Pokémon Crystal

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Introduction

About the game

Pokémon Crystal is an enhanced remake of Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver for the Nintendo GameBoy Color. This game features greater player customization, more animations, and additional content.

It later received a re-release for the Nintendo 3DS virtual console, with slight modifications to disable certain virtual console functions and to enable trading between 3DS systems and to the then current line up of Pokémon games.

Differences

If you started playing Pokémon before playing this game, understand that there are a few major differences between this generation and others.

Fairy typing for Pokémon did not exist this generation. Many Pokémon that become Fairy type in generation six onwards are simply Normal type in this game.
This generation introduced Dark and Steel type Pokémon, adding important counters to many types, especially Psychic type.

Options

Starting the game givers the player two choices, "NEW GAME" and "OPTION".

"OPTION" contains a number of graphical and quality of life features. It is highly recommended that the player makes some adjustments here.

The Option menu includes:

Text Speed: Controls how quickly text is displayed.
Battle Scene: Turns battle animations on and off.
Battle Style: Lets the player elect to choose whether or not they want to change Pokémon after fainting in battle.
- Shift: This is the default option and allows the player to swap Pokémon more often in battle, giving the player an edge.
- Set: Somewhat more difficult, which may or may not be desirable. It makes the game more fair to the computer player and can streamline the battle experience.
The player may choose between Mono and Stereo audio.
- Mono is the default choice, and is what should be used if playing on an original Game Boy Color, or on a Game Boy Player equipped GameCube on a Mono speaker TV.
- Stereo is ideal for playing on a Game Boy Color with headphones, a GameCube with GameBoy Player and Stereo speaker Television, or a Nintendo 3DS.
Print settings only applies to gamers using the Game Boy printer accessory.
Menu account: Displays a small tooltip for each option when the in-game menu is open.
Frame: Allows the player to select one of eight decorative window frames for notifications and text boxes.

When ready choose cancel (Despite the name, your settings will be saved.) or press B to return to the menu and select New Game.

New Game

The game will ask if you are a boy or a girl, which determines the gender of the player character. This is mainly cosmetic. The player is then asked to set the time of the in game clock. You should probably set this to match your real world time.

Afterwards, Professor Oak introduces himself to the player and briefly explains the setting of the game. The player is then able to introduce themselves in turn by giving a name, either by entering a custom name or by choosing one of 4 presets. Custom names can be up to seven characters (Letters) long. Names can include both upper and lower case letters, as well as a few symbols, though not Arabic numerals.

The player is now able to begin the game in earnest, starting in the room of the player character. At this point the player character can now be moved, and the in game menu can now be accessed. This is a good time to save the game progress.

The room offers a good place to experiment with the game controls. Here are some things one can do to acclimate themselves to the game control scheme here:

Inspect the radio to listen to a broadcast.
Inspect the PC to manage item storage and room decorations.
Inspect the television or bookcase for flavor text.
Inspect the town map to see the regional map. The name is slightly misleading: This map is a map of the towns in the region, not a detailed map of any specific towns.

In the upper right hand corner of the room is are some stairs. Walk down the stairs to descend to the first floor where the mother of the player character is waiting at the table. Speak to her to learn about Professor Elm, as well as to receive the Pokégear. The Pokégear is essentially a PDA with phone functions, and could be compared to a smartphone from the 2010's or 2020's in terms of in game purpose. Initially the Pokégear functions solely as a mobile phone, though later on additional functions can be earned.

Talk to the other person in the room for some flavor text, and then head out through the red tiles in the southeast corner of the room, leading to New Bark Town.

Questions

In the late 1990's and early 2000's, consumer mobile phones were a new and emerging technology. Does the Pokégear represent a cultural zeitgeist about mobile phones of the time? How does it compare with later developments in mobile phones and smart devices?
The room of the player features a radio, a television, a desktop computer, and other amenities. This is a fairly accurate depiction of a middle to upper class bedroom of the era. How does it compare to a modern bedroom today? What appliances are still present, and what have been merged into other devices or been eliminated?

