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Pokemon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition Kanto Gen 1 adventure archivePokémon YellowGUIDES

Pokémon Yellow Walkthrough: Kanto in Badge Order

The whole adventure in 13 parts, from Pallet Town with Pikachu to the Champion and Mewtwo. Each part links to the location pages for wild Pokémon, trainers and items.

Edition: the original Game Boy Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (English, 1999–2000). Red/Blue, FireRed/LeafGreen and Let’s Go differ.

Parts
13
Badges
8
Elite Four
4 + Champion
Starter
Pikachu

Part 1 Pallet Town to Viridian City

Pallet Town Route 1 Viridian City Route 22

You start in Pallet Town, get Pikachu from Professor Oak, and win your first battle against Blue and his Eevee. A parcel run to Viridian City and back earns you the Pokédex, and a short trip west to Route 22 gives you a second chance to fight Blue.

  1. Take the Potion out of your bedroom PC and walk north out of Pallet Town.
  2. Step into the grass on Route 1 and Professor Oak stops you, then takes you back to his lab.
  3. In the lab Oak gives you a Level 5 Pikachu that refuses to stay in a Poké Ball and simply follows you around, while Blue walks off with an Eevee.
  4. Beat Blue's Level 5 Eevee in the lab; this fight and the later Route 22 fight decide which Eevee evolution he uses for the rest of the game.
  5. Head up Route 1 and take the free Potion offered by the Poké Mart clerk there.
  6. In Viridian City the Poké Mart clerk gives you Oak's Parcel, and you cannot use the shop until it has been delivered.
  7. Carry the parcel back to Oak for the Pokédex, collect the Town Map from Blue's sister next door, then return to Viridian City, where the Mart is now open.
  8. Walk west to Route 22 and fight Blue near the far end (Spearow Lv 9, Eevee Lv 8); he stops appearing once you have beaten Brock, so do it now.
  9. Spend some time in the Route 1 and Route 22 grass raising Pikachu and picking up a few extra team members before you head north.

Worth catching: Mankey Nidoran♂ Nidoran♀ Pidgey Spearow

Win both Blue fights (lab and Route 22) if you want his Eevee to become Jolteon; losing the lab fight gives him Vaporeon, and winning it but losing or skipping Route 22 gives him Flareon.

Part 2 Viridian Forest and Pewter City

Route 2 Viridian Forest Pewter City

Head north from Viridian City through the short stretch of Route 2 and the Viridian Forest to reach Pewter City. The forest is full of Bug Catchers, and the Gym ahead belongs to Brock, whose Rock and Ground team ignores Pikachu's Electric attacks entirely.

  1. Take Route 2 north out of Viridian City once the old man lets you through, and catch a Nidoran or Pidgey in the grass to give Pikachu some backup.
  2. Enter Viridian Forest by its south gate and pick up the visible Poké Ball and Potions lying along the paths.
  3. Beat the Bug Catchers (Levels 6 to 10) and the Lass with the two Nidoran as you work your way north.
  4. Catch a Caterpie in the forest grass, since it evolves quickly into a Butterfree that has Confusion for the Gym.
  5. Leave through the north gate, follow Route 2 into Pewter City, and heal at the Pokémon Center.
  6. Buy Potions and Poké Balls at the Mart, and use the time to raise your team a few levels before the Gym.
  7. Beat the Jr. Trainer in the Gym, then face Brock (Geodude Lv 10, Onix Lv 12) with a Fighting, Water, Grass or Psychic-type attacker.
  8. Collect the Boulder Badge and TM34 Bide; the badge also opens the Route 22 gate and ends your chance to fight Blue there.
Brock
Brock · Rock · Boulder Badge
GeodudeGeodude Lv. 10RockGroundOnixOnix Lv. 12RockGround

Worth catching: Caterpie Pidgey Nidoran♂ Nidoran♀

Pikachu's Electric moves do nothing to Geodude or Onix, so lead with Mankey's Low Kick, a Nidoran's Double Kick (Level 12) or Butterfree's Confusion.

