Infrared

Revision as of 15:59, 21 May 2016 by Unowninator (talk | contribs) (→‎Generation I: No they don't; they use wireless connection to connect. No infrared at all.)

The infrared (Japanese: 赤外線通信 infrared communication) feature allows communication between the Pokémon games and certain accessories. It was first used in the Generation I spin-off game Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Infrared interaction between a Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS and a Game Boy Color

Core series games

Generation II

In Generation II, the infrared port at the top of the Game Boy Color allows players to obtain Mystery Gifts via Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS or other Game Boy Colors.

Generation IV

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, an infrared sensor on the game card is used to communicate with the Pokéwalker.

Generation V

In Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, the C-Gear has an infrared communication feature and the Multi Battle Lines in the Battle Subway can use infrared for communication; this is used to quickly identify which player will be communicated with, after which DS Wireless Communications are used.

Official tournaments sometimes use infrared for the duration of the battle. Event Pokémon that are distributed using infrared can be obtained multiple times.

Generation VI

In Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the infrared port on the top of the Nintendo 3DS is used to quickly identify which player will be communicated with, after which 3DS Wireless Communications are used.

Official tournaments sometimes use infrared for the duration of the battle. Event Pokémon that are distributed using infrared can be obtained multiple times.

Spin-off games

Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!

In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, players can send and receive cards and deck configurations or perform a Card Pop! between two copies of the same game via infrared, using the Infra-Red Communications Port of two Game Boy Color systems.

Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR! cannot communicate with each other. Attempting to perform a Card Pop! between the two can result in glitches such as a game freeze or a loss of save data in Pokémon Trading Card Game.

All multiplayer features are disabled in the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release of Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Pokémon mini

The video game handheld Pokémon mini has an infrared port that allows some games to participate in multiplayer games with up to 10 players (number of players varies per game).

Pokémon Party mini, Pokémon Zany Cards, Pokémon Tetris, Pokémon Race mini, and Pichu Bros. mini all utilize this feature.

External links


Communications media
Gen I Game Link CableTransfer Pak3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen II  Game Link CableInfraredTransfer Pak
Mobile Game Boy Adapter3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen III Game Link CableWireless AdapterDual-slot mode
Gen IV DS WirelessWi-FiDual-slot modeInfrared
Gen V DS WirelessWi-FiInfrared
Gen VI 3DS WirelessNintendo NetworkInfraredStreetPassSpotPass
Gen VII 3DS Wireless/Switch WirelessNintendo Network
InfraredNintendo Switch OnlineBluetooth
Gen VIII Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online
Gen IX Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online


  This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.