Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Pokémon Omega Ruby; ポケットモンスターオメガルビー
	; 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
	; 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 core series
Ratings
CERO:	A
ESRB:	E
ACB:	PG
OFLC:	PG
PEGI:	7
GRAC:	ALL
GSRR:	6
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:	November 21, 2014
Taiwan:	November 21, 2014
Websites
Japanese:	Official Japanese site
English:	Pokémon.com; Nintendo.com (Pokémon Omega Ruby); Nintendo.com (Pokémon Alpha Sapphire); Official English site (archived)
	Japanese boxart ; Pokémon Omega Ruby Japanese boxart ; Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Japanese boxart

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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

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 the second and final paired Generation VI games that are enhanced remakes of the third-generation titles Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The 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.

Plot

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

The player starts their journey in Littleroot Town, where the family has just moved from the Johto region after the player's father, Norman, became the leader of the Petalburg Gym. The story starts off with the player riding in the moving truck, which arrives in Littleroot. After exiting the truck, the player's mother explains that they have just arrived at their new home; they then enter the house together, and there are Machoke movers carrying boxes. The player's mother suggests that the player introduce themselves to Professor Birch, a friend of Norman's.

Upon arriving at Birch's house, his wife greets the player, and upstairs the player meets Brendan or May (the alternate-gender player character of the player), the child of Professor Birch; after the introduction, she or he soon leaves to join Birch, who is out in the field. The player then finds Birch on Route 101, where he is being chased by a wild Poochyena. Birch asks the player to take a Poké Ball out of his bag, which is lying on the ground; the player then chooses between Treecko, Mudkip, and Torchic as their first partner Pokémon. After choosing, a battle immediately begins with the wild Poochyena. After rescuing Birch, he lets the player keep the chosen Pokémon as thanks for saving him. He then tells the player to meet up with his kid on Route 103 for pointers on how to be a Trainer.

Once the player finds Brendan or May on Route 103, they have their first trainer battle, after which they return to Birch's lab, where the player receives a Pokédex and some Poké Balls. When leaving through Route 101, the player runs into Brendan or May who gives him a new upgrade for the PokéNav Plus, the DexNav, and teaches him how to use it. Once the player arrives in Petalburg City, he meets with his father at the Gym, where he tells him that he is happy to learn that they have become a Trainer like him. During the conversation, a local boy named Wally enters the Gym and asks Norman's help for catching a Pokémon. Norman loans Wally a Zigzagoon and a Poké Ball. He then asks the player to go along and help Wally with his task. On Route 102, Wally catches a Ralts, and the Trainers then return to the Gym, where Wally gives his thanks before being called home by his mother. Norman then encourages the player to travel Hoenn and challenge the region's Gym Leaders: Roxanne, Brawly, Wattson, Flannery, Norman, Winona, Tate and Liza, and Wallace.

The player then travels through Route 104 and Petalburg Woods; just before the exit from the woods, the player encounters the nefarious Team Magma^OR or Team Aqua^AS. After battling, the grunt reveals that their team is after something in Rustboro City. Upon exiting the forest, the player is spotted by a red-eyed grunt who reports to her leader.

The player meets Brendan or May right before the Rustboro Gym, where the player battles Roxanne and earns the Stone Badge; afterwards, the player runs into the Devon Researcher from Petalburg Woods. He tells the player that he has been robbed by Team Magma^OR/Team Aqua^AS and that the player must get the Devon Parts back from the evil team. The player then heads out onto Route 116 and discovers an old man named Mr. Briney who tells them that the villainous team has also taken his Wingull Peeko hostage and gone into the Rusturf Tunnel. The player confronts the grunt inside the tunnel and retrieves the Devon Goods, as well as rescuing Peeko.

