GameTavern - Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire score 9.5!!!

Ruby and Saphire:

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Closing Comments
It doesn't matter what I say in this review, as Pokemon for the Game Boy Advance will, without a doubt, be a massive success. In fact, if you're reading this, I'm willing to bet that either A) you already intend on picking up a copy, or B) you've already picked up a copy of the game. I will have no problem going on record as saying that the GBA version of Pokemon will be the top-selling videogame released in 2003...for all systems. There's no doubt here that this game will sell like gangbusters.
But regardless of the fact that a Pokemon game is pretty much a license to print money, this is one of the most involved RPG titles released, and one hell of a ride on the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo took an already great design and made it better on the GBA, and while it's a bit more than a little disappointing to see a lack of focus in the graphics department, it's the sheer amount of "stuff" in the product that makes Pokemon for the Game Boy Advance a really, really great game. The adventure is incredibly long and involving, and even when the quest is over, the game isn't; players can still train and collect Pokemon to complete their collection, as well as take part in many multiplayer features through link cable networking.

And if Nintendo utilizes Pokemon: Sapphire Version and Pokemon: Ruby Version in the same fashion that the company did with the previous Game Boy and Game Boy Color versions of Pokemon, it's a great gaming investment to pick up either or both versions of the GBA game. A console Pokemon title is forthcoming, and Nintendo's desire to link the GameCube and Game Boy Advance will net some interesting connectivity features and opportunities for all the creatures you catch in the Game Boy Advance game, and it would definitely be worth the while getting started before the NGC's Pokemon kick gets into full gear.

-- Craig Harris

Presentation
Other than not quite using the GBA's graphics prowess to its fullest potential, this Pokemon game is incredibly complete. 9.0

Graphics
It's initially very disappointing to see how limited the graphics are on the GBA system. But to be fair there's so much to this game, and there are some cool effects peppered throughout the adventure. 6.0

Sound
While the sounds of the Pokemon are barely Game Boy Color quality, the rest of the audio is top notch. 8.0

Gameplay
This is the game to get if you're looking for a RPG game with tons to do. The designers took the original Pokemon idea and expanded it with several side-quests and mini-games. 10.0

Lasting Appeal
The main adventure is more than 30 hours long, but even after that's done you've got plenty more to do. 10.0
OVERALL SCORE (not an average) 9.5