User:Dragoness/Pokédex
- Zukan redirects here. For Japanese figures named after the Pokédex, see Pokémon Zukan figures.
Intro here.
Functions
Overview.
Pokémon are added to the Pokédex simply by encountering them in battle (or a few special exceptions in Gen IV, such as seeing a picture), but detailed entries are not available until the player catches the Pokémon or acquires it in a trade.
Entries
The main feature of any Pokédex are the entries on each individual Pokémon, which provide a lot of detail that would otherwise be unexplored in the games.
Generation I
In Generation I, the entries were simple and each individual section could be accessed directly from the listing. The first, and main part, was called Data, and included an image of the Pokémon, its number, name, species, Height, Weight, and a short blurb. The second part was called Cry, and selecting that would simply play the Pokémon's cry. The last part was called Area, and would display the map, along with flashing indicators at each location where the selected Pokémon could be found. In cases where the Pokémon was not available in the wild, was only available once, or could only be found by fishing or in Cerulean Cave, the message "Area Unknown" would be displayed over the center of the map instead. The Yellow version allowed players to print entries using the Game Boy Printer.
Generation II
Generation II retained the same elements as its predecessor, while adding the Pokémon's footprint to the information, and, like Yellow, allowing players to print entries. Strangely, entries that would normally display "Area Unknown" on the map simply displayed an unmarked map. Unlike Generation I, selecting a Pokémon displayed the entry in a new screen from which the other sections could be selected. This became the norm for each subsequent generation.
Generation III
Generation III did not add anything to the main entry, however, Cry was given its own page, which would display the soundwave as it played. In addition, the Area section was changed to highlight locations instead of marking them. A Size section was added, which displayed silhouettes of the Pokémon and the player character side by side.
FireRed and LeafGreen displayed entries in a much different format from Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. It was the first Pokédex to actually display a Pokémon's type in its entry, as well as its box sprite. However, the Cry visuals were removed.
Generation IV
Generation IV added numerous features, but of FireRed and LeafGreen's changes, it kept only Type. Area would now change its highlight color depending on whether a Pokémon is found on land or in water, and the player could view the differences between morning, day and night, with the default being the current time. Cry's display returned, with a bar display in addition to the wave display, and the ability to modify the cry via Chorus/Pan, Reverb/Filter and Loop. Weight was added to the Size section, which put the Pokémon and the player character on either side of a balance scale. A new Forms section allowed players to see gender and form differences within species, but only for forms they'd already seen.
HeartGold and SoulSilver changed the formatting again, now by displaying the list on the lower screen and the actual entry on the top screen. Cry's page was again removed. By selecting to view details, players could view Area, Size and Forms. Area no longer defaulted to the current time or differentiated between land and water, Size now utilized both screens to display both Height and Weight at the same time, and Forms added a Compare option to see different forms side by side instead of having to scroll between them.
Search
The original Pokédex had no search function.
In Generation II, the ability to search for Pokémon by type was added, as well as the ability to sort by New Pokédex mode, Old Pokédex mode, A to Z mode and Unown mode.
In Ruby and Sapphire, the search function was expanded to allow searches by name and color. Players were also given the option to order Pokémon by Heaviest, Lightest, Tallest, or Smallest. Two modes were available, Hoenn and National. National mode was unlocked via a trade with Kanto or Orre, or in Emerald, defeating the Elite Four.
However, in FireRed and LeafGreen, the search function was dropped altogether, instead choosing to expand the sort functions by adding lists of Pokémon by type and habitat. Heaviest and Tallest orders were also removed. National Mode was unlocked by completing a quest in the Sevii Islands.
Generation IV brought the Search function back, as well as Heaviest and Tallest orders. Habitat was dropped. Searches could now be conducted by Form, but not by Color. The two Pokédex modes were Sinnoh and National. National mode was unlocked by seeing every Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex.
HeartGold and SoulSilver added the ability search by Height and Weight (instead of simply sorting by them), and also allowed search by Area (Johto, Kanto, or Unknown). National Mode was added by talking with Professor Oak after defeating the Elite Four.
Completion
Completing the Pokédex is a common goal of trainers and carries with it much esteem due to its difficulty, which has gradually escalated with each new generation, as each has introduced at least 100 new Pokémon to be found. The in-game rewards are almost always a congratulations from the director's avatar and a certificate.
List of rewards, possibly show off a certificate.
In the Anime
Include appearances, usage, and how it is different from game canon.
In the Manga
Include appearances, usage, and how it is different from game canon.
In the TCG
Include appearances, usage, and how it is different from game canon.
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This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items. |