Once the Devon Goods are returned, the researcher asks the player to deliver them to the shipyard in Slateport City. The player then meets Mr. Stone, the president of the Devon Corporation, who asks that the player stop by Dewford Town and deliver a letter to his son Steven; as thanks for the player's earlier work, Mr. Stone gives the player a new upgrade for the PokéNav Plus, the Buzznav. Outside, Brendan or May explains how she or he caught Pokémon in Petalburg Woods, commenting on how Mr. Briney was once a sailor. The player then heads back through the Petalburg Woods to Mr. Briney's house, where he gives the player a ride down Route 105 to Dewford Town. Just north of Dewford on Route 106 is the Granite Cave where Steven is exploring. The cave is open to visitors, but a group of Ruin Maniacs block the room Steven occupies. After the player earns the Knuckle Badge from Brawly at the Dewford Gym, they disappear and the player can find Steven in Granite Cave, looking at a mural of a Groudon marked with omegas^OR/Kyogre marked with alphas^AS and remembering old legends. After listening to Steven, the player delivers the letter to him, he rewards the player with TM51 (Steel Wing) and tells the player that they could potentially become the Pokémon League Champion.

After leaving Dewford Town, Mr. Briney takes the player across Route 107 and Route 108 to Route 109, just south of Slateport City. When the player arrives in Slateport, there is a noticeable crowd of Team Magma^OR/Team Aqua^AS grunts blocking the entrance to the Oceanic Museum. When the player tries to drop off the Devon Goods at Stern's Shipyard, they learn that Captain Stern is in the Oceanic Museum. Once the player finds Captain Stern, they are confronted by two villainous grunts, and after defeating them, the villainous team's leader Maxie^OR/Archie^AS appears and tells the player of their plans before warning not to get in the way again.

After giving the Devon Goods to Captain Stern, the player leaves Slateport City and travels Route 110; after encountering and battling Brendan or May, the player arrives in Mauville City. Outside of the Mauville Gym, the player finds Wally and his uncle; Wally challenges the player to a battle to prove to his uncle that he is ready for the Gym. After the battle, Wally's uncle invites the player to visit Verdanturf Town sometime. Once the Dynamo Badge has been earned from Wattson, the player heads to Verdanturf Town and uses Rock Smash to clear the previously blocked Rusturf Tunnel, earning Aggronite as a reward. Next, the player returns to Mauville and travels through Route 111 and Route 112 to the Fiery Path, on the other side of which the player continues through Route 113 to Fallarbor Town. Along the way, the player meets Brendan or May who gives them Strength, and tells them about Professor Cozmo.

Inside the Fallarbor Pokémon Center, the player meets Lanette, who invites them to her house on Route 114. Meanwhile, the player is told by Brendan or May that Professor Cozmo has been kidnapped by the evil team at Meteor Falls, located at the end of Route 114. Inside which the player along with Brendan or May battles Tabitha^OR/Shelly^AS, along with a grunt. This time, they have stolen a valuable Meteorite from Professor Cozmo. Suddenly the opposite-version's team appears, taunting the primary evil team, who retreats with the Meteorite to Mt. Chimney, and warns the player to not interfere with Team Aqua^OR/Team Magma^AS. At the top of Mt. Chimney, Team Magma and Team Aqua can be found fighting; after fighting the admin of the primary evil team from Meteor Falls, the player finds the leader of the team, Maxie^OR/Archie^AS, using the meteorite in a strange machine with the intention of turning it into a Mega Stone. The leader then battles the player. After the battle, the leader is informed of a better way to achieve his team's goals, gives the player the meteorite, and retreats.

Taking the southern path that was blocked by the battling teams, the player exits Mt. Chimney and reaches Lavaridge Town, home of the Lavaridge Gym. After receiving the Heat Badge from Flannery, the player meets Brendan or May who gives the player the Go-Goggles and suggests that he challenge his father at the Petalburg Gym, offering to go with him. After getting the Balance Badge from Norman, the player visits Wally's father, who gives the player HM03 (Surf).

As the player then travels through Route 118 (just east of Mauville City), they encounter Steven once again. Their discussion is interrupted by the arrival of a frightened Latias^OR/Latios^AS. Steven realizes the Legendary Pokémon is asking for help, and it takes both Steven and the player to Southern Island where the other evil team admin Courtney^OR/Matt^AS is terrorizing Latios^OR/Latias^AS. After fighting off the evil team, Latios^OR/Latias^AS decides to join the player's team and give them its Mega Stone. Steven awards the player with a Mega Bracelet and Latias^OR/Latios^AS takes both of them back to Route 118.

