Play Pokemon Ruby (GBANow) (J) Online

Pokemon Ruby (GBANow) (J) still feels like coming home, even years later. The first steps out of Littleroot Town, that awkward scramble through tall grass before you even get a pokeball, the way the music swells when you finally pick your starter—it's all so familiar.

Hoenn's got this weird mix of routes that feel endless and tight little corners packed with secrets. I remember getting stuck for ages near Mauville because I didn't realize you could push boulders into holes. The water routes drag a bit, but diving spots break up the monotony.

Some of the sprites haven't aged well, but the battle animations still have charm. Watching your mudkip flail around during a tackle never gets old. The game's slower than newer entries, but that just gives you more time to soak in the atmosphere.