



Pokémon Red & Blue FAQs



Can I trade U.S. Pokémon with the Japanese Pokémon?

No, the U.S. version and Japanese version of Pokémon are not compatible. Do not connect the Game Link Cable to a Game Boy system containing a different language version of Pokémon. Doing so may cause the loss of your saved game data.



What is the difference between the Red version and Blue version?

The only difference is what Pokémon you can find in the game. The story, bosses, item locations, and gameplay are all identical in both versions.



How is the Yellow version different than the Red & Blue versions?

The games are essentially the same, but the Yellow version has a slightly different storyline. Professor Oak gives you Pikachu as your first Pokémon. You can look at Pikachu at any time, and it's mood changes throughout the game. Gym leaders use different Pokémon and new strategies, and wild Pokémon are hidden in different areas. The Pokémon you can find in the game are different than in the Red & Blue versions. Also, three new battle modes are available for two players who each have the Pokémon Yellow cartridge.



Excluding the Yellow version, which Pokémon are exclusively available in each version of the game?

The following Pokémon are available in the Blue version of the game, but not in the Red: Bellsprout, Magmar, Meowth, Ninetails, Persian, Pinsir, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Victreebell, Vulpix, Weepinbell.



The following Pokémon are available in the Red version of the game, but not the Blue: Arbok, Arcanine, Electabuzz, Ekans, Gloom, Growlithe, Mankey, Oddish, Primeape, Scyther, Vileplume.



Are there any new Pokémon in the Yellow version?

All Pokémon in the Yellow version can be found in the Red & Blue versions, but the following Pokémon are not available in the Yellow version: Ekans, Arbok, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Meowth, Persian, Jynx, Koffing, Weezing, Electabuzz, Magmar.



Which Pokémon only evolve when traded?

Kadabra, Haunter, Graveler and Machoke must be traded to evolve.



Can I trade U.S. Pokémon with the Japanese Pokémon?

No, the U.S. version and Japanese version of Pokémon are not compatible. Do not connect the Game Link Cable to a Game Boy system containing a different language version of Pokémon. Doing so may cause the loss of your saved game data.



Does the level 100 code from the Japanese version work in the US version?

No, that code only works on the Japanese version of the game.



Why wont this Pokémon fight me again?

You only have one chance to defeat and capture the following Pokémon: Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos and Mewtwo. You only have two chances to defeat and capture Snorlax.



When I try to attack with my Pokémon, it just ignores me. Why wont my Pokémon obey me?

The Pokémon's level is too high for you to control it. Until you get the corresponding Badge for its level, you will not be able to control it.



How can I catch another Trainers Pokémon?

You cannot catch another Trainer's Pokémon. You can only catch a Pokémon that you encounter in the wild.



I tried to catch a Pokémon and I couldnt because my box is full. What should I do?

Go to a Poké Center and change the box you're using to transfer your Pokémon.



Im having a hard time catching this Pokémon. What can I do to make it easier?

Here are some tips to help you catch Pokémon:



Try putting the Pokémon to sleep. A sleeping Pokémon is easier to catch. In order to do this, you must have a Pokémon that uses an attack that puts other Pokémon to sleep. An example of this type of attack is Hypnosis. Some Pokémon cannot be caught while they are asleep, but after waking up, they will be weaker. Also, try using a combination of Balls. If one Ball wont work, try using a weaker one. As a last resort, follow these steps to easily catch a Pokémon with any type of Ball:



1. Get into a battle with any Pokémon.



2. Use any type of Ball on the Pokémon. If you have difficulty using normal Poké Balls, try more powerful ones to increase your chances even more.



3. As soon as you see the Ball explode, press and hold the B Button. The timing for this is very important. You must press B just as the Ball explodes, which can be difficult.



4. After the ball wobbles for the second time, release the B Button and the Pokémon should be captured.This trick will not work every time, but it will increase your chances of catching the Pokémon. It is not necessary to do any damage to the Pokémon. Some, like Mewtwo and Zapdos, will have to be put to sleep before the Ball will hit them.



What does Area Unknown mean in my Pokédex?

That means that there is no known location to find that Pokémon, and it may have to be evolved from another Pokémon.





Can I stop my Pokémon from evolving? Will they be able to evolve later?

Yes, just press the B Button while they are changing to stop the evolution. As the Pokémon continues to gain levels, it will attempt to evolve again.



What does the little Poké Ball next to a Pokémon in the Pokédex mean? Why does the game say I own more than I have?

The Ball represents the fact that you have had a particular Pokémon in your possession, either by capturing it or by evolving a different Pokémon. It does not necessarily mean that you currently have access to that Pokémon.



What is the maximum level a Pokémon can reach?

The maximum level a Pokémon can reach is 100.



After getting a badge, the Trainer told me that I can use Flash/Cut/etc.How do I use it?

You must first find the related HM.



How can I get more money after defeating all of the other Trainers?

You can get more money by using Pay Day in battle. You can learn this by using TM16. You can also try fighting the Elite Four again to gain more money and experience.



What is the difference between normal and boosted experience?

Only traded Pokémon will gain boosted experience. They get about one and a half times the experience a normal Pokémon would get. Traded Pokémon grow faster, but they are weaker.



How do I use the Computer?

You'll find the Computer located on the right side of every Pokémon Center. You can use it to store items and Pokémon. You can hold twenty items in your personal inventory, and your Computer can hold fifty items.



