View source for Pokémon Center

: ''For information about the retail store chain, see [[Pokémon Center (store)]].''
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[[File:Pokémon Center.png|200px|thumb|right| A Pokémon Center in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}]]
A '''Pokémon Center''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンセンター''' ''Pokémon Center'') is a type of building that provide regulatory services for [[Pokémon Trainer]]s. Pokémon Centers are found in most towns and cities of the [[Pokémon world]], every major city or town holds a Pokémon Center. Pokémon Centers can be found outside towns, sometimes next to large forests or [[caves]]. Pokémon Centers are built where many Trainers gather and the area becomes popular. This is to accommodate those Trainers in need and serve as a resting spot. The most common service the Pokémon Center offers is healing [[Pokémon]] free of charge. They also serve as gathering places for Trainers.

{{m|Fly}} and {{m|Teleport}} always bring the player to the door of the Pokémon Center of a given town if one is present.

==In the games==
In the [[Pokémon games]], Pokémon Centers are important buildings found in most towns and cities, sometimes even on [[route]]s. Pokémon Centers are essential to Trainers as they provide many facilities and host most game mechanics. Non-player character Trainers and their own Pokémon are often found hanging around in Centers, offering general advice and information on the events in the town or area it is situated in. Though the setup of the Centers has varied slightly throughout each generation, all Pokémon Centers have these functions:

* A {{ga|nurse}} heals all party Pokémon in a matter of seconds. This service heals all status conditions, recharges [[HP]] and {{PP}} of all [[party]] Pokémon, free of charge. The nurse is located at the main counter just as the player enters the Pokémon Center.
* Pokémon Centers also host the Cable Club and the Union Room, which facilitates multiplayer gameplay. Originally, linked players could only battle and trade one another, but in later generations, players can [[mixing records|mix records]] and [[Wi-Fi Plaza|play games]] together. 

* Trainers also have access to a [[PC]] so that they can change out their [[party]]. Players are able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon, along with ability to store and withdraw items and display their [[Hall of Fame]] details.
* In Generations I-III, saving the game inside a Pokémon Center is required to facilitate linking with console games such as Pokémon Stadium and Colosseum.

===Generation I===
[[Image:Pkmncenter.png‎|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|Red and Blue|s}}]]
In Generation I, a Pokémon Center consisted of two counters on a single floor. The counter on the left has a {{ga|nurse}} that will heal the player's Pokémon. The counter on the right contains the Cable Club, which allows players to link with each other. Talking to the women at the desk will allow the player to enter the Cable Club. Furthest to the right is the [[PC]] to deposit and withdraw Pokémon or items. Generation I also includes two of the few examples of a Pokémon Center that isn't in a town, which are the Pokémon Center on [[Route 4]] outside [[Mt. Moon]], and the Pokémon Center in [[Route 10]] outside the entrance to the [[Rock Tunnel]]. Future generations employ rest houses that only offer healing services in areas similar to that.

====Cable Club====
The original link-up place was at the far end of the Pokémon Center in [[Generation I]] [[Kanto]]. Players can link together to simply battle each other in a one-on-one fight and trade Pokémon with each other. Two players linked by a first generation [[Link Cable]] can enter the cable club. Pokémon Yellow featured an extended version of the Cable Club with the option to choose special battle rules or cups.

===Generation II===
[[Image:Gscpokecenter.PNG‎|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}]]
[[Image:PCCenter.gif|frame|left|Inside of the Pokémon Communications Center in {{game|Crystal}}, with dialog translated.]] 
In Generation II, to accommodate greater linkup functionality, the Pokémon Centers of both [[Kanto]] and [[Johto]] expanded to two floors. On the first floor remained the counter where a nurse would heal Pokémon, as well as a PC, while on the second floor resided the Cable Club.

====Cable Club====
Located upstairs in Pokémon Centers throughout [[Johto]] and [[Kanto]], this Cable Club consisted of three rooms.  The Cable Club Trade Center facilitated trading, the Cable Club Colosseum allowed battling, and the Cable Club [[Time Capsule]] provided a way to trade Pokémon with the [[Generation I]] games. Because there were no female [[player character]]s prior to {{ga|Kris}}'s introduction in {{game|Crystal}}, a player who has chosen Kris must be "changed" into the {{ga|Ethan|male player}} sprite before they may link with any other game. This is still the case if the game is linked with another copy of Crystal Version, even though sprite data for the female choice exists.

Two players can enter the Cable Club with a first generation {{wp|Game Link Cable}}.

====Johto Mobile Center====
Only in the Japanese Crystal version, the Pokémon Communication Center in [[Goldenrod City]]. Added was the ability to battle over mobile phones upstairs, and two new items downstairs: Pokémon News, a news machine which aggregated news about Trainer accomplishments and Trade Corner, which let a Trainer place a Pokémon up for trade. This process was in essence a prototype for the [[GTS]].

