Pokemon Emerald Complete Beginner's Guide

guide·2026-05-10·2 min read·By OldGame Team
GBAPokemonGuide
Pokemon Emerald Complete Beginner's Guide

Pokemon Emerald is often considered the definitive Game Boy Advance Pokemon experience. It combines the best elements of Ruby and Sapphire while adding new features like the Battle Frontier.

Choosing Your Starter

Your starter Pokemon will be with you for the entire journey, so choose wisely:

  • Treecko (Grass): Fastest starter, great for experienced players who like speed
  • Torchic (Fire): Evolves into Blaziken, a Fire/Fighting type that dominates most gyms
  • Mudkip (Water): Evolves into Swampert with only one weakness (Grass), best for beginners

Gym Guide

The Hoenn region has 8 gyms, each with a different type specialty:

  1. Rustboro City — Rock type: Use Water or Grass moves
  2. Dewford Town — Fighting type: Use Flying or Psychic moves
  3. Mauville City — Electric type: Use Ground moves
  4. Lavaridge Town — Fire type: Use Water or Rock moves
  5. Petalburg City — Normal type: Use Fighting moves
  6. Fortree City — Flying type: Use Electric or Rock moves
  7. Mossdeep City — Psychic type: Use Dark or Ghost moves
  8. Sootopolis City — Water type: Use Electric or Grass moves

Tips for Success

  • Catch a Zigzagoon early — its Pickup ability gives you free items
  • Teach HM moves to dedicated "HM slaves" to keep your main team's movesets clean
  • The daycare on Route 117 is great for passively leveling Pokemon
  • Stock up on Ultra Balls before heading to the Safari Zone

The Elite Four

Prepare your team to be at least level 45-50 before challenging the Elite Four. Bring a variety of types and plenty of healing items.

Play Pokemon Emerald Now

Ready to start your Hoenn adventure? Play Pokemon Emerald free in your browser right now on OldGame — no download required.