Localization: Difference between revisions

This is a list of regional differences in the Pokémon games.

Main lists

• List of Pokémon in other languages
  • List of Japanese Pokémon names
  • List of German Pokémon names
  • List of Chinese Pokémon names
  • List of Korean Pokémon names
  • List of Thai Pokémon names
• List of characters in other languages
• List of Abilities in other languages
• List of locations in other languages

Moves

Main article: List of moves in other languages

Moves introduced in Generation I

• Acid Armor (Japanese: とける Liquefy). The Japanese name indicates that the user itself is melting. This is lost in the English translation, but is referenced in the move descriptions from Generation II onwards.
  • The Japanese name does not include the words "Acid" or "Armor" in any way. "Acid" may have been added in the localization because this is a Poison-type move, even though several non-Poison Pokémon are able to learn it. "Armor" may have been added in the localization because this move raises the user's Defense.
• Cut (Japanese: いあいぎり Iai Cut). The Japanese name refers to iaido, a Japanese martial art. Specifically, it refers to the technique of drawing a blade from its scabbard, cutting down the opponent, then re-sheathing the blade.
• Guillotine (Japanese: ハサミギロチン Pincer Guillotine). Several Pokémon that use this move have pincers, such as Kingler and Gliscor.
• Metronome (Japanese: ゆびをふる Wag Finger). The Japanese name refers to the wagging finger associated with the move, implying the user is randomly deciding a move from a list. The move's English name refers to the regular ticks associated with the move, which sound like the device it is named after.
• Lovely Kiss (Japanese: あくまのキッス Demon's Kiss). In some games, a small demon appears in the move animation. This is related to Generation II move Sweet Kiss (Japanese: てんしのキッス Angel's Kiss).
• Mirror Move (Japanese: オウムがえし Parrot Mimicry). The reference to a parrot (a real-life bird) may be related to the fact that several Pokémon that can learn this move are birds, such as Pidgey and Chatot. However, this is lost in the English translation.
• Swift (Japanese: スピードスター Speed Star). The move's animation includes stars being thrown at the target.
• Tail Whip (Japanese: しっぽをふる Tail Wag). The move's description mentions that the user "wags its tail cutely, making opposing Pokémon less wary".
  • The English name "Tail Whip" may incorrectly imply that the user strikes the foe with its tail like a whip, which is not the case in the games. However, in the manga Pokémon Adventures, the Tail Whip user sometimes actually strikes its opponent with the tail, which may be consistent with the English name.
• Waterfall (Japanese: たきのぼり Waterfall Climb). The English name is simply the word "Waterfall", without mentioning the act of climbing waterfalls. Some move descriptions in the games further clarify that the user is actually charging with enough force to climb waterfalls.
  • When this move debuted in Generation I, the moves didn't have in-game descriptions in the core series yet. As a result, in the English version of the Generation I core series games, there is no indication that this move is related to climbing waterfalls.
  • The description about "charging with enough force to climb waterfalls" debuted in the Japanese Pokémon Stadium (which was not released in English). This is also mentioned in the later games Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, not only in Japanese but in English as well.
  • In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the Japanese move description also mentions "charging with enough force to climb waterfalls". However, the English version was shortened to simply "An aquatic charge attack." The only reference to climbing waterfalls in the English text is when Clair says only once after being defeated: "RisingBadge will enable your Pokémon to use the move for climbing waterfalls." From Generation III onwards, the English move description is closer to the Japanese version, indicating that the user is charging with enough force to climb waterfalls.
  • In several games, a waterfall appears when this move is used in-battle. This may incorrectly suggest that the user is summoning a waterfall, which would be inconsistent with the move description.

Moves introduced in Generation II

• False Swipe (Japanese: みねうち Strike with the Back of the Sword). False Swipe's Japanese name is a reference to katanas, which are designed to have a single cutting edge on one side, while the other side is mostly flat. Thus, striking the opponent with the flat side of the katana would not be fatal.
• Rain Dance (Japanese: あまごい Rain Prayer). This is the amagoi, a Shinto prayer and rituals for rain.
  • The Japanese name of this move is unrelated to dancing, therefore this is not a dance move. As such, Rain Dance is unaffected by Dancer, and Tierno does not request to see a Pokémon with this move in Pokémon X and Y. In several anime and manga depictions, the user is not seen dancing at all.
• Sweet Kiss (Japanese: てんしのキッス Angel's Kiss). In some games, a small angel appears in the move animation. This is related to Generation I move Lovely Kiss (Japanese: あくまのキッス Demon's Kiss).

