The success of the Pokemon series of games is a testament to just how far a simple concept can be taken. Think about it: from its humble beginnings as the videogame equivalent of catching fireflies in your backyard, Pokemon has become a marketing behemoth, crushing any and all would-be imitators in its path to total global domination (at least in the hearts and minds of everyone under the age of 12).

So it's no surprise that Pokemon Emerald provides little in the way of innovation and is content to simply add another coat of gloss. And I mean that with the utmost respect: a bit more sparkle is all the series needs. This time around, the glitter comes in the form of a wireless adapter packaged with the game, to allow you to fight your friends without wires, and (in Japan) connect to gigantic Poke-networks to face off against any number of people. You can also breed your Pokemon, which will allow you to capture creatures which are normally un-gettable.

At its very core, Pokemon Emerald is still oldskool and true to its roots. Anyone who played Red or Blue would instantly recognize this game - but now there's so much more. More depth, more monsters, more gameplay - these are what Emerald has to offer.