Pokémon Giratina Strikes Back is an action role-playing game developed for the Game Boy Advance. Players start with one Pokémon and can capture additional Pokémon using Poké Balls. The game features turn-based battles where players can select moves, use items, or switch Pokémon. Defeated Pokémon earn experience points, enabling them to level up and potentially evolve into more powerful forms.
Players begin the game with one Pokémon, and can capture more using Poké Balls. They can also use their Pokémon to battle other Pokémon. When the player encounters a wild Pokémon or is challenged by a trainer to a battle, the screen switches to a turn-based battle screen where the Pokémon fight.
During battle, the player may use a move, use an item, switch their active Pokémon, or flee, although fleeing is not an option in battles against trainers. All Pokémon have hit points (HP); when a Pokémon's HP is reduced to zero, it faints and cannot battle until it is revived.
If the player's Pokémon defeats the opposing Pokémon (causes it to faint), it receives experience points. After accumulating enough experience points, it will level up; most Pokémon evolve into a new species of Pokémon when they reach a certain level.