Beginnings in New Bark Town

Exploring New Bark Town (Optional)

New Bark town is a sleepy rural town with little to see.

South of the player home is the house where the family of Professor Elm lives.

To the southwest is a generic house.

The real attraction of the town is the Elm Pokémon Lab in the northwest corner of the town. Currently a man with long red hair is sulking in a nook next to the building. Try talking to him if desired, he'll just shove you a substantial distance away when he notices you.

Visiting the Elm Pokémon Lab

When you are ready, enter the lab. Your character will automatically walk to the professor and talk to him. Professor Elm will ask the player to raise a Pokémon to help with his research. Elm then gets an email from Mr. Pokémon, and asks you to further help by meeting with him.

Inside you can pick from three different Pokémon: Chikorita (grass type), Cyndaquil (fire type), or Totodile (water type). Every time you select a Pokéball, you'll see a name, picture, and type given. Confirm the one you want to pick once you are sure.

After picking, you'll have the option to nickname the Pokémon. Nicknaming the Pokémon is a good idea if you want to make it a main party member. The gender of the Pokémon is shown on the upper left of the naming screen.

The player character will then automatically walk to Professor Elm, who explains that Mr. Pokémon lives past Cherrygrove City, a nearby settlement.

No matter which you pick, your Pokémon will be holding a berry, a nice held item. Before you leave the lab, Elm's assistant will stop you to give you a potion for your journey.

Before you leave New Bark Town, there are some optional dialogues you can partake in. Check the lower left bookshelves of the Elm Pokémon Lab for travel tips. Talk to townsfolk if desired, then head on.

When you are ready, go west and enter Route 29.

Items

Potion: Get this from the assistant in Prof. Elm's lab.

Pokemon

Chikorita: Pick from the three Starter Pokémon in Prof. Elm's lab. [MDN] (M=Morn;D=Day;N=Nite)
Cyndaquil: Pick from the three Starter Pokémon in Prof. Elm's lab. [MDN]
Totodile: Pick from the three Starter Pokémon in Prof. Elm's lab. [MDN]

Questions

Is having a rural lab conductive to some kinds of scientific research? Why?
Email was a new and exciting technology for the general public at the time of release. If this game was released today, what technology would be showcased instead to excite the audience?

Exploring Route 29

Introduction

This is the first of the many routes you will discover in the game. It is relatively safe and straightforward, and makes a good training area for beginners. On the other end of it lies your goal, Cherrygrove City.

Training on the Way

Currently you do not have access to Pokéballs, so right now focus on training up your Pokémon and getting through to the next area. Beat about three Pokémon to raise the level of your starter to level 6. Defeat some more to reach level 7 with relative ease.

If you need to heal, you can head back to New Bark Town to use the healing machine in the Elm Pokémon Lab, use a healing item, or push on to Cherrygrove City to heal there.

Walkthrough

Snake through the ledges to reach Cherrygrove City. In the upper right of the map, a free potion item can be found.

Midway through the route is a northern gatehouse with leads to Route 46. This is a mountainous road with sheer cliffs and can not be traversed from this direction, so simply keep on route 29. Instead continue and forage from a berry tree which can be found in the upper left for a berry. Continue west from here to reach Cherrygrove City.

Route Info

Items

Potion: In the top righthand corner of Route 29.
Berry: Berries are found in berry trees throughout the Game.
Pink Bow: Get from a person, only after winning one badge and only on Tuesday. Powers up Normal-type Pokémon.

Wild Pokémon

Hoothoot - Nite
Ratatta - Nite

Welcome to Cherrygrove City

Introduction

Cherrygrove City is a small city on the sea. It is the first city with major facilities.

Speak to the old man near the entrance of the city named "Guide gent" to receive a basic tour of the city. At the end of the tour he leads you to his house and gives you the Map Card. This expands the Poke gear to add a map.

