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. Awesomlycool
    Jul 6, 2003
    10
    It is the best games ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. KurtisR.
    Apr 20, 2003
    10
    This game was the best pokemon game that has come out. I own it too.
  3. SeanD.
    Dec 1, 2003
    10
    I LOVE POKEMON!!!!!
  4. KalanS.
    Apr 4, 2003
    10
    This is going to be the best game in the world and I say that I'm never going to play anything else until I get this game and play it over a million times.Maybe even more. This game is the best!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. Pohcheeboon
    May 18, 2003
    10
    It is a great game. the graphics are nice, although there is a problem.. you cannot find or trade origin pokemon from yellow/blue/red/crystal/silver/gold versions. So have to use the cheats....
  6. [Anonymous]
    May 6, 2003
    10
    It's great!
  7. SharonT.
    May 15, 2004
    10
    It is really fun but why don't they put it on the internet?
  8. KittyCrookshanks
    Jul 24, 2004
    10
    It's really disappointing that such a great series of gams have such boring tv shows and movies.
  9. LiamC.
    Jul 25, 2006
    10
    This is 1 of my fave games i have had to restart alot because i can complete it really easy now but i have trouble wiv the battle tower so i never do tht 1 lol anyway this is the best pokemon game i have ever played and i am very glad that i have not got pokemon ruby becaus my fave pokemon is on sapphire (kyogre).
  10. CareBear
    Mar 14, 2003
    10
    Learn to spell there, Patty... Maybe you should get your education from somewhere besides Pokemon games...
  11. KorX.
    Jul 13, 2003
    10
    It's the best but i don't know how to get it on my computer but i've played it before.
  12. M.B.
    Feb 16, 2004
    10
    Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire are the best games ever!!!!!!!
  13. JakeD.
    Mar 7, 2004
    10
    Off the hook.
  14. NickJ.
    Aug 13, 2004
    10
    Sikkkk dude this game has good graphics 2 on 2 battles are good and i like the new areas its awesome.
  15. AlvinC.
    Apr 19, 2003
    10
    Great game... interesting twists... an improvement of the previous versions of the Pokemon game series!
  16. BOBM.
    Jun 27, 2004
    10
    I love it but the should have some cheats to make the game more fun if you have any please send them to me at bmayes.xtra.com.nz
  17. JT
    Nov 29, 2005
    10
    One of the best games i ever played! Especially when you can choose your fave starting pokemon, i'm so into this game that i even felt so emotional when my pokemon fainted!
  18. Ash123
    Mar 19, 2011
    10
    I just adore this game i had it when i was little and I still like it today so I'm going to buy another copy of it so I can enjoy it once more just as I had 5 years ago. If I had a lot of fun with it so would you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  19. StevenEvans0
    Nov 3, 2011
    10
    An extremely addicting game which, in my opinion, had the best music, setting, and Elite Four of all the Pokemon games. This game surpassed even my love for my Silver and Red versions, and I have yet to play a Pokemon game that has come close to it.
  20. Zilcell
    Apr 2, 2012
    10
    This game may seem simple and normal at first glance, but you will realize that the battle system is better executed compared to previous games in the series.
  21. namDa65
    Jan 17, 2012
    10
    My favourite GBA game ever. Played 38 hours of it in my most recent playthrough back in '05. Sapphire version had this whale pokemon that I captured and it was sick. lololololololololololol. 10/10
  22. Glitter
    Aug 30, 2013
    10
    Despite following in the footsteps of two previous incarnations of the main Pokémon handheld series, the third generation of gaming (Pokémon Ruby, and Pokémon Sapphire) are immaculate games that raised the bar to become the pinnacle of the Pokémon series. Set in a Paradise-like region, home to lush forestation, vast seas, a looming volcano, and a not-so-desolate desert, Hoenn is by far theDespite following in the footsteps of two previous incarnations of the main Pokémon handheld series, the third generation of gaming (Pokémon Ruby, and Pokémon Sapphire) are immaculate games that raised the bar to become the pinnacle of the Pokémon series. Set in a Paradise-like region, home to lush forestation, vast seas, a looming volcano, and a not-so-desolate desert, Hoenn is by far the most diverse and fascinating setting in any Pokémon game. Complimenting the games is a jubilant soundtrack, with beautiful horns that even in MIDI are hypnotically entrancing. Still to this day, beyond a decade after release, the replay value is ever so high as it was at release.… Expand
  23. Jiano74
    Jan 25, 2016
    10
    The game that made my childhood truly brilliant something that even 13 years after its original release I still find myself playing and enjoying so much. Not just one of my favourites as a child but this is one of the best games ever made and I truly love it.
  24. baloon123
    Jul 27, 2014
    10
    From al the games that released on GBA advance. This is the one that i by far played the most i really enjoy Ruby the game play is addictive it just makes you want to catch 'em all!
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. Mintyco
    Nov 6, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. _______________________________________________________________________Good… Expand
  30. 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
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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

All reviews »
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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