Moves introduced in Generation III

• Aerial Ace (Japanese: つばめがえし Swallow Return). The Japanese name references Sasaki Kojirō's "Turning Swallow Cut" sword technique, so named due to its resemblance to the motion of a swallow's tail in flight. The cut is usually construed as a quick upward slash followed by a second one down the same direction, same as the move's animation. As such, it is learned by many Pokémon that are not Flying-type.
• Assist (Japanese: ねこのて Cat's Paw). The Japanese name is likely a reference to the saying 猫の手も借りたい neko no te mo karitai, which translates to "I would even like to borrow a cat's hands" ("I would even like a cat to assist me"), which means "I need all the help I can get". This is reflected by the way the move works, and that many feline Pokémon are capable of learning it. In some games, a cat's paw appears in the move animation.

Moves introduced in Generation IV

• Sucker Punch (Japanese: ふいうち Surprise Attack). The Japanese name is unrelated to punching. This move can be learned by some Pokémon without arms, such as Arbok, Gastly, and Electrode. It is also unaffected by the Ability Iron Fist, which raises the power of punching moves.

Items

Main article: List of items in other languages

Items introduced in Generation I

• Three Poké Balls introduced in Generation I had their names changed in the English localization. Only the Master Ball kept its Japanese name.
  • Poké Ball (Japanese: モンスターボール Monster Ball)
  • Great Ball (Japanese: スーパーボール Super Ball)
  • Ultra Ball (Japanese: ハイパーボール Hyper Ball)
    • The Ultra Ball retains a letter H on its design, referencing its Japanese name.
  • Master Ball (Japanese: マスターボール Master Ball)
• The Potion and its improved variants introduced in Generation I use the Japanese word ぐすり Medicine, which does not specify the type of medicine. The word "Potion" would indicate a form of liquid substance; it was introduced in the English translation. With the introduction of item sprites in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, these items are depicted in-game as bottles designed to spray liquid substances, which may be compatible with both the Japanese and English names. Some of these items have also been depicted in official art and TCG cards as spray bottles since Generation I as well, including the Potion and Super Potion cards.
  • Potion (Japanese: キズぐすり Wound Medicine)
  • Super Potion (Japanese: いいキズぐすり Good Wound Medicine)
  • Hyper Potion (Japanese: すごいキズぐすり Amazing Wound Medicine)
  • Max Potion (Japanese: まんたんのくすり Tank-Filling Medicine)
  • Full Restore (Japanese: かいふくのくすり Recovery Medicine)
• The drinks introduced in Generation I had their names changed in the localization:
  • Fresh Water (Japanese: おいしいみず Delicious Water)
    • Its name mentions that it's "fresh" in English, but mentions that it's "delicious" in Japanese.
    • Fresh Water is collected from Mt. Silver, according to the Japanese item description in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and Stadium. This is also mentioned in the Korean item description from Pokémon Gold and Silver. The reference to Mt. Silver is not found in the English item description.
  • Soda Pop (Japanese: サイコソーダ Psycho Soda)
    • Its name includes "Psycho" in Japanese, but "Pop" in English instead.
  • Lemonade (Japanese: ミックスオレ Mix au Lait)
    • The Lemonade's Japanese name means "Mix au Lait" instead. The word "lait" means "milk" in French, which indicates that this is some form of mixture involving milk. There is no indication in the Japanese name that the drink might include lemon in any way, even though it's called "Lemonade" in English.
    • From Generation II onwards, Lemonade's Japanese item description says that it's "very sweet". This was omitted from the English item description in Generation II, but it's mentioned from Generation III onwards.
• The Ether, Elixir, and their improved versions have Japanese names unrelated to their English names. The Japanese names all include the word "PP" (specifically in the form of katakana "ピーピー"), and don't involve the words "Ether" or "Elixir" in any way.
  • Ether (Japanese: ピーピーエイド PP Aid)
  • Max Ether (Japanese: ピーピーリカバー PP Recover)
  • Elixir (Japanese: ピーピーエイダー PP Aider)
  • Max Elixir (Japanese: ピーピーマックス PP Max)
• The Repel's Japanese name refers refers to insect repellents; it includes the term むし Insect. The Repel and its improved variants include the word スプレ Spray in Japanese, indicating their design; however, this word is absent in the English names. Additionally, むしよけ Repellent is not found in the Japanese names of Super Repel and Max Repel. The Super Repel and Max Repel are ranked as "Silver" and "Gold" in Japanese; these words were replaced by "Super" and "Max" in English.
  • Repel (Japanese: むしよけスプレー Repellent Spray)
  • Super Repel (Japanese: シルバースプレー Silver Spray)
  • Max Repel (Japanese: ゴールドスプレー Gold Spray)
• Poké Doll (Japanese: ピッピにんぎょう Pippi Doll) The Japanese name indicates that it's a Clefairy doll. However, the English item name does not mention Clefairy.
  • The species of Poké Doll has always been clear in the Japanese games since its introduction in Generation I. However, it was only revealed years later in English games, once the Clefairy doll sprite debuted in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Items introduced in Generation II

