Generation III

2012-11-12T04:51:05Z

AlchemistR: /* Intro */

{{GenInfo
|titlescreen={{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: U}} mod 5}}|0=Ruby|1=Sapphire|2=Emerald|3=FireRed|4=LeafGreen}}
|altname=Advance Generation
|primary=Ruby
|secondary=Sapphire
|tertiary=Emerald
|region=Hoenn
|ndex=386
|debuten=March 19, 2003
|debutjp=November 21, 2002
|remakes=I
|otherrpg={{2v2|FireRed|LeafGreen}}
|battlearena={{pkmn|Colosseum}}, {{pkmn|XD: Gale of Darkness|XD}}
|storage={{pkmn|Box Ruby & Sapphire|Box}}
|enden=April 22, 2007
|endjp=September 28, 2006
}}
The '''third generation''' of Pokémon games, also sometimes known as the '''advance''' or '''advanced generation''', is the third set of Pokémon games released, and is described by some to be a "{{wp|reboot (fiction)|resetting}}" of the series.

Centering around {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}} on the [[Game Boy Advance]], released in 2002 and 2004 respectively (2003 and 2005 outside of Japan), Generation III broke from the continuous storyline that had been established between [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II]], opting instead to move players to the [[Hoenn]] region, an island [[region]] disconnected from [[Kanto]] and [[Johto]]. The games themselves are incompatible with the previous two generations as well, initially causing many complaints due to the unavailability of many popular Generation I and II Pokémon in Ruby and Sapphire. This problem was remedied, however, between the release of Hoenn's paired versions and third version, with remakes of Generation I's {{game|Red and Green|s}} appearing as {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} on the Game Boy Advance, as well as [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]] on the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]].

Details in the Hoenn- and Kanto-based games hint that the storyline of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald is contemporaneous with that of FireRed and LeafGreen (and due to this, contemporaneous with Generation I as well), placing Generation III four years before Generation II and [[Generation IV]], themselves contemporaneous. It is unknown where the storylines of [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]] fall in the timeline, being five years apart from each other but making no reference to their time period relative to any of the main series games.

==Advances in gameplay==
Through its incompatibility with [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II]], Generation III enhanced the Pokémon world the most yet, bringing about the most changes to the world of Pokémon. The advances include:
* The addition of {{cat|Generation III Pokémon|135 new Pokémon}}, the most added since Generation I (at the time of its release), bringing the total to 386. Many new Pokémon have previously unseen type combinations, while {{p|Wynaut|only}} {{p|Azurill|two}} of them are related by evolution to {{p|Wobbuffet|older}} {{p|Marill|Pokémon}}.
* Two new forms of {{p|Unown}} are also introduced.
* The addition of 103 new [[move]]s, bringing the total to 354.
* Pokémon may now have one or two of 77 different [[Ability|abilities]] which can change the tide of battle or affect out-of-battle gameplay.
* The [[Pokémon Storage System]] has changed from a text-based interface to a full-color graphical user interface. Boxes, while remaining at 14, now have 10 extra spaces, allowing for storage of 140 additional Pokémon (for a total of 420 Pokémon).
* The introduction of [[Pokémon Contest]]s, where Pokémon show off their style in one of five [[Contest category|Contest categories]], with Contest stats enhanced by [[Pokéblock]]s. Through this and other methods [[Ribbons]] can be won for Pokémon, which they will retain when transferred to a Generation IV game.
* A brand-new region, [[Hoenn]], with its own set of eight [[Gym Leader]]s and [[Elite Four]]. Player characters are also different from before.
* Seven new {{DL|Poké Ball|Generation III Poké Balls|Poké Ball}} variants, replacing those found in Johto.
* New [[villainous teams]], [[Team Aqua]] and [[Team Magma]], whose focus is on capturing the legendary Pokémon {{p|Kyogre}} and {{p|Groudon}}, respectively.
* [[Weather conditions]], introduced before, can now be found on the field and activate at the start of battle, while one more, hail, has been added.
* [[Double Battle]]s, where both sides use two Pokémon at a time, introduced.
* Communication capabilities with the [[e-Reader]] to activate certain events.
* All handheld Generation III games have a framerate of 60, allowing for smoother animations.
* Link trades and battles are made possible between Japanese and international releases due to the use of a worldwide character set. Due to the fact that online trading was introduced only in Generation IV, however, most are not made aware of this.