Optionally pay a visit to any of the houses in the city to receive friendly advice.

The Cherrygrove City Pokémart

During the first visit, the Cherrygrove City Pokémart is out of Pokéballs. You start the game with 3000 (Pokédollars / Pokémon Dollars).

Their stock is as follows:


Item	Purpose	Cost
Potion	Healing Pokémon Manually	300
Antidote	Healing Poison Manually	100
Paralyz heal	Healing Paralysis Manually	200
Awakening	Awakening sleeping Pokémon manually.	300

Pokémon Center

The Pokémon Center offers free healing and PC access. The communication center is not yet available during the first visit to Cherrygrove City.

Questions

Expansion cards were once common in laptops and PDAs. What technological changes since the 1990s have made such systems generally obsolete? Where are mobile expansion and software cards still used?
Cherrygrove City is often said to be based on Nagoya, Japan. Do these cities have similarities?

The real life Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Japan.
A real life add on card used to add GPS/mapping functionality to a device.

Exploring Route 30

Introduction

Route 30 leads to Violet City, but at the moment it is more important for containing the house of Mr. Pokémon.

Walkthrough

Finding Mr. Pokémon

At the first fork in the route there is a house. Speak to the man inside to receive a berry. Check the berry tree outside his house for another berry.

Head through the right fork in the route and grab the antidote on the left corner. The route to the northwest is blocked by a Pokémon battle, so head to the northeast route.

Head through the grass and reach a house. Shake the berry tree to receive a psncureberry, a natural antidote.

Enter the house to be greeted by Mr. Pokémon. He will give the player a mystery egg, which had been given to him by the Pokémon daycare. Mr. Pokémon explains that Professor Elm specializes in Pokémon evolution and introduces you to Professor Oak properly. Professor Oak then asks the player for help cataloguing Pokemon, and gives the player character a Pokédex. Professor Oak then exists to head to Goldenrod City.

Mr. Pokémon will offer healing for your Pokémon. You can optionally poke around his house to see descriptions of foreign items and broken computers: Environmental storytelling which paints Mr. Pokémon as a eccentric collector.

Head out of the house, and Professor Elm will call the player over the phone in a hysterical message, asking the player to return immediately.

Backtrack and just as you pass through Cherrygrove City, the shady Red Haired man who was hanging out by the Elm Pokémon Lab earlier will run into you, insult you, and start a fight.

Battle against ???

??? is the listed name of this man. He stole the Pokémon which has a type advantage against your Pokémon. Fortunately it is too early in the game for this to be a major factor, as his Pokémon is only level 5. By now your Pokémon should be about level 8 or so, which should allow you to win with just a few tackles.

Winning this battle nets a cool 300 pokedollars and a significant chunk of EXP.

Return to New Bark Town

The trainer runs off, so continue along the path back to New Bark Town. Enter the lab to find a police officer interviewing Professor Elm. Apparently the trainer you just fought drew out the scientists by creating a distracting loud noise to draw them out of the lab, then rushing in to steal a Pokémon. The police officer will ask you for his name, and you can give nay name you like. The police officer will thank you for your help and leave.

Speak to Professor Elm to report your finding from Mr. Pokémon. Professor Elm is taken aback and encourages you to become a trainer and try for champion, starting with Violet City gym. Before you go, Elm encourages you to speak with the mother of player character.

As you leave the lab, the aide will stop the player to gift them 5 poke balls. Speak with the mother of the player character to let her know what you are doing. She will offer to save your money for you, which you can accept or decline. This can be changed any time with a phone call.

Catching Pokémon

Return to where Mr. Pokémon's house was. Along the way you have the option to catch Pokémon should you find any interesting Pokémon. At the start of Route 29 person named "Dude" will approach you and offer to show you how to catch Pokémon. Whenever you catch a Pokémon, it's data is added to the pokédex. Wild Pokémon you have already caught will display a pokéball in the upper left of the battle screen. Pokéballs can now be purchased from Pokémarts for 200 pokédollars each.