• Secret Potion (Japanese: ひでんのくすり Secret Medicine). This item is a pouch of pills. This is consistent with its Japanese name, but may conflict with its English name.
  • Much like the Potion and its improved variants introduced in Generation I, the Secret Potion includes the Japanese word くすり Medicine (which does not indicate what exactly what kind of medicine), but was converted to the word "Potion" (which would indicate a form of liquid substance). When the Secret Potion debuted in Generation II, items did not have in-game sprites, so its appearance had not been established yet. Secret Potion's depiction as a pouch of pills was introduced years later as the item sprite in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, but its English name remained.
  • However, in the anime episode Machoke, Machoke Man!, Secret Potion is depicted as a bottle of medicine, which is consistent with both the Japanese and English names. This predates the introduction of the pouch of pills sprite.
• Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing are single feathers in Japanese, but their English names changed to wings instead. In particular, there is no indication in the English Generation II games that these items were originally supposed to be feathers, because these games don't have item sprites. Their item sprites (depicting them as single feathers) debuted in the Generation IV remakes, but their names remained as before, with the word "Wing".
  • Rainbow Wing (Japanese: 虹色の羽根 Rainbow Feather)
  • Silver Wing (Japanese: ぎんいろのはね Silver Feather)

Items introduced in Generation III

• The five condition-related Scarves are Bandannas in Japanese. The English name "Scarf" implies they are worn around the neck, but the Japanese name "Bandanna" implies they are worn at the top of the head.
  • Blue Scarf (Japanese: あおいバンダナ Blue Bandanna)
  • Green Scarf (Japanese: みどりのバンダナ Green Bandanna)
  • Pink Scarf (Japanese: ピンクのバンダナ Pink Bandanna)
  • Red Scarf (Japanese: あかいバンダナ Red Bandanna)
  • Yellow Scarf (Japanese: きいろのバンダナ Yellow Bandanna)
• Fluffy Tail (Japanese: エネコのシッポ Eneco's Tail). The Japanese name indicates that it's a Skitty's tail. However, the English item name does not mention Skitty.
  • In particular, the species of Fluffy Tail is not revealed in the English version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, because this game doesn't have item sprites. The item sprite depicting a Skitty's tail debuted in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (however, this item is unavailable in this game outside of trades).

Items introduced in Generation IV

• The three evolution stones introduced in this generation have different names in English and Japanese, although their meanings are related to some extent.
  • Shiny Stone (Japanese: ひかりのいし Light Stone)
  • Dusk Stone (Japanese: やみのいし Darkness Stone)
  • Dawn Stone (Japanese: めざめいし Awakening Stone)
• Lunar Wing (Japanese: みかづきのはね Crescent Moon Feather). Much like the Generation II items Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing, the Lunar Wing is a single feather in Japanese, but is named "Wing" in English. Additionally, the Japanese name is exactly about the crescent moon, while the English name simply references the moon.

Items introduced in Generation V

• Pretty Feather (Japanese: きれいなハネ Beautiful Feather). This item is a single feather in Japanese, but is named "Pretty Wing" from Generation V to VII. It was renamed to "Pretty Feather" in Generation VIII, which is closer to the Japanese name. This is similar to some earlier Japanese feathers that were converted to wings in the English translation: the Generation II items Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing, and the Generation IV item Lunar Wing.

