Goldenrod Radio Tower

Goldenrod Radio Tower コガネラジオとう
Kogane Radio Tower
"Wild Missingno. appeared!"
Goldenrod Radio Tower HGSS.png
Map description: {{{mapdesc}}}
Location: Goldenrod City
Region: Johto
Generations: II, IV
Johto Goldenrod City Map.png
Location of Goldenrod Radio Tower in Johto.
Pokémon world locations

The Goldenrod Radio Tower (Japanese: コガネラジオとう Kogane Radio Tower) is a six-story tower located next to the Magnet Train station in Goldenrod City, the largest city in Johto.

The Radio Tower in Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Goldenrod City Radio Tower
A Network Providing Johto
with Interesting Information

In the games

The Radio Tower broadcasts numerous programs daily, the most prominent of such being Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk and Buena's Password, a new radio show that debuted in Pokémon Crystal. For a short time in Generation II and Generation IV, the tower fell victim to the clutches of Team Rocket, during which time all of the normal broadcasts were replaced with a pirate signal officially announcing Team Rocket's return and pleading Giovanni to return from seclusion.

After the player obtains their seventh Johto Gym Badge, it is necessary to purge the Radio Tower of Team Rocket in order to continue the storyline, because until the Radio Tower has been returned to normal, either the Blackthorn Gym will be closed because Clair is training in the restricted Dragon's DenGSC, or a man selling RageCandyBars will prevent access to Route 44, the eastern path out of Mahogany TownHGSS. After defeating the impostor station manager in the fifth floor office, the player will receive the Basement Key, which opens up a sealed area of the Goldenrod Tunnel. Upon finding the real station manager in the second basement of the Goldenrod Department Store, he will give the player a Card Key to open the door on the third floor that separates the upper floors of the tower in two. With the Card Key in tow, the player can ascend to the fifth floor studio (and the observation deckHGSS) to defeat the final Rocket Executives, effectively disbanding the organization. To show his gratitude, the station manager will give the player a Rainbow WingGHG, a Silver WingSSS, or a Clear BellC.

Before Team Rocket's invasion, a guard will restrict access beyond the second floor to "authorized personnel" only. Thus, the third and subsequent floors of the Radio Tower can only be explored during and after Team Rocket's invasion.

Places of interest

Studios

In Pokémon Gold and Silver, the station had two studios, located on the fourth and fifth floors. A third studio was added in Pokémon Crystal on the second floor, to accommodate Buena's new radio show. In every version, the tower has a welcome center, as well as a computer linked to Bill's PC and the player's personal computer, on the first floor and a small café on the second floor. The technical operations of the tower are handled by way of a network of computers on the third and fourth floors. The Director's office is found on the fifth floor.

Programs

Main article: Radio in the Pokémon world

Many programs are broadcast from the tower, with most being produced in-house.

Program Host(s) Channel (PG) Description Where produced Games
Buena's Password Buena 10.5 Broadcasts one password per night between 6 PM-12 AM; Trainers who come to Buena and recite the password can get points redeemable for prizes. 2nd floor studio C
HGSS
Variety Channel Unknown 10.5 Broadcasts Buena's Password channel with a couple more new features. Aside from the aforementioned channel, there's a few other new channels that are broadcast in different schedules. Unknown HGSS
Lucky Channel Reed 8.5 Broadcasts one ID per week; Trainers who come to the welcome center with a Pokémon whose ID is similar will win a prize. Unknown GSC
Pokémon Music Ben 7.5 Broadcasts different music to different effects depending on the day of the week. 5th floor studio GSC
HGSS
Pokédex Show (no DJ) 4.5
4 AM-10 AM
A show that broadcasts Pokédex entries gathered by the player. Unknown GSC
Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk Mary and Oak 4.5
GSC: 10 AM-4 AM
HGSS: all day
Talk show discussing locations where semi-rare Pokémon can be found. Also speaks about swarms. 4th floor studio GSC
HGSS
Team Rocket's announcement (replaces other broadcasts) Team Rocket Every radio station Plays on every radio station once Team Rocket has succeeded in taking over the Radio Tower. A Team Rocket Executive announces over the airwaves that they have resurfaced, and pleads for their boss, Giovanni, to come out of hiding and rejoin them. Begins playing once the player has obtained seven Badges, and ceases to play when Team Rocket is disbanded. 5th floor studio GSC
HGSS