Part 3 Route 3, Mt. Moon and Cerulean City

Route 3 Route 4 Mt. Moon Cerulean City

Route 3 is a long line of trainers leading to Mt. Moon, a three-level cave where you choose a fossil and run into Jessie and James. After the cave a one-way road leads down to Cerulean City, where you can catch your breath before Misty.

  1. Leave Pewter City to the east and work through the trainers on Route 3 (Bug Catchers, Lasses and Youngsters at Levels 9 to 14).
  2. At the Pokémon Center beside Mt. Moon you can buy a Level 5 Magikarp for ₽500 if you want to gamble on a future Gyarados.
  3. On Mt. Moon 1F, grab the TM12 Water Gun, the Moon Stone, the Rare Candy and the other loose items before heading down the ladders.
  4. Beat the Hiker, Lasses, Youngster, Super Nerd and Bug Catchers on 1F, then cross B1F to B2F; Zubat and Geodude are common throughout, so carry Antidotes and Repel.
  5. Beat the Super Nerd on B2F and take either the Dome Fossil or the Helix Fossil, as you can only keep one.
  6. Fight the Rocket Grunts and then Jessie and James (Ekans, Meowth and Koffing, all Level 14) before you reach the exit.
  7. Leave onto Route 4, pick up the hidden Great Ball and TM04 Whirlwind, and hop down the ledges into Cerulean City.
  8. Heal at the Pokémon Center and stock up on Poké Balls and Potions, since Misty's Gym and Nugget Bridge are next.

Worth catching: Sandshrew Geodude Clefairy Paras

Jessie and James lead with poison-heavy Pokémon, so heal your party first and keep Antidotes handy; Pikachu's ThunderShock hits all three of their Pokémon normally.

Part 4 Nugget Bridge, Bill and Cerulean Gym

Cerulean City Route 24 Route 25

North of Cerulean City, Nugget Bridge and Route 25 lead to Bill's seaside cottage and the S.S. Ticket. Back in town Misty's Water team is a gift for Pikachu. A trainer on Route 24 gives away a Charmander, and Melanie's Bulbasaur depends on how much Pikachu likes you.

  1. Blue waits just north of Cerulean City before Nugget Bridge; beat his Spearow, Sandshrew, Rattata and Eevee (Levels 15 to 18).
  2. Cross Nugget Bridge, beating the trainers on it, and accept the Nugget from the man at the north end, who then reveals himself as a Rocket Grunt (Ekans and Zubat, Level 15).
  3. Follow Route 25 past the Hikers and Youngsters to Bill's cottage, help him out of his experiment, and take the S.S. Ticket.
  4. Return to Cerulean City and fight the Rocket Grunt (Machop and Drowzee, Level 17) in the burgled house to get TM28 Dig.
  5. Challenge the Gym's Jr. Trainer and Swimmer, then Misty (Staryu Lv 18, Starmie Lv 21) for the Cascade Badge and TM11 BubbleBeam.
  6. Go back to the hill at the north end of Route 24, where a trainer gives you a Level 10 Charmander; no badge is needed.
  7. Visit Melanie in the house next to the Pokémon Center; if Pikachu's friendship is at least 147 she gives you a Level 10 Bulbasaur.
  8. Pick up TM45 Thunder Wave on Route 24 and TM19 Seismic Toss on Route 25 before leaving the area.
Misty
Misty · Water · Cascade Badge
StaryuStaryu Lv. 18WaterStarmieStarmie Lv. 21WaterPsychic

Worth catching: Bulbasaur Charmander Oddish Bellsprout Venonat

ThunderShock hits both Staryu and Starmie for double damage, so Pikachu can do most of the work, but keep a Potion ready for Starmie's BubbleBeam.

Part 5 Vermilion City, S.S. Anne and Lt. Surge

Route 5 Underground Path Route 6 Vermilion City S.S. Anne Route 11 Diglett’s Cave

With the S.S. Ticket in hand, go through the Underground Path to Vermilion City and board the S.S. Anne. The ship gives you HM01 Cut, a fight with Blue and plenty of items, and Cut then opens the way into Lt. Surge's Gym, where a Raichu that shrugs off Electric attacks is waiting.