Items introduced in Generation VII

• The Bottle Cap's Japanese name includes the fact that it's silver. This is similar to the Gold Bottle Cap, which kept the reference to gold in English.
  • Bottle Cap (Japanese: ぎんのおうかん Silver Bottle Cap)
  • Gold Bottle Cap (Japanese: きんのおうかん Gold Bottle Cap)
• Beast Ball (Japanese: ウルトラボール Ultra Ball). Both the Japanese and English names reference the fact that it was developed to catch Ultra Beasts. Its name changed in the English localization because the Japanese name was already taken by another Poké Ball variant introduced in Generation I, the Ultra Ball.
• The Lure's Japanese name is similar to repel, but むしよけ Repellent is replaced by むしよせ Attractant; both terms involve むし Insect. The Lure and its improved variants include the word コロン Cologne in Japanese, indicating their design; however, this word is absent in the English names, being replaced by "Lure". Additionally, むしよせ Attractant is not found in the Japanese names of Super Lure and Max Lure. Much like the Repel variants, the Super Lure and Max Lure are ranked as "Silver" and "Gold" in Japanese; these words were replaced by "Super" and "Max" in English.
  • Lure (Japanese: むしよせコロン Attractant Cologne)
  • Super Lure (Japanese: シルバーコロン Silver Cologne)
  • Max Lure (Japanese: ゴールドコロン Gold Cologne)

Items introduced in Generation VIII

• All the seven Sweets that cause Milcery to evolve into Alcremie are amezaiku (a form of Japanese candy craft artistry) according to their Japanese names.
  • Strawberry Sweet (Japanese: いちごアメざいく Strawberry Amezaiku)
  • Love Sweet (Japanese: ハートアメざいく Heart Amezaiku)
    • The word "Heart" found in the Japanese item name is a more literal description of its shape, while "Love" is an abstract concept.
  • Berry Sweet (Japanese: ベリーアメざいく Berry Amezaiku)
  • Clover Sweet (Japanese: よつばアメざいく Four-Leaf Amezaiku)
  • Flower Sweet (Japanese: おはなアメざいく Flower Amezaiku)
  • Star Sweet (Japanese: スターアメざいく Star Amezaiku)
  • Ribbon Sweet (Japanese: リボンアメざいく Ribbon Amezaiku)

In the core series

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Add more regional differences

• In all core series games, the player writes a report (Japanese: レポート report) when saving the game. This "report" option is found at the Japanese version main menu. The references to writing a report were simply translated as saving the game.
• The units of measurement used for the Pokémon's height and weight (as seen in the Pokédex) depend on the game language.
  • Japanese games: height in meters, weight in kilograms
  • American games: height in feet and inches, weight in pounds
• From Generation II onwards, the Pokédex is able to sort Pokémon by their katakana name in the Japanese version, or alphabetically in the localized versions.
• Some Pokémon games have multiple optional names for the player character and/or rival. These names are often different on each language version. For instance, a character may have different optional names in Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Korean.
  • The player characters with optional names in the core series are: Red, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Lucas, and Dawn.
  • The rivals with optional names in the core series are: Blue and Barry

Generation I

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

• The first pair of games in Japan was Pokémon Red and Green, followed by Blue as the third core series game, which included a graphics and sound upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. In the localizations, the first pair of games was Pokémon Red and Blue, which had the same game-exclusive Pokémon available as Pokémon Red and Green, and also kept the improvements from the Japanese Pokémon Blue.
• In the Japanese version, the Kanto Badges are named after colors. In the English version, most Kanto Badges were renamed. For instance, "グレーバッジ" (Gray Badge) was translated as "Boulder Badge". The only Kanto Badge that kept its Japanese name in the English Localization (only written with English letters instead of Japanese katakana) was Erika's Rainbow Badge.
• In the Japanese version, the Pokémon's level is repeated in the first and second stats screens. In other language versions, the level is only shown in the first screen.
• The player's video game console, as well as the movie on the television at their living room, depend on the game language.
• In the Japanese version, the Town Map has a border around the map, and the place name is displayed on a short blank space at the top-left corner outside that border. In the international versions, that border was removed, and the place name is displayed on a blank line above the map, leaving more space for longer place names.
  • In Generation I games, this would be the only place where Kanto is mentioned in-game. Therefore, Kanto is not mentioned at all in the international versions of the Generation I games.

