Pokemon Alpha Sapphire

 3DS
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 852 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 631 out of 852
  2. Mixed: 89 out of 852
  3. Negative: 132 out of 852
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  1. montero
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    +10 just for the new Pokedex organization.
    I love the building design, the new way to approach rare pokemons by slightly moving the circlepad, the PokeNav+ really shines identifying nearby creatures... This game is excellent. The 6th-gen Pokemon versions are very nice!

    I'd only ask for a little bit more of 3D effects.
    They are not *that* striking.
  2. KingWhirlWind
    Nov 22, 2014
    10
    I absolutely love this game. My first Pokemon game was Emerald so the nostalgia I felt when I dove through the seas, battled the Elite Four and defeated Team Aqua was astounding. This is by far my GOTY, best game of this year. I recommend this game to everyone who likes Pokemon, it's simply THE BEST POKEMON GAME EVER MADE! 100/100! Gotta catch 'em all!
  3. Natharaga
    May 30, 2015
    10
    After the disappointment with Kalos this game is perfect to bring you back into Pokemon. The 3d world of pokemon feels a lot better than it did when I originally played the game. There are also ample opportunities to get legendary pokemon from the other generations. Now that I am older and thanks to the breeding tricks from Kalos (see, it wasn't all bad), I can form the pokemon party IAfter the disappointment with Kalos this game is perfect to bring you back into Pokemon. The 3d world of pokemon feels a lot better than it did when I originally played the game. There are also ample opportunities to get legendary pokemon from the other generations. Now that I am older and thanks to the breeding tricks from Kalos (see, it wasn't all bad), I can form the pokemon party I want in this game. While I bought a 3ds for Pokemon X, this is the game which makes the arthritis I am getting from the poorly designed console worth it.… Expand
  4. thefishslap
    Jan 12, 2015
    10
    T͠h͞is g̀a̴me ͘w͡as̸ pre͠ţt͠ỳ good͘! ͝I̢ h͘ad ͞a ̴lòt̀ o͝f҉ ̧fu̢n҉ w̡ith̸ ít (ca҉ught͡ ͢ky̡og̢ŗe̕ ̶i̵n̵ ̸a p͟i͡ckle ͡L̷O҉L) ̨a̷n͘ḑ ad͟di̢n͠g ̛in̵ t͝he shi̛ny ̛b͘eld̀um ͏a̴t̢ ͠t̡h͞e bȩgi͡nn̡ing̕ ̕w͜as a ̨p͟re̕t̶ty͏ nic҉e̷ g͏i̸f̧t fro̧m҉ you̷ g̢uys!̡ ̶W̧h͢a̸t͏ a̴ ͞g͞ame!͘
  5. Flutterflybear
    Nov 21, 2014
    10
    I've just got this along with both Pokémon Omega Ruby, and the new Super Smash Brawls game today, and so far I'm impress with it!:D

    Although I've just got started and still have a long ways to go, I'm still very pleased of how both Gamefreak and Nintendo, made this remake of my classic Pokémon Sapphire game!:D
  6. BocciasBattles
    Nov 21, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just finished this game, and I have to say this is hands down one of the best Pokémon games I've ever played, let alone of the greatest Nintendo games of recent years! This game pays so much homage to the beloved Ruby/Sapphire titles for the Gameboy Advance whilst keeping the game relevant for newer players with a sizeable amount of new mega evolutions, all of which are amazing fun to use. The introduction of Primal Evolution is an interesting mechanic and is executed well within the story, I just wish it had been expanded upon a bit more. Music wise, I have to say this game sticks faithful to the original games' roots while extending the themes with orchestral remixes that perfectly fit the tone. Overworld wise, not a huge deal has changed, except the world looks so much more alive in 3D, with the newly bustling Mauville being a particular highlight of the adventure, and the new Gym Puzzles being incredibly satisfying. While the game may seem easy to fans of the original game due to the Exp. Share buff to spread to all party members, this may be switched off and on at will, allowing fans of the original games to experience the same difficulty. For those who are worried about there being "too much water", I can reassure you that surfing speed is vastly increased in OR/AS and water routes feel smaller, so you don't feel as swamped by water as you did in Ruby and Sapphire. New mechanic wise, sneaking up on a Pokémon is a small, but welcome addition that allows access to rare Pokémon with increased stats and rare moves, and allows you to discover new Pokémon in previously explored areas. Lastly, the "Delta Episode" in the aftergame links perfectly with Pokémon X and Y, tying up loose ends, and ending a few hours worth of extra gameplay for old and new fans alike to enjoy, culminating in two incredible legendary captures at the end, and the announcement that all the other non-event legends are now catchable, vastly increasing replayability. Add to that the return of the PSS, Pokémon Amie, and Super Training, and you have a well-rounded package that is the perfect difficulty for newcomers, whilst holding enough depth to keep dedicated Pokémon fans hooked for months. Simply put this game is near flawless. (My only problem with this game I could find was it seemed to easy, but with Ruby and Sapphire being my favourite games, I cannot make a value judgement as to whether this is due to experience with the original titles or not).

