Thinking about restarting your file?
You could, but here's what I think about it. I suggest people to consider my advice (and own experiences).
This entry especially applies to people who own Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and/or LeafGreen. This is because Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal are no longer compatible with any of the newer files.
So, you've probably beaten the Elite Four. You may have some pretty impressive Pokémon, maybe around levels 80-100 after fighting the Elite Four over and over again? When you've done so much, it may sometimes feel as though there's nothing else to do. You may simply get bored of your game, and you don't think you're going to play it again for a while. You may even consider clearing your file to start a new one, but I highly advise against it.
First, here are a few things you can do for fun--alternatives for restarting your file. It's hard work, and it does take a lot of time/patience.. but in the end, it might just be worth it. Be proud of your accomplishments!
1] Complete your Pokédex (either Hoenn/Kanto, depending on owned versions). If you only have one Ruby or Sapphire cartridge, and don't plan on purchasing another or a new/different version (which can change at any time in the future), find a friend. In order to complete your Pokédex (this applying to any version), you will need to trade sometime or another (and note: trades don't always have to be permanent). It IS possible to complete it, and it's not incredibly devastating. Be sure to find the Game Freak characters and talk to them when you do finish.
2] In compliment to the above, LINK (trade/battle/whatever else) with others (or yourself, if you've got the link, extra GBA/SP/DS, and additional game) often. This can easily kill boredom.
3] Experiment with breeding, creating new teams with different Pokémon that you've never used before, and so forth. You learn a lot this way.
4] Re-visit and talk to the game characters. You may be surprised by what items and information you can get. You can just fly from city to city, or ride your bike.
5] Depending on the versions, go for the Battle Tower or other competitive areas. Sometimes, they're not as easy as they look.
Okay, so if you've had enough of the above.. but still want to restart? -IF- restarting is your choice, first, I would do it on a version that has been less worked on (if you have two or more, that is). If it is your only one, well, here are a few things you can do BEFORE you start over.
1] This applies to ANY restarting whatsoever. If you own Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and/or LeafGreen.. store your important/rare/strong Pokémon somewhere safe if at all possible. The best way to do this? If you already have a Nintendo Gamecube, POKéMON BOX is your best friend and tool hands down! It's available at http://www.pokemoncenter.com for just $20USD, and it comes complete with a 59 block memory card and GCN-GBA link. You can move ALL of your Pokémon from your games with a few presses, and bam. Absolutely guiltfree restart. As you progress in your new file (100 owned Pokémon in your Dex), you will be able to access your old Pokémon and easily transfer!
2] Well, ask yourself a few questions. Must you really start over? Unless you have a safe plan (say, starting over your LeafGreen so you can get a different Legendary Dog).. you should really think over it. Are you willing to give up everything that you've already worked so hard for? You'll basically go through the entire game again, most likely with a different starter.. but everything will be the same. You'll just be spending more time on achieving things, whereas you can already set high goals.
Reasons to not start over?
1] You lose everything you have, unless you have a safe plan (see above).
2] You can change your mind in the future and decide to get more versions or Pokémon Box.
3] Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen are ALL compatible (correct me if I'm wrong) with Pokémon Box and Pokémon Colosseum (and wait until Pokémon XD comes out...?). There are so many things you can do among your GBA versions. Take advantage of it. Remember, traded Pokémon will receive a 1.5x experience boost when training. Filling up your Pokémon Dexes can really be a fun thing.
4] If you have Pokémon Box and you have already filled up your Hoenn/Kanto Dex, try breeding and having a collection of ONE of each Pokémon to keep in Box. That way, you can always transfer the entire Dex over to another version (without missing Dragonair/Beldum, etc.).
5] If you have Pokémon Colosseum, you can eventually take advantage of owning many many more Johto Pokémon! With breeding, you really can get the entire Johto Dex filled.
If I haven't already convinced you enough, read my own experiences with HIGH REGRETFUL RESTARTS.
-------------------------------------------------------------
It's happened so many times now, and I'm disgusted at myself.
First, Red. I filled up my Pokédex (#1-150), and five out of six of my Pokémon (Starmie was the last one, which was at level 95 or so) were at level 100. I had all the items and everything, and I REFUSED to use a Gameshark or take advantage of the many glitches (Item duplication, so forth).
Most of my friends didn't believe my accomplishments were achieved without cheating, but I proved them wrong. Nothing was wrong with my file whatsoever. I worked hard on it for over 300 hours. You have no idea how many times I had to fight the Elite Four over and over again.