===Major alterations from Generation II include===
* A complete overhaul of the Pokémon data structure; Pokémon now have an individual [[personality value]] which can range up to a number above four billion. [[Ability|Abilities]] and [[nature]]s, also newly introduced, are determined based on this value, as is a Pokémon's [[gender]], while the [[Individual values|IV]] system has been overhauled for greater variance (0-31 rather than 0-15 as it was before). {{shiny|Shininess}} is now based on a calculation between the personality value and [[Original Trainer]]'s [[Trainer ID number]] and secret ID number with the same rarity.
* An overhaul of the [[Berry]] system introduced in Generation II: old Berries rejected in favor of Berries which grow individually as plants and can be picked and planted elsewhere. The effects of the first ten new Berries are similar to the ten Generation II Berries.
* Each Pokémon has its own status screen sprite, for ease of use in the party screen or PC.

===Further additions in {{2v2|FireRed|LeafGreen}} include===
* Wireless communication between games (requires adapter boxed with FireRed and LeafGreen).
* The ability to move multiple Pokémon in the PC at once.
* The [[Sevii Islands]], a collection of nine islands that contain many Pokémon otherwise only found in the [[Johto]] region.

===Further additions in Emerald include===
* [[Tag Battle]]s, where two opponent Trainers encounter the player at once and battle in a Double Battle.
* A {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}}, adding to the original {{ho|Battle Tower}}, and featuring [[Frontier Brain|Trainers who head each facility]].

===Alterations from Generation II===
* The function of the [[time|built-in clock]] was greatly reduced. There are no cosmetic changes during different times of day and Pokémon appearances are not affected by time. Also, the day of the week is no longer tracked.
* The seven [[Poké Ball]]s made from [[Apricorn]]s, along with Apricorns themselves, are unavailable in Generation III.

==Regions==
===Hoenn===
[[File:HoennIIIE.png|thumb|right|Hoenn]]
{{main|Hoenn}}
The [[Hoenn]] region, situated somewhat southwest of [[Johto]], was introduced in Generation III. It is more tropical than either [[Kanto]] or Johto, featuring {{rt|119|Hoenn|rainforests}}, {{rt|111|Hoenn|deserts}}, and [[Fiery Path|volcanic caves]], as well as areas deep [[underwater]].

This region's geography is mostly rural on the interior of the continent, with major cities springing up near its ample coasts. [[Route]]s between the cities can be treacherous, with densely-forested area covering much of the land. [[Legendary Pokémon]] are said to have created the region long ago, with its shape reminiscent of a {{wp|Taijitu|yin-yang symbol}} reflecting the balance between land and sea.

Several ancient ruins are found around the region; their purpose remains to be discovered by the player, though ancient writings found deep beneath the sea south of the region indicate that within them are ancient Pokémon who were sealed away due to their power.

====Starter Pokémon====
Like before, the starter trio follows the Grass-Fire-Water alignment, with new Pokémon {{p|Treecko}}, {{p|Torchic}}, and {{p|Mudkip}} being the three Pokémon the player has to choose from to save [[Professor Birch]] from a wild {{p|Poochyena}} ({{p|Zigzagoon}} in {{v2|Emerald}}) at the start of the game.

====Gym Leaders====
Being that there are only 17 types, and [[Kanto]] and [[Johto]], during Generation I and II, had [[Gym]]s specializing in 16 of them, all of the types of the [[Gym Leader]]s of Hoenn are the same as that of a Gym Leader in one of the previous regions. As before, all Gym Leaders give out Badges and [[TM]]s on their defeat.