Afterwards, the player continues through Route 119, reaching the Weather Institute, which is being attacked by the evil team in search of more information on Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS. After battling the grunts, the player comes face to face with the admin Tabitha^OR/Shelly^AS, who appears distressed with what they found out. After defeating the admin, the player saves the institute and is given a Pokémon Castform as a reward. Shortly after leaving the Institute, Brendan or May appears and battles the player, giving away HM02 (Fly) upon defeat.

The player arrives in Fortree City, but cannot challenge the Gym because something invisible is blocking the entrance. On Route 120, the player once again meets Steven, and he gives the player the Devon Scope, a Mega Stone and notices that the meteorite the player picked up from Mt Chimney emits light. The Devon Scope allows the player to enter the Gym by revealing the invisible thing to be the Pokémon Kecleon. After the player defeats Winona and receives the Feather Badge, the quest continues through Route 120 and Route 121 to Lilycove City. On Route 121, there are some grunts from the evil team discussing their plan to go to Mt. Pyre, and upon arriving in Lilycove, the player finds it crawling with more grunts. Outside of the Lilycove Department Store, the player battles Brendan or May again; after the battle, Brendan or May notices the meteorite shining like Steven did before.

After the battle, the player heads to Mt. Pyre to drive off the evil team. At the summit of Mt. Pyre, the player finds the leader of the team, who has taken the Red Orb^OR/Blue Orb^AS and proclaims that the young Trainer has arrived too late to stop him, having the admin from Southern Island attack the player before heading to Slateport City. The old couple that watches over the orbs beseech the player to stop the evil team, and they give the player the stolen orb's counterpart. Upon returning to Slateport, the player finds that Capt. Stern has discovered an undersea cavern on Route 128. The evil team then suddenly appears and takes over the captain's research submarine. The leader of the evil team once again taunts the player, and he mentions that the team's hideout is in Lilycove City. Captain Stern begs the player to stop the evil team. After fighting their way through to the center of the hideout, finding the Master Ball along the way, the player encounters Courtney^OR/Matt^AS, who battles the player to stall until the leader takes off in the submarine.

The player must then travel Route 124 to Mossdeep City, where they challenge Tate and Liza of the Mossdeep Gym to earn the Mind Badge. After this a pillar of light appears on Route 128. Steven notices the player coming out of the Gym and invites them to his house, where he gives them the HM07 (Dive) and the Devon Scuba Gear. Heading to Route 128 and using Dive, the player finds the Seafloor Cavern, where the evil team has gone. In the deepest reaches of the cavern, the player finds Maxie^OR/Archie^AS taunting the opposite version's team leader, who then challenges the player to a battle. After the battle, the player witnesses Tabitha^OR/Shelly^AS arrive and warn their leader against waking up the Legendary Pokémon, but the leader dismisses the warnings and uses the Orb to awaken the sleeping Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS. After being awakened, the ancient Pokémon breaks out of the cavern and starts moving towards Sootopolis City, driving the weather of Hoenn out of control. The opposite team's leader explains that they are unable to control Pokémon's Primal Reversion, and the primary evil team leader discovers to his horror that his plan did not work as he intended.

After the bosses leave to try to stop the Pokémon, Steven appears and tells the player to catch up with Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS in Sootopolis City. Heading to Route 126 and using Dive again, the player finds the entrance to Sootopolis City. Inside the city, the player finds Steven, who introduces them to his friend Wallace, the Sootopolis Gym Leader, who is also entrusted with the duty of protecting the Cave of Origin.

Upon arriving in front of the cave's entrance, Steven, Wallace and the player meet up with the leaders and admin Tabitha/Shelly of both teams, along with Brendan or May, who explains what they saw on TV. The player receives the Magma Suit^OR/Aqua Suit^AS and is told that the Orb they possess can weaken the ancient Pokémon. After a few words of encouragement from everyone, the player heads inside. The player puts the suit on, inserts the orb into a slot in the suit and latches on to Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS as the ancient Pokémon makes its way to the chamber where it can accomplish its Primal Reversion. The player witnesses it undergo the transformation and fights it. After capturing or defeating the Pokémon, the weather (seemingly) returns to normal. The team leaders reconcile, Steven gives the player the Eon Flute and Brendan/May explains how he/she is impressed with the player.

