Pokemon Ruby Version

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 387 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 316 out of 387
  2. Mixed: 57 out of 387
  3. Negative: 14 out of 387
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  1. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    9
    One of the last pokemon games i played before being just too old to really enjoy them.
  3. Squaredash
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    After 2 entries that REALLY don’t stand the test of time, the gen 3 games feel like the first ones where they know what they’re doing with the franchise. Between the massive graphics upgrade, the introduction of many core features like abilities, the standard formula for a story (even if it’s not that great), and a region that feels bursting with new pokemon and unique towns, you’d beAfter 2 entries that REALLY don’t stand the test of time, the gen 3 games feel like the first ones where they know what they’re doing with the franchise. Between the massive graphics upgrade, the introduction of many core features like abilities, the standard formula for a story (even if it’s not that great), and a region that feels bursting with new pokemon and unique towns, you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan of the series that doesn’t consider these games at least solid.… Expand
  4. AnthonyStf
    Jun 18, 2023
    8
    Couldnt find Emerald. This is not my pick for the best pokemon game(it's platinum!) Not even in the top 3(B2W2 & USUM) But you good make a pretty good argument on why it's the best. 9
    8/10
  5. Marioipod13
    May 25, 2023
    10
    Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are excellent Pokemon games. The Hoenn Region is great with very fleshed-out and relatable character design, and the overall gameplay is fun.
  6. APolChrome
    May 7, 2023
    9
    Sé que suena raro, pero en 2023 he jugado a Pokémon Rubí como mi primer juego de la saga. Nunca me habían convencido la mayoría de características de los RPG, porque creía que eran poco dinámicos, hasta que un día, decidí probar este juego... Y me ha gustado en todos sus aspectos.

    La jugabilidad (que era lo que menos me atraía del juego) ha sido sin ninguna duda lo mejor. Unos combates    Sé que suena raro, pero en 2023 he jugado a Pokémon Rubí como mi primer juego de la saga. Nunca me habían convencido la mayoría de características de los RPG, porque creía que eran poco dinámicos, hasta que un día, decidí probar este juego... Y me ha gustado en todos sus aspectos.

    La jugabilidad (que era lo que menos me atraía del juego) ha sido sin ninguna duda lo mejor. Unos combates muy dinámicos, con la esencia de Pokémon y una dificultad ascendiente muy bien llevada. Capturar Pokémon se siente genial y los combates contra entrenadores son una muy buena manera para prepararte a futuro.

    Aunque si quieres pasarte el juego, prepárate. Aunque sea un juego que lo veas y pienses que es para un crío, es muy difícil a partir de un poco más de la mitad, pero esa dificultad (además de ser justa) está regulada y es una curva, no un pico. Además, cosas como las MT pueden ayudarte muchísimo a la hora de afrontar el juego.

    Visual y musicalmente, se ha mantenido bastante bien. El juego es precioso y tiene una variedad de entornos, diseños de Pokémon y lugares increíble. Además, tiene algún temazo que se queda metido en la cabeza y está muy bien.

    La historia, es Pokémon, pero me ha gustado bastante. Tiene momentos de tensión y en general, hay un buen motivo para moverte por el mundo de Pokémon Rubí. Y la rival o rival... me ha encantado. Veía gameplays de Pokemon Escudo por ejemplo y notaba al rival como un entrenador sin ganas, que escoge lo débil contra ti. Pero en este juego se nota que tu rival quiere lo mismo que tú, e intentará conseguirlo como sea.

    Resumiendo, Pokémon Rubí es un juegazo ideal para empezar no solo con Pokémon, sino con los RPG en general.    … Expand
  7. saplign
    Feb 2, 2023
    9
    volcano monster‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
  8. umrttl
    Dec 10, 2022
    9
    Good game. Blaziken is goated and the battle tower was stupid hard as a 12 year old
  9. hector_bcn98
    Oct 31, 2022
    9
    Casi perfecciona la fórmula Pokemon, si no fuera por Esmeralda. JRPG de referencia mundial.
  10. TSNintendogamer
    Apr 10, 2022
    10
    this game is great. I had sapphire as a kid but ruby counts too since it was my brother's. I want to say that when I was just turning ten, I got the game for my birthday. I loved it. I remember seeing it in a magazine and I thought "this is great. Now I won't need to deal with gameboy graphics any more." but I didn't like how there wasn't a second region unlike gold and silver.this game is great. I had sapphire as a kid but ruby counts too since it was my brother's. I want to say that when I was just turning ten, I got the game for my birthday. I loved it. I remember seeing it in a magazine and I thought "this is great. Now I won't need to deal with gameboy graphics any more." but I didn't like how there wasn't a second region unlike gold and silver. However I never realised that there was at least as much content in ruby and sapphire as gold and silver. I mean gold and silver had more side quests I believe but ruby and sapphire's world was more filled than gold and silver's. I also wished there was a day and night cycle but other than that, the game was a masterful game. Lastly I didn't like the way the devlopers handled the roaming pokemon. At least in gold and silver, there were 3 roaming pokemon and the region was smaller so they were easier to track. For one thing, it really brought more to the story and it set a standard with story telling in the pokemon games. It also brought mini games like the berry game and the contests. I also loved double battles as well. It was even the first pokemon game I beat. However because of it's downfalls, I felt nostalgia for gold and silver but looking back both games were really good.… Expand
  11. albegres
    Feb 5, 2022
    8
    82/100 but 100/100 in my heart
    This was my first game. Still somewhat playable nowadays: there is a remake but if you can play this one
  12. clem666
    Jun 2, 2021
    10
    Actually I had the 'Sapphire Version' but for an unknown reason it won't appear on the Metacritic website. This was my very first experience with 'Pokémon' video games. It is impossible for me to describe the powerful nostalgic vibe encompassing this version, its music soundtrack, story, locations and characters. I spend way too much time of my childhood and adolescence on it. I must haveActually I had the 'Sapphire Version' but for an unknown reason it won't appear on the Metacritic website. This was my very first experience with 'Pokémon' video games. It is impossible for me to describe the powerful nostalgic vibe encompassing this version, its music soundtrack, story, locations and characters. I spend way too much time of my childhood and adolescence on it. I must have launched more than twenty different plays and finished the story more than five times.

