Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

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Pokémon Omega Ruby
ポケットモンスター オメガルビー
Omega Ruby EN boxart.png
Pokémon Omega Ruby's boxart, featuring Primal Groudon
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
ポケットモンスター アルファサファイア
Alpha Sapphire EN boxart.png
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire's boxart, featuring Primal Kyogre
Basic info
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Category: RPG
Players: 1-4 players simultaneous
Connectivity: 3DS Wireless, StreetPass, SpotPass, Nintendo Network, IR
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Part of: Generation VI
Ratings
CERO: A
ESRB: E
ACB: PG
OFLC: N/A
PEGI: 7
GRAC: ALL
GSRR: N/A
Release dates
Japan: November 21, 2014
North America: November 21, 2014
Australia: November 21, 2014
Europe: November 28, 2014
South Korea: November 21, 2014
Hong Kong: N/A
Taiwan: N/A
Websites
Japanese: Official Japanese site
English: Official English site
Japanese boxart
Omega Ruby JP boxart.png
Pokémon Omega Ruby Japanese boxart
Alpha Sapphire JP boxart.png
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Japanese boxart

Pokémon Omega Ruby (Japanese: ポケットモンスター オメガルビー Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby) and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire (Japanese: ポケットモンスター アルファサファイア Pocket Monsters Alpha Sapphire) are paired Generation VI games that are enhanced remakes of the third-generation titles Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The new games were revealed in a worldwide announcement on the official Pokémon websites on May 7, 2014 and were released in most regions of the world on November 21, 2014; with the exception of Europe, where the games were released on November 28, 2014.


Pre-release information

According to the press release that announced the games, the new titles will take players through a dramatic story within a spectacular new world.[1] The first footage from the game, a cutscene showing Groudon and Kyogre manipulating the weather via their respective Abilities, was revealed three days after the games' first announcement.[2] One month after the games' announcement, it was revealed that Groudon and Kyogre can undergo Primal Reversion becoming Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, respectively.[3]

A number of features introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire that had since been discontinued will return in these games. Pokémon Contests and customizable Secret Bases (now "Super Secret Bases") will return for the first time since Pokémon Platinum,[4] while the Mach Bike, the Acro Bike, and third-generation player characters Brendan and May will return for the first time since Pokémon Emerald.[5] Feebas will resume a Contest-specific evolution method.[6] In addition, a number of features introduced in Pokémon X and Y will also return, with Horde Encounters and Mega Evolutions already confirmed to be part of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, with the Horde Encounter feature expanding into Trainer Horde Battles. At least ten new Mega Evolutions will debut in this game, including Mega Sceptile, Mega Swampert, Mega Diancie, Mega Sableye, Mega Metagross, Mega Altaria, Mega Lopunny, Mega Salamence, Mega Slowbro, Mega Audino, Mega Camerupt and Mega Sharpedo. The PokéNav will be redesigned as the PokéNav Plus, a device appearing on the touch screen outside of battle. The PokéNav Plus has four main functions — DexNav, which displays information about wild Pokémon available in the player's current location; AreaNav, a map used for navigation of location, Pokémon, Secret Bases and Berry Trees; BuzzNav, which reports on news from around the Hoenn region and from StreetPass; and PlayNav, which is used to connect to online play, local wireless play, Pokémon-Amie and Super Training.

The August edition of CoroCoro magazine introduced Cosplay Pikachu. This special Pikachu is given to the player to use in Pokémon Contests. This Pikachu gets a unique costume to wear during Contests; each costume comes with a specific, special move: Pikachu Rock Star gets Meteor Mash (Coolness Contest); Pikachu, Ph.D gets Electric Terrain (Cleverness Contest); Pikachu Pop Star gets Draining Kiss (Cuteness Contest); Pikachu Belle gets Icicle Crash (Beauty Contest); Pikachu Libre gets Flying Press (Toughness Contest).

Blurb

Ancient Powers Reawaken!

Start your Pokémon adventure now!
Behold the true GroudonOR/KyogreAS!
Pikachu likes to cosplay?!
Build a Secret Base all your own!

