I finally scored a copy of Pokemon Sapphire, so I'm able to tell everyone a bit about the game. As of 2004, there's talk of an add-on to the Ruby and Sapphire games in Japan: Pokemon Emerald. There are a few plot differences, some extra features, and slightly different outfits for the characters.
New Features: Contests in a variety of Pokemon attributes. Each move has an attribute (cute, cool, smart, tough, etc). Pokemon also have natures describing their personalities (serious, shy, mischievous, etc.). One of the coolest features is the ability to establish your own hidden base and buy decorations for it once you have the TM Hidden Power.
Other new stuff: Different TMs, more HMs, 2 on 2 battles, interviews
The people: Like Pokemon Crystal, you can play as a male or female trainer. Their English names are Brendan and May. The one you don't choose will be your rival throughout the game.
Surprisingly, both of the main character's parents appear in this game. Your father is a gym leader in Petalburg City.
The professor in this game is Professor Birch, obviously the equivalent of Professors Oak and Elm. What's with all the tree names?
Bill finally gets a replacement as well-this time it's a woman named Lanette.
The enemies: Team Aqua (Sapphire) and Team Magma (Ruby) act as your enemies in this game. They don't always attack you, however, and both teams hate each other. Team Magma wants to increase the world's landmass and capture the legendary Pokemon Latias. Team Aqua wants to raise the world's sea levels and is after the legendary Pokemon Latios.
I recommend Mudkip first and foremost. Its dual nature of Water and Ground will serve you well later, and its Mud Shot attack will help in a pinch.
Treecko is also a good Pokemon, being a strong grass type. When you get the Leech Seed TM outside the Pretty Petal Flower Shop, teach it to Treecko or whatever grass Pokemon you have-it's an excellent move.
Zigzagoon is a racoon Pokemon of the normal type. Though not strong at first, it gains in strength and its Pickup ability allows it to pick up useful items for you to use. Once it has the Headbutt attack (learned early on), battles will go easier.
Taillow is a flying type that is a must in your party. By the time it evolves into Swellow at level 22, it will have gained a lot of speed and some excellent attacks for you to use against enemy Pokemon.
Geodude is useful just to have a Rock/Ground type in your party, though Sandslash would probably serve the same purpose. The Magnitude attack comes in handy.
If you didn't choose Treecko as your starter Pokemon, you can still catch a Shroomish. This little guy packs a punch from the beginning, especially against the first gym leader. It evolves into Breloom at level 23 and can even learn a few fighting moves.
Makuhita is an excellent fighting Pokemon, especially when it evolves into Hariyama at lvl 24. You can always catch a Machop later on, but Makuhita comes along earlier in the game and is a bit tougher in the long run.
Carvanha is a water/dark type with the Rough Skin ability that damages enemy Pokemon when they use a normal attack. Carvanha's Crunch attack is devastating, and when it evolves into Sharpedo at level 30-well, enemies beware.
Torkoal is one of the few fire types in the game and resembles a turtle. It's one tough mofo and comes highly recommended.
Gyarados is a remnant from the other Pokemon games and comes highly recommended. It's a combination water/flying type and can learn water, normal, dark, ice, poison, fighting, and even electric moves.
Corsola is, ironically, a combination water/rock type. It's fairly powerful and has good defense. Its move range includes water, normal, rock, ice, ghost, fighting, grass, and psychic.
Semi-good Pokemon:
Poochyena: Not very strong at first, but when it evolves into Mightyena at level 18 it gets the Intimidate ability that lowers the enemy Pokemon's attack.
Ralts: A wimp at first, but it can eventually learn some decent psychic attacks. It evolves twice; first into Kirlia at level 20, then into Gardevoir at level 30.
Whismur: Also wimpy at first, but it gets stronger when evolves into Loudred at level 20 and finally into Exploud at level 40. Its Soundproof ability protects it from defence-lowering moves like Screech. Also, its Uproar attack is fairly strong.
| Treeko | Chikorita |
| Torchic | Cyndaquil |
| Mudkip | Totodile |
| Zigzagoon | Sentret |
| Wurmple | Caterpie |
| Taillow | Pidgey |
| Sepiver | Ekans |
| Corphish | Krabby |
| Sealeo | Seel |
| Clamperl | Shellder |
| Skitty | Meowth |
| Shuppet | Gastly |
| Duskull | Cubone(possibly) |
Here are the old Pokemon staying in the game. Most of them are from the original 150:
Pichu/Pikachu/Raichu
Igglybuff/Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff
Marill/Azumarill
Zubat/Golbat/Crobat
Abra/Kadabra/Alakazam
Geodude/Graveler/Golem
Machop/Machoke/Machamp
Goldeen/Seaking
Magikarp/Gyarados
Tentacool/Tentacruel
Magnemite/Magneton
Voltorb/Electrode
Oddish/Gloom/Vileplume or Bellossom
Doduo/Dodrio
Grimer/Muk
Koffing/Weezing
Slugma/Magcargo
Sandshrew/Sandslash
Skarmory
Corsola
Staryu/Starmie
Vulpix/Ninetales
Psyduck/Golduck
Natu/Xatu
Girafarig
Phanpy/Donphan
Pinsir
Heracross
Rhyhorn/Rhydon
Chinchou/Lanturn
Horsea/Seadra/Kingdra
New Friendship Evolutions:
Azurill/Marill
Wynaut/Wobbuffet
