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Pokemon Emerald gba Game Reviews
Pokemon Emerald
Critic Score
Metascore: 76 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.4 out of 10
based on 28 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 40 votes
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Pokemon Emerald is the third game in the Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire series and pits the player against the Team Aqua and Team Magma from Sapphire and Ruby in the Hoenn region. Both teams are trying to awake the elusive Pokemon, Kygore and Groudon. Instead of just having to fight one group villains, the player must fight both simultaneously.

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Nintendo
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 5
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2005

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
VGPub
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.
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85
eToychest
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.
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84
Siliconera
While Pokemon Emerald is really designed for people who haven't already picked up "Ruby" or "Sapphire," gamers will find a decent amount to do in Emerald. Features like the wireless adapter support, new battle styles and more 2 on 2 fighting make Pokemon Emerald a better version of a classic GBA title.
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83
Armchair Empire
Don’t be fooled as I was – Pokémon Emerald is a great strategy RPG.
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80
GamePro
Although the turn-based combat system brings nothing notably new to this party, it remains mesmerizingly awesome when you unleash the right variety of attacks to make your Pokemon opponents "faint."
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80
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
Pokemon's winning concept refuses to crumble with age, and Emerald is as much fun as our old friends Red and Blue were back in 1998. [NGC Pocket]
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80
GameBiz
This is a solid, deep and involving game that still managed to drag me away from important work for a few hours even though I'd played it all before.
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80
Gamezilla!
While Emerald is hardly a massive change to the series, it’s still varied just enough to keep things interesting for any long-time players, and there’s certainly no reason for new players not to start with it.
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80
IGN
And at the very least, Pokemon Emerald is the game to get if you have yet to put down the funds for a GBA Pokemon game.
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80
Modojo
Not only is it packed with just enough content to warrant a look, but for beginners it's a great starting point...well...as great a starting point as any of the Pokemon games.
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80
GameSpy
If you've never played a Pokémon game before but have always wanted to try it, this is the version to get.
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80
WHAM! Gaming
It is the answer to those who have bitterly and rightfully complained that not much creativity has gone into the gameplay as the series has progressed.
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78
Nintendo Insider
If you need something to satisfy your thirst for the next Pokemon adventure, Emerald is perfect.
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78
N-Insanity
If you’ve heartily devoured Ruby and Sapphire, however, you’re probably better off waiting until the next full-fledged new adventure to check out the latest improvements.
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78
Game Informer
There simply aren't enough changes to make this a must-buy. [July 2005, p.126]
75
Detroit Free Press
The graphics and sound are GBA standard, which is to say cute but unimpressive (and reasonably tinny).
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75
Nintendophiles
I admit the series is beginning to run dry in the gameplay innovation, but at its core Pokémon Emerald is still a solid RPG with pretty graphics, an overall well made game.
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75
Da Gameboyz
For those new to the series the deep RPG play will hook you for at least 30 hours or so and the on screen sights and sound get the job done.
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75
GameSpot
Despite being made mostly of recycled parts, Emerald proves that the Pokémon formula still works.
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72
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The problem is, "Ruby" and "Sapphire" have been out for two years, and Emerald doesn't offer enough new content to differentiate itself. [July 2005, p.116]
70
Nintendo Power
Groundbreaking? No. A must-buy if you don't own Ruby or Sapphire? Absolutely. [June 2005, p.96]
70
Cheat Code Central
Only you know how badly you want this game and if you could really care less about it one way or the other, I would suggest "the other."
70
1UP
Ultimately, it's a difficult thing to judge. Pokemon Emerald is one of the most complete, involved, and rich RPGs -- from a gameplay standpoint -- on the GBA. But from another perspective, it's one of the most basic and cynical products on the market.
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68
Inside Gamer Online
Just another rehash.
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67
Gaming Age
There’s simply not enough new content to warrant a purchase.
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65
NintendoWorldReport
It’s bad when great games from yesterday lose their steam. It’s worse when that very same game’s mechanics are implemented in an all-new title.
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60
Eurogamer
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.
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60
G4 TV
Without a doubt Pokémon Emerald is the best Pokémon RPG to date, but if you’ve played Ruby and Sapphire and didn’t care enough to catch them all and memorize all of their cute little names, then there probably isn’t much here for you.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 40 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Stanislovas K. gave it a10:
Ultimate game for Pokemon lovers and for those who want to play pokemon crater on GBA with d-pad and more live-action, and for those, who want to start loving pokemon. Also, this game proves, that gba had and have good games.

Brendan M. gave it a10:
This game was awesome! Not only are there more Pokemon, but the graphics, gyms, Elite Four, storyline, and difficulty level were all enhanced! This was my first Pokemon game ever and I was actually disappointed in Diamond and Pearl, no Battle frontier?! That's like a step backward! This game deserves a 100, the best Pokemon game to date, let's all hope Platinum can compare to Emerald! And someday I hope they put emerald on the DS, It deserved it more than Diamond and Pearl!

Solomon R. gave it a10:
Same story BUT...its slightly different plus they move like in pokemon crystal, you can get more pokemon like usual beforehand; like sudowoodo, smeargle you can unlock more pokemon in the safari zone as you complete a certain task then having to trade much afterwards. Really cool game, and more things like the battle frontier, a change in the last gym and champion, the story of team magma and aqua and groundon, kyogre and rayquaza. also the fact that you can catch all three not to mention that they increased in levels than ruby and sapphire ones. Still one of the best games of pokemon.

Oliver C. gave it a10:
The thing here is that pokemon becomes like a lifestyle for some people. As soon as you turn on the game you're hooked and it doesn't really matter how similar this game is to past versions because all you wanna do is keep playing this perfect game. There really is no big way to improve upon something that's perfect, so think of all of these games as continuations of each other and you'll realize why people keep buying them.

James R. gave it a10:
This games is awesome. You find more pokemon in this game than any other pokemon game ever made. I wish that I owned one. I played my friends game and that's when i wanted one for my own. I won't get mine until next month. That's my comments and desire.

Ian G. gave it a10:
Need to make new pokemon and places but it is really brilliant.

Zac gave it a10:
The pokemon games all have enormous replay value, and plenty of strategy and secrets. Emerald is the best pokemon game yet. Fun for all ages (as long as you can handle the cutesiness of it). This game can keep you entertained for hundreds of hours.

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