    10/10    … Expand
  7. guanguan
    Nov 26, 2014
    10
    This game is legit. As a huge Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald fan, this game was a blast of nostalgia mixed with the innovative features of X/Y. The gameplay is tight, changing from the single square minimum movement to complete freedom of movement. The sneaking controls/pokéfinder tool is very useful to find pokémons that have egg moves learnt. Plus, the minimap has the original Sapphire/RubyThis game is legit. As a huge Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald fan, this game was a blast of nostalgia mixed with the innovative features of X/Y. The gameplay is tight, changing from the single square minimum movement to complete freedom of movement. The sneaking controls/pokéfinder tool is very useful to find pokémons that have egg moves learnt. Plus, the minimap has the original Sapphire/Ruby graphics. Buy it.

    srsly    … Expand
  8. Zero5842
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    This game is a the best remake I have ever played, even better then The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD. Heck, it's my favorite game period! Here are my reasons for liking the game.

    Art style: They payed very close attention to detail while making this game. Now many people will tell you that graphics don't matter while making a game, and I agree. But there is a difference between    This game is a the best remake I have ever played, even better then The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD. Heck, it's my favorite game period! Here are my reasons for liking the game.

    Art style: They payed very close attention to detail while making this game. Now many people will tell you that graphics don't matter while making a game, and I agree. But there is a difference between graphics and art style. Graphics are there simply to make it visually appealing (Which isn't bad, just not something important.) while art style is what allows you to feel what the world your exploring is like. It really does feel like your exploring a world your exploring. It's something your going to have to experience for yourself in order to truly understand.

    Graphics: It's on the 3ds, a console criticized for being underpowered. Regardless, I think the graphic hold up and nothing looked bad to me. Things didn't look pixilated at all unless I looked really closely.

    Level cap: This is an issue gold and silver suffered a lot from and people still loved those games, so I guess most people don't mind it as much as me. One complaint I had with the original was that the level cap was a little bit low. This however, is not only fixed, but made what I think is perfect. The exp share is a key item again and it works just like it did in X and Y. It gives your entire team half the experience your lead pokemon got effectively eliminating grinding. It does make the game a cakewalk, but who plays a pokemon game for challenge? Actually, if you turn the exp share off (Yes you can still tun it off) and don't grind at all the game is actually a bit challenging. I actually found myself needing to use more competitive tactics in order to beat the game on my first play through.

    Gameplay: It's pokemon! You know the gameplay is good. Next!

    Content: There is a lot to do in the region, however unless your into competitive battling there might not be that much for you. It depends on what you like to do in the post game. If you like raising new teams (none competitively) Many new pokemon become available to you after you beat the pokemon league. Including tons of legendary pokemon. If you want to catch them all (Which isn't hard, it's just very time consuming as event legendaries are not required to get your certificate.) Get ready to work your pants off. There is lots of stuff for competitive battling so if you are into that, get ready because you have a lot of new features to explore.

    Story: They made the story seem actually interesting and made me understand exactly what was at risk. I won't spoil anything, but the villain team actually seemed intimidating at first. The leader could wipe you out anytime he pleases, this is the feeling I got while playing the game.

    Disappointments: Anything bad I have to say is really personal and nit picky, I may as just not complain about it. However, I would like to address my stance on the "Too Much Water" complaint. One, this is a personal complaint. Not something inherently wrong. This is why some people love gen 3 and some people hate gen 3. I loved exploring the vast ocean as a kid but hated getting lost. Which has been fixed thanks to the area nav.

    Conclusion: The game might not be for you, but it's a great game if it is. Sure, it might not be perfect but no game is. People love ocarina of time despite it's issues such as the water temple, or navi. I would say it's worth your money even if you did play the originals. the originals haven't aged very well and the games are really fun. If you love pokemon, get the game now. If you like pokemon, wait for a price drop.