{| class="roundy" align="center" style="background: #004d00; border: 4px solid #004d00;" colspan=4 cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- align="center"
! style="background: #004d00;" colspan="5" | {{color2|4fe34f|Hoenn League}}
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #4fe34f; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color|004d00|Gym Leader Japanese}}
! style="background: #4fe34f;" | {{color|004d00|Location Japanese}}
! style="background: #4fe34f;" | {{color2|004d00|Type}}
! style="background: #4fe34f; {{roundytr|5px}}" | {{color2|004d00|Badge}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Rock|pic=Spr RS Roxanne.png|ldr=Roxanne|djap=ツツジ|drm=Tsutsuji|loc=Rustboro City|cjap=カナズミシティ|crm=Kanazumi City|bdg=Stone}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Fighting|pic=Spr RS Brawly.png|ldr=Brawly|djap=トウキ|drm=Tōki|loc=Dewford Town|cjap=ムロタウン|crm=Muro Town|bdg=Knuckle}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Electric|pic=Spr RS Wattson.png|ldr=Wattson|djap=テッセン|drm=Tessen|loc=Mauville City|cjap=キンセツシティ|crm=Kinsetsu City|bdg=Dynamo}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Fire|pic=Spr RS Flannery.png|ldr=Flannery|djap=アスナ|drm=Asuna|loc=Lavaridge Town|cjap=フエンタウン|crm=Fuen Town|bdg=Heat}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Normal|pic=Spr RS Norman.png|ldr=Norman|djap=センリ|drm=Senri|loc=Petalburg City|cjap=トウカシティ|crm=Tōka City|bdg=Balance}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Flying|pic=Spr RS Winona.png|ldr=Winona|djap=ナギ|drm=Nagi|loc=Fortree City|cjap=ヒワマキシティ|crm=Hiwamaki City|bdg=Feather}}
{{gldr|col=2|type=Psychic|pic=Spr RS Tate and Liza.png|ldr=Tate and Liza|djap=フウとラン|drm=Fū and Lan|loc=Mossdeep City|cjap=トクサネシティ|crm=Tokusane City|bdg=Mind}}
{{gldrb2|type=Water|pic=Spr RS Wallace.png|ldr=Wallace|djap=ミクリ|drm=Mikuri [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|{{color|{{ruby color}}|R}}{{color|{{sapphire color}}|S}}]]|loc=Sootopolis City|cjap=ルネシティ|crm=Rune City|bdg=Rain|pic2=Spr E Juan.png|ldr2=Juan|djap2=アダン|drm2=Adan [[Pokémon Emerald Version|{{color|{{emerald color}}|E}}]]}}
|}
{{-}}

===Kanto===
[[File:FRLG Kanto.png|thumb|right|Kanto]]
{{main|Kanto}}
Kanto, which in Generation II lacked some features from its original appearance, returned in a state closer to its original form in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, with all features from [[Generation I]] brought back and improved.

====Starter Pokémon====
As the Generation III games taking place in Kanto are remakes of Generation I games, the starters are the same as in that generation; they are the Grass-type {{p|Bulbasaur}}, the Fire-type {{p|Charmander}}, and the Water-type {{p|Squirtle}}.

====Gym Leaders====
Like the starter Pokémon, the Kanto Gym Leaders are also the same as they were before, with each giving out a TM for the player to use freely as well as their badge.

{| class="roundy" align="center" style="background: #6A12AB; border: 4px solid #6A12AB;" colspan=4 cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- align="center"
! style="background: #6A12AB;" colspan="4" | {{color2|CCBBFF|Indigo League}}
|-
! style="background: #CCBBFF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color|6A12AB|Gym Leader Japanese}}
! style="background: #CCBBFF;" | {{color|6A12AB|Location Japanese}}
! style="background: #CCBBFF;" | {{color2|6A12AB|Type}}
! style="background: #CCBBFF; {{roundytr|5px}}" | {{color2|6A12AB|Badge}}
{{gldr|type=Rock|pic=Spr FRLG Brock.png|ldr=Brock|djap=タケシ|drm=Takeshi|loc=Pewter City|cjap=ニビシティ|crm=Nibi City|bdge=Boulder}}
{{gldr|type=Water|pic=Spr FRLG Misty.png|ldr=Misty|djap=カスミ|drm=Kasumi|loc=Cerulean City|cjap=ハナダシティ|crm=Hanada City|bdg=Cascade}}
{{gldr|type=Electric|pic=Spr FRLG Lt Surge.png|ldr=Lt. Surge|djap=マチス|drm=Matis|loc=Vermilion City|cjap=クチバシティ|crm=Kuchiba City|bdg=Thunder}}
{{gldr|type=Grass|pic=Spr FRLG Erika.png|ldr=Erika|djap=エリカ|drm=Erika|loc=Celadon City|cjap=タマムシシティ|crm=Tamamushi City|bdg=Rainbow}}
{{gldr|type=Poison|pic=Spr FRLG Koga.png|ldr=Koga|djap=キョウ|drm=Kyō|loc=Fuchsia City|cjap=セキチクシティ|crm=Sekichiku City|bdg=Soul}}
{{gldr|type=Psychic|pic=Spr FRLG Sabrina.png|ldr=Sabrina|djap=ナツメ|drm=Natsume|loc=Saffron City|cjap=ヤマブキシティ|crm=Yamabuki City|bdg=Marsh}}
{{gldr|type=Fire|pic=Spr FRLG Blaine.png|ldr=Blaine|djap=カツラ|drm=Katsura|loc=Cinnabar Island|cjap=グレンじま|crm=Guren Island|bdg=Volcano}}
{{gldr|type=Ground|pic=Spr FRLG Giovanni.png|ldr=Giovanni|djap=サカキ|drm=Sakaki|loc=Viridian City|cjap=トキワシティ|crm=Tokiwa City|bdg=Earth}}
|}
{{-}}

