Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Release Date: Gamestop, Best Buy, Toysrus

Nov 23, 2014 01:17 AM EST

Gamers have devoured Pokémon games for decades, and November 21st, 2014 is the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS.  Last year, there were many stores and fan groups organizing events for Pokémon X and Y.  This year, many retail stores will be up late tonight for a midnight release for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (together known as Pokémon ORAS), and there is going to be some parties.

Gamestop plans to be open at midnight, and they are offering an exclusive poster.  On one side of the poster will be Mega Diancie while the other side will be Groudon and Kyogre, who are the main Pokémon in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, respectively. 

Toys R Us is planning to take the free bonus gift to the next level.  If you purchase both Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, you will receive one of two Pokémon plush toys which include Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y. 

As for big giant retailers like Target and Wal-Mart, you are going to have to give your local outlet a call.  These stores might not do midnight release parties, but they can still be a good place to go to get the latest game. 

As for more information on release parties for Pokémon ORAS, head over to Bulbapedia to see a list of Pokemon ORAs parties by state and store location.

Speaking of the latest game, another popular game is going to be released with Super Smash Brothers for the Wii U.  The game is known for taking popular Nintendo characters and pitting them against each other, and many of the Pokémon ORAS parties listed on Bulbapedia also feature Super Smash Brothers tournaments as part of their release party events. 

In case you can't decide what version of Pokémon Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire to buy, the International Business Times has created a preview list describing the main differences between the games.   For example, both versions of the game have exclusive Pokémons with Omega Ruby having Latios, Mawile, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Solrock and Zangoose, while Alpha Sapphire has Latias, Sableye, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Lunatone and Serviper.  There are also reports of each game having different Mega Stones. 

One of the big differences between Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is the legendries each one has.  These differences are the reason for the Pokémon depictions on the Gamestop deal.  Groudon from Omega Ruby is a Ground type Pokémon while Kyogre from Alpha Sapphire is a water type.  There are also different rival teams with Omega Ruby players fire-based with Team Magma while Alpha Sapphire is Team Aqua, which is water-based. 

The one thing that is the same in both Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is the plotline.  Granted, Team Magma will use Fire Pokémon to capture Groudon in Omega Ruby, but Alpha Sapphire will show Team Aqua using Water Pokémon to capture Kyogre. 

If this new Pokémon ORAS game is something you want, then check your local store to see if a midnight release party is happening.