How many Pokémon can I get without trading with anyone?

The maximum number of Pokémon available in each version is 139. Four of these, however, must be traded to another Game Pak (of either color) in order to change into its next form. This maximum number also includes all of the Pokémon that must be chosen. In the beginning of the game, for example, you must choose between three different Pokémon. All three of these Pokémon are included in the number even though you can only pick one of them.



How many are on one Game Pak?

The maximum number of Pokémon that can obtained without trading on one Game Pak is 124.



What happens when you get all 150 Pokémon?

When you get all 150 Pokémon, you are awarded a Diploma from one of the programmers in Celadon City.



Where is the Diploma, and what is it for?

After finding all 150 Pokémon, go to the top-middle building in Celadon City and speak to all of the people there. One of the people will give you the Diploma for capturing all of the Pokémon. The Diploma is not used for anything in the game.





How do I capture the 151st Pokémon Mew?

Mew is the 151st Pokémon. However, he cannot be found or caught in the U.S. version. The only way we know of to get him is to win the contest in Pokémon Power Issue 6 in Volume 116 (January 1999) of Nintendo Power (it's too late to enter). It's possible there will be other similar contests in the future.



Some players try to access Mew using unlicensed devices like the Game Shark. These accessories are not licensed or approved, we don't recommend using them nor do we support them. The Mew players get using such a product is not the same as the one they get from the real data - it won't have the same power or capabilities, and the game may experience problems that force you to erase your saved data.



You can recognize licensed products by the Official Nintendo Seal of Quality on their packaging.



What difference does the Pokémon type make?

The most important thing about a Pokémon is its attack type. The key to defeating any Pokémon is to use an attack of the type that it is weak against. For instance, a Fire Pokémon will be strong against Ice attacks, but weak against Water attacks. If you attack a Pokémon with the type of attack that it is weak against, you will do more damage. Remember that it is possible for a Pokémon to be two types at the same time. If this is the case, it will have the weaknesses of both and the strengths of both if it has learned both kinds of attacks.



How can I win more coins at the Game Corner (Casino)?

The slot machines in the Game Corner have different odds. Experiment with them to see which one pays out the most frequently, and stick with it.



Why does my screen keep flashing while I am walking around?

One of your Pokémon has either been poisoned, burned, or frozen. To fix this, you must return to a Pokémon Center and heal it, or give it an appropriate cure. If you do not heal it, it will keep being damaged and eventually faint.



Who is this guy that rates my nicknames? How do I change the nickname of a Pokémon?

You can speak to the official name rater in the bottom-middle building in Lavender Town and he will allow you to change the name of any Pokémon for which you are the original trainer.



Why does Pokémon have only one save file?

The game reserves a spot in its memory for each of the 150 Pokémon. This infor-mation coupled with your game progress uses virtually all of the available space that the battery save can hold, leaving no room for an extra save file.



Can I still catch Pokémon after I beat the game, or does the game end?

After defeating the Elite Four, you will see an ending, and the game will restart with you outside of your house. You can continue to play and catch more Pokémon, without the need to start over.





I have been hearing about some new Pokémon called Pikablue, Pokégods, etc. Where can I find them?

Due to the popularity of this game, many rumors have surfaced on the internet concerning Pokémon. There are only 151 Pokémon in the game, and only 150 of those can be found. The 151st Pokémon is Mew and can only be put on the game by someone who has it. Many of the rumors on the internet are just that - rumors.



Where can I get the Kinesis ability?

The Player's Guide lists this as an ability in the game, but at this time we have no info on what Pokémon learn this, or where it can be found.



How come the man on Cinnabar Island says the Raichu I traded him evolved?

There is no way to get Raichu to evolve. This is a misprint in the game.



I found MissingNO, Pokémon #000 and now my graphics are messed up. What can I do?

When players capture MissingNO, their game can perform strangely, and the graphics will often become scrambled. The MissingNO Pokémon is most often found if the player incorrectly performs the Fight Safari Zone Pokémon trick. To fix the scrambled graphics, try releasing the MissingNO Pokémon. If the problem persists, the only solution at this time is to re-start the game (this means erasing your current game and starting a brand new one).



What is the Fight Safari Zone Pokémon trick?

This trick allows you to fight and catch the Safari Zone Pokémon outside of the Safari Zone. Here's how it works:



1. First, you must have a Pokémon with the Surf Ability.



2. Enter the Safari Zone and go to the area where the Pokémon you are trying to catch is found. Stay in the section until your time runs out.



3. Go to the Seafoam Islands by Surfing south of Fuchsia City. Make sure you do not encounter any enemies on the way, or the trick will not work. This does not include the Pokémon in the water on the way there.



4. At the edge of the islands, there is a strip of the screen that is half land, and half water. Surf on this section and just keep going up and down on it. When you encounter an enemy, it will be the Pokémon from the Safari Zone section you just left. This time though, you will be able to fight them and use the other Balls on them.



Note: Using this trick in other areas may cause the Missing No Quirk. If the directions are followed, it will work.



How come this man wont let me walk past?

If you go to the top of Viridian City, there will be a cranky old man who will not let you pass. This is another of the RPG elements of the game. In order to get past this man, you must give the package to Prof Oak and get the Pokédex. Once you have the Pokédex, if you return to this old man, he will now let you pass.







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