  1. Go south on Route 5 and use the Underground Path entrance, since the Saffron gatehouse is blocked, to come out on Route 6 and walk into Vermilion City.
  2. Heal, then talk to the Pokémon Fan Club chairman for a Bike Voucher and to the Old Rod House for an Old Rod.
  3. Show your S.S. Ticket at the dock and explore the cabins on every deck for the TMs, Rare Candy and other items there.
  4. Fight Blue in the second-floor corridor (Spearow Lv 19, Rattata Lv 16, Sandshrew Lv 18, Eevee Lv 20).
  5. Give the seasick captain a back rub for HM01 Cut, and collect all the loose items beforehand because the ship leaves once you step off.
  6. Teach Cut to a team member other than Pikachu, and cut the small tree outside Vermilion Gym.
  7. Go through the Gym's trainers (a Gentleman, a Rocker and a Sailor), find the two switches under the trash cans, and face Lt. Surge's Level 28 Raichu.
  8. Collect the Thunder Badge and TM24 Thunderbolt, then speak to Officer Jenny for a Level 10 Squirtle.
  9. If you have no Ground-type yet, Diglett's Cave, reached from Route 11 east of town, is a quick way to find one.
Lt. Surge
Lt. Surge · Electric · Thunder Badge
RaichuRaichu Lv. 28Electric

Worth catching: Squirtle Diglett Abra Drowzee Jigglypuff

Raichu resists Electric moves, so lean on a Ground-type such as Diglett or Sandshrew, and watch out for its Thunderbolt and Mega Kick.

Part 6 Rock Tunnel, Lavender Town and Celadon City

Cerulean City Route 9 Route 10 Rock Tunnel Lavender Town Route 8 Underground Path Route 7 Celadon City

Cut a path east out of Cerulean City, cross the dark Rock Tunnel, and reach Lavender Town. From there the Underground Path leads west to Celadon City, the biggest shopping town in the region.

  1. Walk back to Cerulean City and trade your Bike Voucher at the Bike Shop for a Bicycle.
  2. Cut the tree on the east side of town, then work through the trainers on Route 9 and pick up TM30 Teleport.
  3. Rest at the Pokémon Center near Rock Tunnel on Route 10, and consider catching a Magnemite in the grass nearby.
  4. If you have Flash from the aide at the Route 2 gate (he wants ten species caught), use it to light Rock Tunnel and explore it.
  5. Leave Rock Tunnel and follow Route 10 south to Lavender Town, but save the Pokémon Tower for later because its ghosts need a Silph Scope.
  6. Head west along Route 8 and take the Underground Path from Route 8 to Route 7, collecting the hidden Nugget and Elixer on the way.
  7. In Celadon City, explore the Department Store, where the third floor clerk gives TM18 Counter and the roof has vending machines.
  8. Buy a Fresh Water, a Soda Pop and a Lemonade on the roof; the thirsty girl trades each for a TM (Ice Beam, Rock Slide and Tri Attack), and buy a spare drink for the Saffron gate guards.
  9. Talk to the man in the diner for the Coin Case and leave the Game Corner for the next stage.

Worth catching: Magnemite Machop Onix Geodude

Rock Tunnel is a long run of Hikers and Jr. Trainers at Levels 19 to 25, so enter with a full set of Potions and use Flash if you have it.

Part 7 Rocket Hideout and Celadon Gym

Celadon City Rocket Hideout

Celadon City hides Team Rocket's base under the Game Corner. Clearing it earns you the Silph Scope, and Erika's Grass-type Gym is a short walk away once you can cut through the trees.

