Pokemon Emerald Review

While Pokemon Emerald does have a story and goals to accomplish during the way, Nintendo teases our obsessives compulsive side by keeping track of every Pokemon you come in contact with and every Pokemon you catch. During battle, after the opposing Pokemon is weakened, you have the option to throw out a Pokemon ball. If the Pokemon your fighting is weak enough, he will be caught in the ball and that Pokemon will become part of your collection. Collecting Pokemon soon becomes addictive and another part of the game in itself. All info on Pokemon is collected in the Pokedex so finding out what Pokemon you’ve come across and what Pokemon you still need to find is easy. By making Pokemon collectible, Nintendo is adding a whole other dimension to the game adding to its longevity and replay value.

Controlling your trainer is a snap. You use the d-pad to control his movement and the B button to run. Along the way you will pickup special moves that can be mapped to the select button. Battles are menu based. You’ll use one button and the d-pad to cycle through the menus and select your actions. It’s easy to learn. Everything else, like checking your Pokedex and your map are handled through the options menu. The easy to navigate menu system makes the battles easy to handle. You won’t be bogged down by menu after menu or option after option.

Graphically Pokemon Emerald is rather bland. If you’ve played the last few Pokemon GBA games you’ve seen Emerald’s graphics. They often seem to lack the color and vibrancy found in the Zelda worlds but they get the job done. The animations are basic, both in world mode and battle mode and the effects are simplistic. Overall, they are disappointing. Fortunately this is one game that can get away without jaw dropping graphics because of its depth and game play. On the other hand the music isn’t bad. It’s catchy and memorable and each town has a different tune.

The game is long. There’s lots to do and the story will keep you going. It took me over ten hours to complete the main mission and collect all the badges. If you would like, you can continue to max out all your characters and then collect all the Pokemon you’ve missed which is a game within itself. Some Pokemon are quite rare so completing your collection will keep you busy for a long time.

Adding to the games longevity is the ability to connect wirelessly with others. By doing this you can trade with other players, collect older Pokemon and take on fellow trainers. One of the games key features.

Overall Pokemon Emerald is a great game despite it’s lacking visuals and played out game play. Its simple, addictive and polished game play overshine any of its other weaknesses. Its appeal is broad, and the game will interest both those new and old to the series.

If you’ve played Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire there’s not much here to see. If you’ve found yourself growing tired of Pokemon, stay away from this title. I would suggest Pokemon Emerald to new players or anyone who’s missed the last few Pokemon titles and of course, to hardcore Pokemon fans who just can’t stand the thought of not catching every Pokemon Nintendo creates. Pokemon Emerald is a great game and retains the solid game play that has the made series fun and addictive. This is a deep, turn-based, game with a complex battle engine hiding beneath a youth friendly exterior, don’t pass on this one because of that.