Battling Youngster Joey

When you reach the fork that leads to Mr. Pokémon's house, head west instead. If you follow the path, you'll be challenged by Youngster Joey - a trainer who just recently lost a battle. Joey has a single level 4 male Ratatta. It knows tail whip, a move which lowers the defense of your Pokémon, and tackle, a basic move that deals damage. It knows tail whip, a move which lowers the defense of your Pokémon, and tackle to deal damage. Defeat him to gain 48 experience points and 64 pokédollars.

After the battle, talk to Youngster Joey if you want to share your phone number with him.

Battling Youngster Mikey

Head past the ledge to be challenged by another trainer - Youngster Mikey. Youngster Mikey has a level 2 Pidgey, which can be defeated with a single tackle. This gains 22 exp. His second Pokémon is a level 4 Ratatta which knows tackle and tail whip just like the Ratatta of Youngster Joey. As a result this battle is only slightly more challenging then the battle with Youngster Joey. Beat it for 48 exp, and to win the battle for 64 pokédollars.

Battling with Bug Catcher Don

Head north to encounter a ledge, be too close to the edge and you'll encounter Bug Catcher Don, who has two Pokémon, both level 3 male Caterpie who yield 33 exp each when defeated. Win the battle to gain 48 Pokébucks. Continue heading north to reach Route 31.

Wild Pokémon

Hoothoot - Night
Poliwag - Night
Caterpie - Morning
Weedle - Morning

Questions

Distraction tactics are common in thefts. What steps can be taken to reduce such thefts?

Exploring Route 31

Walkthrough

The path splits to the east and west, with the east featuring tall grass and the west featuring a paved path. The paved path is currently blocked, so head into the grass instead.

At the end of the grass lies the entrance to the Dark Cave. While it could technically be navigated, doing so in the pitch black darkness would be difficult. Hang near the entrance to catch the Pokémon Geodude if desired, but don't let the dim light of the cavern entrance leave your screen to make getting back out easier. Check out the item ball by the entrance to gain a potion.

Head west to find a berry tree that grows confusing curing bitter berries.

Bug Catcher Wade

Head down south of the ledge to encounter Bug Catcher Wade. Before starting this battle, consider putting a weaker Pokemon in front to gain some experience in this relatively easy battle. An antidote may come in handy during or following this battle.

Wade starts with a level 2 male Caterpie. It knows tackle. Defeat it to earn 22 exp. He follows it up with an identical Caterpie.

Following that is his ace, a level 3 male Weedle. It knows the move poison sting, so consider using a poison type such as your own Weedle if you have one to safely dispatch it. Defeat it to earn 33 exp.

It's followed by one last Pokémon, a level 2 male Caterpie. Beat it to earn 22 more exp and 32. Talk to Wade again and he will ask for your phone number. Wade will call about bug catching contests, and will also call to offer you berries he found.

Continuing to Violet City

Just south of Wade is a free pokéball. Head northwest to reach the gatehouse to Violet City, "The City of Nostalgic Scents".

Pokémon

Bellsprout - Morning
Hoppip
Pidgey
Spinarak - Nite

Welcome to Violet City

Exploring Town

Just north of the gatehouse is a Pokémon center. Head in and heal up. Talk with some of the NPCs to learn more about the events of the previous game.

Trading for Rickey the Onix

In the bottom left of the city, there is a traditional looking house. A person inside offers to trade a Bellsprout for an Onix. Bellsprout can easily be caught on the prior route so it's a decent offer, especially if you want a rock type and didn't get one in the Dark Cave. Even though the game says to connect a game link cable, it's not needed. The Onix is named Rickey and is holding a bitter berry.