Items

Item Location Games
  Radio Card 1F, prize for clearing the quiz  G  S  C  HG  SS 
  Blue Card 2F, from Buena  C  HG  SS 
  TM11 (Sunny Day) 3F, from a woman after defeating Team Rocket  G  S  C  HG  SS 
  Ultra Ball 4F, near Proton (requires Card Key)  HG  SS 
  Pink Bow 4F, from Mary after defeating Team Rocket  G  S  C 
  BrightPowder 4F, from Mary after defeating Team Rocket  HG  SS 
  Basement Key 5F, from Petrel after defeating him  G  S  C  HG  SS 
  Ultra Ball 5F, in the studio (requires Card Key)  C 
  Rainbow Wing From the Director after defeating Team Rocket  G  HG 
  Silver Wing From the Director after defeating Team Rocket  S  SS 
  Clear Bell From the Director after defeating Team Rocket  C 

Pokémon Lottery Corner

Main article: Pokémon Lottery Corner

In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the Lucky Channel is a radio show which broadcasts an ID number that changes once per week. Prizes are awarded for winning numbers, which must match any of the player's Pokémon's ID numbers with either all digits, four/three digits or two digits.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Felicity gives out tickets for the Pokémon Lottery Corner with an ID number that changes daily. Prizes are awarded for winning numbers, which must match any of the player's Pokémon's ID numbers from the last digit to the first digit.

Item Location Games
  Ultra Ball Pokémon ID matched last digit  HG  SS 
  PP Up Pokémon ID matched last two digits  G  S  C  HG  SS 
  Exp. Share Pokémon ID matched last three digits  G  S  C  HG  SS 
  Exp. Share Pokémon ID matched last four digits  G  S  C 
  Max Revive Pokémon ID matched last four digits  HG  SS 
  Master Ball Pokémon ID matched perfectly  G  S  C  HG  SS 

Buena's Password

Main article: Radio in the Pokémon world → Buena's Password

The player can collect points for the Blue Card by listening to the radio show Buena's Password, then visiting Buena on the second floor of the Radio Tower and answering her quiz. If they answer the question correctly, they earn 1 point for their Blue Card.

In Generation II, points must be spent to buy each prize; whereas in Generation IV, prizes are awarded when the player obtains a certain number of points. Players cannot have more than 30p on the Blue Card. If the player has 30p, they can speak to Buena to register her phone number in the Pokégear (points will not be spent). In Generation II, the player cannot earn points while their Blue Card has 30p (requiring points to be spent); whereas in Generation IV, the player will be issued a new Blue Card once the 30p limit is hit.

Generation II prizes
Item Points
  Ultra Ball 2p
  Full Restore 2p
  Nugget 3p
  Rare Candy 3p
  Protein 5p
  Iron 5p
  Carbos 5p
  Calcium 5p
  HP Up 5p
Generation IV prizes
Item Points
  Poké Ball 1p
  Full Restore 3p
  Protein 5p
  Iron 10p
  Carbos 15p
  Nugget 20p
  Rare Candy 25p
  HP Up 30p

Trainers

NOTE: These Trainers appear only during Team Rocket's takeover at Goldenrod City.

