If you haven't heard the news, Nintendo announced two new Pokemon games today - remakes to the game's third generation, Ruby and Sapphire!!
Maybe you're jumping for joy at the news, or maybe you're groaning because third gen was your least favorites. People have some pretty strong opinions about Ruby and Sapphire, both positive and negative. Me? The internal battery in my copy of Sapphire has run dry from playing it so much, and I'm even doing another run through right now! While Silver was my first and favorite Pokemon game, Sapphire is a close second. Yet I can see why people could dislike it. Being on a new, more advanced system, they tried a lot of new things - from music, to Pokemon design, to game mechanics - which were very different from the previous two games. Some things worked, and some didn't.
Okay, top ten time! Now, this is going to be a top ten of advances and changes made in Ruby and Sapphire only. It's no secret that Emerald added the Battle Frontier and such, and Fire Red and Leaf Green made their own contributions, but this is strictly going to be about the first two games to generation three. Also, I'm going to be listing my personal favorite advances, not necessarily the best. Trust me, if you didn't like Ruby and Sapphire, I already know a few of these you're going to disagree with very strongly. Also also, this is in no particular order.
10. Secret Bases
Introduced in Ruby and Sapphire were these little notches in the wall, weird patches of grass, or odd trees that could have the move "Secret Power" used on and turned into your very own secret base! There you could place PokeDolls, furniture, and other decorations however you wished and make a little place of your own. Pointless? Yes. But still fun. You could even see your friends' secret bases if you mixed records with them. This was highly expanded on in Generation Four with the Underground Routes and all that introduced. Will we see these again with the new remakes? The possibilities for new improvements and such are endless!!
9. Weather
One of the main plots of Ruby and Sapphire included weather change, and there was even a weather Pokemon introduced! With the introduction of Abilities (which will be mentioned next), weather also played a huge part into how certain Pokemon performed. And you know, it's just kind of cool to run through a rain storm.
8. Abilities and Natures
This is probably one of the biggest changes Ruby and Sapphire introduced, or rather, one of the most important. It seems nowadays people are always breeding for that perfect nature and hidden ability (hidden abilities were introduced in Generation Five, however). Abilities were an extra little thing that could play a big part in your battle. They could help you or hinder you. Some abilities were pretty basic, such as the increase of critical attacks when your HP was low, others were a bit more useful in that they could boost the Pokemon's speed after each turn or cure them instantly from and status-changing effects. Natures were like a little boost and a little hit at the same time, as your nature increased one stat a tiny bit, and reduced another a tiny bit. Natures also determine the Pokemon's personality, and what sort of flavors they like.
7. Running Shoes and Different Bikes
Running shoes are the greatest. You get them super early in the game so you can travel faster and encounter more Pokemon quicker. Yet you're not quite as quick as on a bike, which makes the character easier to control. While in the third generation, players were not allowed to run inside of buildings, which can be very frustrating, it's a very useful function. In the remakes of Silver and Gold, there was even a button which could be pressed so that the player did not have to constantly hold the B button! And then there were the bikes...which I know are a subject of controversy. Yes, it frustrating to have to constantly change bikes to access certain areas. Yes, the Mach bike is hard to control. But, I think it's cool, and I love the silly hopping you could do with the Acro bike! This is another feature which has not reappeared in subsequent games (though in one game you could change the speed of your bike) and I'm interested to see if it will be implemented in the remakes.
6. Two Different Teams
This one's more of something that I just find pretty cool. Whereas the previous two games had the same villain, these games not introduced one new baddie, but two! Much like the types of Pokemon you find in the wild being dependent on which version of the game you chose, the evil organization does as well. But the other team is still in the game you choose, just in a different role! And though I'm not talking about in this list, you face them both in Pokemon Emerald! Rad!
5. New Berries and PokeBlock Making
There were loads of new berries introduced in Ruby and Sapphire, berries with cool looks and names. Some of these berries only had one use - making PokeBlocks! PokeBlocks increased the condition of certain Pokemon conditions, which was useful for contests. They also were used as bait in the Safari Zone. And you know, they were just pretty darn fun to make.
4. Contests
Love them or hate them, you have to admit that contests were something new and innovative for the games. I...I really don't have anything else to say on the matter.
3. The Art Changes!!
Again, love it or hate it, nostalgia goggles or no...you have to admit the art was an improvement (and of course I'm not saying you can't like the old art, I like it too, but...). You could actually tell what was what! Every Pokemon also had their own sprite in the Pokemon menu or in the Boxes now. The colors were bright and crisp, animation was smooth...it fully utilized the new system. And the designs? Again, this is my own opinion, but I LOVE them.
2. The Music
I matched the colors! Anyway...I actually LIKE the music in this game. Yes, the horns. Yes. Horns. I know. It can get a little...horns...but they were trying something new. Did it appeal to everyone? No. Is it the most memorable? Perhaps not to everyone. Is it a step in the direction of improvement? Yes.
1. A Darker Plot
In Generations One and Two, we had a similar side plot of Team Rocket taking control of everyone with their Pokemon. They kidnapped Pokemon, cut off their tails, lied, cheated, etc. In Ruby and Sapphire, we introduce two new teams who also want to control everyone...but not just everyone, the world. They want the whole world to see their way. And doing this nearly ends the entire world. While not a "shock" or anything by today's standards, it's still a big jump from just stealing Pokemon. Will they stick with the same plot in the remakes or give it an alteration? We'll have to wait until November to find out!!
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