A) When were these new versions be released?
Ruby and Sapphire were released in Japan on November 21, 2002, and in the U.S. on March 17, 2003.
B) What system is it for?
Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire are for the Game Boy Advance only.
2. The New Adventure & New World
A) What's the new world called?
Hoenn is the name of the new continent you'll be able to explore.
B) Who's the new professor?
Professor Birch is the new professor. He seems to be more of a field researcher than either Oak or Elm.
C) We WILL be able to choose between a female and male trainer, won't we?
Yes.
D) Will there be a rival?
Yes. Your rival will be the opposite gender of the trainer you've chosen.
E) Will Johto and Kanto be in the game?
Unfortunately, no. Kanto and Johto will not be in the game. The Hoenn continent is really big and has twice as many things to do than Johto, so don't worry about finishing the game too fast.
F) What are some known cities?
Click here for Towns and Cities.
G) What's Team Rocket up to this time?
It seems that Team Rocket's out of the picture in this game. In the Ruby version, the villains are the notorious members of Team Magma, and the villains of Sapphire are members of Team Aqua. It seems that Team Aqua wants to turn all of the world into an ocean using the power of the Pokemon, Kyogre. Team Magma wants to turn the whole world into a desert with Groudon.
3. Linking / Multi-player
A) Can we trade Pokemon and battle with the old versions?
No. Engaging in trade and battle with the previous versions is not possible, because Ruby and Sapphire are GBA games, and versions RBGSC are for the GB/GBC. Although, you can still link up with other GBA Pokemon games.
4. The New Pokemon
A) How many new Pokemon are there?
There is a total of 135 new Pokemon. Adding that to the previous 251, we have a grand total of 386 Pokemon! In Ruby and Sapphire, there are 202 Pokemon available for capture. How to obtain the other 184 Pokemon is still unknown.
B) Are there any new Pokemon types?
No.
5. Pokemon Characteristics
A) What are characteristics?
Characteristics are unique traits each Pokemon has which affects battle in one way or another. They're kind of like the Pokemon Powers in the Trading Card Game.
B) Doesn't a Pokemon's characteristic appear in the PokeDex?
No. Don't mistake a Pokemon's characteristic with a Pokemon's classification in the PokeDex. The characteristic is displayed in the Pokemon's status screens.
6. Pokemon Statistics Screens
A) Are there any changes in the Pokemon stats screens?
Yes. In fact, a new statistics page has been added to the previous three. Here is what each page displays:
First page- displays Original Trainer, Trainer ID, list of the Pokemon's types, Pokemon's characteristic, where it was caught and what level it was when it was caught.
Second page- displays the item it's holding, what ribbon it got from the Pokemon contest, and shows ATTACK, DEFENSE, SPEED, SPECIAL ATTACK, SPECIAL DEFENSE, and HP stats. Also shows Pokemon's EXP.
Third page- lists the Pokemon's attacks/skills; you can get a description of each attack by pressing A on a highlighted one.
Fourth page- has descriptions of what the Pokemon's attacks do in the Pokemon Contests.
7. Two on Two Battles
A) How do 2 on 2 Pokemon battles work?
Both you and your opponent choose two Pokemon to send into battle. Each trainer chooses a move for each of their Pokemon, and who to attack, then all four Pokemon attack in one round. The attacks will be dealt in the order of speed. So the fastest of the four Pokemon will attack first, second will be the second fastest, and so on.
8. Items
A) Are there any new items?
Yes. Here are some that are known so far:
Blue Porok- raises Beauty
Green Porok- raises Strength
Orange Porok- raises Wisdom
Yellow Porok- raises Intelligence
Pink Porok- raises Cuteness
Oren- This is a fruit which can be made by combining poroks and berries; it's effects are unknown.
Momon- This is a fruit which can be made by combining poroks and berries; it's effects are unknown.
A) Any changes to the backpack?
Yes. It now has a section for Poroks, Berries, and Fruits.
10. Pokemon Navigator
A) What's the Pokemon Navigator all about?
It seems to replace the PokeGear.
B) What new things can it do that the PokeGear coudn't?
It can scan one of your Pokemon and show you its different statistic levels for the contests.
C) Any change to the map?
It appears to have a zoom option to see more detailed sections of the map. And of course, the map is of a completely new world.
D) Any change to the phone book?
Yes. It now keeps track of all trainers you met, including a picture of them, and quite possibly information on them as well.
11. Contests
A) What are contests?
All around the Houen continent there are contests of five different types: Cuteness contests, Intelligence contests, Wisdom contests, Strength contests, and Beauty contests. You enter a Pokemon in the contest, and, if your Pokemon wins, it gets a ribbon. The ribbon may give them some kind of bonus. There may also be different levels of contests (easy, medium, hard, etc.)
B) How can you see how strong a Pokemon's contest stats are?
You can view them by using the Pokemon Navigator.
12. Secret Bases
A) What's a secret base?
At one point in the game, you get the opportunity of creating your own cave, possibly using a Pokemon move. The shape of the cave may vary, or you may be able to alter it yourself. You may then decorate the secret base just like with your bedroom in GSC.
B) How many can you have?
No more than one. However, you are allowed to visit your friend's secret base using a link cable.