Catch ‘Em… Almost All! The Pokémon Missing From Pokémon Yellow
So, you’re venturing back into the pixelated world of Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, aiming to fulfill that childhood dream of catching ’em all? Well, saddle up, Trainer, because while Yellow offers a unique, anime-inspired experience, it doesn’t quite let you complete the entire Gen 1 Pokédex on its own. Specifically, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Ekans, Arbok, Meowth, and Persian are completely unobtainable within the game without trading with Red or Blue. And even though you can catch Pikachu, it’s impossible to evolve him into a Raichu!
Unobtainable Pokémon: A Closer Look
Let’s dive into why these Pokémon are absent and what it means for your completionist run:
The Bug Trio: Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill
These Bug-type Pokémon, common in the early routes of Red and Blue, are nowhere to be found in Pokémon Yellow. If you’re partial to the Poison Bee Pokémon, you’ll need to trade with someone who has Red or Blue. They simply did not appear in Pokemon Yellow’s spawn lists.
The Snake Family: Ekans and Arbok
Representing Team Rocket’s Jessie, Ekans and its evolution Arbok are exclusive to Pokémon Blue. This leaves a glaring hole in Yellow’s Pokédex for those hoping to catch every snake in the game. Gotta trade to catch, in this case.
The Feline Fortune: Meowth and Persian
Another staple of Team Rocket, Meowth and its evolved form Persian reside exclusively in Pokémon Blue as well. Like Ekans and Arbok, their absence in Yellow necessitates trading to complete your collection. This might make you feel a little catty but you’re not missing out on a ton by not having them.
The Electric Mouse’s Evolution: Raichu
This one’s a bit of a tricky case. You can catch Pikachu in Yellow – in fact, you start with one! However, due to the game’s heavy inspiration from the anime, your starter Pikachu refuses to evolve. Raichu cannot be caught wild either meaning the only way to get it is through trading.
The Trade-Off: Why Exclusives Exist
Why did Game Freak decide to exclude certain Pokémon from Yellow? The answer lies in encouraging player interaction. Version exclusives forced players to connect with each other, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. It wasn’t just about “catching them all” individually; it was about working together to achieve that goal. The Games Learning Society and other research outlets showcase how these types of game design choices can positively influence social engagement and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s tackle some common questions about Pokémon Yellow’s obtainable and unobtainable creatures:
1. Does Pokémon Yellow have exclusive Pokémon?
Yes, while it incorporates many Pokémon from both Red and Blue, Pikachu as a starter (who stubbornly refuses to evolve!) and the ability to obtain all three starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle) without trading are key exclusives.
2. Can you get all three starters in Pokémon Yellow?
Yes, unlike Red and Blue, Pokémon Yellow allows you to obtain Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle throughout your journey without needing to trade. These are given to you as gifts by different trainers.
3. Why is Pokémon Yellow so different from Red and Blue?
Pokémon Yellow was designed to more closely mirror the Pokémon anime, featuring Pikachu as your constant companion and incorporating elements from the show’s storyline. Also, the monster sprites had revamps compared to the first two games.
4. Can you catch a Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow besides the starter?
No, your starter Pikachu is the only Pikachu obtainable in Pokémon Yellow. The main aspect of the game is to keep your Pikachu happy, leveling him up and training him to be the best, without evolving.
5. Can you catch Raichu in Pokémon Yellow?
No, Raichu cannot be caught or evolved into in Pokémon Yellow. Trading from Red or Blue is the only way to obtain it.
6. Why can’t you evolve Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow?
Because Pokémon Yellow is designed to replicate the first season of the anime, Game Freak changed the game so that players’ Starter Pikachu will also reject its evolution. This is a core part of the game’s narrative.
7. Are all 151 Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow?
No, you cannot catch all 151 Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow. Certain Pokémon like Ekans, Meowth, Koffing, and the Weedle line are exclusive to Red and/or Blue.
8. Is Pokémon Yellow easier than Red and Blue?
While the core gameplay is similar, many consider Yellow to be slightly harder due to Pikachu’s weakness against early-game Rock-type Pokémon. However, strategies exist to overcome this challenge.
9. Where can you find Charmander in Pokémon Yellow?
You can get a free Charmander on Route 24 in Pokémon Yellow, after saving him. This is a scripted event in the story.
10. Where can you find Squirtle in Pokémon Yellow?
You can get a free Squirtle in Vermilion City in Pokémon Yellow, after saving him from an Officer Jenny. This is also a scripted event in the story.
11. What legendary Pokémon can you catch in Pokémon Yellow?
You can catch Articuno (Seafoam Islands), Zapdos (Power Plant), and Moltres (Victory Road) in Pokémon Yellow.
12. Does the Mew glitch work in Pokémon Yellow?
Yes, the Mew glitch does work in Pokémon Yellow, allowing you to encounter and catch Mew without using external devices.
13. Which Pokémon game is the hardest to Nuzlocke?
While subjective, many consider Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to be among the most challenging Pokémon games to Nuzlocke. However, Yellow certainly poses its challenges with its unique gameplay.
14. How long does it take to get 100% in Pokémon Yellow?
Achieving complete Pokédex completion in Pokemon Yellow takes much longer due to the trading requirement. You may be able to achieve it anywhere between 27 and 78 hours.
15. Is Jynx in Pokémon Yellow?
There is no Jynx in Pokémon Yellow. You have to trade it from another game or use a glitch. This Pokemon can only be obtained through trading and it is very rare.
Completing the Pokédex: A Trading Game
So, what’s the takeaway? Pokémon Yellow is a fantastic, nostalgic trip with its own unique charm. However, if your goal is to truly “catch ’em all” within a single game, you’ll need to embrace the power of trading! Connect with other players, fire up those link cables, and bridge the gaps in your Pokédex. Remember, it’s not just about individual accomplishment; it’s about the spirit of collaboration and the joy of shared experiences, aspects that the GamesLearningSociety.org advocates for in game design and learning. Happy training, and may your trades be ever in your favor!