Well, I got 'bored' so I released every Pokémon in my boxes. I had no idea what I would gain from it, but it made me just want to start over even more. Well, I did. I didn't even bother to move my team to another version, and what happened? STADIUM WAS RELEASED JUST AFTERWARD(S).
So, I had to use all Rental Pokémon. It was extremely aggravating to use only Rental Pokémon, but I did it. I completed Stadium, and since I was 'bored' again, I cleared that file. It wasn't as sad, but I still shouldn't have done it.
Then, Gold, Silver, and Crystal came out. It was a shock to hear that they were compatible with Red, Blue, and Yellow. I don't remember having any one particular file that was absolutely completed in Johto, since I preferred the original. So, moving on with my story.
Ruby and Sapphire came. I purchased Ruby, and spent a bit over 200 hours on it. Guess what? I found a temporary friend, used them as much as I could to get Kyogre/Latias/starters, and eventually filled up my Hoenn Dex. I trained 4 level 100 Pokémon in my team, and I was able to get 50 Consecutive Wins at the Battle Tower. Good times.
Well, I was getting 'bored' again. I was quite hesitant to start over, since I had already experienced horrible things when I did. I begged maodaidoji to keep me from starting over, but.. I couldn't help it. There was nothing else to do. At the time, I didn't know about Pokémon Box (that or I refused to pay more money for anything Hoenn-relevant, since I dislike the new generation). I also had no intention of purchasing Pokémon Colosseum.
CLEARED. You know what happened? I was so mad at my lost work, and I decided to purchase Sapphire. There, I had all the versions in my collection except for Silver (which I never plan on getting unless I find it at an incredibly cheap price). I had another file that was quite impressive, but I don't remember exactly what the situation was that made me clear it again.
Well anyway, I decided to get Pokémon Box. Absolutely BLISS. From now on, guilt free restarts. I've taken advantage of it, and it's great seeing how much you can get in your National Dex. I'm still waiting for the day that I can officially get Ho-oh (working on that in my new Colosseum) and Lugia (which I hear is possible these days, actually, other than XD). And believe you me, I'm NOT restarting my best files (currently being LeafGreen, and soon Ruby again).
I hope this will help others. Just remember to ENJOY playing Pokémon!
This entry especially applies to people who own Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and/or LeafGreen. This is because Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal are no longer compatible with any of the newer files.
So, you've probably beaten the Elite Four. You may have some pretty impressive Pokémon, maybe around levels 80-100 after fighting the Elite Four over and over again? When you've done so much, it may sometimes feel as though there's nothing else to do. You may simply get bored of your game, and you don't think you're going to play it again for a while. You may even consider clearing your file to start a new one, but I highly advise against it.
First, here are a few things you can do for fun--alternatives for restarting your file. It's hard work, and it does take a lot of time/patience.. but in the end, it might just be worth it. Be proud of your accomplishments!
1] Complete your Pokédex (either Hoenn/Kanto, depending on owned versions). If you only have one Ruby or Sapphire cartridge, and don't plan on purchasing another or a new/different version (which can change at any time in the future), find a friend. In order to complete your Pokédex (this applying to any version), you will need to trade sometime or another (and note: trades don't always have to be permanent). It IS possible to complete it, and it's not incredibly devastating. Be sure to find the Game Freak characters and talk to them when you do finish.
2] In compliment to the above, LINK (trade/battle/whatever else) with others (or yourself, if you've got the link, extra GBA/SP/DS, and additional game) often. This can easily kill boredom.
3] Experiment with breeding, creating new teams with different Pokémon that you've never used before, and so forth. You learn a lot this way.
4] Re-visit and talk to the game characters. You may be surprised by what items and information you can get. You can just fly from city to city, or ride your bike.
5] Depending on the versions, go for the Battle Tower or other competitive areas. Sometimes, they're not as easy as they look.
Okay, so if you've had enough of the above.. but still want to restart? -IF- restarting is your choice, first, I would do it on a version that has been less worked on (if you have two or more, that is). If it is your only one, well, here are a few things you can do BEFORE you start over.
1] This applies to ANY restarting whatsoever. If you own Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and/or LeafGreen.. store your important/rare/strong Pokémon somewhere safe if at all possible. The best way to do this? If you already have a Nintendo Gamecube, POKéMON BOX is your best friend and tool hands down! It's available at http://www.pokemoncenter.com for just $20USD, and it comes complete with a 59 block memory card and GCN-GBA link. You can move ALL of your Pokémon from your games with a few presses, and bam. Absolutely guiltfree restart. As you progress in your new file (100 owned Pokémon in your Dex), you will be able to access your old Pokémon and easily transfer!