===Sevii Islands===
{{main|Sevii Islands}}
The Sevii Islands, appearing only in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, are a smaller region without a Pokémon League where the player can journey later in the game. These islands make available many {{cat|Generation II Pokémon}} to players of the Generation III games, and through events, allow for the capture of Generation II's [[version mascot]]s {{p|Ho-Oh}} and {{p|Lugia}} and the mysterious Pokémon {{p|Deoxys}}.

==Other Generation III games==
[[Pokémon Colosseum]], for the [[Nintendo GameCube]], features a new land called [[Orre]] where several [[Generation II]] and Generation III Pokémon are altered by two teams called [[Cipher]] and [[Team Snagem]]. Players must "snag" the "[[Shadow Pokémon]]" and cure them of their darkness. Once this is completed, the Pokémon may be transferred to the other Generation III games. Pokémon Colosseum is the first 3D Pokémon RPG. This game also features an advanced [[Stadium Mode]] similar to those of the [[Pokémon Stadium series|Pokémon Stadium]] games.

{{g|Box Ruby & Sapphire}} is another Generation III game for the Nintendo GameCube. It allows:
* Storage of up to 1500 Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald Versions.
* Playing Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire on the television through emulation.

[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]], also for the Nintendo GameCube, follows a storyline that takes place a few years after the story of Colosseum. It allows for snagging of rare Generation I, II, and III Pokémon as well, and includes a difficult-to-purify final Shadow Pokémon, a [[Shadow Lugia]].

Three spin-off Pokémon games are based on Generation III, [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire]], [[Pokémon Ranger (game)|Pokémon Ranger]], and [[Pokémon Trozei!]].

==Discussion of Generation III==
While the opinion of the fandom shifts from time to time, Generation III is notable for drawing the most criticism for the series yet. The sense of a reboot when players were thrust into Hoenn (which excludes 184 of the older 251 Pokémon from availability) with no way to recover their old Pokémon drew ire from some fans. The game also saw a jump in newly-introduced legendary Pokémon, with 10 more introduced, a significant increase from Generation II, which only introduced 6.

Later games improved this, however, with Emerald's return to Hoenn being a welcome addition to the series (and including the first {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}} in the series as well). FireRed and LeafGreen brought back nostalgic fans who decided to pass on Hoenn's primary paired versions due to their nature in being somewhat of a reboot, as well as brought newer fans the joy of the Kanto region, only previously available in its fullest state on the vastly outdated [[Game Boy]] with poor monochrome graphics.

=== Hoenn thematic motif ===
The third generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards nature and relationships. The three starters were collectively more symbolic to their elements than previous starters: {{p|Mudkip}} is based on a fish which thrives only in {{t|Water}}, {{p|Torchic}} is a chick (which, in the real world, needs warmth in order to hatch) holding its {{t|Fire}} internally, and {{p|Treecko}} is a gecko that lives only in forests with {{t|Grass}}. The main antagonists were either [[Team Magma]] or [[Team Aqua]] who want to expand the land or sea respectively. Once they awaken one of the legendary Pokémon {{p|Kyogre}} or {{p|Groudon}}, the world is flooded by rain or dried by drought. It's up to the player to set nature back on course by defeating their version's mascot or capturing it. Hoenn's people are far more attuned to nature than previous regions: [[Fortree City]] is built alongside Pokémon in the trees, while [[Pacifidlog Town]] is built on wooden rafts in the sea atop a {{p|Corsola}} colony, even though Corsola cannot be found there in the games.

