Pokemon Emerald Version

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 883 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 761 out of 883
  2. Mixed: 78 out of 883
  3. Negative: 44 out of 883
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  1. MazdoTechno
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    Even though Pokémon Sapphire holds a dear place in my heart, this is the true Hoenn experience
    Pretty much everything you want in a Pokémon game is here, besides story. And don’t get me wrong Pokémon Emerald version has the best story if you look at it from Gen 1-3 only.
    Amazing music The game really feels “grand” A great sense of adventure and mystery Just a great entry into the    Even though Pokémon Sapphire holds a dear place in my heart, this is the true Hoenn experience
    Pretty much everything you want in a Pokémon game is here, besides story. And don’t get me wrong Pokémon Emerald version has the best story if you look at it from Gen 1-3 only.
    Amazing music
    The game really feels “grand”
    A great sense of adventure and mystery
    Just a great entry into the Pokémon series    … Expand
  2. fanmadeendings
    Feb 15, 2022
    8
    Cool main game and incredible post game, just the whole third version thing is a little iffy when you think about it.
  3. Melon_man
    Aug 2, 2021
    8
    The best Pokémon game on GBA. I've spent way too much time in the battle frontier.
  4. Visitbr
    Aug 31, 2023
    8
    a versão emerald parece ser uma correção do ruby, mas peca nas mesmas coisas
  5. skdcraw
    Apr 26, 2023
    8
    Emerald was a game that I played with half a brain when I was little, never understood it, and because it was my first introduction to RPGs, I thought I could overcome everything by leveling up. Although Pokemon actually had a simple rock-paper-scissors system, I couldn't understand this system due to my age and my lack of English, and I started to play the pokemon that I had started, butEmerald was a game that I played with half a brain when I was little, never understood it, and because it was my first introduction to RPGs, I thought I could overcome everything by leveling up. Although Pokemon actually had a simple rock-paper-scissors system, I couldn't understand this system due to my age and my lack of English, and I started to play the pokemon that I had started, but after a while I failed in long fights and quit the game when I couldn't progress in the game. I didn't even know the mechanics of catching Pokemon. So what kind of game is Emerald when you look at it critically now?

    Pokemon games are very sweet games. I don't know if it's its own concept, but having a team of six pokemons at our disposal and pitting these teams against each other with different moves is a nice concept for RPG lovers. The sense of exploration in the game is always very nice. Even if the rewarding is very unbalanced, you want to explore everywhere, because the imbalance in rewarding can lead you to find something very beautiful in a very strange place. Also, it's definitely a nice addition that we can unlock things that are kind of like fast travel with the features where we load pokemons, almost like a metroidvania. These aren't new things, but they're things that are in this game, so I'm evaluating them. The biggest flaw of the game is that I think it's user-hostile. Yes, the game is very sweet, but I'm not sure if we are asked to continue playing or not. I have no idea how we played some of the exploits that we can close in today's emulator conditions. Catching a pokemon consumes a very unnecessary number of pokemon balls, wild encounters that you constantly encounter if you haven't bought a repel and make it even more difficult to walk somewhere. The game is slow in general and the animations are not beautiful enough to make it worth the waste of time. However, in today's conditions, thanks to game acceleration and artificial save points, these points can be covered up and the game can be played much more comfortably. But there is one thing that can't be glossed over, the game is a bit cryptic. Especially when I think that they made the game to appeal to children, the game can get bogged down at some points. So please don't make the same mistake I did and listen to the NPCs even if they speak very slowly because they will probably tell you where to go next. Even if you don't hang out in the main story of the game, why would I go back to the weather station and talk to a specific NPC there after finishing the game to get a legendary pokemon? Should this information be revealed to me?

    Pokemon games are sweet games, their visuals and music are sweet too. There is nothing much to say. They even have some music that I think is extra good (Deoxys), but since Nintendo doesn't release it anywhere, it's very difficult to listen to it.

    There's a sweet story that the game tries to set up, which is obviously better than the cheesy "go collect all the pokemon" story in Red and Blue. Also, I think it's very enjoyable to be able to fight with such big pokémon and then capture them and add them to the team. They even added some sweet side quests to the game.

    Emerald is a sweet game. I know I've written this for the hundredth time, but I can't find a better term to describe this game. After FireRed, I'm satiating my Pokemon hunger with this game. Until I get a phone that can emulate the DS comfortably, I'm done.    … Expand
  6. omniface
    Mar 8, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. a good game for the gen three of pokemon

    pros
    decent pokemon
    great player guy
    decent gym leaders
    amazing wisdom
    great plot
    great villain team
    amazing post game
    good elite four

    cons
    poor mid game
    poor cave mission
    horrible contest mode
    horrible link mode
    horrible battle point system

    other
    decent graphics
    decent fishing system
    decent underwater mode
    decent legendary areas