The Game Boy Color mode's yellow palette

• In Japanese Yellow on Game Boy Color mode, the game uses a yellow palette similarly to how Red, Green, and Blue use their respective red, green, and blue palettes. In Western Yellow, Game Boy Color mode instead uses the Super Game Boy palettes but with more saturated colors. The yellow palette from Japanese Yellow is used by Western Yellow in certain situations like Pikachu's Beach hi-score screen and it can be reinstated completely by modifying the ROM
• In the Japanese version of all Kanto-based games, the old man passed out drunk at the start of the game, hence why he blocks the way out of Viridian City at the start of the game. In the English version, he is grumpy due to not having had his coffee yet.
• In the Japanese version of the Generation I games, the Kanto region is mentioned in Town Map's text description, but Kanto is not mentioned in the international versions. This description is seen if the player interacts with the Town Map on Daisy's table prior to obtaining it.
• Because Pokémon Red and Blue's script is based on a translation of the script of Pokémon Blue but use the in-game trades from Pokémon Red and Green, two translation errors related to these trades occur.
  • The man who trades the player an Electrode on Cinnabar Island claims that the Raichu he received "went and evolved". As Raichu does not have an evolved form, this is not possible. In the context of Japanese Pokémon Blue, it makes sense as the player trades away a Kadabra, which evolves through trade, for a Graveler.
  • The old man who trades the player a Jynx in Cerulean City claims that the Poliwhirl he received "went and evolved". As Poliwhirl cannot evolve via trade in Generation I, this is not possible. In the context of Japanese Pokémon Blue, the old man trades away a Haunter for a Machoke, which does evolve through trade.
• When encountering a Pokémon using a fishing rod, the game says "The hooked <POKÈMON> attacked!" In the Spanish localization, this was erroneously translated to "¡El malvado <POKéMON> atacó!". The word "malvado" translates roughly to "wicked" or "evil."
• The acronym for TM in the French localization of the games is CT. It is used incorrectly in one area of the game. When the player exchanged Lemonade for CT49, the text reads "TM49... TRIPLATTAQUE!".
• In the Spanish and Italian localizations of the games, both versions erroneously refer to Squirtle's shell as "concha" and "conchiglia" which translates to "seashell" in Spanish and Italian respectively.
• In the Japanese Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and later Yellow; the moves Absorb, Mega Drain, Leech Life, and Dream Eater will fail if the foe or opponent Pokémon has a substitute active on the field. This was fixed in all localizations. The error reappears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and Pokémon Stadium. This error was later fixed in Generation III.
• In the Japanese Pokémon Red and Green, Nidoqueen's weight is listed as 6.0 kg. This was corrected in the Japanese Pokémon Blue to 60.0 kg. Geodude is also affected as its weight in the Japanese Pokémon Red and Green is listed as 2.0 kg, this was also corrected in the Japanese Pokémon Blue to 20.0 kg.
• In the Japanese version, there are butsudan (Buddhist shrines) in some Celadon City buildings, but they were changed to sculptures of Diglett in the English version. They return the text "ぶつだん だ……" (It's a butsudan...) in Japanese, but "It's a sculpture of DIGLETT." in English.
• In the Japanese version of all Kanto-based games, the characters Erik (Japanese: コージ Kōji) and Sara (Japanese: アツコ Atsuko) may be cameos of Kōji Nishino and Atsuko Nishida. They failed to meet each other due to a misunderstanding on the word "とり" (tori), which is also a pun. Erik used a bird Pokémon to arrive at Fuchsia City ("tori Pokémon" means "bird Pokémon"), while Sara is waiting for him inside the Safari Zone^RBY/GO Park^PE ("Pokémon tori" means "obtain Pokémon"). This pun was lost in the English localizations. Additionally, in the English version of the Generation I and III games, Sara says that Erik is her boyfriend (which is not the case in the Japanese version of all games, and is also not said in the English version of the Generation VII games).

• The Japanese version of the Pokémon Mansion journals use a singular "わたし" (watashi, "I" pronoun), implying that only one person was involved in discovering Mew and creating Mewtwo. The English localization changed this pronoun to "we". This change may be based on Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back, in which a group of scientists created Mewtwo.
• The Cerulean Cave has a different layout in the Japanese Pokémon Red and Green and international Pokémon Red and Blue (in addition to further layout changes in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver).
• In the Japanese versions, the PC storage system has 8 boxes with 30 Pokémon each instead of 12 boxes with 20 Pokémon each.
• In the Japanese versions of the handheld games, Blizzard has 30% chance to freeze. The chance was lowered to 10% for Pokémon Yellow's Colosseum 2, the Stadium games, and all international Generation I games.
• In the Western language releases of Pokémon Yellow on the Virtual Console, which are emulated in Game Boy Color mode, Jynx's battle sprites have been recolored to align with its modern design, recoloring Jynx's black skin to purple. Jynx's original design had previously been subject to controversy due to its resemblance to racial stereotypes of African-Americans. The Japanese release is emulated in Game Boy mode—which is monochromatic—so no change was made.

