Pokemon Emerald

Pokemon Emerald takes place over land and sea and pits you against the Team Aqua and Team Magma from Saphire and Ruby. This time around, Pokemon will show off their moves prior to battle, perhaps as a sort of taunt. Nintendo also added some new options to the game. A new Battle Frontier area has you play through seven big battles. The Battle Dome places you in a tournament in which only three Pokemon can participate. The Battle Tube has you select from three entrances and attempt to make your way to a goal.

Veterans of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire will recognize a lot of the locations in Pokemon Emerald, but many elements within the game have changed, the most exciting of which is the addition of the Battle Frontier. The locations and frequency of Pokemon are different, and you may even encounter a new Gym Leader in your journeys.

• The third adventure with new episodes in the Pokemon Hoenn Region
• Tons of new features, including surprising plot twists and changes to where and how often you can catch certain Pokemon
• Use the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter to trade and battle between Pokemon Emerld and Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green Versions.
• Expand your collection when you trade with a friend. Using a game link cable, link up with Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green or Pokemon Colosseum to catch them all!
• Frontier Fun: The ultimate arena in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire was the Battle Tower, a location only Pokemon League Champions could access. Since then, construction has been fast and furious in the area. The entire island has been turned into the Battle Frontier, a hotbed of Pokemon competition.

  The highlights of the Battle Frontier in Pokemon Emerald are the seven battle facilities. Built specifically with its master Trainer in mind, each area provides a unique combat experience. Each facility is headed by a Frontier Brain -- a powerful Trainer who will test every aspect of your combat skills. Your victories are memorialized in the form of Frontier Symbols. However, simply beating a Brain is not enough to earn the award -- usually you must defeat the same Brain multiple times to earn it. Here is a quick look at some of the places you won't want to miss during your stay on the Island.

• Battle Dome: In the Battle Dome, not only do you get to use your own Pokemon, but you get to see which Pokemon your opponent will use before you select your team. Better still, a Battle Dome employee graciously provides clues about the toughness of your upcoming foe.
• Battle Arena: The rules in the Battle Arena are pretty strict -- you can choose three of your own Pokemon, but you are not allowed to swap them out during battle, nor use Baton Pass, Gust or similar moves. The battles last only three rounds; a judge decides the winner at the end of the contest.
• Battle Factory: As in the Battle Dome, a staffer in the Battle Factory will give you hints about the fighting style of your next Trainer. You have to use rental Pokemon in the Battle Factory -- not your custom-tailored superteam -- so make the most of the tips you receive.
• Battle Pike: You never know what's behind the next door inside the Battle Pike, making it difficult to set up a strong party. You may find single or double Trainers, wild Pokemon or even Pokemon healers as you progress from room to room.
• Other Island Attractions: Beyond all of the establishments that one would expect to see in a thriving community, there are several locations of note in the Battle Frontier. Speak with the residents on the island -- they're eager to help you. For example, you may come across a young lady who has the ability to look directly into your Pokemon's souls and see exactly what they're thinking.

  If you wander off the beaten path, you could find yourself deep within a cave full of Pokemon you aren't able to catch anywhere else. The Battle Frontier isn't just about honing your battle skills -- there's no shortage of adventures on the expansive island.

• Multiplayer features not compatible with Nintendo DS