    overall a solid game for pokemon fans only    … Expand
  7. Chastizer
    Sep 7, 2022
    8
    Pokemon Emerald is the standard in which I believe all future Pokemon games should be judged by. Hoenn is a great region filled with secrets areas to be explored and neat mysteries to solve. Battle Frontier is by far the best single player post game any game in the series has had to date. Story is good, gyms are good, the mons themselves introduced in this gen are cult classics now. TherePokemon Emerald is the standard in which I believe all future Pokemon games should be judged by. Hoenn is a great region filled with secrets areas to be explored and neat mysteries to solve. Battle Frontier is by far the best single player post game any game in the series has had to date. Story is good, gyms are good, the mons themselves introduced in this gen are cult classics now. There is a lot to love about this game and despite the remakes being out, this game still holds strong and sets itself apart from them in 2022.… Expand
  8. Spered
    Feb 28, 2023
    8
    My favorite main series Pokémon game.
    Too much sea/ocean? It didn't bother me.
    Stupid Enemy Teams? Yes, the dumbest of the main games.
    I have wonderful memories of this game, me on the bed hitting the pillow, bedposts broken several times. A great endgame, the battle park remains the best endgame ever.
    Another good thing about the game? Kyogre!
  9. Garde_Mystik
    May 25, 2023
    8
    gonna leave this as a filler, will edit if i want to do a full review one day. tl;dr is, these games are hoenn. they are amazing in most aspects, although they're pretty devoid of content outside the battle frontier, the battle frontier is filled with mostly bad concepts, some of the good ones have bad execution (battle factory actually punishes you for switch out your mons thanks to a buggonna leave this as a filler, will edit if i want to do a full review one day. tl;dr is, these games are hoenn. they are amazing in most aspects, although they're pretty devoid of content outside the battle frontier, the battle frontier is filled with mostly bad concepts, some of the good ones have bad execution (battle factory actually punishes you for switch out your mons thanks to a bug that resets IVs when you switch Pokemon). if you don't care about the battle frontier nor like the battle frontier, emerald doesn't have much left to offer in comparison to newer pokemon titles. its postgame content is very overrated. the gen 3 battle mechanics are not great, emerald has a bug that makes soft resetting for shinies more difficult, emerald also doesn't have a great amount of Pokemon relative to its national dex to begin with, as Pokemon wanted to make sure it ALL went spread out across every Gen 3 title, does not have many of the quality of life benefits ORAS has. this game is essentially ruby and sapphire, but messier. it was probably rushed in and made for more profit. main adventure is easily one of the most replayable and rewarding in the series to this day. it's a great game to jump into if you want a quick, fun run through a pokemon adventure. don't expect much more than that though, unless you are willing to endure some of the worst battles you have ever played in your life via the battle frontier. that frontier was for sure quantity/quality and is the most overrated postgame feature in the series, next to Johto having a second region.… Expand
  10. Giero
    Jan 3, 2023
    8
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  11. KendylKlownfish
    Mar 8, 2011
    7
    Ruby or Sapphire were not the finest of the series, and neither is Emerald. However, while it may not improve "much" upon its precursors, it will satisfy Poke'fans and may even brainwash more.
  12. ohaiKendyl
    May 18, 2011
    7
    Despite some additional Pokemon and animation, Pokemon Emerald is an unnecessary enhancement that barely enhances Ruby and Sapphire at all. For Pokemaniacs only.
  13. jeff_reviews
    Jul 23, 2013
    7
    A tad too familiar due to little to no changes from the previous game titles, but like many Pokemon games, it is able to delight. With the Pokemon style games with fun, enjoyable adventures, and vicious villains, "Pokemon Emerald" is enjoyable to play.
  14. frederik1478
    Feb 22, 2021
    7
    Pokémon journey with too much water
    , I don't have so much to say about this game just feels like another Journey which not too much happening ,
  15. Diegochocho
    Jul 6, 2018
    7
    Me encanta la música del combate, la historia no me pareció tan entretenida, los diseños de los pokémon son mi favorito, pero en algunas partes me termina aburriendo.
  16. andrew9
    Nov 16, 2021
    7
    pokemon . .
  17. MadnessisRising
    Mar 5, 2019
    7
    Back then i had to make a decision. Pokemon Leaf Green or Emerald. I choosed Pokemon Leaf Green while my fried went for Emerald. Of course he showed me the game and years later i finally played it but it wasn't that fascinating like the other generations. The map and the story was kinda boring and the only special thing about it were the new Pokemon. Think i made the right decision. AnywayBack then i had to make a decision. Pokemon Leaf Green or Emerald. I choosed Pokemon Leaf Green while my fried went for Emerald. Of course he showed me the game and years later i finally played it but it wasn't that fascinating like the other generations. The map and the story was kinda boring and the only special thing about it were the new Pokemon. Think i made the right decision. Anyway the 3rd generation of Pokemon Games was the worst but it is still a decent game.… Expand
  18. manuel812
    May 29, 2021
    7
    meh un juego decente pero podría ser mejor tiene un montón de potencial desperdiciado como la trama del padre o los equipos villanos que son los PEORES de la saga cosas que se deberían haber mejorado en esta tercera edición y aparte de eso donde esta máximo ;v la historia es paupérrima la dificultad es buena y la region como tal tiene una buena exploración acuática ósea que esta bien
  19. GDsReviews
    May 27, 2022
    7
    Emerald is significantly better than Ruby and Sapphire as well as Fire Red and Leaf Green thanks to one important addition in the Battle Frontier. This is easily the greatest post game of any main Pokemon game to this day, and wished it was in every Pokemon game it is so fantastic.

