While Emerald succeeds in adding quirks to the game, it doesn't add anything worth a second-or third-trip to Hoen for.
As we all know Nintendo struck gold with Pokemon, and it is not going to let it go just yet. Oh no, it still has to milk it dry for a few more years at least. That being said of course, I always enjoyed the Pokemon video games as a lite RPG with some addictive elements.
Pokemon Emerald is the latest in the series, and of course it is almost exactly the same game as Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, but don't tell Nintendo that. Some changes include hidden areas, special pokemon, pokemon animations, and the ability to call trainers for a rematch. Oh yeah, and your main character wears a snazzy green outfit wow!
I picked Mudkip as my starting Pokemon. I just like it because it'll grow up to have that nice ground/water type, rendering all electric attacks futile!! Of course...grass attacks devastate such types. Which brings me to the heart of Pokemon collecting them and fighting them.
In essence, Pokemon battling is like a huge Rock, Paper, Scissors. If you have a Fire pokemon and your enemy pulls out a Water type, then you're in deep trouble. Of course, pokemon attacks also have types, and other things like weather and stats effect how much that pokemon will do and what effect it will have on it's foe. I find the battling a little boring, but I like to level up my monsters so I can collect new ones.
The collecting is my favorite thing, that and Breeding. I think that since there are many things you can do with your pokemon, the game never ends. That gives it replay value and props for just being addictive.
The graphics are fine, but they aren't the best GBA graphics out there. The pokemon sprites are cute and they actually move a little now. Still, in the end you have the same old Pokemon structure and look.
The sound is passing. Pokemon never was a game to pave the way in terms of sound or graphics, and Emerald is no different. The sound is fine for a GBA game, but i've heard better.
Overall, Pokemon Emerald is a good addition to the series. It could be one of the best actually, although I really enjoyed Leaf Green and Fire Red. I do not however reccomend this game to anyone is currently playing or who has Pokemon Sapphire or Ruby. While Emerald succeeds in adding quirks to the game, it doesn't add anything worth a second trip Hoen. If you have Ruby or Sappire don't waste your money, if you don't have those games than you should buy Emerald because it is truly the best of the three.