[spoiler] Storyline changes
* Both Team Magma and Team Aqua are featured as the villainous teams, each stirring trouble at different stages in the game. The objective of each team, to awaken Groudon and Kyogre, respectively, is eventually fulfilled.
* Rayquaza is prominent plot-wise, awakened in order to stop the destructive battle between Groudon and Kyogre. It is the one out of the four ancient Pokémon that can be captured prior to the Elite Four challenge, while still at the same place and at the same high level as in Ruby and Sapphire. [/spoiler]
Combine stories, mix in a little of the newest legendary, make a game people will buy to get the 'other half' of the first game.
[spoiler] Gameplay changes
* Groudon and Kyogre are captured at new locations and at higher levels.
* The Regis' puzzles are somewhat different, though the same in principle. [/spoiler]
Most players COMPLAIN when legendaries are at higher levels. You said that's why HeartGold was bad. >.> Also, see puzzle notation.
Also this part sounds like it actually sucks compared to the other two.
[spoiler]Unlike Ruby and Sapphire, trade restrictions between games are in place. Trading with Ruby and Sapphire as well as with another Emerald only allows trading of Pokémon indigenous to Hoenn while the player possesses only the country's regional Pokédex, while the National Pokédex is required to trade with FireRed and LeafGreen and
: Gale of Darkness. This restriction also includes Pokémon eggs from Ruby or Sapphire regardless if it contains a regional Pokémon. However, trading with Colosseum only requires the Hoenn Pokédex regardless of the Pokémon being traded. [/spoiler]
Honestly, it's about as special as Crystal, though it was a fun game, just more of a gimic thing to me. I'm too lazy to list more but honestly I don't see anything
here that makes me think that it is "all that better".
Honestly I purely liked Sapphire because I was able to do my first "one pokemon" playthrough with it. I am pretty sure Emerald can be played the same way.
Then it must be the fact that I feel nostalgia from it and refuse to let it go. Oh well. It WAS like my third ever video game. That I owned myself, that is to say.
I suppose so. Honestly I don't have too many games I can't admit the faults with. I just say I like it and stop trying to justify myself... Like Chrono Trigger.