Distribution device

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Distribution devices are special devices that are used to distribute Pokémon events.

Various distribution cartridges for Generations IV and V

Distribution devices include machines, distribution cartridges, Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Discs, European and Australian versions of Pokémon Channel, the GameCube Interactive Multi-Game Demo Disc Version 14 and 16, Game Link Cables, Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapters, and infrared. However, other methods of distributing events includes Wi-Fi and mailing in a game cartridge.

Special Machines (Japanese: 特製マシン) were used to distribute events in Generation I starting with the Nintendo Space World '97 Mew and were also used for other events like Surfing Pikachu. An updated version of the special machine was used starting with the Nintendo Space World 2000 Celebi and used for the most Celebi events during Generation II. Pokémon games with preloaded Pokémon from machines were sometimes used as distribution cartridges, where the event Pokémon was exchanged via Game Link Cable.

Pokémon Distribution Machines (Japanese: ポケモン配布マシン) or Pokémon Vending Machines were used starting in November, 2001 at the Pokémon Center New York to distribute events in Generation II and updated in June, 2003 for Generation III and used for the distribution of Jirachi at the 18th World Hobby Fair and Pokémon Festa 2003 in Japan. The machines at the Pokémon Center New York were also promoted as "Gotta Catch 'Em All Stations", although another unrelated hardware setup for Mystery Gift distribution that followed was named the same.

Game Link Cables were used to distribute many events until the start of Generation IV. Starting in Generation V, infrared was used to distribute certain events in Japan and South Korea.

Distribution cartridges are given to stores for event distributions, and are not sold commercially. Starting in Generation IV, they only contain information for the event Pokémon, and have no actual game data or save possibilities. These cartridges use DS Wireless Communications to distribute events starting in Generation IV. At the end of an event, they are intended to be sent to Nintendo's Waste Management facility in Redmond, Washington, where they are presumably destroyed. However, sometimes, distribution cartridges are leaked or sold to the public.

No distribution cartridges are known to exist for event distributions for the post-Generation V games.

Images

Generation I

Special machine for distributing Nintendo Space World '99 Mew
Distribution system used in Generation I

Generation II

Special machine for distributing Pokémon Fun Fest Celebi
New York Pokémon Center's Pokémon Distribution Machine also known as "Gotta Catch 'Em All Station"