    Discovering Hoenn and all the Pokemons and people living in it always was a thrilling experience. The sense of progression is constant and well balanced, the Pokemon weren't so ugly at the time, the puzzles and riddles are fun even if a bit difficult from time to time for the kid I was. Crafting and training our own team is really rewarding and compelling. There are some difficulty peaks here and there but they always happen to underline the fact that you have to train harder. The links between characters (and especially those of you family and close friends and opponents) are really deep and interesting and give this particular version a surprising amount of emotions and stunning discoveries (no spoil).

    The quantity of details is truly crazy compared to the other games: in this trilogy we have the berries, contests, the possibility to link with other players, the pension, the numerous underwater caves and zones to explore, double battles, many unique Pokémon to catch, varied environments, interesting mythology, hidden zones, secret quests, and so on. Even after the League there is still content to discover and valiant opponents to fight. Fights are fast enough to not become overly redundant and frustrating. There are enough Pokedex entries to make you want to catch them all without being discouraged from the start. What drove me the most crazy about this version is how each area is tied to a particular atmosphere maintained by the soundtrack throughout the game. And nothing could erase the passion and the infinite pleasure to catch a legendary Pokemon with a classic Pokeball (yeah, I captured Latias on the 'Sapphire Version' that way, yeah I did, and it took me something like 50+ hours of gameplay).