  1. Climb Celadon Mansion to the rooftop room and take the Level 25 Eevee from the Poké Ball there (leave a party slot open).
  2. In the Game Corner, beat the Rocket Grunt (Raticate and Zubat, Level 20) and examine the poster he guarded to reveal the hidden stairs.
  3. Work down B1F and B2F, beating the Grunts (Levels 17 to 22) and grabbing the Moon Stone, a Nugget and TM07 Horn Drill.
  4. On B3F, pick up TM10 Double-Edge and a Rare Candy, then take the stairs down to B4F.
  5. On B4F, beat the Grunt beside the Lift Key and pick it up, then use the elevator to reach the part of B4F where Giovanni waits.
  6. Beat Jessie and James (Koffing, Meowth and Ekans, Level 25) and then Giovanni (Onix Lv 25, Rhyhorn Lv 24, Persian Lv 29), and pick up the Silph Scope he leaves behind.
  7. Cut through the trees inside Celadon Gym, beat the Lasses, Beauties, Jr. Trainer and Cooltrainer, and challenge Erika.
  8. Win the Rainbow Badge and TM21 Mega Drain by defeating Tangela (Lv 30), Weepinbell (Lv 32) and Gloom (Lv 32).
Erika

Worth catching: Eevee

Erika's Weepinbell and Gloom use Sleep Powder, Stun Spore and Acid, so bring Fire, Flying or Ice attackers and carry Awakenings or Full Heals.

Part 8 Pokémon Tower and Mr. Fuji

Lavender Town Pokémon Tower

With the Silph Scope you can finally enter Lavender Town's haunted tower. You face Blue on the second floor, deal with the ghost on 6F, and save Mr. Fuji from Jessie and James, who thank you with the Poké Flute.

  1. Return to Lavender Town with the Silph Scope and enter Pokémon Tower.
  2. On 2F beat Blue (Fearow Lv 25, Eevee Lv 25, Sandshrew Lv 20 and two Pokémon that change with how your earlier fights went).
  3. Climb through floors 3F to 5F, fighting Channelers (Gastly and Haunter around Level 22 to 24) and collecting HP Up, Nugget and Elixers.
  4. With the Scope in your Bag you can see and catch the wild Gastly, Haunter and Cubone, and a purified square on 5F restores your party for free.
  5. On 6F, the Scope reveals the ghost blocking the stairs; deal with it and take the Rare Candy and X Accuracy before moving up.
  6. On 7F, beat Jessie and James (Meowth, Arbok and Weezing, all Level 27) to rescue Mr. Fuji.
  7. Follow Mr. Fuji to his house in Lavender Town, where he gives you the Poké Flute.
  8. Use the Flute to wake the sleeping Snorlax that blocks the roads south of Lavender and west of Celadon.

Worth catching: Gastly Haunter Cubone

Gastly and Haunter are immune to Normal-type moves, so use Pikachu's Electric attacks rather than Quick Attack or Slam in this tower.

Part 9 Snorlax, Fuchsia City and the Safari Zone

Route 12 Route 13 Route 14 Route 15 Fuchsia City Safari Zone Route 16 Route 17 Route 18

The Poké Flute wakes a Level 30 Snorlax blocking Route 12, opening a road of fishermen, bikers and bird keepers that ends in Fuchsia City. There you can visit the Safari Zone for rare Pokémon, HM03 Surf and HM04 Strength, and challenge Koga. A Cycling Road route from Celadon also reaches Fuchsia.

  1. From Lavender Town go south on Route 12 and wake the Level 30 Snorlax with the Poké Flute; this is your only chance to catch it on this route.
  2. On Route 12 take TM39 Swift from the girl on the gate's upper floor and the Super Rod from the fishing guru's house.
  3. Fight through the fishermen on Route 12, the Jr. Trainers and Beauties on Route 13, and the bird keepers and bikers on Routes 14 and 15.
  4. The gate on Route 15 holds an aide who gives out the Exp. All once you have caught 50 species.
  5. In Fuchsia City collect the Good Rod, and talk to the Warden at his house.
  6. Pay ₽500 to enter the Safari Zone (30 Safari Balls, about 500 steps), find the Gold Teeth in the West area and take HM03 Surf from the Secret House.
  7. Give the Gold Teeth to the Warden for HM04 Strength, and grab the Rare Candy in his house.
  8. Beat Koga (Venonat Lv 44, 46, 48 and Venomoth Lv 50) after crossing the Gym's invisible walls to win the Soul Badge and TM06 Toxic.
  9. The alternative road starts in Celadon: wake the second Snorlax on Route 16, take HM02 Fly from the house there, and ride the Cycling Road on Routes 17 and 18.
Koga

Worth catching: Snorlax Tauros Scyther Dratini Chansey

Koga's Venonat and Venomoth lean on Sleep Powder, Toxic and Psychic, so bring cures for sleep and poison and hit them with Fire, Flying or Rock attacks.