    I hope this helped you decide of you would like to get the game or not. Have a good day! :)    … Expand
  9. YoshiPilot
    Feb 20, 2015
    10
    A great gem in the pokemon series, this game is beautiful and takes the original great game and makes it even better with improved graphics, beautiful sound, awesome gameplay, an epic post game, and a great competitive sene.
  10. pokeheart328
    Mar 13, 2015
    10
    This was an amazing remake!! People are constantly complaining about the amount of water, but let's not forget: Hoenn has always meant surfing and diving! (I love diving!)
  11. Vataro
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    Ich hatte selten wieder so viel Spaß gehabt und verbrachte wirklich viel Zeit mit Onlinekämpfen , Wundertäuschen und Experimenten ... Mein Pokedex zeigt die Ergebnisse ;D
  12. Titannumber20
    Mar 15, 2015
    10
    I've played nearly every single Pokemon game out there, but I have to say that this is my favorite Pokemon game ever. This game retains the charm that the originals had, while improving on them in nearly every aspect. This game may be far from a masterpiece, but it's the most fun I've ever had with a game in over a year.
  13. Kobeissi2
    May 1, 2015
    10
    Absolutely perfect! Only thing is that it is too easy but other than that, it is the second best Pokemon game after Heart Gold/Soul Silver! Get this game!
  14. omkar333
    Jul 21, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I like the game alot.The main character has to go to different cities and do gym battles.But That is not the only thing you can do.In the story you have to do lots of missions and usually fight team aqua or team magma.the starter pokemon is mudkip torchic and trecko.Overall the game is just excellent!… Expand
  15. beckybabe
    Dec 24, 2015
    10
    Tears. Such a beautiful game, a heartwarming beginning and a bittersweet ending. As a long time Pokemon fan, especially with Sapphire being my favorite game as a child, there's been few other Pokemon games that have brought me this much joy. The underlying messages. The music. Just everything. Not to mention fantastic graphics and super secret bases being great as well. Love the contestTears. Such a beautiful game, a heartwarming beginning and a bittersweet ending. As a long time Pokemon fan, especially with Sapphire being my favorite game as a child, there's been few other Pokemon games that have brought me this much joy. The underlying messages. The music. Just everything. Not to mention fantastic graphics and super secret bases being great as well. Love the contest spectaculars. Ugh. Just so happy and in tears at the same time because it makes me sad as well that it's over.… Expand
  16. Rising94
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    Una gran maravilla de remaster! No se que decir mas, la mejor región de pokemon junto a kanto. Es sorprendente como cambia el argumento y las texturas y sobre todo una historia mas larga y con mas dificultad. Me gustan los pokemon difíciles.
  17. Federx
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    what can i say? it's hoenn. they took a great game and made it even better. with the frontier it would have been THE perfect game
  18. kiank
    Jan 15, 2018
    10
    I never played the original but I enjoyed this game a lot. I played it so much and it was one of my favorite pokemon games of all time. I really don't mind that it was in 3D. Super training was a pretty cool edition.
  19. SortOfCritic
    Jan 1, 2018
    10
    Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire take full advantage of the 3d mechanic introduced by X and Y. And this game doesn't disappoint, definitely one of the best Pokemon games, as it possessed an incredible post game we haven't seen since Black and White 2
  20. GenkiYokota
    Jan 27, 2022
    10
    Overriding over everything that got X and Y right
    This remake knows how to revive the glory of the third generation and take it to its greatest possible exponent.
  21. tukumalu
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Amazing remake! Features that have to be mentioned is new mega evolutions; new, second type of Pokemon hunting with Dex nav and most fun is flying on Latios or Latias ( depends of game version you choose ). Great ending with rival battle. Game looks very good and soundtrack is superior. The battle frontier was replaced by the battle resort - the much smaller version of his predecessor,Amazing remake! Features that have to be mentioned is new mega evolutions; new, second type of Pokemon hunting with Dex nav and most fun is flying on Latios or Latias ( depends of game version you choose ). Great ending with rival battle. Game looks very good and soundtrack is superior. The battle frontier was replaced by the battle resort - the much smaller version of his predecessor, botched this one.… Expand
  22. CaptainCharisma
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    I havent been able to enjoy a Pokemon game for 10 years until this came out. Gen 3 was the last good Pokemon generation for me and this adequately filled my nostalgic needs.
  23. Shunior
    Apr 4, 2022
    10
    La mejor experiencia en Pokémon para la 3DS! Las megaevoluciones estan mejores trabajadas, la mecanica cayó como un guante en Hoenm.
  24. kristinaformer
    Nov 22, 2022
    10
    I cried at the opening it was that beautiful everything about this game was top tier perfection to me.
  25. WorldFF
    Jul 12, 2023
    10
    A nostalgia desse jogo pra mim o coloca num lugar especial no meu coração.
  26. Lukart59
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    This is one of the best Pokémon games I have ever played, and my favourite 3ds Game. I enjoyed every single thing about this game.
  27. Gaz
    Aug 20, 2021
    9
    Remakes of previous Pokemon generations are nothing new, and thankfully, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (commonly referred to as ORAS on the internet) are another pair of older Pokemon games brought into the modern era with plenty of polish and care. The upgrade given to Ruby and Sapphire puts them on par with the 6th Generation of games, Pokemon X and Y, in the graphics and animationRemakes of previous Pokemon generations are nothing new, and thankfully, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (commonly referred to as ORAS on the internet) are another pair of older Pokemon games brought into the modern era with plenty of polish and care. The upgrade given to Ruby and Sapphire puts them on par with the 6th Generation of games, Pokemon X and Y, in the graphics and animation department. It also adds in most the quality-of-life improvements the series has undergone over the past several iterations.