2] Well, ask yourself a few questions. Must you really start over? Unless you have a safe plan (say, starting over your LeafGreen so you can get a different Legendary Dog).. you should really think over it. Are you willing to give up everything that you've already worked so hard for? You'll basically go through the entire game again, most likely with a different starter.. but everything will be the same. You'll just be spending more time on achieving things, whereas you can already set high goals.
Reasons to not start over?
1] You lose everything you have, unless you have a safe plan (see above).
2] You can change your mind in the future and decide to get more versions or Pokémon Box.
3] Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen are ALL compatible (correct me if I'm wrong) with Pokémon Box and Pokémon Colosseum (and wait until Pokémon XD comes out...?). There are so many things you can do among your GBA versions. Take advantage of it. Remember, traded Pokémon will receive a 1.5x experience boost when training. Filling up your Pokémon Dexes can really be a fun thing.
4] If you have Pokémon Box and you have already filled up your Hoenn/Kanto Dex, try breeding and having a collection of ONE of each Pokémon to keep in Box. That way, you can always transfer the entire Dex over to another version (without missing Dragonair/Beldum, etc.).
5] If you have Pokémon Colosseum, you can eventually take advantage of owning many many more Johto Pokémon! With breeding, you really can get the entire Johto Dex filled.
If I haven't already convinced you enough, read my own experiences with HIGH REGRETFUL RESTARTS.
-------------------------------------------------------------
It's happened so many times now, and I'm disgusted at myself.
First, Red. I filled up my Pokédex (#1-150), and five out of six of my Pokémon (Starmie was the last one, which was at level 95 or so) were at level 100. I had all the items and everything, and I REFUSED to use a Gameshark or take advantage of the many glitches (Item duplication, so forth).
Most of my friends didn't believe my accomplishments were achieved without cheating, but I proved them wrong. Nothing was wrong with my file whatsoever. I worked hard on it for over 300 hours. You have no idea how many times I had to fight the Elite Four over and over again.
Well, I got 'bored' so I released every Pokémon in my boxes. I had no idea what I would gain from it, but it made me just want to start over even more. Well, I did. I didn't even bother to move my team to another version, and what happened? STADIUM WAS RELEASED JUST AFTERWARD(S).
So, I had to use all Rental Pokémon. It was extremely aggravating to use only Rental Pokémon, but I did it. I completed Stadium, and since I was 'bored' again, I cleared that file. It wasn't as sad, but I still shouldn't have done it.
Then, Gold, Silver, and Crystal came out. It was a shock to hear that they were compatible with Red, Blue, and Yellow. I don't remember having any one particular file that was absolutely completed in Johto, since I preferred the original. So, moving on with my story.
Ruby and Sapphire came. I purchased Ruby, and spent a bit over 200 hours on it. Guess what? I found a temporary friend, used them as much as I could to get Kyogre/Latias/starters, and eventually filled up my Hoenn Dex. I trained 4 level 100 Pokémon in my team, and I was able to get 50 Consecutive Wins at the Battle Tower. Good times.
Well, I was getting 'bored' again. I was quite hesitant to start over, since I had already experienced horrible things when I did. I begged maodaidoji to keep me from starting over, but.. I couldn't help it. There was nothing else to do. At the time, I didn't know about Pokémon Box (that or I refused to pay more money for anything Hoenn-relevant, since I dislike the new generation). I also had no intention of purchasing Pokémon Colosseum.
CLEARED. You know what happened? I was so mad at my lost work, and I decided to purchase Sapphire. There, I had all the versions in my collection except for Silver (which I never plan on getting unless I find it at an incredibly cheap price). I had another file that was quite impressive, but I don't remember exactly what the situation was that made me clear it again.
Well anyway, I decided to get Pokémon Box. Absolutely BLISS. From now on, guilt free restarts. I've taken advantage of it, and it's great seeing how much you can get in your National Dex. I'm still waiting for the day that I can officially get Ho-oh (working on that in my new Colosseum) and Lugia (which I hear is possible these days, actually, other than XD). And believe you me, I'm NOT restarting my best files (currently being LeafGreen, and soon Ruby again).
I hope this will help others. Just remember to ENJOY playing Pokémon!