The Review Zone       by Tina Velgos

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

The ultimate Pokémon pinball party! Fastest flipper action yet!

You can buy

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

now, from

     by Tim Velgos, Lead Reviewer
Nintendo of America
$29.99
4549673330
2003
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
ages 8 and up

Finally, a pinball game that isn’t just about getting the ball in a hole!

In this new Pokémon game for Game Boy Advance, you can play for fun, and enjoy a serious game of pinball at the same time. You can choose to play on either the Ruby or Sapphire Field to rack up maximum points AND maximum fun!

There are two fields, each has different challenges and bonus rounds. You can assign the left and right button to anything you want.

Also, there is a special feature if you play this game on a Gameboy Player, and are using a Nintendo Gamecube Controller, (Wavebirds don’t work for this). You can have explore the rumble feature! In other words, if you wanna rumble, you should use the regular Nintendo Gamecube controller.

You can also use the Game Boy Advance Game Link cable to share your Pokedex and "Hi-Score" with your buddy. To do this, you'll need a GBA Game Link cable and two Game Paks to link up to your pal (sold separately).

The graphics and sound have majorly improved since the last Pokémon Pinball game. Also, in the options, there is a sound test where you can hear all the sound tracks, and the (BGMs) sound effects that this game has.

Since Pikachu had such a hard job protecting both ball play fields, his little brother Pichu has decided to help him out! When you get a double Pika from the bonus slots, Pichu will lend a hand until you lose the ball. Good Ol’ Pichu!

A handy 65-page instruction booklet is included with this game. It goes into great detail about the different modes: catch 'em mode, travel mode, evo mode, and egg mode. Be sure to read it through before you start playing or if you get stuck in the game.

Another added feature: Bonus Fields. Here, you can't lose the ball, even if you drop it! However, an upgraded ball gets downgraded once dropped!

This game is far superior to the old Pokémon Pinball because there are many more Pokémon that you can catch--try 200 to be exact! The sound for the game is way improved because it beeps and bleeps whenever you hit a bumper or get a new Pokémon. You can also trade Pokedex information with a friend to "catch ‘em all!

Two flippers up to Nintendo for this mega pinball party for Game Boy Advance!