Pokémon Emerald

The third generation of Pokémon concludes with Pokémon Emerald, a remake of Ruby & Sapphire. There are improvements to graphics and some new features, but the plot is largely the same.

Details

Platform	Game Boy Advance
Director	Shigeki Morimoto

Release dates

Japan	16^th September 2004
America	1^st May 2005
Europe	21^st October 2005
Australia	9^th June 2005

Pokemon Emerald box art featuring Rayqauza

Pokémon Emerald box art

Gameplay changes

Both Team Magma and Team Aqua make significant appearances in the game, although their purposes are the same: to awaken Groudon and Kyogre respectively. Rayqauza also has a more prominent role.
A new facility, the Battle Frontier is accessible after defeating the Elite Four and Champion. It features several areas with differing rules: Battle Tower, Battle Palace, Battle Factory, Battle Pyramid, Battle Dome, Battle Arena and Battle Pike.
A new location Trainer Hill in which trainers must battle through as fast as possible.
Emerald introduces move tutors that require payment. In this case it is in Battle Points from the Battle Frontier.
After completing the Hoenn Pokédex, one of the Johto starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile can be received from Professor Birch.
The Sootopolis Gym leader from Ruby/Sapphire, Wallace, is now the Pokémon League Champion. A new trainer Juan has taken his place as gym leader.
Gym leaders can be rematched after defeating the Elite Four. All rematches use the double battle format.
Deoxys is encountered in its Speed Forme instead of its Normal Forme (Ruby/Sapphire), Attack Forme (FireRed) or Defense Forme (LeafGreen).

The Hoenn starters: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip

Unobtainable Pokémon

Several Hoenn Pokémon are not available during the course of the game, though they are available from either or both of Emerald's predessors, Ruby & Sapphire, as noted below. Kanto/Johto Pokémon that are not part of the Hoenn Pokédex must be obtained from FireRed or LeafGreen.