The Pokemon video game franchise, created by Nintendo, has been a part of many children’s childhoods since the first Pokemon games were released for the Gameboy in 1998. Ruby and Sapphire were released in 2003. Ruby and Sapphire were the first Pokemon games I played when I was 10-years-old and they got me addicted to the franchise. In Summer 2014, Nintendo made an announcement that the 3DS remakes of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire; Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (OR & AS) would be released on November 21. These are the Top 10 reasons why Pokemon fans will buy these remakes.

10) New Pokemon mega-evolutions
The concept of mega-evolution was introduced when Nintendo released its most recent installment of the Pokemon franchise: Pokemon X and Y. This concept gives specific Pokemon the ability to change form temporarily and boost stats during a battle, which changed the tactics of online competitive Pokemon battles. Some of the Pokemon that can now mega-evolve in OR and AS are Altaria, Salamance, Metagross and Slowbro.

9) Shiny Beldum Giveaway

To help promote the release of OR and AS, Nintendo announced that it will also be giving away a free Shiny Beldum, that will eventually evolve into a Metagross. Shiny Pokemon are Pokemon with a different coloration and can be encountered in-game but the chances of this happening is 1 in 8200. So many if not, all Pokemon fans won’t reject a free shiny.

8) Pokemon Amie returning

Pokemon Amie was made as a feature where you could pet, feed and play games with your Pokemon to improve your friendship with them. Improving your Pokemon’s friendship can impact how they fight in battles and raises the chances of your Pokemon’s attacks being a critical hit, dealing more damage.

7) New “Primal” form for Legendary Pokemon

Mega-evolution is a new concept to the Pokemon franchise but Nintendo revealed another part to the mystery. The two Pokemon Legendaries, Groudon and Kyogore, have been revealed to have another form dubbed as “Primal” forms. Not much information is known about these forms yet as they are key components to the game’s storyline.

6) Pokemon contests

One of the most popular mechanics from the original Ruby and Sapphire was that you didn’t have to train your Pokemon just for battles. Pokemon contests exist to judge Pokemon moves and they fit in five categories: beauty, smart, cool, tough, and cute. Winning these contests results in an in-game ribbon. This feature has not been in any other Pokemon game.

5) Special “Cosplaying” Pikachu

Along with the reveal of Pokemon Contests returning, Nintendo revealed that in-game the players will be able to receive a Pikachu that is able to wear five different costumes. Each costume relates to the five themes of the contests, each giving the Pikachu a different attack per costume.

4) Main characters wear contest costumes, hinting trainer customization

Before Pokemon X and Y, the characters the players could choose from were limited and lead to no customization. Nintendo revealed some screenshots that showed the two iconic trainers from Ruby and Sapphire dressed in different costumes when they performed in the contests. This could hint that the trainer customization feature from X and Y will also be continued in these remakes but it has not been confirmed.

3) Secret Bases

A unique gameplay mechanic of Ruby and Sapphire was that by using a particular Pokemon move, it was possible to create your own secret base that could be decorated any way you wanted. Nintendo announced that your secret base could be sent to your friends by Wi-Fi to even be like a Pokemon Gym.

2) Fans have been DYING for this remake

When Nintendo remade Gold and Silver in 2010, many fans were wondering when it would remake Ruby and Sapphire. Many people who have played the Pokemon games have all pondered when and if these remakes would be revealed. Seems Nintendo has finally decided to hear the fans request.

1) Sake of nostalgia

The original Ruby and Sapphire games came out in 2003, which was 11 years ago. I was 10 years old when I first started playing these games where Pokemon trainers start their journey around the same age. It felt like I was playing along with the cast of the Pokemon cartoon series. Playing the remakes will feel like reliving your childhood while experiencing it in a new way.