Has Anyone Truly Caught All Pokémon? The Elusive Quest for Pokémon Completion
Yes, but the answer is complex and depends on how you define “all.” The core concept of “Gotta catch ’em all!” has been the driving force behind the Pokémon franchise since its inception. However, achieving a literal completion of the Pokédex is a constantly moving target and is essentially impossible within the confines of a single game. This article dives deep into the fascinating pursuit of completing the Pokédex, exploring the various hurdles, achievements, and nuances involved in becoming a true Pokémon master.
The Myth of a Single-Game Pokédex Completion
The romantic idea of filling every slot in the Pokédex with Pokémon caught within a single game is a long-standing dream. Unfortunately, several factors make this virtually unattainable:
- Version Exclusives: From the very first games, Pokémon Red and Blue, certain Pokémon were exclusive to each version, forcing players to trade with others to complete their Pokédex. This remains a staple of the series.
- Event Pokémon: Many Mythical Pokémon, some of the rarest and most sought-after creatures, are distributed exclusively through special events, often requiring attendance at specific locations or using time-limited online codes. Missing these events makes obtaining these Pokémon impossible.
- Regional Pokémon: Pokémon GO introduced the concept of region-exclusive Pokémon, found only in specific parts of the world. Catching them all requires significant travel or relying on trading with players from different regions.
- Increasing Number of Pokémon: The Pokédex continues to expand with each new generation of games. As of the latest releases, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there are over 1000 unique Pokémon species, making the sheer scale of the collection daunting.
- Game Limitations: Older games often lack the storage capacity to contain all available Pokémon, even those from previous generations.
While a fully completed Pokédex in a single game is a myth, the spirit of the “Gotta catch ’em all!” motto lives on through dedicated players who find creative ways to achieve near-completion, often utilizing multiple games, trading, and extensive online communities.
The Living Dex: A More Achievable Goal
A Living Dex is a collection of every Pokémon species in a single storage system, typically the Pokémon Bank (now deprecated) or Pokémon HOME. This approach acknowledges the impossibility of catching every Pokémon in a single game and instead focuses on compiling a complete collection across multiple games and generations.
This endeavor requires significant time, effort, and access to various Pokémon games. It involves:
- Playing multiple games: Players must own and play numerous Pokémon games across different generations to capture the widest range of Pokémon possible.
- Breeding: Breeding Pokémon allows players to obtain multiple individuals of the same species, necessary for evolving some Pokémon and for trading.
- Trading: Trading with other players is essential for obtaining version-exclusive and rare Pokémon. Online communities and trading forums facilitate these exchanges.
- Transferring: Utilizing the Pokémon Bank and, now, Pokémon HOME to transfer Pokémon between games is crucial for consolidating the Living Dex in a central location.
Several dedicated Pokémon trainers have successfully created Living Dexes, showcasing their impressive dedication and commitment to the franchise. They demonstrate that while catching everything in a single game may be impossible, collecting everything across the entire franchise is a testament to the enduring appeal of the “Gotta catch ’em all!” spirit.
Notable Achievements in Pokémon Collecting
While a literal completion remains elusive, several notable achievements highlight the dedication of Pokémon fans:
- Nick Johnson’s Pokémon GO Completion: In 2016, Nick Johnson became one of the first publicly known people to catch every available Pokémon in Pokémon GO within the United States. This feat, achieved shortly after the game’s release, showcased the game’s early appeal and the dedication of its player base.
- Pokémon HOME Complete Pokédex: As mentioned in the article snippet, users have demonstrated a full Pokédex in Pokémon Home. This achievement requires extensive trading and transferring of Pokémon, proving the potential of a full-fledged Pokédex utilizing the modern storage systems.
- Various Living Dex completions: Countless individuals have completed living Dexes, which is a true testament to the accessibility of the transfer systems and the trading community.
- Community Events: There are regular community events to encourage everyone to catch Pokemon.
Pokémon as a Learning Tool
The world of Pokémon is more than just catching them all. It provides a lot of educational opportunities. For example, the strategic planning and math required to create a balanced team and calculate damage. You can find out more about similar topics on the Games Learning Society website. Games Learning Society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the official Pokémon motto?
The official Pokémon motto is “Gotta catch ’em all!”
2. Is it possible to catch all Pokémon in a single game?
No, it is not possible to catch all Pokémon in a single game due to version exclusives, event-exclusive Pokémon, regional variants, the constantly increasing number of Pokémon, and game limitations.
3. What is a Living Dex?
A Living Dex is a collection of every Pokémon species in a single storage system, such as Pokémon HOME, typically collected across multiple games and generations.
4. Which was the first game where people could try and catch them all?
- Pokémon Red and Blue (or Red and Green in Japan) were the first games.
5. Who was one of the first people to announce catching all available Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Nick Johnson.
6. Which Pokémon game has all the Pokémon?
No single game has every Pokémon, but Pokémon HOME allows players to store Pokémon from multiple games, creating a centralized collection.
7. What do you get for catching all Pokémon in some games?
In some games, like the Generation III games, you receive in-game diplomas for completing the Regional and National Pokédex.
8. Is Pokémon GO a good starting point for catching Pokémon?
Yes, Pokémon GO is a great starting point for discovering the joys of Pokémon and catching them all due to its accessibility on mobile devices.
9. What is the rarest Pokémon card?
The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely considered the rarest and most expensive Pokémon card.
10. How many Pokémon exist in total?
As of the latest releases (Scarlet and Violet), there are over 1000 fictional species of Pokémon.
11. What is the first Pokémon in the Pokédex?
Bulbasaur (#001).
12. Can you catch humans in Pokémon games?
No, you cannot catch humans in Pokémon games. Poké Balls are designed for Pokémon.
13. What is Pokemon 1000?
Pokemon No. 1,000 is Gholdengo.
14. Is there a Pokémon numbered #000?
Victini is the only Pokémon listed as #000 in a Pokédex, specifically the Unova Pokédex.
15. What Legendaries has Red caught?
Red captures the Legendary Birds Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres.
16. Where can I learn more about the educational side of gaming?
See the GamesLearningSociety.org website.