After defeating Wallace at the Sootopolis Gym, the player gets the Rain Badge, and the gym leader mentions that Prof. Birch has something for them. At Littleroot Town, the player is told that the recent events did change the climate in the Hoenn region, causing the Pokémon species that once left Hoenn to come back, and the regional Pokédex is not sufficient anymore, and gets the National Pokédex upgrade. The player now has all eight Badges, and they head down Route 128 to Ever Grande City, where Victory Road and the Elite Four await. Wally battles the player one last time before they exit the cavern.

The Elite Four are the strongest Trainers in the region, and they can only be battled by challengers that have all eight Badges of Hoenn. They are Sidney, who specializes in Dark-type Pokémon; Phoebe, who specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon; Glacia, who specializes in Ice-type Pokémon; and Drake, who specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon. After defeating the Elite Four, the player must then battle the Pokémon League Champion, Steven.

After the battle, Professor Birch and Brendan/May arrive to congratulate the player. Birch examines the player's Pokédex, the player is registered in the Hall of Fame, and the credits roll as the player and Brendan/May return home. After the credits, on Route 103 challenges, Brendan or May challenges the player to a battle one last time.

Back at home, the player's parents are discussing their plans to go see the Litleonids at Mossdeep City, that Norman now has to cancel. As the parents ponder about what they can do with the tickets they bought, a mysterious symbol appears on screen, which then fades into a "To be continued" chyron.

Delta Episode

Main article: Delta Episode

Upon loading the saved game, the story continues with the Delta Episode. The episode revolves around a meteoroid that is on course for collision with the planet and a newly developed character, Zinnia.

After completing the Delta Episode, the player is returned to Littleroot Town. Downstairs, Norman gives the player the S.S. Ticket to take the S.S. Tidal over to the Battle Resort, and the player unlocks the Hoenn League's rematch teams.

Blurb

Ancient Powers Reawaken!

Start your Pokémon adventure now!
Behold the true Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS!
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 Pokémon X and Y are also included in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Mega Evolutions and Mega Stones, including a number of new Mega Evolutions and Mega Stones that did not exist in X and Y.
The Fairy-type and the new neutral match-up Steel has to Ghost and Dark.
Pokémon-Amie and Super Training.
Horde Encounters.
- Occasionally, five-versus-one Horde Battles can also occur with Trainers.
Battle Resort and Battle Maison replace the Battle Tower.
VS. Artwork or models are now used instead of sprites for Trainers and Gym Leaders.
Stereoscopic 3D is incorporated, and in the same manner as in X and Y.
There are 100 TMs, as opposed to 50 TMs in Ruby and Sapphire. The TM list from X and Y is used, with the exception of TM94 (Rock Smash^XY/Secret Power^ORAS), to reflect the fact that Rock Smash is an HM once again.
The Exp. Share is now a Key Item that shares experience with all Pokémon in the party when activated. It is also obtained earlier, replacing the Great Ball given by the Devon Corporation employee in Petalburg Woods after the player rescues him from the Team Magma^OR/Team Aqua Grunt^AS.
The addition of Trainers with the Fairy Tale Girl, Mysterious Sisters, Brains & Brawn, and Ace Duo Trainer classes.

The following elements from Generation V are also included in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

TMs now can be used an unlimited number of times. They are not single-use items anymore.
- The prices of TMs that can be bought in stores were raised.
- TMs can't be held, traded, or sold anymore.
The addition of Trainers with the Backpacker Trainer class.

The following elements from Generation IV are also included in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Physical and special moves are now determined by the move itself rather than type.
The mechanic of Evolution-inducing locations, for Pokémon that evolve when trained in a certain area, is also incorporated in the games.
- Moss Rock appears in Petalburg Woods for Leafeon.
- Ice Rock appears on the final floor of Shoal Cave during low tide for Glaceon.
- New Mauville serves as the location with a special magnetic field where Nosepass and Magneton can be evolved.
Nine new Pokémon have been added to the Hoenn Pokédex. These are all Generation IV Pokémon which evolve from or into previous Hoenn Pokémon.
If a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon faints, then it will reappear after defeating the Champion.
Flash is no longer an HM. As a result, Brawly's Knuckle Badge is no longer required to use it.
Time visibly flowing from day to night. It was introduced in Generation II but was absent from Generation III games. It was since reintroduced in Generation IV.