    It also has a crazy fun twist in that you have two evil teams in Magma and Aqua scheming in it. In Ruby,    Emerald is significantly better than Ruby and Sapphire as well as Fire Red and Leaf Green thanks to one important addition in the Battle Frontier. This is easily the greatest post game of any main Pokemon game to this day, and wished it was in every Pokemon game it is so fantastic.

    It also has a crazy fun twist in that you have two evil teams in Magma and Aqua scheming in it. In Ruby, Team Aqua helps you in your fight against Team Magma, and vice versa in Sapphire. Emerald still remains the only Pokemon game with two evil teams scheming in it, and is easily the greatest Gen 3 Pokemon Game by a wide margin.    … Expand
  20. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    7
    Still missing several of the core mechanics that make Pokemon such a fun game to play (Phys/Spec split), but one of the better stories of the franchise and a really great OST.
  21. Yessir5
    Jun 23, 2022
    7
    Not as good as Crystal but still a good game. Double battles are dope. The battle frontier streaks needed to get the symbols are dumb considering all the RNG in Pokémon battles. Graphics could have been better considering what the GBA was capable of
  22. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    7
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  23. Sou_o_Storm
    Dec 20, 2022
    7
    My favorite pokemon game on gba. The whole region, the legendaries, even the pokemons. Everything about her is different and good, it's divinely well made. Played it 10 times, and I always feel like I can still discover new things in the game
  24. JasonFajardo
    May 5, 2023
    7
    This one was my first Pokémon game, despite nostalgia this have some problems, bland rivals, the map its possibly the worst one of the franchise, the villains are the stupidest ones of the franchise and they changed Steven with Wallace but it's still a good game.
  25. AlexMakesToast
    Dec 16, 2022
    6
    Emerald = 6/10
    ...............................................................
  26. FairandSmartM8
    Apr 19, 2018
    4
    Not a bad game by itself, but the least inovative of all the famous "third versions" pokemon games tend to receive during their generational cycle. While previous entries like Yellow changed the story in concrete ways, and Crystal fixed less playable aspects, here the story is changed only superficially, with the evil teams doing the EXACT same things except taking turns instead of itNot a bad game by itself, but the least inovative of all the famous "third versions" pokemon games tend to receive during their generational cycle. While previous entries like Yellow changed the story in concrete ways, and Crystal fixed less playable aspects, here the story is changed only superficially, with the evil teams doing the EXACT same things except taking turns instead of it being one or another, and some short cutscene at the climax, not enough to bulk up the relatively lacking RS versions.… Expand
  27. evelio28
    Aug 8, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Tiene un ritmo muy poco atrayente, poco se puede decir de un Mapa donde TODO es Agua y el contenido es incluso mas Interesante en FireRed. Los Villanos no tienen sentido, no hay presion verdadera para poder salvar un mundo retratado de manera simplista y incluso tan caricaturesca como el Anime… Expand
  28. JohnCapala
    Jan 2, 2020
    4
    Almost the same game as Ruby and Sapphire but even worst. More HMs, more stupid fillers, almost no additions, same stupid story. This game has gotten old.

    The only good addition was the Battle Frontier, and it's still something boring, repetitive and almost unplayable these days. There's even a place where the game plays for you, so fun!
  29. Orenji_Okami
    Dec 11, 2021
    0
    La peor gen de la saga, la 5ª es mejor, la 3ª es la cosa mas simplona que he jugado en esta franquicia, villanos simplones, una región monótona y encima con mucho agua, un coñazo lo mires por donde lo mires, en su día entiendo que la gente lo flipase porque los gráficos mejoraron con respecto a la 2ª gen pero han envejecido un poco como el culo.
  30. miguelaceval3
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    El único gran videojuego de Pokémon, todos los demás son infinitamente peores.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
1
#1 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Eurogamer
    60
    It just would be nice for Nintendo and Game Freak to supply the other demand next time: the demand of something actually more different, or at least palpably new, for our hard earned. Let the pitchfork laden debate begin.
    Read full review
  2. VGPub
    95
    A fine addition to the Pokemon line-up. It is able to take everything good about Ruby and Sapphire and improve on it, both enhancing the original Ruby and Sapphire feature as well as adding new ones.
    Read full review
  3. eToychest
    85
    Of course, no amount of polish can change the fact that this is still a Pokémon game, and it carries the same flaws consistent to the series. It's certainly a respectable time sink, but-despite the evolutions to the core gameplay-it continues to offer extremely little to win over holdouts. However, it is an ideal starting point for new initiates to the Pokémon franchise.
    Read full review
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