Generation II

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

• In the Japanese and Korean versions, the stats and trade screens are vertically divided in two parts; in all other languages, they are divided horizontally.
• In the Japanese and Korean versions, the Pokémon in the Pokémon Storage System's layout is enclosed in a text-box frame and the Pokémon list appears in the background. In the Western localizations, there is no frame surrounding the Pokémon but the Pokémon list appears in a text-box frame.
• In the Japanese and Korean versions, the sign of Pokémon Centers in Johto have a Poké Ball drawing with the letters PC next to it. In the Western localizations, the sign was changed back to the one used in the Generation I games. The Pokémon Center signs in Kanto use the old design in all versions.
• In the Japanese and Korean versions, SonicBoom's animation is a shock wave hitting the opponent. For undisclosed reasons, it was changed to a tornado hitting the opponent in the Western localizations, making it very similar to Gust.
• In the Japanese version, the butsudan (Buddhist shrines) return in some Celadon City buildings, and now there are butsudan in Violet City, Azalea Town, Ecruteak City, Mahogany Town, and the Mt. Moon Gift Shop as well. This time, they return the text "ぶつだん だ…… うーん おせんこうの におい" (It's a butsudan... Hmm, the smell of incense.) in Japanese and "What is this? Oh, it's an incense burner!" in English.
  • Kurt's house has butsudan with a different text, mentioning the the "god" (kami-sama) of the forest, which was changed to "protector" in the localization; in either case, this is a reference to Celebi. This butsudan returns "もりのかみさまを まつってある" (This is to worship the god of the forest.) in Japanese and "It's a statue of the forest's protector." in English. In the Generation IV remakes, this shrine remains in Kurt's house, except the player can't interact it.
• In the Japanese and Korean versions, Pokéfan Alex in Route 13 has three Pokémon with "king" in their names: Nidoking, Slowking, and Magikarp (Koiking). In the localized versions, Magikarp was changed to Seaking to keep this theme. However, this change was not replicated in the Generation IV remakes, in which Magikarp is kept in all versions.
• Miracle Cycle is not named in the localized versions.
• In the Japanese version, the PC storage system has 9 boxes with 30 Pokémon each instead of 14 boxes with 20 Pokémon each.
• Pokémon Gold and Silver are the only pre-Generation IV Pokémon games ever released in and localized for South Korea prior to the foundation of both Nintendo of Korea and Pokémon Korea in 2006. Nevertheless, the Time Capsule is available in the Korean versions of Gold and Silver.
• The Japanese Super Game Boy border of Pokémon Gold (labeled POCKET MONSTERS GOLD VERSION), but not of Pokémon Silver, is present but unused in all releases of Pokémon Crystal. Similarly, in the Korean releases of Gold and Silver, the English Super Game Boy borders (respectively labeled POKéMON GOLD VERSION and POKéMON SILVER VERSION) are present but unused, since they only support the Game Boy Color.
• In the Korean versions, the credits are presented in English. The Japanese games would later replicate this in Generation V but only when character mode is set to kanji.
• Due to a possible oversight in the international versions, the Japanese quotation marks are used in certain parts of the dialogue, like in radio stations. This was corrected in Crystal.
• During battles in Pokémon Crystal, Japanese midline horizontal ellipses ("⋯") are used in the English versions instead of regular ellipses ("…") due to an oversight.
• In the Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal, a researcher at the Ruins of Alph claims that the Pokémon Communication Center in Goldenrod City influences the Unown. His unused English text is: According to my research... Those mysterious patterns appeared when the Pokécom Center was built. It must mean that radio waves have some sort of a link...
• Pokémon Crystal version is the last localized core series game to use the slogan Gotta catch 'em all!.
• The Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal has an emblem of Suicune's crest on the back of the Game Pak's circuit board.
• In the Western releases, un-nicknamed Nidoran has the gender symbol shown twice, once by the name and once by the level indicator. This is not case in the Japanese and Korean versions, where all Pokémon have the gender symbol placed after their name, rather than by the level indicator.
• As the Mobile Game Boy Adapter was not released outside of Japan, all related features were removed in localized versions of Pokémon Crystal, with the exception of the Odd Egg. The Virtual Console release finally allowed international players to have a chance to receive the GS Ball after entering the Hall of Fame.
• Pokémon Gold and Silver can be played either on the Game Boy or the Game Boy Color in all languages except Korean. However, the Korean version of these games is only compatible with the Game Boy Color.
• In the Japanese and Korean versions, Phanpy and Donphan are found in the wild in Pokémon Gold while Teddiursa and Ursaring are found in the wild in Pokémon Silver. In the Western localizations, these were switched. This change was not replicated in the international versions of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• The Korean versions of the games can only be played on the Game Boy Color, due to the need for more memory in order to properly render the Korean characters.
• Nineteen Pokémon, including Jynx, as well as five Trainers, had their sprites changed between the Japanese and Western versions. The Korean versions use the same sprites as the Japanese versions. The changes made for Western versions were also taken into account for the Japanese and Western versions of Pokémon Crystal, although they were instead incorporated in the new sprites.