    As a kid this particular game made want to travel the world and discover new people and cultures. It made me dream, it made me laugh, it made me mad, it made me sad. I'll surely keep a physical copy of this game close to me for the rest of my life.    … Expand
  13. Nikitosss95
    Feb 13, 2021
    10
    Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald have a special place in my gaming heart. The Hoenn region and the third generation of the Pocket Monsters is arguably one of the best ever made. The region is exciting and not that easy to explore (you get new HM moves, my favorite would be Dive); the legendaries are awesome - Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza, Latias&Latios; the Pokémon League is challengingPokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald have a special place in my gaming heart. The Hoenn region and the third generation of the Pocket Monsters is arguably one of the best ever made. The region is exciting and not that easy to explore (you get new HM moves, my favorite would be Dive); the legendaries are awesome - Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza, Latias&Latios; the Pokémon League is challenging too at first, whether you fight Steven or Wallace; also the Battle frontier is an awesome bonus in the Emerald game!!! Very challenging and lots of fun!… Expand
  14. Gondar7
    Sep 29, 2020
    10
    Pokemon Ruby introduced a great story with new pokemon to catch. Besides the graphics being fun and easy to navigate its clean and good fun.
  15. Hellgates666
    Jun 25, 2020
    9
    Gen 3 of pokemon launches you into an incredible world that manages to, in my opinion, outshine gen 1 and gen 2. The beautiful cities and gym battles, the hidden player bases, and the pokemon themselves all contribute to the quality of this game. I'd be lying if I said this game didn't help make my childhood as good as it was. Ruby. Sapphire and Emerald will always have a special place inGen 3 of pokemon launches you into an incredible world that manages to, in my opinion, outshine gen 1 and gen 2. The beautiful cities and gym battles, the hidden player bases, and the pokemon themselves all contribute to the quality of this game. I'd be lying if I said this game didn't help make my childhood as good as it was. Ruby. Sapphire and Emerald will always have a special place in my heart.… Expand
  16. tukumalu
    Apr 26, 2020
    9
    Having this as the first pokemon game might not be the best in term of chronological order but still served as a wonderful entry into the series
  17. Shimmeywill
    Mar 10, 2020
    8
    A lot of time sunk into this simple but entertaining classic. Music is iconic and creatures long lasting.
  18. kvnd
    Dec 14, 2019
    9
    This game was my ****, and going from GBC to GBA seemed like such a huge leap to my dumb little kid brain. It's just more Pokémon with more bells and whistles...and it slaps. Tons of new monsters were added, two-on-two battles introduced, beauty contests, held items could be used in battle, the list goes on. This game is easily 50+ hours of gameplay and honestly 200+ if you wanted to seeThis game was my ****, and going from GBC to GBA seemed like such a huge leap to my dumb little kid brain. It's just more Pokémon with more bells and whistles...and it slaps. Tons of new monsters were added, two-on-two battles introduced, beauty contests, held items could be used in battle, the list goes on. This game is easily 50+ hours of gameplay and honestly 200+ if you wanted to see everything the game has to offer, and of course, catch em all.… Expand
  19. pedraww
    Dec 8, 2019
    9
    I've finished it, the other GBA versions and the 3DS remake more than 15 times. Mot my favourite gen, but definitely my favourite Pokémon game.
  20. Kiraki1120
    Nov 16, 2019
    8
    Great Pokemon game which introduced the abilities system, which is part of the Pokemon now. Game was great as always and there were many places to discover!
  21. Mintyco
    Nov 6, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. _______________________________________________________________________Good… Expand
  22. Aquvamaen
    Nov 1, 2019
    8
    Great Pokemon games, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire really took pokemon to the next level, the graphics were leaps and bounds ahead of the previous games in the series. Pokemon RS has overall fantastic pokemon designs, very memorable starters and legendaries. The region is a lot of fun to play through, you have to figure out a few things in the games yourself which i personally think is a lotGreat Pokemon games, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire really took pokemon to the next level, the graphics were leaps and bounds ahead of the previous games in the series. Pokemon RS has overall fantastic pokemon designs, very memorable starters and legendaries. The region is a lot of fun to play through, you have to figure out a few things in the games yourself which i personally think is a lot of fun. These are some of the best of the bunch when it comes to pokemon games, a lot of positives, but also some negative. This region is relying highly on HM`s which can be tedious at times, you often have to sacrifice one of your good mon`s to waterfall, surf or strength, and you also have the broken RNG, but apart from that this is a great experience.… Expand
  23. Nukzuk
    Aug 4, 2019
    9
    One of the best pokemon games,this map and pokemons is pretty cool,i just don't like the replay,i finish this game twice and i don't want finish again,but the duration of the game is ok,you can finish in like 7 hours,or if you are a crazy speedrunner 3 hours,but the history and kyogre and groudon make this game insane
  24. cbp105
    Feb 26, 2019
    8
    Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are very good Pokemon games. They are the first main games after the Game Boy and are quite impressive. The region is one of my favourites to this date and actually have different antagonists for the different versions. There are many issues with polish, such as the occasionally difficult to read font, odd player sprite, the removal of small Pokemon animationsPokemon Ruby and Sapphire are very good Pokemon games. They are the first main games after the Game Boy and are quite impressive. The region is one of my favourites to this date and actually have different antagonists for the different versions. There are many issues with polish, such as the occasionally difficult to read font, odd player sprite, the removal of small Pokemon animations like in Pokemon Crystal, and a few cave areas with ugly colour pallets. The lack of a time capsule is saddening, but understandable. 8/10
    (Also, why is Pokemon Sapphire not listed, but both FireRed and LeafGreen are?)    … Expand
  25. Pakon
    Dec 25, 2018
    10
    The best way to introduce a new generation of Pokemon to fans is to make the game as good and fresh as possible. This game is an example of how to make a solid Pokemon game with neat story, some new moves and mechanics and traditional Pokemon-style gameplay. One of the best Pokemon games up to date which people still prefer to play over many others which are newer.
  26. AceDayload
    Jun 24, 2018
    10
    - Pokémon Ruby is one of my favorite game in the Pokémon saga is an incredibly addictive game is extremely epic and beautiful.
  27. Matias8654
    Jun 1, 2018
    9
    Al igual que su complementario un juego que hay que jugar mas allá que como de costumbre solo cambie el legendario es un juego increíble
  28. Benonline27
    Nov 10, 2017
    10
    although it has annoying random encounters and is very hard, this game is a massive masterpiece, gba game done right, great open world, great soundtrack, great characters and great game, a true masterpiece
  29. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    9
    My favourite region, a lot of variety. 3rd generation has really cool Pokemon designs, and the graphic style is in my opinion the most original in the series, it's fantastic that you can see reflection of your character in the water. The music is great for gba. My only complain is the ending when you have spend time in this infamous water.
  30. TwistedCritic
    Mar 14, 2016
    10
    Hasn't aged a day, it's still a great game, and it was what got me hooked on these brilliant games in the first place! The 3rd gen Pokemon are my favorite, they've got a great design to them, and the improvements to the game's battles, such as double battles, as well as new additions like contests and berries make this an astoundingly deep RPG.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
3
#3 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
4
#4 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Thunderbolt
    90
    I’ve uncovered a marvelous new gaming world that I love immersing myself in and now my nephew and I can talk with equal zest about our various Poké accomplishments.
    Read full review
  2. Edge Magazine
    80
    Ruby/Sapphire is probably the most intricate and detailed console RPG available. Staring into it will make many players woozy. [Sept 2003]
  3. Gamestyle
    80
    Whilst its apparent lack of any revolutionary gameplay is a worthy of criticism, it doesn't stop the fact that this is still by far one of the most addictive and long-lasting games you could hope for on your Gameboy Advance.
    Read full review
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