Generation II

1F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $960
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


2F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Arbok Lv.26
No item
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $920
  Rattata Lv.21
No item
  Rattata Lv.21
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Zubat Lv.26
No item
  Zubat Lv.26
No item
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1000
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
  Muk Lv.25
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


3F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Weezing Lv.26
No item
 
Scientist Marc
カネオ Kaneo
Reward: $2700
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $920
  Koffing Lv.23
No item
  Zubat Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
Requires Card Key
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
  Koffing Lv.26
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


4F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $880
  Zubat Lv.22
No item
  Golbat Lv.24
No item
  Grimer Lv.22
No item
 
Scientist Rich
シンタロウ Shintarō
Reward: $3000
  Porygon Lv.30
No item
Requires Card Key
 
Rocket Grunt
Reward: $960
  Ekans Lv.21
No item
  Oddish Lv.23
No item
  Ekans Lv.21
No item
  Gloom Lv.24
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


Requires Card Key



5F



Requires Card Key





Generation IV

1F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $960
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


2F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Arbok Lv.26
No item
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $920
  Rattata Lv.21
No item
  Rattata Lv.21
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1000
  Zubat Lv.26
No item
  Zubat Lv.26
No item
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
  Muk Lv.25
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


3F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $920
  Koffing Lv.23
No item
  Zubat Lv.23
No item
  Rattata Lv.23
No item
  Grimer Lv.23
No item
 
Scientist Garett
カネオ Kaneo
Reward: $864
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Weezing Lv.26
No item
Requires Card Key
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $1040
  Raticate Lv.24
No item
  Koffing Lv.26
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


4F
Trainer Pokémon
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $880
  Zubat Lv.22
No item
  Golbat Lv.24
No item
  Grimer Lv.22
No item
 
Scientist Trenton
シンタロウ Shintarō
Reward: $960
  Porygon Lv.30
No item
 
Team Rocket Grunt
Reward: $960
  Ekans Lv.21
No item
  Ekans Lv.21
No item
  Oddish Lv.23
No item
  Gloom Lv.24
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


Requires Card Key



5F



Requires Card Key



Observation Deck
 
Archer and the player on the Observation Deck, exclusive to HeartGold and SoulSilver




Layout

Version 1F 2F 3F 4F 5F Observation Deck
Gold          
Silver
Crystal          
HeartGold            
SoulSilver
 

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

Artwork depicting the Goldenrod Radio Tower is seen in Archer's mindscape.

Archer & Houndoom
 

In the anime

 
The Radio Tower in the anime

Main series

The Goldenrod Radio Tower appeared in Air Time, where Ash was invited to the tower to be interviewed by DJ Mary. A disguised Team Rocket also infiltrated the Radio Tower, intending to steal anything valuable inside. However, all they discovered were tapes of various radio shows. They were then mistaken for a comedy group called "The Dugtrio Trio," and were dragged to be interviewed by DJ Mary.

Due to Team Rocket having accidentally destroyed the tape of the day's Radio Drama, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket were asked to act the show live. During the show, Jessie constantly made her own changes to the script, eventually leading to Team Rocket revealing themselves and attempting to steal Pikachu. Thankfully, Ash managed to recover Pikachu, Team Rocket was defeated, and the Radio Drama was brought to a successful end.

Pokémon Generations

 
The Radio Tower in Pokémon Generations
 
The Radio Tower studio in Pokémon Generations

The Goldenrod Radio Tower appeared in a flashback in The Legacy, where Looker described Team Rocket's takeover of the building to Silver. He also mentioned how the entire takeover failed due to Giovanni not showing up despite Team Rocket's broadcast.

In the manga

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

The Goldenrod Radio Tower appeared in Clash!! Jō VS Team Rocket, where confronted and defeated Archer there, bringing an end to Team Rocket's schemes.

Pokémon Adventures

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The Goldenrod Radio Tower first appeared in Smeargle Smudge, where Gold was invited to visit it by the Radio Director. Gold was excited to visit the radio station in the hopes of meeting DJ Mary, but when he saw the Smeargle that had attacked him shortly before was actually Mary's Pokémon, he busted into the recording studio right in the middle of a live interview with Whitney. Despite the Radio Director being furious with Gold's interruption, the listener response to it was very positive. As such, the Director organized a Bicycle race from Goldenrod to Route 37 between Gold and Whitney, although Gold insisted on converting his bike into a push scooter by attaching its handle to his skateboard. While the race was called off later, Gold considered himself the winner due to having made his way past the Sudowoodo that was blocking Route 37 and defeating a Rhydon that had taken Whitney hostage. After making Mary write him a pile of signatures, Gold headed to the Goldenrod Game Corner to spend the money he had earned with his appearance in the radio show.