    The story is a similar (but not exactly the same) journey through the Hoenn region with new life breathed into each location, some of which have undergone radical transformations. In fact, some locations are entirely new. The same goes for the characters you'll meet along the way. Relationships are deeper and more fleshed out with the main cast this time around. Some faces make their debut appearance while you'll recognize one or two from previous games. This all contributes toward ORAS feeling like its own fresh experience despite being remakes of GBA games.

    Another aspect that's gotten a facelift is the postgame. Completing the game starts the all-new Delta Episode, which sees you attempting to stop a meteor from crashing into the Hoenn region. There's also an all-new Battle Resort which takes the place of the Battle Frontier. Finally, it should be noted that ORAS features a stunning number of legendary Pokemon to find, some of which are version-specific. Essentially every legendary that isn't an event-exclusive Pokemon or a legendary Pokemon that appeared in X/Y is available to catch in this game, which is fantastic.

    Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are fantastic remakes that succeed in delivering the best of the original games while innovating in thoughtful and meaningful ways. As good as Pokemon X and Y were, I actually prefer ORAS when it comes to Generation 6. I recommend ORAS wholeheartedly to any fan of the Pokemon series, be you someone who loved the originals or if you want to experience the magic of the third generation for the first time.    … Expand
  28. Javo64
    Nov 24, 2014
    9
    The game is amazing in its self, but the only thing I would have liked to be changed is some of the battle animations, especially in the contests. Besides that, it is an amazing game and I'm glad its back and in better graphics. That's my review, but Sapphire was my first actual Pokemon game that I put my heart and soul into it. When I heard about Alpha Sapphire, my hopes, excitement, andThe game is amazing in its self, but the only thing I would have liked to be changed is some of the battle animations, especially in the contests. Besides that, it is an amazing game and I'm glad its back and in better graphics. That's my review, but Sapphire was my first actual Pokemon game that I put my heart and soul into it. When I heard about Alpha Sapphire, my hopes, excitement, and expectations shot up immensely while November 21 slowly crawled closer. When I got the game and played it, memories poured in faster than a Quick Attack.… Expand
  29. iipotato
    Jul 22, 2015
    9
    Even if you played the original RSE versions many times, you NEED to get this game because there are PLENTY of additions in ORAS that will make you feel like you're exploring an entire new story and adventure once again.

    New features include - Scanning for specific Pokemon in the wild - Strengthening the bonds with your Pokemon in Amie - Horde battles. - Mega Evolution. What's    Even if you played the original RSE versions many times, you NEED to get this game because there are PLENTY of additions in ORAS that will make you feel like you're exploring an entire new story and adventure once again.

    New features include
    - Scanning for specific Pokemon in the wild
    - Strengthening the bonds with your Pokemon in Amie
    - Horde battles.
    - Mega Evolution.

    What's returned from RSE?
    - Pokemon Contests have once again got you raging over the NPCs, haha!
    - Secret Bases, no explanation needed.
    - Trick House, with the good ole HM dependency
    - The Characters, now with better designs and livelier personalities!
    - Unlike the letdown of HGSS music, ORAS's soundtrack does not disappoint. It still contains the hype feeling from RSE, back when you were a child and all.

    This game is worth it! It is everything you could desire from a Pokemon game. Until there's a new main game, ORAS will satisfy you for a while.

    Also, it has Mega Swampert. The most important Pokemon of the game. Done.    … Expand
  30. Barnes1987
    Mar 6, 2017
    9
    This is a really good remaster of a Pokemon classic. It's pretty much business as usual here with all the same classic gameplay etc. A must buy for the 3DS.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best 3DS Game of 2014
5
#5 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2014
11
#11 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. Atomix
    Jan 28, 2015
    85
    A much better experience than what was expected. The change in the rhythm and the emphasis in the story elements manage to captivate the player in a way that the Game Boy Advance versions couldn’t.
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  2. DarkStation
    Jan 19, 2015
    80
    If you have any interest at all in Pokémon this game will surpass your expectations.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer Poland
    Jan 14, 2015
    70
    Another good game with pocket monsters, providing hours of fun for fans. But it does not offer the same breath of fresh air as last year's X and Y.
    Read full review
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