Pokémon Ruby

Pokémon Ruby is a huge improvement over the Red and Gold versions. In fact, with over 200 Pokémon making appearances and 100 of them are newly discovered species, your favorite gamer will love Pokémon Ruby for the Game Boy Advance platform!

Although you'll see some similar attributes to Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, this is a far superior product. You can now engage in 2-on-2 "battles"--using two of your Pokémon in battle at the same time. Double the pleasure, double the fun, you know?

Better graphics, improved sound effects and music really add to this game. The weather effects are awesome! Familiar features include the internal time clock, picking your trainer, and training your Pokémon. You'll also find that all-familiar Pokedex to keep track of your Pokémon.

This is a one-player and a multi-player RPG game (1-4). You can only link this game to another Ruby or Sapphire game. It is NOT compatible to other Pokémon games, including Pokémon Stadium, so don't go getting ideas you can collect them all that way!

Although I don't have to tell you that the object of the game is to catch as many Pokémon as you can. You knew that. I will tell you that this game starts out in Littleroot Town and the adventure begins when top Pokémon researcher, Professor Birch, who's supposed to be in his lab, gets attacked by Wild Pokémon. You help him out of his jam and you get your first Pokémon.

Here's what my 11-year-old tester, Tim, had to say about Pokémon Ruby:

"Ruby is a huge improvement over the Red and Gold versions. You can choose from Torchic, Treeko, or Mudkip. Each have unique powers. Unlike other games, you will not fight Team Rocket. Instead, you'll fight the Evil Team Magma who want to increase land space for all ground Pokémon. This probably sounds like a good idea, except the world's oceans would be destroyed if the legendary Pokémon woke up. If they awaken it, the world will be destroyed. Can you handle it? If not, don't worry. You have help from Team Aqua. OK, so it's not that much help. But they are your allies instead of having two teams to worry about.

You can either play as a boy or a girl. If you pick a boy, your rival will be May. If you chose a girl, then your rival is Brendon. Also, you will encounter Wally, a real rookie. At first, you help him catch his first Pokémon, but later in the game, he will get stronger and give you a run for your money. Also, your dad is the Petalburg Gym Leader. Unfortunately, you ca't fight him until you have four badges. But, you'll get them soon enough. Pokémon Ruby is a great choice for your gaming bucks!!"