Changes from Ruby and Sapphire

Mechanics inherited from later generations

The following elements from X and Y are also included in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

The mechanic of Evolution-inducing locations originating in Generation IV, for Pokémon that evolve when trained in a certain area, is also incorporated in the games.

Other consequences of updates from later generations include:

  • Nine new Pokémon have been added to the Hoenn Pokédex. These are all Generation IV Pokémon which evolve from or into previous Hoenn Pokémon.
  • As Flash is no longer an HM, Brawly's Knuckle Badge is no longer required to use it.
  • Physical and Special moves are now determined by the move itself rather than type.

All new elements

  • Completely new characters, such as Aarune, Lisia, and Zinnia, appear in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
  • Cosplay Pikachu can be obtained. This is a special female Pikachu that is able to swap one of the moves it knows by changing its costume in Contest Halls.
  • Groudon and Kyogre are given Primal Reversion forms which are accessed by holding their respective colored orbs. As such the orbs are now regular items instead of key items.
  • After the Groudon/Kyogre event, the player can use the Eon Flute to soar the skies on LatiosOR or LatiasAS, where Pokémon can be encountered and Mirage spots found.
    • While the trainer can battle certain Pokémon in the sky, this is not the same as the Sky Battle feature from X and Y as any Pokémon can be used, not just Flying-types, or Pokémon with the Levitate ability.
  • PokéNav Plus replaces PokéNav, which works as a dual-screen feature. Other than retaining the Hoenn Map and Trainer's Eye features, it includes the dual-screen features from X and Y, the ability to encounter specific Pokémon, and tracking Berries or Secret Bases.
  • After completing the Delta Episode, it becomes possible for the player to have both bikes after they talk to three specific people while riding on a bike to advertise the bike shop.
  • The player can now wear accessories such as the new Devon Scuba Gear to realistically show the player surviving underwater with a scuba mask, or the Go-Goggles. In addition the player also receives a Magma SuitOR/Aqua SuitAS which is not only used during the Primal GroudonOR/KyogreAS awakening cinematic scenes, but later serves as a space suit when confronting Deoxys during the Delta Episode.
  • The introduction of the Scuba Diver and Free Diver trainer classes, trainers who battle the player underwater.

Changes to Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald elements

Aesthetic changes

  • The physical Hoenn Pokédex has been redesigned, now appearing similar to the original Game Boy Advance system.
  • Brendan and May have completely different attires, with Brendan's brown hair and white hat more obvious, and May has a bow instead of the bandana she originally wore.
  • Team Magma and Team Aqua have been given new designs. Team Magma Admin Tabitha appears to be huskier and Courtney has purple hair instead of brown. The Team Aqua Admins have dark skin tones. Team Aqua Admin Shelly has black hair with accents of blue instead of red hair and Matt is more muscular.
  • The Hoenn Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and other Trainers were redesigned with updated appearances.

Location changes

  • The dark areas of Granite Cave now require the Mach Bike from Mauville City for the player to access, and are now optional.
  • Mauville City has been completely redesigned into an indoor shopping complex and is dubbed the largest city in Hoenn, playing a similar role to Lumiose City from X and Y.
    • The Mauville Game Corner has been closed down, as game corners are no longer included in Pokémon games since Generation V.
  • The Abandoned Ship has been redesigned and renamed Sea Mauville. Its backstory has also been greatly expanded.
  • Scorched Slab has been greatly expanded, encompassing four floors now. Heatran can be caught on the lowest floor after collecting the National Pokédex.
  • The number of puzzles in the Trick House is reduced from eight to six. Badges are also no longer required to start each puzzle, though some HM abilities from certain Badges are needed to navigate through certain puzzles.
  • The Dewford and Mossdeep Gyms have received complete redesigns, while the other six gyms have received minor redesigns.
  • The interior of Mt. Pyre has been redesigned. On one hand it has been simplified, as the puzzle with holes in floors has been removed (both Incenses are now lying in the open), and the number of floors has been reduced from six to four. On the other hand, exploring it is now mandatory, as the doorway leading to the exterior has been relocated from the first floor to the third.
  • The opening and closing door maze from New Mauville has been removed.
  • Sky Pillar has been completely redesigned, and the Mach Bike puzzle has been removed.
  • The Hoenn Safari Zone has been completely redesigned to where the player is more dependent on the bikes for traveling through the Safari Zone. The bikes are needed for accessing Area 3 and 4 (which can use either bike and not just one specific bike like before) and to access the long grass section in each area.