Generation III

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

• Some of the Trainer sprites are different in Japanese and international versions.
• The ledge in southwestern section of Victory Road B1F in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire was made one tile shorter in non-English European versions of the game, making that part of the floor two-way instead of one-way.
• A portion of the fourth room in Trick House in Pokémon Emerald has been altered in international versions, to make it harder for player to trap themselves and be forced to start the puzzle from the beginning.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

• In the original Japanese version, the blue and pink font color is used only for the Continue button on title screen, with NPC's gender changing the font style instead.

Generation IV

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

• In the Japanese version of the Sinnoh myths, the Sinnoh Folk Story 3 refers to Pokémon and people marrying each other. In the English version, the marriage is not mentioned; instead, it says Pokémon and people would eat together at the same table.
• In the non-English European versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Registeel's sprite was edited because of its arm. The arm's original position is reminiscent of the Nazi salute. This change was retained in all releases of Pokémon Platinum and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

In the side series

Pokémon Stadium series

• In Japan, there were three games in the Pokémon Stadium series.
  • Pokémon Stadium (Japanese: ポケモンスタジアム Pokémon Stadium), with only 42 Generation I Pokémon available. This game was not released in English.
  • Pokémon Stadium (Japanese: ポケモンスタジアム２ Pokémon Stadium 2), with the Generation I Pokémon available. This was the first game of the series released in English.
  • Pokémon Stadium 2 (Japanese: ポケモンスタジアム 金銀 Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver), with the Generation I and II Pokémon available. This was the second game of the series released in English.
• The player may connect up to four core series games to any of the three Pokémon Stadium games using the Transfer Pak (Generation I core series games are compatible with all three Stadium games; Generation II core series games are only compatible with Pokémon Stadium 2). However, the compatibility also depends on the language of the games.
  • The American and European versions are compatible with each other. For instance, the player may connect the French version of Pokémon Stadium to the German version of Pokémon Red.
  • The Japanese games in the Pokémon Stadium series are only compatible with Japanese core series games.
  • The Korean versions of Pokémon Gold and Silver are not compatible with any game in the Pokémon Stadium series.
• The Pikachu's voice heard upon launch was instead people's voices in the Japanese version.
• The "Gallery" option was only available in the North American version of Pokémon Stadium.

Pokémon Stadium

• The Japanese version had six Stadium Cups. In addition to the Pika, Petit, and Prime Cups, there were three cups based upon official tournaments: the Nintendo Cup '97, Nintendo Cup '98, and Nintendo Cup '99. In the international versions, the Nintendo Cups were replaced with the Poké Cup from Pokémon Yellow's Colosseum 2.
• A Gallery mode was added, but only in the American version (it was absent in PAL versions).
• Pikachu can be taught Surf under special conditions. Japanese players could teach a Pikachu Surf in the original Pokémon Stadium.
• The number of teams that could be registered was decreased from 12 to 10.
• In Clefairy Says, the Clefairy sing rather than repeat the same sound effect.

Pokémon Colosseum

• In Europe, a GameCube Bundle could be purchased which included Pokémon Colosseum, a memory card, Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire as a bonus disc, and a GameCube-Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
• In the international localizations of Pokémon Colosseum, Rui's shirt and skirt were lengthened.
• Due to the e-Reader room being dummied out in the international releases, three more Shadow Pokémon are not normally obtainable. Encounters with the Trainers that would have had Mareep, Togepi, and Scizor are not possible in the international releases without hacking the game.

