- This is a description of the route as it is shown in Generations I, III, and IV. For a description of the Generation II version of Route 2, see Differences among generations.
Route 2 is a uniquely designed route, that contains two pathways for a Trainer to follow, which as divided by a column of trees, only with a few gaps which as filled with cut-able trees. The column of trees divides the route off into two section; the western path and the eastern path. The western path can be explored by novice Trainers, as most Trainers have access to it, however, the east route can only be accessed with the use of HM01 (Cut) which can only be used by Trainers who have beaten Misty, or traveled through Diglett's Cave, a path which leads from the eastern edge of Vermilion City.
Heading north from Viridian City, the road splits into two and forms a small square by which joins back up again and continues north past a ledge. The small garden square contains a sign with directions on it, while further north, a cut-able tree can be found on the eastern side that leads to the eastern section. After traveling western, the road then curves north and makes its way to a large patch of tall grass, that can be dodged by going around the outer border. There is another cut-able tree just beside the patch of tall grass, that leads to the eastern section. Again by traveling, north past the ledge, the lookout station can be found, which with lead directly into the Viridian Forest.
After leaving the Viridian Forest, through the northern entrance, the route continues with a small road, that makes its way east and then north. The route passes a large patch of tall grass that dominates the small clearing. By continuing traveling north, the route leads directly into Pewter City.
Heading south from Pewter City, the route passes the first of two grass patches along the path as it turns to the west. At this point, trainers can take two routes to progress south. The first option is to remain on the main path of Route 2 and travel through the guard house and into Viridian Forest, a considerably long and inconvenient detour unless catching Template:Type2 Pokémon is the objective of the trainer. The second option, available to trainers who possess Pokémon that know and can use Cut outside of battle, is to remove a small shrub southeast of the grass patch to gain access to the eastern half of Route 2.
Man who is willing to trade a
Mr. Mime in exchange for an
AbraWhile the western half of Route 2 progresses through Viridian Forest, the east branch meets the northern terminus of Diglett's Cave, a lengthy northwest-southeast tunnel that leads to Vermilion City. South of the cave, the first building on the route plays home to a trainer who is looking to part ways with a rare Mr. Mime in exchange for a Clefairy or an Abra. In every Generation I and Generation III game except Yellow, the Trainer asks for an Abra in exchange for Mr. Mime. In Yellow, the taste of the trainer changes as he asks for the rare Pokémon Clefairy instead. After taking out another tree, the route begins to slope downhill as it approaches a lookout station. Here, trainers that have at least ten Pokémon registered as "Owned" in their Pokédex can receive HM05 containing Flash from one of Professor Oak's aides.
South of the lookout station, the western portion of the route emerges from the Forest and passes near the second grass patch on the route as it heads south. Meanwhile, the eastern portion continues downhill, linking to the Western path in two locations via tree-blocked passageways before ending at a dead end south of the second tree. Now a single path once again, Route 2 travels to the south towards Viridian City. There are several items located on the ground in this clearing, including an Ether, and a Parlyz Heal further south.
Generations I and III
The depiction of Route 2 is almost identical in Generations I and III. Only trivial changes are visible between these two Generations. In Generation I, there are three trees to Cut south of the lookout station whereas there are only two in Generation III. Also, in every Generation I and Generation III game except Yellow, the trainer in the house south of Diglett's Cave asks for an Abra in exchange for Mr. Mime. In Yellow, the taste of the trainer changes as he asks for the rare Pokémon Clefairy instead.
Generation II
In Generation II, however, significantly tweaks the route layout, particularly along the western half. The terrain and building layout of the east half of Route 2 in Generation II is identical to that of Generation I. However, the item locations have changed in Generation II. Also, the trainer who offered to trade Mr. Mime is no longer present in the house. Instead, the building is home to a man who gives the player a Nugget. He may be the same guy who is digging Three Isle Path during Generation III, as he gives the player a Nugget and says he'd like to buy a house in Kanto.
The major changes to Route 2 came along the western half, however. The northern and southern extents are nearly identical to the Generation I version, except for the addition of three trainers not present before or since Generation II. Viridian Forest no longer exists as a standalone area and has been replaced with a tree maze that is now part of Route 2. The maze, which contains items placed similar to those located in the Generation I and III versions of Viridian Forest, is designed with the same layout as Viridian Forest.
Along the length of the route, the music has been replaced with a new track exclusive to Route 2, a remix of Viridian Forest's music. This remixed music is in major scale, whereas the normal Viridian Forest music is minor scale.
Generation IV
In Generation IV, other than graphical updates, the layout has changed quite a bit in the lower section of the route, but the rest remains identical to Generation I and III. Heading south from Pewter City, the route passes the first of two grass patches along the path as it turns to the west. Unlike Generation II, the Viridian Forest remains in Route 2 and the music now it's the same as Kanto Route 3. The Berry tree in the tree maze is moved to outside the house in the eastern half, which can be accessed by using Cut on the small tree and crossing the divider. However, it is replaced with an Apricorn tree.
By traveling south past Viridian Forest, two Trainers can be found. The first one can be found by jumping off the ledge or go through the grass, while the second one can be found by traveling further south. Now a single path once again, Route 2 travels to the south towards Viridian City.
