Opinions, please

[sylvalent]

Hey, I'm about to get back into Pokemon after being out of the cycle since the original Gold/Silver release.

I don't even currently own a DS, so I'm gonna grab a DS Lite as well so I can take advantage of PAL Park also.

I'd like opinions from the community about a few things. I plan to get at least one game from each main series and each remake that are compatible for the DS. So I'll be getting either Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and either LeafGreen or FireRed, and the same for Generation IV.

So, I'd like for you all, with your vast degree of Pokemon knowledge, to assist me in my decision process. I will be setting out with the intention of trying to obtain all creatures on at least one cartridge, and certainly look to enjoy the full storyline feature of each main and remake game.

After pouring over the Bulbapedia the last couple days I'm fairly aware of the discrepancies between the various titles but I'd like a bit more information.

I never even played the Crystal edition of the Generation II series, so I'm not sure how the third edition in a Generation compares with the first two. Is the storyline the same with additions? Should I simply opt for the third main game of each Generation series (eg. Emerald and Platinum)? Are there compelling reasons to have one of the main AND the third main(eg. have Ruby AND Emerald or Sapphire AND Emerald, etc?)?

To my understanding I can get monsters from a Generation III game to Gen. IV by using the PAL Park feature, and I can get others I'm missing in IV by using the GTS feature. Is that a correct assumption? If that's the case I should be able to successfully get all creatures on to a Gen. IV cartridge via those two methods if I appropriately use the GTS?

Any other comments you can offer are welcome! I'm very excited about embarking on this trip through memory lane in the form of new games

P.S. My first experience with Pokemon games was around the time the Gen. 1 games launched. I first had Red, then Yellow, then Gold.

 

[Battaman]

I would get Emerald, it's a updated Ruby and Shapire, FireRed or LeafGreen, their basically the same game, and Platinum, it's a updated Diamond/Pearl.

 

[Chebon]

Well, first, welcome back to the fandom lol.

Also, welcome to the forums! Have fun and enjoy.

Firstly, I think you should just get the third game of each generation since it has a mix of both the first games.
But since HGSS are coming out, and they mostly have the legends, I think you should just pick a copy of either one.

Sorry, my memory for crystal is a bit shady, I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Yeah, you're right about the GBA slot and how to transfer pokes over.
But IIRC, you need to see or catch the poke you are looking for to actually look for it, in the GTS.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

Overall, welcome back and I know you'll have a lot of fun with pokemon as we do all.
Mostly everyone is excited for the HGSS releases this month, so I recommend snatching a copy, since it has Gold, Silver, and Crystal implented in it. (Pretty sure)

Have fun!

Thanks.

 

[Soulweaver]

In GTS, you can only search for Pokémon you're already seen, so it won't be that easy.

The third version of each generation is generally improved in many aspects; for example, the Battle Frontier is featured only in Emerald in Gen III, and in Platinum and HGSS in Gen IV. I don't know which combination would yield the easiest way to collect all 493, but you'd still probably have to do at least some trading.

 

[Falconwing]

Get Emerald, Fire Red, Platinum, and either HG or SS.

Emerald for the story, Fire Red for the version exclusives, Platinum for the story and the pokemon, And HG SS because it sounds like you liked the originals.

 

[Takoto]

I'd say get Emerald, Platinum, and if you can afford it ether FireRed or Leafgreen, then you'll be able to obtain almost every Pokémon (not including event Pokémon, a'course)

 

[sylvalent]

Ahh, I was unaware that to request or search certain creatures you had to have already saw them within your game. Does "seeing" the Pokemon count by having battled with one over WiFi as well? Or does one have to see it strictly within their game somehow?

 

[Falconwing]

Ahh, I was unaware that to request or search certain creatures you had to have already saw them within your game. Does "seeing" the Pokemon count by having battled with one over WiFi as well? Or does one have to see it strictly within their game somehow?

no, you have to have seen it in game.

 

[burningdoubt]

first off, welcome, my suggestion, would be to get emerald, because it had a good deal of Gen II pokemon, which aren't available in ruby or sapphire. Go For Fire Red for several exclusive pokemon. Platinum For the Unlockable events. and if you can muster up enough cash go for a HG or SS (heart Gold, Soul Silver) and in in order to obtain something in the GTS you need to view it in the game. but be aware that some of the trades on the GTS are Absurd, I.E. (and i saw this one this morning,) offering Lvl. 1 weedle wanted: lvl 100 darkri.