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 Latios^OR or Latias^AS, 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 Suit^OR/Aqua Suit^AS which is not only used during the Primal Groudon^OR/Kyogre^AS 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 being more obvious, while 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 replaced by 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 defeating or capturing Groudon/Kyogre.
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 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.
A few new areas are added to Victory Road that did not exist in Generation III. This includes an area where the player can face Wally instead of the main area of 1F, where Wally was encountered in Generation III.

Gameplay changes

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 and Smart conditions have been renamed to Beautiful and Clever, respectively.
- 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 condition stats maxed out.
- Contest Ribbons are only awarded to Pokémon who have won in the Master Rank.
- Wallace, as well as two new Contest-exclusive characters—Lisia and Chaz— appear as special contestants.
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, Battle Points 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.
- Free Move Tutors are located in Mauville City, Meteor Falls (after the Delta Episode), and Sootopolis City.
Trainers that turn in place can now spot the player when they are turning if the player is directly north, south, east, or west of the Trainer.
Mr. Briney's boat is now capable of traveling between Route 104 and Route 109 without having to stop at Dewford Town first. Additionally if the player travels through Rusturf Tunnel to reach the other side, Mr. Briney would be found at that location allowing the player to use his boat without having to backtrack to the previous location.
- Because of the change on how the boat operates, Route 105 and Route 108 will not be counted as seen until the player returns there later after acquiring Surf.
Trendy phrases set in Dewford Town are constructed differently. Since the easy chat system was removed, the player constructs a trendy phrase by selecting an item from the Items or Medicine Pockets along with one of ten possible words.

Story

Many characters' roles in the story are significantly elaborated upon, most notably Steven, Wallace, Team Aqua & Team Magma, and Wally.
- Steven's plot has been expanded to encompass a search for the secrets of the Mega Stones.
- Team Aqua & Team Magma's goals are slightly different: Team Aqua wishes to revert the Earth to its prehistoric state in order to restore the Pokémon habitats lost to human advancement, while Team Magma wishes to provide humanity with more habitable land as a means of accelerating human innovation.
  - Further, the admins now have extended personalities.
  - In addition, the opposite team, rather than acting as an ally, simply opposes their counterparts, even distrusting the player as to warn them not to interfere with their own goals.
- 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, as revealed after the encounter with Groudon^OR or Kyogre^AS.
- May/Brendan, when not chosen, has an extended personality and bigger role in the storyline, even teaming with the player against Team Magma/Aqua at Meteor Falls, and seeing the player after Groudon/Kyogre is awakened.
Steven can no longer be encountered in Granite Cave before defeating Brawly, as a line of NPCs will block the path.
Relating to Team Magma^OR or Team Aqua^AS:
- Team Magma/Aqua now steals the Red/Blue Orb instead of the opposite one, to align with the new Primal Reversion mechanic and its place in the plot.
- Tabitha is now the Team Magma counterpart to Team Aqua's Shelly, and Courtney is Matt's counterpart, instead of the Admins of the same sex being counterparts.
- Instead of Team Magma/Aqua leaving Meteor Falls once they are found, Tabitha^OR or Shelly^AS and a Grunt instead challenge the player to a Multi Battle with May or Brendan.
- The motivation behind Team Magma/Aqua's visit to Mt. Chimney and Weather Institute is changed.
- During the encounter with the team leaders at Mt. Pyre, Courtney^OR or Matt^AS challenges the player to a battle to help buy time so their leader can escape.
The encounter with Steven on Route 118 is now interrupted by a brief side mission where Latias^OR or Latios^AS takes Steven and the player to Southern Island.
- Latios^OR or Latias^AS 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 sidequest, which originally started after defeating Norman and obtaining Surf, starts much later now, after the Groudon or Kyogre event.
After defeating the Elite Four, the games feature the Delta Episode. Similar to Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza plays a major role in this quest.
- The Meteorite plays a larger role in the game, particularly in 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) (though he does give the player TM23 (Smack Down) for helping him at Meteor Falls). TM27 can still be found in Pacifidlog Town.
- Similar to Pokémon Emerald, the Mossdeep Space Center is taken over during the events of the Delta Episode by Team Magma^OR or Team Aqua^AS and the player must team up with Steven to correct the situation, including a Multi Battle at the end.
  - Unlike the Multi Battle against Team Magma from Emerald, the player and Steven's opponents from Team Magma^OR 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 Groudon^OR or Kyogre^AS. The optional sidequest where the player accompanies the team leaders returning the orbs to Mt. Pyre and the team leaders apologizing for their actions has been omitted. They instead apologize at Sootopolis City when they give the player the Magma Suit^OR/Aqua Suit^AS.
Certain Gym Leaders and Elite Four members can be found outside their Gyms interacting with the world after the player has beaten the game.
The battle against May or Brendan as the players' rival at Lilycove City is no longer optional.
Brendan/May challenges the player to one final battle at Route 103 immediately following the credits.