Gameplay changes

Mechanics
  • Secret Bases have been completely upgraded, becoming Super Secret Bases. Features include sharing bases with other players, inviting other players as secret pals, capturing flags, and customizing the player's own Gym.
  • Mirage spots are added as an apparent evolution of the Mirage Island mechanic.
  • Pokémon Contests are now called Pokémon Contest Spectaculars
    • The Beauty category has been renamed to Beautiful and Smart has been renamed to Clever.
    • Pokéblocks and Pokéblock making have been heavily simplified, with Pokéblock making no longer requiring more than one player to perform successfully.
    • The Sheen stat has been removed, meaning there is no longer a limit to how many Pokéblocks a player can give to their Pokémon, enabling Pokémon to have all of their Contests stats maxed out.
  • The Safari Zone no longer requires that the player play the Safari Game. Instead, the Pokémon can be caught through normal encounters.
  • Bikes are now capable of traveling through long grass.
  • The player only needs one Badge instead of five to be able to rebattle the Trainers listed in the Trainer's Eye.
  • The ability to search for hidden items underwater using the Dowsing Machine has been removed, as the Dowsing Machine is now worn as an accessory while in use. Hidden items still exist underwater, however.
  • Similar to Emerald's Battle Frontier, BP can be earned to use as payment for moves learned from Move Tutors in the Battle Resort. Notably a number of these moves were formerly TMs during Generation III.
    • The Free Move Tutors are located in Mauville City, Meteor Falls (after Delta Episode), and Sootopolis City. They can only pass down moves that certain Pokémon can learn.
Story
  • Steven Stone's plot has been expanded to encompass a search for the secrets of the Mega Stones.
  • Steven can no longer be encountered in Granite Cave before defeating Brawly, as a line of NPCs will block the path. This was done as a way to work around Flash no longer being an HM.
  • In addition to his studies of how Pokémon behave in the wild, Professor Birch is also said to do research on Pokémon that left Hoenn after the region's climate changed. His new area of interest is brough up once more after the encounter with GroudonOR/KyogreAS, when the departed species return to Hoenn.
  • Instead of Team MagmaOR/AquaAS leaving Meteor Falls upon encounter like in the originals, a team grunt and TabithaOR/ShellyAS challenges the player to a tag battle instead. May or Brenden who play a role here, serves as the player's tag battle partner.
  • The motivation behind Team MagmaOR or Team Aqua'sAS visit to Mt. Chimney was changed.
  • The encounter with Steven on Route 118 is now interrupted by a quick side mission where LatiasOR or LatiosAS takes Steven and the player to Southern Island. At the end of this mission, Steven gives the player the Mega Bracelet.
    • LatiosOR/LatiasAS now joins the player's party during their trip to Southern Island, instead of being a roaming Pokémon in the post-game. An Eon Ticket is still required to return to Southern Island and obtain the alternate Eon Pokémon.
  • The New Mauville side quest, which originally started after defeating Norman and obtaining Surf, starts much later now, after the Groudon/Kyogre event.
  • During the encounter with the team leaders at Mt. Pyre, CourtneyOR/MattAS challenge the player to a battle to help buy time so their leader could escape.
  • After defeating the Elite Four, the games feature the Delta Episode. Similar to Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza plays a major role here.
    • The Meteorite plays a larger role in the game, particularly for the Delta Episode as a means for Rayquaza to Mega Evolve in the official storyline. Because of this it can no longer be given to Professor Cozmo in return for TM27 (Return). TM27 can still be found in Pacifidlog Town, though.
    • During the Delta Episode, Steven Stone upgrades the PokéNav Plus so he can contact the player at certain points during the event. This is a homage to the Match Call feature from Pokémon Emerald.
    • Similar to Pokémon Emerald, the Mossdeep Space Center is taken over during the events of the Delta Episode by Team MagmaOR or Team AquaAS and the player must team up with Steven Stone to deal with it, including a Tag Battle at the end.
