Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are the Nintendo 3DS remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, released twelve years earlier on Game Boy Advance. Here is their identity card: release dates, editions, compatibility, sales and reception.
Fact sheet
| Japanese title | Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo 3DS (and Nintendo 2DS) |
| Generation | Sixth generation, main series |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publishers | Nintendo, The Pokémon Company |
| Release in Japan and North America | 21 November 2014 |
| Release in Europe (including France) | 28 November 2014 |
| Players | 1 to 4 (local and online trades and battles) |
| Connectivity | 3DS wireless communication, StreetPass, SpotPass, Nintendo Network, infrared |
| Rating | PEGI 7 |
| Worldwide sales | 14.68 million copies as of 31 March 2026 |
Two versions
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Legendary | Primal Groudon | Primal Kyogre |
| Opposing team | Team Magma | Team Aqua |
| Soaring mount | Latios | Latias |
Each version also has its own exclusive Pokémon, to be traded to complete the Pokédex: our article the exclusive Pokémon of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire lists them.
Editions and consoles
In addition to the standard versions, an edition bundling both games (Dual Pack) was offered, as well as consoles in the colours of the game: a New Nintendo 3DS and decorated Nintendo 2DS consoles. Our news from the time: the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire New 3DS and the Pokémon 2DS.
Compatibility
- Pokémon X and Y: trades and battles are possible between the two pairs of sixth-generation games (see compatibility with X and Y).
- Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter: these 3DS services let you store your Pokémon from ORAS and send them to Pokémon HOME, and therefore to the Switch games. Pokémon Bank is due to close on 26 February 2027: remember to transfer your Pokémon before that date.
- The demo: a special demo preceded the release, with rewards to transfer (see the ORAS demos).
Reception and sales
The two games score 83 and 82 out of 100 on Metacritic. Famitsu gives them 37 out of 40, Nintendo Life 9 out of 10 and Eurogamer 8 out of 10; IGN gives them 7.8 out of 10, criticising them for… an abundance of water, a verdict that has become a famous joke among fans. Our opinion is in our review.
On the sales side, 3.04 million copies went in the first three days in Japan, North America and other territories. In Japan, the first week accounts for more than 1.3 million copies. As of 31 March 2026, the two versions have sold a combined 14.68 million copies: it is one of the best-selling Nintendo 3DS games.
Playing them today
The games exist only on Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, as a cartridge or as a downloaded version bought before the closure of the 3DS online shop on 27 March 2023. The 3DS online features have also been shut down: trades and battles remain possible locally. To discover the original story, our Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald mini-site covers the Game Boy Advance games.