Battles

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.
- The Roselia of Pokémon Breeder Lydia from Route 117 is now a Budew even before she is rematched.
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 first partner Pokémon is not Torchic.
The Trainers found on Mt. Chimney that were encountered after defeating Team Aqua/Team Magma have been removed.
- Expert Shelby has been moved from Mt. Chimney to Jagged Pass.
In Generation III the female administrators of Team Magma/Team Aqua, Courtney/Shelly were fought in the Seafloor Cavern before facing the team leader. This has been omitted in Generation VI, and as a result the player does not face against any administrators in this location.
Brendan or May will also challenge the player after the credits have ended. In this battle, their first partner Pokémon can Mega Evolve.
The Trainers within the Victory Road now have Pokémon from the National Pokédex on their teams instead of just using Pokémon native to Hoenn.
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.
Wally is given an exclusive battle theme, a rock remix of his leitmotif, rather than using the standard trainer battle theme.
Archie's Sharpedo, Maxie's Camerupt, and Steven'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. The Pokémon in the Safari Zone have also changed significantly.
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 or in the tiles adjacent to the lone rock in the river's southernmost curve (slightly north of the large field of long grass) during the nighttime.
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, making this the first time where a Mythical Pokémon has been legitimately available without the use of promotional events. It can also change its Forme freely via a meteorite in Professor Cozmo's house in Fallarbor Town, as opposed to Generation III where its Forme was dependent on the game it was in.
Shiny variants of Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Deoxys are now impossible to encounter in the wild; they can still be legitimately obtained if they are caught in Generations III or IV and transferred to Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire.
The catch rates of several Legendary Pokémon are altered:
- The catch rates of Kyogre, Groudon, Dialga, Palkia, Reshiram, and Zekrom were reduced to 3.
- The catch rate of Rayquaza was raised from 3 to 45.
Spiritomb may be encountered through a special method in Sea Mauville.
Like in Emerald, Professor Birch will give the player their choice of a Johto first partner Pokémon. He'll do this on Route 101 after the player first enters the Hall of Fame and talks to Zinnia.
- After obtaining the Johto first partner Pokémon and completing the Delta Episode, the Professor will give the player an Unova first partner Pokémon, and after that, a Sinnoh first partner Pokémon if the player enters the Hall of Fame once more.
Upon defeating or capturing Kyogre/Groudon, many Pokémon not available in Generation III become available as hidden Pokémon.
After defeating or capturing Kyogre/Groudon, the elderly woman in Lavaridge Town who could give the player a Wynaut Egg now gives out a second Pokémon Egg which contains a Togepi.