      • Unlike the Tag Battle against Team Magma from Emerald, the player and Steven's opponents are Courtney and a Team Magma grunt, instead of Maxie and Tabitha.
  • In order to board the S.S. Tidal which would allow the player entry into the Battle Resort, the Delta Episode must be completed first.
  • The player keeps both colored orbs after dealing with GroudonOR/KyogreAS. The scene where the player and the evil team leaders return the Orbs to Mt. Pyre (with the team leaders apologizing for their actions) has been omitted.
Pokémon team and battle changes
  • A number of teams for Trainers that can be rematched through Trainer's Eye are different from the original Ruby and Sapphire. Others have been removed.
  • When the player faces May or Brendan as their rival in Lilycove City, their Pokémon teams are fully evolved.
  • Slugma takes Numel's place in May or Brendan's original Ruby and Sapphire lineup if their starter is not Torchic.
  • The Trainers found on Mt. Chimney that were encountered after defeating Team Aqua/Team Magma have been removed.
  • Brendan or May will also challenge the player after the credits have ended. In this battle, their starter can Mega Evolve.
  • The Elite Four and Champion's initial lineups have changed somewhat, and when challenged in the post-game, they now have tougher teams, with higher levels, different movesets, and non-regional Pokémon on their teams, and including some Mega Evolutions.
  • Wally's Ralts eventually evolves into Gallade instead of Gardevoir, and is able to Mega Evolve as Gallade.
  • Steven Stone's Metagross can now Mega Evolve.
Obtainable Pokémon
  • In a few areas, the encounterable Pokémon have changed. Certain Water-type Pokémon are not found in all of the same areas they were in the original games, such as in Mossdeep City, where Sharpedo was removed. A few evolved Pokémon such as Swellow or Wailord also can no longer be found in the wild.
  • Feebas can now be found by fishing anywhere on Route 119 instead of six random spots. However, it can still be found more easily by fishing directly underneath the bridge near the Weather Institute during the daytime.
  • The Legendary Pokémon Lugia, Ho-Oh, Regigigas, Heatran, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Palkia, Dialga, Giratina, Virizion, Terrakion, Cobalion, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Raikou, Suicune, Entei, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, and Cresselia are now obtainable in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Some are exclusive to one version and some may require special circumstances to unlock them.
  • Deoxys is now catchable during the climax of the Delta Episode. It can also change its forme freely via a meteorite in Professor Cozmo's house in Fallabor Town, as opposed to Generation III where its forme was dependent on the game it was in.
  • In the lower-left room on the right side of the Sea Mauville's hull, by opening a menu option to divert the screen after examining a blotched report in the upper-left corner, this allows the player to locate a wild Spiritomb.
  • Whereas in Emerald, Professor Birch would reward the player with their choice of a Johto starter upon completing the Hoenn Pokédex, now, he will give it to the player when he is found on Route 101 after first defeating the Elite Four.
    • After obtaining the Johto starter and completing the Delta Episode, the Professor will give the player an Unova starter, and after that, a Sinnoh starter if the Elite Four are challenged once more.
  • Route 110's wild Pokémon roster has gone through some minor changes.
    • Voltorb and Magnemite who were originally exclusive to New Mauville can now also be found here though Magnemite can only be found in a horde only.
    • PlusleOR or MinunAS are limited to horde encounters only.
  • The Safari Zone Pokémon have gone through a complete change, to which some Pokémon found cannot be found in the same areas as the original games. Other changes include:
    • Certain Pokémon that were originally found in multiple areas have been restricted to one area.
    • Two rare Pokémon are also divided up in each area, where one can only be located in normal grass, and the other in tall grass.
    • Psyduck, formerly located through Surf only, can now also be found on land.
    • Dodrio and Natu have been removed, and Phanpy has been replaced with Donphan.
    • Oddish is now a horde encounter Pokémon only.