Part 10 Silph Co. and Saffron Gym

Saffron City Silph Co.

Saffron City opens once you give the gate guards a drink. Team Rocket has taken over Silph Co., where an employee gives you a Lapras and clearing the building earns you a Master Ball, before you face Sabrina and her Psychic team.

  1. Give a drink bought on the Celadon roof to any Saffron gate guard to open the gates for good.
  2. Visit the Fighting Dojo, beat the Karate Master, and choose either Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan (Level 30).
  3. Enter Silph Co., use the warp panels, and find the Card Key on 5F to open the locked doors.
  4. Fight Blue on 7F, whose Level 35 to 40 team includes Sandslash, Kadabra and his fully evolved Eevee.
  5. Beat Jessie and James and then Giovanni on 11F (Nidorino, Persian, Rhyhorn and Nidoqueen), and accept the Master Ball from the president.
  6. Talk to the employee on 7F, who gives you a Level 15 Lapras as soon as you meet him, so you can collect it on the way up.
  7. Take TM29 Psychic from Mr. Psychic's house, and give a Poké Doll to the girl in Copycat's house for TM31 Mimic.
  8. Cross the Gym's warp tiles, beat the Channelers and Psychics, and face Sabrina's Abra, Kadabra and Alakazam (all Level 50) for the Marsh Badge and TM46 Psywave.
Sabrina

Worth catching: Lapras Hitmonlee Hitmonchan

Psychic types have almost no weak points in Generation I, so rely on strong neutral attacks and take Kadabra and Alakazam out quickly before they can use Recover.

Part 11 Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island and Blaine

Route 19 Route 20 Seafoam Islands Cinnabar Island Pokémon Mansion Route 21

With Surf you can leave Fuchsia City by sea, pass through Seafoam Islands where Articuno waits, and arrive on Cinnabar Island. Revive a fossil, find the Secret Key in the Pokémon Mansion, and use it to enter Blaine's Gym.

  1. Surf south from Fuchsia City onto Route 19 and fight the swimmers and beauties along the water route.
  2. Route 19 also holds the Summer Beach House, home of the Pikachu's Beach minigame, but it needs a Pikachu that knows Surf, which cannot be obtained in normal play.
  3. At Route 20 enter Seafoam Islands, and use Strength to push boulders down the holes so the strong current on the lower floors slows.
  4. Beat or catch Articuno (Level 50) on B4F.
  5. Leave through the west side onto Route 20 and surf on to Cinnabar Island.
  6. At the Cinnabar Lab, revive your fossil as Omanyte or Kabuto (Level 30), or Aerodactyl from the Old Amber you can get from the Pewter Museum with Cut, and take TM35 Metronome.
  7. In the Pokémon Mansion, work the statue switches to reach the Secret Key on B1F, fighting Burglars and Scientists as you go.
  8. Open the Gym door with the Secret Key and either answer the quiz machines or beat the trainers, then face Blaine (Ninetales Lv 48, Rapidash Lv 50, Arcanine Lv 54).
  9. Collect the Volcano Badge and TM38 Fire Blast, then surf north along Route 21 to Pallet Town.
Blaine

Worth catching: Articuno Aerodactyl Omanyte Kabuto Slowpoke

Blaine's Fire team is vulnerable to Water, Ground and Rock moves, while Pikachu's Electric attacks only do normal damage to it.