Version-exclusive Pokémon

Omega Ruby

0140	Kabuto	Rock	Water
0141	Kabutops	Rock	Water
0250	Ho-Oh	Fire	Flying
0273	Seedot	Grass
0274	Nuzleaf	Grass	Dark
0275	Shiftry	Grass	Dark
0303	Mawile	Steel	Fairy
0335	Zangoose	Normal
0338	Solrock	Rock	Psychic
0381	Latios	Dragon	Psychic
0383	Groudon	Ground
0410	Shieldon	Rock	Steel
0411	Bastiodon	Rock	Steel
0422	Shellos West Sea	Water
0423	Gastrodon West Sea	Water	Ground
0484	Palkia	Water	Dragon
0538	Throh	Fighting
0566	Archen	Rock	Flying
0567	Archeops	Rock	Flying
0641	Tornadus	Flying
0643	Reshiram	Dragon	Fire
0690	Skrelp	Poison	Water
0691	Dragalge	Poison	Dragon

Alpha Sapphire

0138	Omanyte	Rock	Water
0139	Omastar	Rock	Water
0249	Lugia	Psychic	Flying
0270	Lotad	Water	Grass
0271	Lombre	Water	Grass
0272	Ludicolo	Water	Grass
0302	Sableye	Dark	Ghost
0336	Seviper	Poison
0337	Lunatone	Rock	Psychic
0380	Latias	Dragon	Psychic
0382	Kyogre	Water
0408	Cranidos	Rock
0409	Rampardos	Rock
0422	Shellos East Sea	Water
0423	Gastrodon East Sea	Water	Ground
0483	Dialga	Steel	Dragon
0539	Sawk	Fighting
0564	Tirtouga	Rock	Water
0565	Carracosta	Rock	Water
0642	Thundurus	Electric	Flying
0644	Zekrom	Dragon	Electric
0692	Clauncher	Water
0693	Clawitzer	Water

Compatibility

Like Pokémon X and Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire can connect with the Pokémon Bank, Poké Transporter, and the Pokémon Global Link website. They are mostly compatible with Pokémon X and Y, with the exception of alternate forms, Mega Evolutions, moves, or Abilities introduced in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which cannot be traded to or used in battle with X and Y.

Localization changes

In the Japanese and Korean versions, Mom says that she and Norman saw the Litleonids when they last passed by 12 years ago. However, this was changed to 11 years ago in the English and other language versions.
"The Litleonids, hmm? I remember going to see them with your dad 11 years ago when they last passed by!"
Street Thug Hannibal, found on Route 123, is 54 years old: "I’ve been alive for 54 years!" In the French version only, he first claims to be 50 years old and then corrects it to 54: "Je viens d’avoir 50 ans. Bon, en fait, 54 ans…"
Beauty Bunnie, found in the Battle Maison, pretends to be an adult woman, but she is 7 years old in the English, Japanese, and Korean versions, 13 years old in the German and Italian versions, or 15 years old in the Spanish version. Conversely, she is 45 years old in the French version, where she is pretending to be younger instead.
Before battle: "Hey there, Trainer! Do you think I’m a grown-up?"

After winning: "Tee hee... I won because I’m a grown-up!"

After losing: "Tee hee! My mom did my makeup! I’m actually only seven years old!"

Localization changes shared by Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire

Main article: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions → Localization changes shared by Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire

Localization changes inherited from other games

In the Japanese versions of Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, a music box version of the "Happy Birthday to You" music theme plays the first time when the player enters a Pokémon Center in their current birthday. This music theme starts playing during the cutscene when the Pokémon Center lady says happy birthday to the player, and keeps playing after the cutscene is over. In subsequent visits during the current birthday, this music theme is replaced by "Happy Birthday from the Pokémon Center!", a rendition of the regular "Pokémon Center" theme in a music box style as well.
- In international versions, "Happy Birthday to You" is not heard. Instead, "Happy Birthday from the Pokémon Center!" plays in all visits during the player's birthday.