Version-exclusive Pokémon

Omega Ruby
0140 Kabuto Kabuto
Rock Water
0141 Kabutops Kabutops
Rock Water
0250 Ho-Oh Ho-Oh
Fire Flying
0273 Seedot Seedot
Grass
0274 Nuzleaf Nuzleaf
Grass Dark
0275 Shiftry Shiftry
Grass Dark
0303 Mawile Mawile
Steel Fairy
0335 Zangoose Zangoose
Normal
0338 Solrock Solrock
Rock Psychic
0383 Groudon Groudon
Ground
0410 Shieldon Shieldon
Rock Steel
0411 Bastiodon Bastiodon
Rock Steel
0422 Shellos Shellos
Water
0423 Gastrodon Gastrodon
Water Ground
0484 Palkia Palkia
Water Dragon
0538 Throh Throh
Fighting
0566 Archen Archen
Rock Flying
0567 Archeops Archeops
Rock Flying
0641 Tornadus Tornadus
Flying
0643 Reshiram Reshiram
Dragon Fire
0690 Skrelp Skrelp
Poison Water
0691 Dragalge Dragalge
Poison Dragon
Alpha Sapphire
0138 Omanyte Omanyte
Rock Water
0139 Omastar Omastar
Rock Water
0249 Lugia Lugia
Psychic Flying
0270 Lotad Lotad
Water Grass
0271 Lombre Lombre
Water Grass
0272 Ludicolo Ludicolo
Water Grass
0302 Sableye Sableye
Dark Ghost
0336 Seviper Seviper
Poison
0337 Lunatone Lunatone
Rock Psychic
0382 Kyogre Kyogre
Water
0408 Cranidos Cranidos
Rock
0409 Rampardos Rampardos
Rock
0422 Shellos Shellos
Water
0423 Gastrodon Gastrodon
Water Ground
0483 Dialga Dialga
Steel Dragon
0539 Sawk Sawk
Fighting
0564 Tirtouga Tirtouga
Rock Water
0565 Carracosta Carracosta
Rock Water
0642 Thundurus Thundurus
Electric Flying
0644 Zekrom Zekrom
Dragon Electric
0692 Clauncher Clauncher
Water
0693 Clawitzer Clawitzer
Water

Music

Main article: Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Sapphire: Super Music Collection

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Reception

Within the first three days of release for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, over 3 million copies were sold in Japan, North America, and Australia.[7] Later when released in Europe, it came in at numbers 6 and 7 of the top ten video game sales chart for that week, also earning enough sales from both games into becoming the current candidate for the largest game launch of the Pokémon series in the region, beating out Pokémon Black and White, which previously held this record.[8]

Gallery

Trivia

  • In all territories except Europe, these games were released on the twelfth anniversary of the Japanese release of Ruby and Sapphire.
  • Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are the only pair of remakes where:
    • The games' names are not written in CamelCase.
    • There are no location previews.
    • All methods of evolutions that were originally introduced after the generation of the original games are included, unlike the previous remakes where a few were not included.
    • The remakes are indirectly compatible with the original games, as Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire can be transferred to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire through various forms of inter-generational communication.
    • An accessory is not bundled with the games.
    • There are no available HMs that were introduced after the generation of the original games.
    • No new female protagonists are introduced.
  • Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire currently offers the greatest number of in-game starter Pokémon, with four (1 from Hoenn, 1 from Johto, 1 from Sinnoh and 1 from Unova), exceeding the three offered in numerous games before.
  • Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire currently offers the greatest number of in-game Legendary Pokémon with a total of 32 between both games.

In other languages

Language Title
Japan Flag.png Japanese ポケットモンスター オメガルビー・アルファサファイア
France Flag.png European French Pokémon Rubis Oméga et Saphir Alpha
Germany Flag.png German Pokémon Omega Rubin und Alpha Saphir
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokémon Rubino Omega e Zaffiro Alpha
South Korea Flag.png Korean 포켓몬스터 오메가루비·알파사파이어
Spain Flag.png European Spanish Pokémon Rubí Omega y Zafiro Alfa

See also

Bulbanews
Bulbanews has multiple articles related to this subject:

References



Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.