Part 12 Viridian Gym and the Route 22 Rival

Power Plant Viridian City Route 22

Viridian Gym opens once you hold the other seven badges, and Giovanni is its leader. After you win the Earth Badge, Blue appears again on Route 22 with a team shaped by how your earlier fights with him went.

  1. Optionally, Surf from Route 10 to the Power Plant, where Zapdos (Level 50) waits and some of the Poké Balls on the floor are really Voltorb and Electrode.
  2. Return to Viridian City (Fly helps if you have HM02) and walk into the Gym, which only unlocks once you have the other seven badges.
  3. Battle your way past the Cooltrainers, Blackbelts and Tamers inside, and take the Revive lying in the Gym.
  4. Fight Giovanni (Dugtrio Lv 50, Persian Lv 53, Nidoqueen Lv 53, Nidoking Lv 55, Rhydon Lv 55).
  5. Collect the Earth Badge and TM27 Fissure.
  6. Walk west to Route 22, where Blue now waits with a Level 45 to 53 team (Sandslash, Exeggcute, Kadabra and his final Eevee evolution among them).
  7. After Blue, go through the Route 22 gate, which only lets you pass with the Boulder Badge, to reach Route 23.
Giovanni

Worth catching: Zapdos Magneton

Giovanni's Ground types are immune to Pikachu's Electric attacks, so use Water, Grass or Ice moves, and watch for Fissure from Dugtrio and Horn Drill from Rhydon.

Part 13 Victory Road, Elite Four and Champion

Route 22 Route 23 Victory Road Indigo Plateau Cerulean Cave

Route 23's guards check each badge in order, and Victory Road beyond them is a three-floor cave full of strong trainers and Moltres. At the Indigo Plateau you must beat the Elite Four and then Blue. Once you are Champion, Cerulean Cave opens for a final challenge.

  1. Pass through the Route 22 gate and the Route 23 guards, who check every badge from the Cascade Badge to the Earth Badge in order.
  2. Surf and travel north along Route 23, where wild Pokémon are in the Level 36 to 46 range.
  3. Use Strength to push boulders through Victory Road and fight the Cooltrainers, Blackbelts and Jugglers on each floor.
  4. Find Moltres (Level 50) on 2F and collect the TMs and Max Revive along the way.
  5. At the Indigo Plateau, restock on Full Restores, Max Potions and Revives, since you cannot leave after entering the first room.
  6. Beat Lorelei (Ice), Bruno (Fighting), Agatha (Ghost and Poison) and Lance (Dragon) in that order.
  7. Face Blue as Champion, with Sandslash, Alakazam and Exeggutor plus three Pokémon that depend on his Eevee.
  8. After the Hall of Fame, return to Cerulean Cave, where Mewtwo (Level 70) waits at the end of B1F.

Worth catching: Moltres Mewtwo Rhydon Lickitung Chansey

You cannot leave between the Elite Four and Blue, so bring plenty of Full Restores and Revives, and keep Ice and Electric attackers for Lance's Dragonair, Gyarados and Aerodactyl.

The Pokémon League

Lorelei (Ice, Lv. 56) → Bruno (Fighting, Lv. 58) → Agatha (Ghost, Lv. 60) → Lance (Dragon, Lv. 62) → Blue (Mixed, Lv. 65)

FAQ

What is the Gym order in Pokémon Yellow?

Brock (Pewter City), Misty (Cerulean City), Lt. Surge (Vermilion City), Erika (Celadon City), Koga (Fuchsia City), Sabrina (Saffron City), Blaine (Cinnabar Island), Giovanni (Viridian City). Koga and Sabrina can be taken in either order.

How do you get Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle in Yellow?

Bulbasaur from Melanie in Cerulean City if Pikachu is happy with you, Charmander from a trainer on Route 24 (no badge needed), and Squirtle from Officer Jenny in Vermilion City after the Thunder Badge.

What decides what the rival’s Eevee evolves into?

Your first two battles with him. Win in Oak’s Lab and on Route 22 and it becomes Jolteon; win in the lab but lose or skip Route 22 and it becomes Flareon; lose in the lab and it becomes Vaporeon.

Sources & picture credits

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).