Earl's Pokémon Academy

Head north of the Pokémon Center to find Earl's Pokémon Academy. Read the notes on the notebook or on the blackboard to gain some tips about battle if desired.

At first, Earl is missing from the building. To find him, go to the gym exterior to find a spinning man in a green shirt with a strange way with words. He will ask "Battle GYM LEADER, win you did?". Say no and he will take you to the Pokémon School. If "Want to be a winner is you?" sounds good, then go inside to optionally ask him for more tips.

Sprout Tower

This swaying tower is home to a number of trainers, as well as some lore.

Pokémart

When you first arrive here, the Pokémart has the following items.

Item	Purpose	Cost
Poké Ball	Catching Pokémon.	200
Potion	Healing Pokémon Manually	300
Escape Rope	Used for escaping certain areas.	550
Antidote	Healing Poison Manually	100
Paralyz heal	Healing Paralysis Manually	200
Awakening	Awakening sleeping Pokémon manually.	300
X Defend	Increases defense in battle temporarily.	550
X Attack	Increases attack in battle temporarily.	500
X Speed	Increases speed in battle temporarily.	350
Flower Mail	Used for sending mail.	50

Other

In the house west of the Pokémart, you can get advice about naming Pokémon.

South of town is a berry tree with a przcureberry.

Further south is Route 32 which leads to the ruins of Alph and the next city.

The Gym

Facing Falkner

The Violet City Gym

Enter the gym when you are ready. The trainers in this gym use flying types, and are lead by Falkner, who is "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokemon" according to the sign outside of the gym.

Gym Tips

Notably rock type Pokémon will have an advantage, and grass type Pokémon will have a disadvantage. If you have trouble, Rickey the Onyx, even at level 5, can easily take hits thanks to it's type advantage. However it will do so slowly since it will not know any super effective moves.

There are three trainers in this gym who must be battled sequentially, but not necessarily consecutively. You can leave at any point and return with all your progress retained, so it's easy to visit a Pokémon center between battles if needed.

If you chose Cyndaquil then at level 12 it will learn ember, its first fire type move. Though it's not strong against flying types, it is a relatively powerful move for this part of the game.

Bird Keeper Abe

Head forward to be challenged by Bird Keeper Abe. Abe uses a single level 9 male Spearow, which knows peck.

Beat him to gain 55 exp and 216.

Bird Keeper Rod

Next up is Bird Keeper Rod. Rod starts out with a level 7 male Pidgey that knows Tackle. He follows this with an identical Pidgey.

Defeat him for 168.

Gym Leader Falkner

Heal up if needed before you face Falkner.

Falkner starts out by sending out a level 7 male Pidgey. Defeat it for 82 exp.

His next Pokémon is his ace, a level 9 male Pidgeotto. This is the evolved form of Pidgey and is a bit more powerful. Defeat it for 217 exp.

Beating Falkner gives you the Zephyrbadge, which raises the attack power of Pokémon. It also enables the use of the utility HM move Flash.

Further rewards for beating Falkner include TM31, which is a consumable item that teaches a Pokémon the move Mud-Slap. Finally, the battle gives the player a cool 900.

Leaving the Gym

Leave the Gym to receive a call from Professor Elm, who reports a curious discovery about the Pokémon Egg. He has sent his assistant to the Violet City Pokémon center for you to meet.

Head into the Pokémon Center, and be sure to first deposit one Pokémon in the PC if you currently have a full team of 6. Talk to the assistant by the counter, and the assistant will offer a Pokemon egg. The game doesn't force you to accept, so you can say no for some humorous dialogue. However accepting is only to your benefit, so talk to him to receive a Pokémon Egg. Once the egg has been accepted, the assistant will run off. Heal up if needed, then head to Sprout Tower.

Questions

Falkner inherited his team from his father, and is the weakest Gym Leader. Is this a coincidence, or are these character traits related?
Professor Elm sends his assistant to give the player character an Pokémon egg since he believes the egg must be around active Pokémon to hatch. Is this similar to real natural phenomena?

