Anniversaries are something special in the gaming space, especially when it comes…to making you feel old. You look at a game’s anniversary and go, “It was made that long ago?” Don’t worry, we’ve all been there, including me! Case in point, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the release of Pokemon Emerald in the United States. This was during the period of time when The Pokemon Company ALWAYS did a “third entry” to a generation to flesh out the world even more and showcase different Pokemon, especially legendaries.
Pokemon Emerald was special because it gave more focus to Rayquaza, who has become a fan-favorite Pokemon for many, including myself. The game shifted the story so that you weren’t just focused on Team Aqua or Team Magma, but had to take on both teams at the same time and then use Rayquaza to take down Kyogre and Groudon to save the world.
Pokémon Emerald Version was released in North America on this day back in 2005! 🎉
Share your favorite memories with us! 💚 pic.twitter.com/pooWuO1m9m
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 1, 2025
Rayquaza was a key part of the “Destiny Deoxys” storyline, which would eventually be put into the Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire remakes that came later in the series, as well as being a key storyline in the new Pokémon Horizons series.
So while the Hoenn region may have had “too much water,” it at least had an epic dragon controlling the skies.
