Pokémon Generation 3 In-Depth Review

After creating two of the most iconic handheld games of all time Game Freak released their followups in March, 2002. Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald would eventually go on to become the some of the most adored and financially successful Game Boy Advance titles ever released, however with a new director at the helm would Gen 3 be able to successfully escape from Red and Blue's shadow? In this in-depth review Stan is taking a look at all good and bad to come from the third generation of Pokemon.

FOLLOW ME

Pretty much everything in this video is owned by Nintendo/Game Freak/The Pokemon Company.

No copyright intended as it's for review/commentary purposes.

[rawinputmedia]

Something about Gen 3 felt mystical to me. I'll never forget it.

[margalocaris]

"For Drake, you'll need a well-balanced team-"
Can't hear you over me one shotting everything with Ice Beam

[mintce]

Wait, you misunderstand. Steven was champion in Emerald, he just gave the title to Wallace to do some research. You can figt Steven in Emeralds post game and he's even stronger than before. He's pretty much the red of Emerald

[Borchert]

You missed one key element of Emerald, Steven is the new Red, the reason he wasn't the champion was because he's a post game battle that's about as high level and as hard as the battle with Red, he's in the furthest back room of Meteor Falls, and nobody tells you he's there or to go there, you have to find him the hard way.

[tena]

Gen 3 was so much more than just hoenn. It was FRLG and Colosseum/XD. It was the feel and atmosphere of the franchise reaching new heights. The great spinoffs of mystery dungeon and ranger. Man. There's was something for just about everyone back then. I really do miss that

[TheLOLhaxorz]

Emerald is still my favorite game of all time. Absolutely beautiful

[AkamexAris]

Gen 3 is the best generation to me by far stuck to it no matter what. From the music, the pokemon, the layout, literally everything its just perfect to me

[Jumpboy]

The raquaza cutscene had me fall in love with pokemon. The story was awesome, the map felt like you were going on massive adventures, and the music is still ingrained in me

[durtnasty]

That sealed emerald box makes me moist

[ChanceDAFull]

You can still battle Steven in emerald, I think he's in a cave or something

[caduzera]

I've played all gens, and for sure the 3rd was the best. Soundtrack, Pokemon Designs, The Script, post-game, etc.
I Love Hoenn!

[pikaplayzhd]

THANK YOU for actually using an ACTUAL Picture of Satoshi Tajiri and not the Pokemon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara like most people tend to do because they get them mixed up!

[haleybourinot]

Oh how i wish pokemon games now made it hard and challenging as R/S/E to catch legendaries like the did with the Regis...the feeling of solving the puzzle and finally seeing the Regis face to face was one of the best game experiences as a kid

[roscoe]

Perhaps the greatest generation, I remember when I first got Sapphire for my Gameboy Advance SP, the hours I sunk into it.. the sound track became a part of my life. I recently installed an emulator and booted up Emerald.. I was overcome with a warm fuzzy feeling as soon as I heard the menu sounds.
My gosh I love this gen. It was the last one I played.

[nitrog]

I started with Sapphire, then Ruby, and finally ended up with Emerald. One thing I've noticed is that in Sapphire, the Pokedex entries are...gentler. They focus on things like how Aggron protects its environment and will restore a mountainside if it's damaged in a landslide or fire. For Aggron's Ruby entry, it says Aggron will aggressively attack anything that enters its territory. To me, this somewhat parallels Team Aqua's desire to wash humanity away into the sea to protect Pokemon, while Team Magma wants to dry up the oceans and create more land for humanity to dominate. Just a fun little thematic note.

[smoshbooz]

You forgot the most epic, mystic battle ever in Pokémon... Steven in Meteor Falls, it's good and amazing

[charizaro]

I don't remember if this was expanded upon in the originals but the remakes make it clear that team aqua and team magma are extreme activists trying to create more environments for Pokemon to live in. I distinctly remember someone from aqua saying something about it, at least.

[lucask.]

I give gen 3 a "too-much-water/10."

[kholdkhaosray]

I believe the reasoning behind the evil team is about Pokemon habitats. Since like 50% of the game is either land or sea, it would kinda make sense.

Of course they took it way too far (probably unknowingly considering their reactions when they see the fruits of their labor) though but that was most likely the point.

[BlakeTheSnake]

Gen 3 is my first introduction to Pokemon and will all ways hold a special place in my heart.