Welcome to Modojo, Join the Party!Welcome to Modojo, Join the Party!
submitted by Modojo Staff
posted April 29, 2005
The latest edition of Pokemon is about to hit store shelves, and we have the final review even before you can get your mitts on it!
Read the Modojo Review
submitted by LusterPurge94posted August 1, 2008What's so great about Pokémon? Well, even if you hate the shows, there's always the video games. That's what Pokémon was first marketed as. In 1998, America got its first taste of Pokémon for the Gameboy - not the Advance or the Advance SP - the old-school, black-and-white handheld. That game was Pokémon Blue. Back then, graphics weren't the issue. It was gameplay. Pokémon Blue gave players the opportunity to go on an adventure with virtual creatures that they could battle with, trade, learn about, and talk about.
More of those games were produced over the years, each with the same plot - the trainer must gather a team of Pokémon, defeat eight Gym Leaders to gain Badges, and once all eight are beaten, try to take down the Elite Four and become known as the Pokémon Master. With each different region, the Pokémon, Gym Leaders, places, and Elite Four were different, presenting a different challenge each time.
I only have one. By now, it is out of date, but I still play it. It is called Pokémon Emerald. It came out in 2005, and I got it for Christmas that year.
Pokémon Emerald is, in my opinion, a step or two up from its earlier counterparts. While the music might not be the best, nor the graphics be state-of-the-art, it still presents and interesting storyline and a formidable set of challenges that keep the player occupied, even after he or she defeats the Elite Four.
In Emerald's counterpart games, Ruby and Sapphire, the infamous Pokémon teams, Team Aqua and Team Magma, are locked in battle over legendary Pokémon. In Emerald, however, you can actually witness battle between the groups instead of taking one side over the other. This, in turn, presents a less confusing storyline if the action is happening before the player.
After the player defeats the Elite Four, there is still much to do. For instance, there is a hunt for either Latias or Latios - it is your choice. Also, you can catch legends such as Groundon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, and the three legendary rock Pokémon - Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
The #1 event after the Elite Four is the Battle Frontier, a secret bonus area that opens up. You can only access this area if you play Emerald, not Ruby or Sapphire, making Emerald slightly better. There are seven facilities that you can battle at, to try and earn silver or gold symbols and defeat super strong trainers.
BUT! The Battle Frontier is by no means an easy task, so it is perfect to continue playing to try time and time again to defeat it. Battles get harder as they go on, but that presents part of the challenge and the fun. And if you lose a string of battles, don't worry. You can always try again. There's no rush. There's no time limit to anything. You can do things at your own pace.
In addition to all this, if you have a wireless adapter, you can interact with another player and battle, trade Pokémon, etc. You can also chat. The chat feature is redundant, however, as since you can only use the Wireless Adapter if both users are within 10 feet of each other. It would be easier, and time-saving, to just speak out loud. The chat feature was probably made for deafs and/or mutes in case any wanted to play the game.
My main problem with this game, however, is this: the game (or, at least, a few characters in the game) encourage(s) you to complete the Hoenn Pokédex. That means all 202 Pokémon from the Hoenn Region, including Jirachi and Deoxys. This can be quite a pain, because if you don't have a wireless adapter, or don't know a friend who has a wireless adapter AND a GBA SP, you're stuck. You can only actually CAPTURE one of the three starter Pokémon, after which it is impossible to go back and capture the other two. You would have to trade for the lowest form, then level it up to its highest form, which can be a lot of work just to complete a mechanical checklist.
All in all, I give this game a 5 out of 5. I reccomend this game to any avid video game player who loves a good time-killer and/or continuous challenge.
submitted by Nageraposted April 11, 2007This is for NeonLatias. Well DP Pal (cousin...) Looks like I did not meet a latias yet. Anyways, there is a 1/600 chance of shiny lati@s appearance. Happy Unhunting! X3
