I’ll just say it: Hoenn is the best region Game Freak ever designed. People like to argue about Sinnoh's lore or Kanto’s nostalgia, but Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire (ORAS) proved that the third generation was always the peak of the series' mechanical soul. Released in 2014 for the Nintendo 3DS, these games weren’t just a quick paint job on the 2002 classics. They were a massive, sweeping reimagining that managed to fix almost every grievance players had with the original Game Boy Advance titles while introducing things we still miss in the modern Switch era.
It's weird.
Looking back, ORAS arrived at a strange crossroads for the franchise. It had to follow the massive leap into 3D that Pokemon X and Y took, but it also carried the heavy burden of "Gen 3" nostalgia, which is arguably the most vocal segment of the fanbase. Does it hold up? Absolutely. In fact, if you go back and play it today, you'll probably realize it does certain things—like the DexNav—better than Pokemon Scarlet and Violet do.
The Soaring Mechanic Was Pure Magic
Remember the first time you called Latios or Latias and actually flew? Not just a black screen transition to a Pokémon Center, but real, manual flight. Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire introduced "Soaring," and it honestly felt like the developers finally delivered on the promise they made us as kids. You could see the entire map of Hoenn beneath you. You could find Mirage Spots. You could encounter legendary Pokémon like Dialga or Reshiram just by floating into tears in reality.
It wasn't just a gimmick.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Tony Hawk 1 Soundtrack Still Hits Different After 25 Years
It fundamentally changed how we explored the world. Most Pokémon games feel like a series of interconnected hallways. Hoenn, with its massive oceans and dive spots, always felt wider, but Soaring made it feel infinite. It’s one of those features that, for some reason, Game Freak just... stopped doing. Why? We don't know. But circling the active volcano of Mt. Chimney from the clouds is a core memory for a lot of us.
The DexNav is the Best Tool Ever Invented
Let’s talk about the DexNav for a second. If you haven't played ORAS in a while, you might have forgotten how revolutionary this little bottom-screen app was. It allowed you to "search" for specific Pokémon in the tall grass. If you wanted a Poochyena with the "Fire Fang" egg move or a specific Hidden Ability, the DexNav would let you sneak up on it.
It turned the "catch 'em all" grind into a tactical hunt. You could see the Pokémon’s level, its first move, and its potential before you even started the battle. It rewarded patience. It made the world feel alive because you could see tails twitching in the grass. Modern games have overworld spawns, which is great, but they lost that sense of "hunting" for a rare specimen that the DexNav perfected.
Secret Bases and the Social Peak of 3DS
I spent way too many hours decorating my Secret Base. In Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire, the Super-Secret Base feature took the original concept and dialed it up to eleven. Using QR codes, you could share your base with friends—or strangers on the internet.
💡 You might also like: Is There Really a Max Fallout 4 Level? What Most Players Get Wrong
- You could create your own "Gym."
- You could set rules for battles.
- You could steal flags from other players to rank up your team.
- You could even use "Secret Pals" to help you hatch eggs or find stones.
It was an asynchronous multiplayer system that actually worked. Before everyone was constantly connected via the Switch's online service, scanning a QR code to see a friend's base pop up in a remote corner of Route 120 felt like magic. It gave you a reason to visit every nook and cranny of the map. It wasn't just about the Elite Four; it was about making your own little corner of the Pokémon world yours.
The Contests Actually Mattered (Sorta)
I know, I know. Not everyone likes Pokémon Contests. But in ORAS, they felt fleshed out. Giving Lisia a run for her money in the Master Rank was a genuine challenge. It utilized the "Cool," "Beauty," "Cute," "Smart," and "Tough" stats in a way that gave you something to do with your Pokémon other than just knocking them out. Plus, Cosplay Pikachu was a thing. A Pikachu that could learn Meteor Mash or Icicle Crash because it was wearing a costume? It was ridiculous. It was charming. It was peak Nintendo.
The Delta Episode: A New Standard for Post-Game
One of the biggest complaints about modern Pokémon games is the lack of post-game content. Pokemon X and Y were notorious for this. Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire fixed that with the Delta Episode.
It wasn't just a "go here and catch this" mission. It was a cinematic storyline involving a meteor heading for Earth, a mysterious girl named Zinnia, and the lore of Mega Evolution. It successfully tied together the history of the Hoenn region with the new "Multiverse" theory that the games were starting to explore.
And then there was the Rayquaza fight.
Flying into space—literally into low earth orbit—on the back of a Mega Rayquaza to headbutt a meteor and then fighting Deoxys? That is arguably the most "epic" moment in the entire 25-plus-year history of the franchise. It felt like something out of an anime movie, not a handheld RPG. It set a bar for post-game stories that, frankly, many subsequent entries have failed to clear.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Water
"Too much water."
The infamous IGN review meme. Honestly? It's a misunderstood criticism. The water routes in Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire are what make Hoenn unique. In most games, water is a barrier. In ORAS, it’s a playground. Between the Surfing, the Diving, and the Soaring, the geography of the game is three-dimensional in a way that Kanto or Johto never were.
The Dive mechanic, specifically, is something I desperately wish would return. Finding the entrance to the Sealed Chamber to unlock the Regis by diving deep underwater felt like genuine archaeology. It required you to read Braille! Who does that in a kids' game? It was bold. It treated the player like they were smart enough to solve a riddle without a giant objective marker pointing the way.
The Mega Evolution Meta
ORAS gave us some of the coolest Mega Evolutions. Mega Sceptile (Dragon type!), Mega Swampert (the absolute unit), and the terrifying Mega Salamence. While Mega Evolution has since been replaced by Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastalization, many fans still view Megas as the superior gimmick. They felt personal. They felt like an evolution of the bond between trainer and Pokémon, rather than just a temporary power-up. In ORAS, they were integrated into the story perfectly.
Why You Should Dust Off Your 3DS
If you’re tired of the performance issues of recent games or the lack of "soul" in some of the newer regions, going back to Hoenn is a breath of fresh air. It’s a complete package. You have the Battle Resort, the legendary hunting, the Contests, and the best exploration mechanics the series has ever seen.
Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire represents a moment where Game Freak was firing on all cylinders, trying to bridge the gap between their 2D roots and their 3D future. It has a charm that is hard to replicate.
Actionable Tips for a 2026 Playthrough
If you're picking up the game now, keep these things in mind to get the most out of it:
- Don't skip the DexNav: Use it early and often. Finding a Pokémon with a "star" rating means it has perfect IVs in some stats, which makes the main game much smoother.
- Invest in a Secret Base: Go to the "Secret Islet" or "Secret Meadow" (accessible only via Soaring or specific Dive spots) to find the best spots for bases.
- Prepare for the Delta Episode: Don't trade away your Master Ball. You'll want it for Deoxys at the end of the Delta Episode if you're not feeling like a long, grueling struggle.
- Check your Mirage Spots daily: The legendary Pokémon available change based on the day of the week and the Pokémon in your party. If you want Ho-Oh or Lugia, you need specific triggers.
- Use the "Area Nav": It's a lifesaver for finding which berries are ripe and where you’ve left your Secret Base pals.
Hoenn remains a masterpiece of level design. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, the depth of Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire is something every RPG fan should experience at least once. It’s not just a remake; it’s the definitive version of one of gaming’s most iconic worlds.