These detailed instructions explain everything you need to do to use your Pokémon Battle-e Card.

1. First, you must activate the Mystery Events option by following these steps:

• Collect at least five badges by defeating five different Gym Leaders.

• Go to the POKéMON CENTER in PETALBURG CITY.

• Talk to the man standing next to the computer.

• When he asks you if you'd like to make a new profile, answer "YES."

• Change the four words displayed to read "MYSTERY EVENT IS EXCITING" and select OK.

• When you're asked if the profile is OK, choose "YES."

• You will then be told that you're a member of the MYSTERY EVENT CLUB.

• Save your game.

• Turn off the power.


2. To scan and use your Pokémon Battle-e Card, follow these steps:

• Connect your Game Boy Advance to another Game Boy Advance that has an e-Reader plugged in.

• Turn on the power for both systems.

• Slide the Battle-e card through the e-Reader.

• Select the Mystery Events option and press the A Button.

• Follow the directions on the screen.

• On the screen of the GBA which has the game, it should read "A new Trainer has arrived in Hoenn." The GBA with the e-Reader should display this message: "Battle entry finished!"

• Press the A Button on the GBA that has the game and you will go back to the Main Menu screen.

• Start the game and go to MOSSDEEP CITY.

• In MOSSDEEP CITY, go to the house below the POKéMON MART and talk to the old man.

• You will now be allowed to enter the room behind him to battle the new Trainer.

They're both equally great! It may sound like we're taking the easy way out, but in fact that games are quite similar. The main thing that should affect your decision is which Pokémon you want on your team before you battle the Elite Four -- Kyogre or Groudon.

Another difference between the two games is that you align yourself with different Teams in each version. In Pokémon Ruby Version, Team Magma and its leader, Maxie, drive an insidious plot to increase the planet's landmass -- and thus create more land habitats for people and Pokémon alike. In Pokémon Sapphire Version, Team Aqua is the scheming team. Its members and its leader, Archie, are plotting to raise sea levels -- thus creating more water habitats for Pokémon across the planet.

In addition, certain Pokémon are exclusively available in either Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire. Here is a list of which Pokémon are exclusively available in each version:

Pokémon Ruby Only

Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Mawile
Zangoose
Solrock
Groudon

Pokémon Sapphire Only

Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Sableye
Seviper
Lunatone
Kyogre

So as you can see, it's up to you to decide which game is better!

TMs (Technical Machines) and HMs (Hidden Machines) contain special abilities that you can teach your Pokémon. TMs provide one-time skill training for one Pokémon. After you use a TM, it disappears, so choose which Pokémon you wish to learn the move carefully. HMs provide a skill training that you can use over and over on any Pokémon able to learn the move.

TMs and HMs contain special moves that your Pokémon can learn and use in and out of battle. Some HMs, such as Surf and Fly, will open up new forms of travel if a Pokémon that knows the move is with you. Other HMs, such as Cut or Rock Smash, will enable a Pokémon to clear paths that allow you to travel where you couldn't otherwise. TMs usually contain rare moves that you can teach only certain Pokémon one time, so be sure to choose the recipient Pokémon wisely!

Pokémon are unique creatures that come in all shapes and sizes. Each Pokémon specializes in one or two types of elemental abilities (such as Grass, Fire or Water) which it uses in battle. Pokémon also develop their own personalities, likes and dislikes -- just like humans do. They even have a favorite flavor of PokéBlock, depending on their personality. Pokémon and humans have learned to live and work together in harmony to create a better life for all.

Pokémon Trainers gather Pokémon from the wild and train them to battle each other and perform other tasks. By battling Pokémon, Pokémon and their Trainers can show off their skills and compete for various badges and titles. Trainers become close friends with their Pokémon, nurturing them and helping them evolve into stronger creatures.

Pokémon grow and evolve in many different ways. When Pokémon travel with a Pokémon Trainer, they gain experience from battling wild Pokémon and other Trainers. Pokémon can also gain experience by staying at the Pokémon Daycare, but nothing beats first-hand battle experience. Daycare-raised Pokémon and Trainer-raised Pokémon learn special moves differently.

Pokémon also grow stronger by using or holding items. Skilled Trainers will know what their Pokémon like and feed them those items to make the Pokémon grow. Some Pokémon have the ability to evolve once they reach a certain stage in their lives. There are items that can induce evolution, but an induced Pokémon will not be as strong as if it had progressed to its evolution naturally.

All Pokémon have one or two innate element types. Pokémon types reflect the Pokémon's strengths and weaknesses as well as the environment they originated from. For example, Fire-type Pokémon are often found near volcanoes or lava, excel in fire moves and are weak against water moves. If you know what Pokémon type your opponent is using, it is usually a good strategy to use the opposing type. Gym Leaders and Trainers always use one or two Pokémon types.

When a Pokémon uses a move that is particularly strong against its opponent, it does even more damage. Also keep types in mind for defense. If your opponent uses a Pokémon type that your current Pokémon is weak against, bring out another Pokémon.

Like most creatures, Pokémon live in environments suited to their needs. A skilled Pokémon Trainer will search everywhere for Pokémon and learn where to find different types. Once you encounter a Pokémon, use your Pokénav to see all the routes on which that Pokémon will appear in Hoenn. Some Pokémon are more elusive than others. You will need certain HMs, TMs or key items such as a fishing pole to catch some Pokémon.

Wild Pokémon are challenging to catch. Weaken wild Pokémon in battle, then toss a Poké Ball at the Pokémon to capture it. Experiment with different types of Poké Balls to capture more powerful Pokémon.

In Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, certain berry trees will stop producing berries after you've played your game for one year. Now, there are four different ways to make sure that your berry trees never dry up. It's easy!

Connect to Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen -- You'll receive the berry patch upgrade by linking Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire to Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen using a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable. Once they are connected, power on the "1P" system. When the Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen title screen appears, hold down the B Button and SELECT, then follow the instructions that appear on-screen.

Add Jirachi to Your Team with the Bonus Disc -- If you received the Bonus Disc that was available from participating retailers during the pre-sell of Pokémon Colosseum, you might be surprised to know that it contains a special gift -- Jirachi! You will automatically receive the berry patch upgrade when you use a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable to transfer Jirachi to your Pokémon Ruby or Sapphire Game Pak.

Play Pokémon Colosseum -- You'll automatically receive the berry program update by using one of the connective features when you link Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire to Pokémon Colosseum using a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance cable.

Connect to Pokémon Box -- You'll automatically receive the berry patch upgrade by linking Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire to Pokémon Box using a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable.

In order to trade between Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen and Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire, you must meet the following requirements:

*Trading works only with a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
*Both games must have a Pokédex and at least two Pokémon.
*The player with Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen must have had their Pokemon entered into the Hall of Fame.
*The player with Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen must have fixed the Network Machine at the Pokemon Network Center on One Island (This is at the VERY end of the game).

After you beat the Gym Leader Blaine, you will be able to travel to the Sevii Islands. At first, only a couple of islands will be available. On one of the islands, you will assist some characters in repairing something called the "Pokemon Network Center." Until this is repaired, you cannot trade with Pokémon Ruby and/or Sapphire. To repair the machine, you must retrieve the Ruby and the Sapphire from the other islands, which won't be available until you have completed the rest of the game.