Route 23 Pokémon Yellow · Route
The long approach to the Indigo Plateau, with a series of checkpoints that check your badges and Victory Road at the far end. You only get all the way through once you hold all eight badges. Strong wild Pokémon live in the grass.
- Wild Pokémon
- 7
- Items
- 3
- Trainers
- 0
- Needs
- Surf
Connects to: Indigo Plateau · Route 22 · Victory Road
Position on the Kanto town map
Wild Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nidorina | Poison | 41–44 | 29.7% |
 Nidorino | Poison | 41–44 | 29.7% |
 Mankey | Fighting | 36–41 | 20.3% |
 Fearow | Normal | 40–45 | 14.8% |
 Primeape | Fighting | 41–46 | 5.5% |
| Rod | Pokémon | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rod |  Magikarp | 5 | 100% |
| Good Rod |  Goldeen | 10 | 50% |
 Poliwag | 10 | 50% | |
| Super Rod | Poliwag | 25–30 | 69.5% |
 Poliwhirl | 30–40 | 30.5% |
Grass, cave and surfing chances are the Generation I encounter slots (10 slots weighted 51, 51, 39, 25, 25, 25, 13, 13, 11 and 3 out of 256); the Super Rod picks from four slots weighted 102, 76, 51 and 27, the Good Rod is 50/50 and the Old Rod always hooks a level 5 Magikarp. Where to find every Pokémon.
Items
| Item | How |
|---|---|
| Full Restore | Hidden |
| Ultra Ball | Hidden |
| Max Ether | Hidden |
Hidden items need the Itemfinder or a lucky press of A on the right tile.
Tips
- Each checkpoint guard checks for a badge, so you need all eight badges to pass.
- Nidorina and Nidorino here are high level, and a Moon Stone turns them into Nidoqueen or Nidoking.
- Hidden items include a Full Restore, Ultra Ball and Max Ether.
- Part of the route needs Surf to cross the water.
- Victory Road lies beyond and needs Strength inside, so stock up on healing items first.
Walkthrough: Part 13: Victory Road, Elite Four and Champion
FAQ
What do I need for Route 23 in Pokémon Yellow?
All eight badges, plus Surf to cross the water.
What items are hidden on Route 23 in Pokémon Yellow?
A Full Restore, an Ultra Ball and a Max Ether.
Where does Route 23 lead in Pokémon Yellow?
To Victory Road and then the Indigo Plateau.
What Pokémon can you catch in Route 23 in Pokémon Yellow?
7 species: Nidorina, Nidorino, Mankey, Fearow, Primeape, Poliwag, Poliwhirl. The tables show levels and encounter chances from the game data.
Sources & picture credits
- Route 23 (Bulbapedia)
- pret/pokeyellow (decompiled game data)
- Map: Kanto_Route_23_RBY.png
- Town map: Kanto_Town_Map_RGBY.png
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon, encounter rates, items, trainers, gifts and shops come from the pret/pokeyellow decompilation of the English game (pret/pokeyellow e89ead154b). Maps and sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Bulbagarden Archives (listed on the image gallery).