In spin-off games

Pokémon Trading Card Game

• Booster pack images were changed between localizations to reflect the art style used for booster packs by region.
• The title screen was changed between the Japanese and international releases.
• The Super Game Boy border in international releases removes the writing of Pokémon • Trading • Card • Game • on the Poké Balls.
• The back of Pokémon cards was changed in international releases to the design used on the back of cards outside of Japan.
• In the Japanese version, the symbol for a paralyzed Pokémon are two vertical jagged lines (). In the American and European versions, the symbol is a horizontal jagged line ().
• The artwork for Jynx Lv. 23's face was changed from black to purple in international releases to avoid further controversy. The background of the card was also changed from dark purple to light purple in the Virtual Console release.
• When the player tries to save an unnamed deck in the Japanese version, the player name is included in the default deck name. In all other languages, the player name is not included. For instance, if the player is named "パーク" (Park) in the Japanese version, the first default name used for an unnamed deck is "パークの００１デッキ" (Park's 001 Deck). In the English version, the first default name is simply "001 Deck"
• In the Japanese version of Pokémon Trading Card Game, Imakuni? says that he sings the Can You Name All the Pokémon?, which is a true statement in real life. However, in the English localization, Imakuni? mentions that he sings the Pokérap instead. Both Can You Name All the Pokémon? and the Kanto Pokérap are songs listing the Generation I Pokémon.

Hey You, Pikachu!

• Certain items have been changed:
  • The rice ball (an item that Pikachu can eat) was changed to a cupcake.
  • In Japanese version, the corn in garden is eggplants instead. Due to this, popcorn is not present in these versions.
  • In Viridan Forest, the player finds cattails instead of horsetails.
  • In Springleaf Field, the Morning glory flower is recolored to resemble a Bluebell instead.
• In the US release, the shoes outside the player's room are missing. In Japan, it is customary to take off shoes before walking into a building or home. In the US it is common to walk into buildings or homes with shoes still on.
• The Pokémon cries have been changed to localized ones.
• In the English release, when the player is speaking, a bubble is shown to indicate that the player's voice is being detected by the microphone. In the Japanese release, the bubble only appears if the player is directly addressing Pikachu.
• The Suikawari minigame in Cobalt Coast was changed to a piñata smashing game. When Pikachu loses in the Japanese version, he receives a soda can pull tab, in the English version he receives a bottle cap ring instead.
• The Nintendo 64 in the Japanese version contains a Super Nintendo game, this was fixed in the English release to be a Nintendo 64 game instead.

Pokémon Channel

• The language that plays in the Pichu Brothers channel changes depending on the regional version of the game.

Pokémon Pinball

• The European release features a menu when starting up the game that lets the player select which language they want to play the game in.
• On the Copyright screen in the English and European versions, the games list Creatures Inc. and HAL Laboratory, Inc. instead of Creatures and HAL Laboratory. The European release was further edited to show it was released later than the Japanese and English releases.
• On the Title screen, Pikachu is smiling in the international releases. The European release corrects Poké Dex to POKéDEX.
• The European release gives two options for how strong the Rumble feature is in the Options menu with the options of Mild and Strong. The English and Japanese releases only have an Off and On setting. Additionally, the M in RUMBLE is slightly wider in the European release.
• The control scheme options were simplified to three predefined options in the European release.
• The Super Game Boy border is different between releases. The Japanese release lacks a ("TM") symbol. The European release features a large vibrant blue font of Pokémon Pinball.
• The four lights in the out lanes and return lanes spell out CAVE in the international release and HOLE in the Japanese release.
• The Japanese version of the game spells out "GET" instead of "CATCH!" while capturing a Pokémon.

Pokémon Puzzle League

• The hidden developer love message depends on if the game is the Japanese or international version.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team

• In Japanese and Korean versions of the game, the recruit list has species name alongside the nickname. In the localization, only the nickname (if any) is displayed.
• The Japanese version of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team had a game breaking bug which would erase all the save data of any game in the Gameboy Advance slot. This bug was fixed in international releases.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

• When first meeting Swanna in the English version of the game, she makes a statement that references Carly Rae Jepsen's song, "Call Me Maybe".
• In the Japanese version, players are able to select the gender for their partner Pokémon. In the international versions, there is no gender selection.
  • Because of the lack of gender selection and the fact that some languages have no gender-neutral pronoun, these languages use male pronouns.

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