Climbing Sprout Tower

Walkthrough

When you are ready, enter Sprout Tower and climb the first set of stairs.

Sage Nico

The first trainer encountered is Sage Nico, who can be avoided with luck. However it's best to face him for the experience.

He starts with a level 3 male Bellsprout, which gives 54 exp when defeated.

He follows with a second level 3 male Bellsprout, which gives 54 exp when defeated.

He ends with a level 3 male Bellsprout, which gives 54 exp when defeated.

Winning the battle earns 96.

Head right to reach some stairs back down to the first level. Head south to find a item ball containing a free PARLYZ HEAL. Stay on the floor and head west.

Sage Chow

You will be spotted by Sage Chow, who uses three level 3 male Bellsprouts. Beat them earn 54 exp each, 96, as well as an awkward thank you from Sage Chow.

Go south to head back upstairs from a different point.

Head north to find an item ball with a free X ACCURACY.

Sage Edmond

Head south to potentially encounter Sage Edmond. To avoid him go all the way south before turning right. Edmond has three level 3 male Bellspout. Beat them for 54 exp each, and 96 total.

Continue east and head up the stairs. Head immediately east to open an item ball containing a potion.

Head up the central path to face a gauntlet of sages.

Sage Jin

First up is Sage Jin, who has a single Pokémon - a level 6 male Bellsprout. This may require a slight change in strategy, from sweeping weak teams to countering a strong Pokémon. This Bellsprout knows Growth, a move which raises its special attack, and knows Vine Whip as it's attacking move.

Beat it to gain 108 exp and 192. Talk to Sage Jin after winning for a tidbit about personal growth.

Sage Neal

Sage Neal hypes up the HM here before you fight him, describing its utility in lighting dark places.

Sage Neal has a single level 6 male Bellsprout, which knows Vine Whip.

Beat it to gain 108 exp and 192.

Sage Troy

Go left and up from Sage Neal to optionally trigger a battle with Sage Troy. Doing this does not open a path forward, but it may earn experience.

Sage Troy has a level 7 male Bellsprout, the strongest so far. It knows Growth to raise it's special attack and vine whip.

Beat it to get 126 exp.

Sage Troy follows up with a level 7 male HootHoot. Beat it to get 87 exp.

You'll get 224 for winning the battle.

Sage Li

Go right around the pillar to see a fight break out between your rival and the elder. The elder gives your rival an HM, but scolds him for his harsh style. Your rival will bump into you and espouse his philosophy, then use an escape rope to leave immediately. In game design, this is teaching mechanics by showing, rather then telling. You can get your own free escape rope by examining the item ball in the upper right corner of the floor.

Speak to the elder, Sage Li, when you are ready to begin a battle.

Sage Li has three Pokémon, starting with a level 7 male Bellsprout. It knows Vine Whip. Beat it for 126 EXP.

Sage Li follows with a level 10 male HootHoot. It knows tackle. Beat it for 123 EXP.

Sage Li ends with a level 7 male Bellsprout. Beat it for 126 EXP.

At the end of the battle Sage Li awards the player character 320, as well as the HM Flash (HM05).

Leave the tower to continue onwards.

Pokémon

Unusually for a building, wild Pokémon can be encountered inside above the ground level.

Ghastly - Level ~4

Questions

The sages here wear robes and have shaved heads. Are there real positions which have this dress code?
Sage Nico says the flexible pillar affords the tower a degree of protection from earthquakes. Do real buildings use such techniques?
Sage Chow mentions they honor all Pokémon. However the sages mostly use Bellsprout. Is this a contradiction?
Sage Chow mentions that all life coexists through cooperation. Does this match a real life philosophy?

About

About this Wikibook

This Wikibook was created in 2006 by an IP user. Shortly thereafter it was deleted.

It was restored in 2021 and developed further from that point.