 

[7tx]

I'm just gonna agree with what everyone else said - get the third version. They generally have extra features not included in the first two version, and expanded plot. So get Emerald, FR or LG (they're pretty much the same except for version exclusives, so I guess it depends on which Pokes you personally like), Platinum, and I would also say definitely get either HG or SS; probably HG as you had Gold back in the day. Godos luck hunting all that down!

 

[RedMoogleXIII]

I'd recomend Emerald and Platinum like everyone else as the 3rd version has more pokemon and story expanded and ends up better to me. Also would say if you can also get FireRed or LeafGreen and then HeartGold or SoulSilver as well to get the fre ones that are unavalible in Emerald and Platinum.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Like everyone else said: Get Platinum and Emerald. True, you may be missing out on a few Pokemon, but the gameplay is more enjoyable.

 

[BBHood]

Emerald and Platinum for the main games. For the remakes, doesn't really matter but my personal preferences are FireRed and HeartGold.

 

[sylvalent]

Emerald and Platinum for the main games. For the remakes, doesn't really matter but my personal preferences are FireRed and HeartGold.

The consenus is basically in, huh? I've gone ahead and went out and bought Platinum and a DS Lite today; got a DSi and Super Mario 64 DS for my sister. I've got Emerald and Fire Red in the mail, ordered a couple of well-used copies off of eBay last night, gonna grab Heart Gold while I'm on a trip in a couple weeks. I would've pre-ordered it to get the toy but I won't be home to get the delivery from Amazon :-(

I've started Platinum tonight and I'm enjoying it so far. Taking a short break to check a few of the skills for early-catchable Pokemon. I traveled back to visit my family for the weekend and ended up forgetting my DS Lite charger, so I talked my sister into loaning me the DSi I bought her :ksmile:

I'm planning to play for a few hours tonight, depending how involved I get into checking stats and skills out of early-attainable Pokemon tonight.

Thanks for assistance in the decision making process.

Cheers.

 

[Soulweaver]

The consenus is basically in, huh? I've gone ahead and went out and bought Platinum and a DS Lite today; got a DSi and Super Mario 64 DS for my sister. I've got Emerald and Fire Red in the mail, ordered a couple of well-used copies off of eBay last night, gonna grab Heart Gold while I'm on a trip in a couple weeks. I would've pre-ordered it to get the toy but I won't be home to get the delivery from Amazon :-(

Did you try to look for new copies first? (dunno if there are any available anywhere, though) I know it is rather uncommon but people have got bootleg Gen III games before from eBay and Amazon. If the game isn't authentic, the Gen IV game will erase the save game of the bootleg when trying to use Pal Park.

 

[KronosClownz]

Emerald, your saving cash big time.

 

[sylvalent]

Did you try to look for new copies first? (dunno if there are any available anywhere, though) I know it is rather uncommon but people have got bootleg Gen III games before from eBay and Amazon. If the game isn't authentic, the Gen IV game will erase the save game of the bootleg when trying to use Pal Park.

I looked and the cost would have been double to get sealed, new copies so I opted for used. I avoided picking sellers from Hong Kong of course, since it seems to be renowned for bootlegs sold across eBay. I picked a couple sellers who had images of the actual item they were selling. Hopefully I'll be fine.

Is there a way to confirm whether or not the cartridge is legit or bootleg upon its arrival?

 

[Gligar13]

I looked and the cost would have been double to get sealed, new copies so I opted for used. I avoided picking sellers from Hong Kong of course, since it seems to be renowned for bootlegs sold across eBay. I picked a couple sellers who had images of the actual item they were selling. Hopefully I'll be fine.

Is there a way to confirm whether or not the cartridge is legit or bootleg upon its arrival?

This method only works with GBA games:
Look where you see the gold contacts, If it says "NINTENDO", then you are ok. If it doesnt, you arent. Also, if you have a triwing screw driver, if you take apart a real gba game there will be 2 big chips. There should be a battery in rse ONLY! If its fake, there will be a black glob instead of 2 big chips.

Some pics of real and fake:

FAKE (note the battery and the globs and lack of nintendo logo)

REAL (note nintendo logo)

Heres a more detailed guide:
http://reviews.ebay.com/BEWARE-GBA-...-you-identify-them_W0QQugidZ10000000000991496

Also, pokemon GBA games should be a certian color:
Ruby-Clear Red
Sapphire-Clear Blue
Emerald-Clear Green
FireRed-Bright Red
LeafGreen-Bright Green