In Irked Igglybuff and Curmudgeonly Cleffa and Savvy Swinub, the Radio Tower crew visited Pryce at the Mahogany Gym, assuming that the Legendary Pokémon Suicune would be coming to challenge him, as it had done with several other Johto Gym Leaders recently.

In The Last Battle XIV, Professor Oak arrived at the Radio Tower for a radio show he was hosting. In the middle of the broadcast, he was notified of a boy who had arrived at the studio and was hoping to get himself a Pokédex.

Emerald arc

In The Final Battle IV and V, the aforementioned boy was revealed to have been Emerald. However, Professor Oak had refused to hand him a Pokédex, because Earl Dervish had told him that Emerald had consistently refused the company of Pokémon at Earl's Pokémon Academy. As such, he had told Emerald to consider what Pokémon meant to him and what his path with them would be, only agreeing to give him a Pokédex once he had found an answer.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

In One Tough Togepi, Professor Oak was revealed to have told Gold that Team Rocket sightings had been made near the Goldenrod Radio Tower lately.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

The Goldenrod Radio Tower appeared in Let's Use Fighting Type Pokémon!! when Whitney showed Gold sights around Goldenrod City.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

The Goldenrod Radio Tower appeared in Showdown at the Radio Tower!!, where Red and Clefairy visited it to meet DJ Mary. When it turned out that the Radio Director was actually Giovanni in disguise, Clefairy battled against his Pokémon and won, saving the Radio Tower.

Gallery

In the TCG

The following is a list of cards named Radio Tower.

Related cards
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Radio Tower T [St] Neo Destiny   95/105 Darkness, and to Light...    
 


Trivia

 
The radio tower in Pocket Monsters 2

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 黃金收訊台 Wòhnggām Sāuseun Tòih *
滿金播音塔 Múhngām Boyām Taap *
Mandarin 滿金收訊塔 Mǎnjīn Shōuxùn Tǎ *
小金廣播電台 Xiǎojīn Guǎngbò Diàntái *
满金广播塔 Mǎnjīn Guǎngbò Tǎ *
  Dutch Radio Toren
  French Tour Radio de Doublonville
  German Radioturm
  Italian Torre Radio di Fiordoropoli
  Korean 금빛시티 라디오타워 Geumbit City Radio Tower
Portuguese   Brazil Torre Rádio
Torre da Rádio (manga)
Estação de Rádio de Goldenrod (manga)
Estação de Rádio (PG05)
Torre de Rádio da Cidade de Goldenrod (PG05 blurb)
  Portugal Torre Rádio
  Spanish Torre Radio
  Vietnamese Tháp Radio

See also



Johto
               
Settlements
New Bark TownCherrygrove CityViolet CityAzalea TownGoldenrod CityEcruteak City
Olivine CityCianwood CityMahogany TownBlackthorn CitySafari Zone GateFrontier Access
Routes
2930313233343536373839404142434445464748
Landmarks
Dark CaveSprout TowerRuins of AlphUnion CaveSlowpoke WellIlex ForestRadio TowerGlobal Terminal
Goldenrod TunnelNational ParkPokéathlon DomeBell TowerBellchime TrailBurned TowerMoomoo FarmOlivine Lighthouse
Battle Tower (CrystalHGSS)/FrontierCliff Edge GateCliff CaveEmbedded TowerSafari ZoneWhirl Islands
Mt. MortarLake of RageTeam Rocket HQIce PathDragon's DenS.S. AquaMt. Silver (Cave)
Access to
Sinjoh RuinsKanto


  This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.