Reception

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire hold a rating of 83%^[1] and 82%,^[2] respectively, on Metacritic. IGN rated the games a "Good" 7.8/10,^[3] 1.2 points fewer than Pokémon X and Y, criticizing the excessive amount of water and HMs. This reasoning was quickly mocked by fans due to these issues' presence in the original games apparently being overlooked. Gaming magazine Famitsu gave Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire a score of 37 out of 40,^[4] scoring two points fewer than X and Y and three points more than Ruby and Sapphire. Nintendo Life gave the games a score of 9 out of 10^[5] and Eurogamer gave them a 8/10 noting that "It's the closest many of us will likely get to genuinely exploring unknown territory".^[6]

Sales

Within the first three days of release for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, 3.04 million copies were sold in Japan, North America, and other territories.^[7] Later when released in the UK, they 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 candidates for the largest game launch of the Pokémon series in the region, beating out Pokémon Black and White, which previously held this record.^[8] In the fiscal year of their release, they sold 9.94 million units.^[9] As of September 30, 2024, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have sold 14.63 million copies worldwide.^[10]

Japanese sales

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire sold 1,327,671 individual units on their first week on the Japanese market, being 613,946 from Pokémon Omega Ruby and 713,725 from Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, with a sell-through of 74.34% and 77.66% respectively.^[11] By January 3, 2021, the end of their 320th week, they had sold 2,954,237 copies, being 1,366,483 from Pokémon Omega Ruby and 1,587,754 from Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.^[12]

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Dual Pack sold 90,497 units on its first week, with a sell-through of 88.46%.^[11] By December 28, 2014, the end of its 6th week, it had sold 98,101 copies.^[11] Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Gift Pack sold 1,169 units on its first week, with a sell-through of 6.25%.^[13] By January 1, 2017, the end of its 56th week, it had sold 9,052 copies.^[14] Combining all releases, the games sold 3,168,543 units, being 1,473,636 from Pokémon Omega Ruby and 1,694,907 from Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Week	Week ending	Ranking	Units sold	Total units sold
1	November 23, 2014	1st	1,327,671	1,327,671
2	November 30, 2014	1st	298,613	1,626,284
3	December 7, 2014	2nd	171,813	1,798,097
4	December 14, 2014	2nd	152,384	1,950,481
5	December 21, 2014	2nd	167,534	2,118,015
6	December 28, 2014	2nd	165,329	2,283,344
7	January 4, 2015	2nd	110,895	2,394,239
8	January 11, 2015	2nd	38,420	2,432,659
9	January 18, 2015	2nd	24,964	2,457,623
10	January 25, 2015	5th	17,035	2,474,658
11	February 1, 2015	7th	14,108	2,488,766
12	February 8, 2015	5th	12,234	2,501,000
13	February 15, 2015	8th	12,922	2,513,921
14	February 22, 2015	9th	11,256	2,525,177
15	March 1, 2015	6th	12,680	2,537,857
16	March 8, 2015	10th	11,297	2,549,155
17	March 15, 2015	12th	10,768	2,559,923
18	March 22, 2015	16th	8,646	2,568,569
19	March 29, 2015	23rd	-	-
20	April 5, 2015	18th	8,709	2,587,345
59	January 3, 2016	32nd	-	2,747,782
111	January 1, 2017	-	-	2,928,285
163	December 31, 2017	-	-	2,947,599
215	December 30, 2018	-	-	2,951,707
267	December 29, 2019	-	-	2,953,468
320	January 3, 2021	-	-	2,954,237

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Dual Pack

Week	Week ending	Ranking	Units sold	Total units sold
1	November 23, 2014	2nd	90,497	90,497
2	November 30, 2014	26th	-	-
6	December 28, 2014	-	-	98,101

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Gift Pack

Week	Week ending	Ranking	Units sold	Total units sold
1	December 13, 2015	-	1,169	1,169
4	January 3, 2016	-	-	4,255
56	January 1, 2017	-	-	9,052

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Music

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

Version history

Version	Release date	Official changelog	More information
1.0	November 21, 2014 November 24, 2014	N/A	Initial release
1.1	November 25, 2014	Adjustments have been made to make for a more fun gaming experience.
1.2	December 3, 2014	Fixed the issue in which the game freezes during the end credits after entering the Hall of Fame in certain game data.	Fix for the Hall of Fame freeze.
1.3	April 1, 2015	Adjustments have been made for an improved gaming experience.
1.4	April 23, 2015	Introduces additional enhancements to improve the user’s experience and enjoyment.

Beta elements

Main article: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire beta

Demo

Main article: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version