn't used. Two more things, I went through this game in one hour, and it doesn't save (you have to enter a code you get every two levels). This was a waste of $30. I hope this review helped.

Awesome!!!!!!!
When I first got this game I loved it right away. So far it has probably been the best game I have ever played on game boy adavance. I've gottin' a little through it. If you like adventure games, I think you'll like this. Espeacially for those spongebob fans out there. If your a spongebob fan and like adventure games, DON'T listen to the people that say this game stinks!!!!! IT DOESN'T STINK!!!! THOSE PEOPLE PROBABLY HATE SPONGEBOB. Their SPONGEBOB HATERS!!!!

good
It started out easy, you get to ride the patty mobile. I have not seen the movie but playing this game makes me want to see it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    5. Action    6. Adventure