Generation II: Difference between revisions

Beginning with [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver]] and later joined by {{game|Crystal}}, Generation II began the Pokémon series's expansion-focused nature, introducing to the world {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|100 new Pokémon}} which did not exist and are unable to be obtained in the Generation I games and the new region of [[Johto]]. Many of these Pokémon expand the [[evolution]] families of older Pokémon, while a majority of them are brand-new evolutionary families.

The initial hint that Generation II was on its way came in early 1997, with the release of the {{pkmn|anime}}'s first episode. A Pokémon appears to [[Ash Ketchum]] on the first day of his journey, shortly after he and {{AP|Pikachu}} become friends, that cannot be identified by the [[Pokédex]]. This magnificent golden bird, later revealed to be the legendary [[version mascot|mascot]] of Gold Version, {{p|Ho-Oh}}, was the first Pokémon from a future generation to debut in the anime. The games, initially named directly as "Pocket Monsters 2", were set for release in late 1997, but were pushed back to 1999 with the intention to redevelop the games to work with the [[Game Boy Color]] better.

Details in the games indicate that the storyline of the Generation II games occurs three years after the one in [[Generation I]] and [[Generation III]], while the storyline of the [[Sinnoh]]-based [[Generation IV]] games indicate that they occur similarly contemporaneously to Generation II as Generation I does to Generation III.

===Major additions include===

===Major alterations from Generation I include===

* The [[Bag]] is no longer one 20-item container, but has four separate sections for different items: Normal items, [[Poké Ball]]s, [[TM]]s and [[HM]]s, and [[key item]]s.

* A key item can be set to and then subsequently accessed with the select button, for convenience on the field.

* In the previous generation, a Pokémon could gain enough [[experience]] to jump straight from one level to another, thus missing out on any moves it could have learned in the levels between. From this generation onwards, if a Pokémon is currently in the battle, it level ups more than once if it gains enough experience to do so, meaning it does not miss any moves it could learn by level up. While other Pokémon still jump straight from one level to another, they do not miss any moves.

{| style="text-align:center; background: #{{silver color}}; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color}};"

|- style="background:#FFF"

| style="background:#{{ice color}}" | {{typecolor|Ice}}

| [[Damage modification#Type effectiveness|Normal effectiveness]]

| {{DL|Damage modification|Not very effective}}

===Further additions in {{game|Crystal}} include===

[[File:JohtoII.png|thumb|Johto]]

{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{johto color dark}}; border: 4px solid #{{johto color dark}};" colspan=4 cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"

|-  

|-  

! style="background: #{{johto color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}};" | {{color|{{johto color dark}}|Gym Leader<br><small>Japanese</small>}}

! style="background: #{{johto color light}};" | {{color|{{johto color dark}}|Location<br><small>Japanese</small>}}

! style="background: #{{johto color light}};" | {{color2|{{johto color dark}}|Type}}

! style="background: #{{johto color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}};" | {{color2|{{johto color dark}}|Badge}}

|-  

[[File:KantoII.png|thumb|Kanto]]

Unlike in Generation I, the Gym Leaders of Generation II Kanto will for the most part not give away TMs; only [[Janine]] and [[Erika]] do this.  

{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{kanto color}}; border: 4px solid #{{kanto color}};" colspan=4 cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"

! style="background: #{{kanto color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}};" | {{color|{{kanto color}}|Gym Leader<br><small>Japanese</small>}}

! style="background: #{{kanto color light}};" | {{color|{{kanto color}}|Location<br><small>Japanese</small>}}

! style="background: #{{kanto color light}};" | {{color2|{{kanto color}}|Type}}

! style="background: #{{kanto color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}};" | {{color2|{{kanto color}}|Badge}}

{{game|Gold and Silver|s}} were among the most-hyped games in the Pokémon franchise, with the innovations introduced in them becoming staples of the series. The later-released {{game|Crystal}} began the series' focus on [[legendary Pokémon]] of the regions in which the games take place, first bringing them into the plot of the game. Due to these improvements, Generation II is highly acclaimed among long-time fans. Unlike future games, Generation II stood as an extension and a sequel of Generation I, and has been criticized by some for this.

The second generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards mythology and tradition. The three starters were all "pure" element types, fitting the classic Water > Grass > Fire cycle all starters adhere to. Unlike two of the fully-evolved starter Pokémon in Generation I, and at least one of every starter trio since, the fully-evolved Johto starters maintain their single types.

This was the first installment that put emphasis on [[legendary Pokémon]] being actual legends in-game, in contrast to {{p|Mewtwo}} and the [[legendary birds]] of Generation I. [[Ecruteak City]] fleshed out the legends of {{p|Ho-Oh}} and [[legendary beasts|the three beasts]], their relationship with one another, and the story behind their departure (the [[Burned Tower]]). {{p|Suicune}} was, unlike {{p|Raikou}} and {{p|Entei}}, unavoidable in Crystal Version if the player wanted to beat the game; the remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver give the same treatment to Ho-Oh and {{p|Lugia}} respectively. Lugia was also glimpsed by an elderly man in Ecruteak City, and others, who stated it looked like a dragon in the sky. Even the uncatchable {{p|Celebi}} was mentioned as the "Forest's Protector" at the shrine in [[Ilex Forest]].

The [[Kimono Girl]]s upheld ancient tradition in both battling Pokémon and dancing. The buildings in both Ecruteak City and [[Violet City]] have an older structure to them as well. The player must navigate Johto and Kanto, beating the new Elite Four, sixteen Gym Leaders and the original [[Pokémon Champion]] {{ga|Red}}. This is after defeating the newly revitalized [[Team Rocket]], searching for the fallen [[Giovanni]]. The second generation expanded upon trading through use of [[held item]]s evolution through the addition of [[friendship]], and {{pkmn|breeding}} to attain pre-evolution or baby Pokémon. Kurt offered a more traditional means of creating Poké Balls via [[Apricorn]]s which proved variably superior to manufactured Poké Balls. Johto is physically connected to Kanto and these games added depth to both regions.

==Japanese title screens==

|-  

| width="14px" style="background: #{{gold color}};" | [[File:Japanese GoldTitle.png]]

| width="14px" style="background: #{{silver color}};" | [[File:Japanese SilverTitle.png]]

| width="14px" style="background: #{{crystal color}};" | [[File:Japanese CrystalTitle.png]]

* Generation II is the smallest generation so far with only seven {{pkmn|games}} and three [[Version|main series]] games.

* Generation II is the only generation where:

** The starters are initially holding an [[Berry|item]].

** The starters remain {{cat|single-type Pokémon}} throughout their evolutions. They are also the only trio whose evolutions do not share any weaknesses with each other.

** The total number of moves are equal to the total number of Pokémon at the time.  

** Each Pokémon has a different sprite in the original pair of games (except for {{p|Unown}} and the Johto [[legendary beasts|legendary trio]]).

** New [[Fossil]] Pokémon were not introduced, nor can any Fossils be found or revived (though an {{p|Aerodactyl}} can be obtained through an [[in-game trade]]).  

** A Dragon-type pseudo-legendary was not introduced.

** A two-stage, cat-like evolutionary line was not introduced.

* Unlike other Generations, should player use a cheat in Generation II game to get into tall grass without a Pokémon, the fight will instantly end (and be treated as victory in case of Trainers), instead of sending a glitch Pokémon.

{{Main series}}