There are far more Pokémon that share relationships with other Pokémon in this generation of games, especially the legendaries. The [[legendary golems]] are more obvious of this; however, the version mascots all share a relationship with {{p|Rayquaza}} as the [[weather trio]]. {{p|Latios}} and {{p|Latias}} are both Eon Pokémon that must be chased around the region. Pokémon such as {{p|Lunatone}}, {{p|Illumise}}, {{p|Plusle}} and {{p|Wailord}} are related to other Pokémon, namely {{p|Solrock}}, {{p|Volbeat}}, {{p|Minun}} and {{p|Relicanth}}, in relationships ranging from explicit to loose symbiosis. {{p|Zangoose}} is rivaled by {{p|Seviper}}. With {{m|Secret Power}}, a player can make a [[secret base]] out of trees, caves or clumps of grass.

==Japanese title screens==
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background: #{{hoenn color dark}}; border: 5px solid #{{hoenn color}}"
|- style="text-align: center;"
| style="background: #{{ruby color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color2|{{ruby color dark}}|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Pokémon Ruby}}
| style="background: #{{sapphire color light}};" | {{color2|{{sapphire color dark}}|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Pokémon Sapphire}}
| style="background: #{{emerald color light}};" | {{color2|{{emerald color dark}}|Pokémon Emerald Version|Pokémon Emerald}}
|-
| width="14px" style="background: #{{ruby color}};" | [[File:Japanese RubyTitle.png]]
| width="14px" style="background: #{{sapphire color}};" | [[File:Japanese SapphireTitle.png]]
| width="14px" style="background: #{{emerald color}};" | [[File:Japanese EmeraldTitle.png]]
|}
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background: #{{kanto color dark}}; border: 5px solid #{{kanto color}}"
|- style="text-align: center;"
| style="background: #{{firered color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color2|{{firered color dark}}|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon FireRed}}
| style="background: #{{leafgreen color light}};" | {{color2|{{leafgreen color dark}}|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon LeafGreen}}
|-
| width="14px" style="background: #{{firered color}};" | [[File:Japanese FireRedTitle.png]]
| width="14px" style="background: #{{leafgreen color}};" | [[File:Japanese LeafGreenTitle.png]]
|}
==Trivia==
* Generation III was the first generation to:
**Include both a mother and [[Norman|father]] for the main character.
**Introduce two [[Weather trio|legendary]] [[Legendary golems|trios]].
**Introduce two {{pkmn2|Pseudo-legendary|pseudo-legendaries}}.
**Not introduce any new [[Eeveelution|evolutions]] for {{p|Eevee}}
**Introduce a pure Steel-type and pure Ice-type Pokémon
**Not allow the customization of a rival characters name
**To have the third version released be the fifth main series game.
* Generation III does not introduce any evolved forms of Pokémon from previous generations (a trait shared with [[Generation V]]) with the only cross-generational relatives being baby Pokémon {{p|Azurill}} and {{p|Wynaut}}.
* Generation III has the largest number of [[main series]] games with five handheld games and three console games.
* Starting with Generation III, [[Ken Sugimori]]'s art style shows noticeable differences from that of [[Generation I]] and {{gen|II}}. This can be seen when comparing the artwork for {{ga|Red}}, {{ga|Ethan}}, and {{cat|Generation I Pokémon|Generation I}} and {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|II}} Pokémon from their original games to that of those games' remakes.
* Most of the Generation III Pokémon that are not in the [[List of Pokémon by Sinnoh Pokédex number|Sinnoh Pokédex]] have only one sprite in the [[Generation IV]] games. {{cat|Generation IV Pokémon}} received sprite updates in {{game|Platinum}}, while Generation I and II Pokémon received updates in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}.
* Generation III had the quickest transition from Japanese to English, with only a four month gap between the Japanese and North American releases of Ruby and Sapphire.
* Generation III was the only generation where the current total of known Pokémon was an even number (386).
* Almost all of non-Generation III Pokémon backsprites are revamps of those in [[Generation II]] games.
* Generation III is the longest generation in North America, lasting slightly over four years.
* Generation III is the only Generation not to introduce a {{type|Fire}} [[legendary Pokémon]].
{{Main series}}
{{Project Games notice}}
[[Category:Games]]

[[pt:Geração ADV]]

[[de:Dritte Spielgeneration]]
[[es:Generación III]]
[[fr:Génération III]]
[[it:Terza generazione]]
[[ja:第三世代]]

Bulbapedia - User contributions [en]

Generation III