===Generation III===
[[File:RSEpokecenter.png|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}]]
[[File:FRLGCenterInside.png|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}]]
Pokémon Centers during Generation III remained in a two-floor setup, similar to the way they were in Generation II. The only difference is that the stairs to the second floor are larger and more noticeable, taking the shape of an escalator.

In [[Orre]], there is only one official Pokémon Center. It is located in [[Phenac City]].

{{sign|FRLG|header}}
{{sign|FRLG|title|"Heal Your POKéMON!"}}
{{sign|FRLG|POKéMON CENTER}}
{{sign|FRLG|footer}}

{{sign|RS|header}}
{{sign|RS|title|"Rejuvenate your tired partners!"}}
{{sign|RS|POKéMON CENTER}}
{{sign|RS|footer}}

{{sign|E|header}}
{{sign|E|title|"Rejuvenate your tired partners!"}}
{{sign|E|POKéMON CENTER}}
{{sign|E|footer}}

[[Image:Phenac Pokémon Center.png|thumb|left|Inside the Pokémon Center in [[Phenac City]]]]
====Cable Club====
Similar to the Cable Club in Johto, the [[Hoenn]] Cable Club's Pokémon Center has a Cable Club Colosseum and a Cable Club Trade Center. Now four players can link with a third generation {{wp|Game Link Cable}} to battle in a [[double battle]]. A new feature was added to the Cable Club called the Cable Club Record Center, which allows two to four trainers to swap data.  Similar to the Pokémon News in Crystal version, swapped trainer data shows up on [[television]] shows on televisions found all across Hoenn.  Also, trainers' [[secret base]]s are copied over in the record mixing.

====Wireless Club====
The [[Generation III]] Kanto and {{v2|Emerald}} version Hoenn have a Wireless Club.  The Wireless Club meets in the [[Union Room]], where up to 40 trainers may (in groups of five) talk and battle, as well as trade via a trading board similar to the Crystal version Trade Corner.  The Cable Club's room has the standard Trade Center and Colosseum.  Pokémon Emerald version's Cable Club also has the Record Center.

===Generation IV===
[[File:Dppokecenter.PNG‎|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}]]
[[File:HGSSPokéCenter.png|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}]]
In Generation IV, Pokémon Centers introduce a basement floor, utilizing Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Opposite the second floor escalator, another escalator downstairs to the basement appears. While the second floor retains the same functionality that it did during Generation III with four player on the DS's wireless connection, the basement floor is where players can link up with others around the world using {{wp|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection}}. The first floor, as always, is where a player can heal their Pokémon and a [[PC]]. As of {{game|Platinum}} players can also challenge a Trainer or Trainers inside some Pokémon Centers.

In {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}} the Pokémon Center was redesigned again. The second floor became a mezzanine, located above and directly behind the main desk, and two staircases were added on each side of the desk for access to it. The PC was moved to the corner of the desk. All functions remain the same. The player's [[Walking_Pokémon#Pokémon_HeartGold_and_SoulSilver|partner Pokémon]] will return to its [[Poké Ball]] while being healed. Also, if the first Pokémon in the player's party had been fainted prior to healing, it will return to being the partner as soon as it has been revived. 

{{sign|DPcity|header}}
{{sign|DPcity|Heal Your Pokémon!}}
{{sign|DPcity|title|Pokémon Center}}
{{sign|DPcity|footer}}
====Wireless Club====
In [[Generation IV]], Sinnoh and Johto both have a wireless club just like [[Hoenn]] and [[Kanto]], but with a lack of a Record Center. However, the Pokémon Centers in these regions have a basement, where the Wi-Fi Club is located, for people to connect to each other if they are registered on each other's [[Pal Pad]]. Here they can battle and trade, and they can talk to each other through the built-in microphone of the DS, instead of with a chat box like it was in [[Generation III]].

====Wi-Fi Plaza====
The [[Wi-Fi Plaza]] is an enhancement to the Wi-Fi Club in Pokémon Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is found downstairs in the Pokémon Center. Players from around the world can enter a "plaza" to make Poffins and play mini-games together via Nintendo Wi-Fi. The player can walk around the plaza and communicate with other players in the plaza. A leap in multiplayer gameplay is introduced, allowing up to twenty players to enter the Wi-Fi Plaza at a time. The player may only spend a certain amount of time at the Wi-Fi Plaza each day.

===Generation V===
In {{game|Black and White|s}}, the Poké Mart has been combined with the Pokémon Center.
[[File:CoroCoro_BW6.jpg|thumb|right|A Pokémon Center in {{game|Black and White|s}}]]

==In the anime==
In the {{pkmn|anime}}, a [[Nurse Joy]] heads each Pokémon Center. The healing process takes place in real time, unlike in the games. All Pokémon Centers are connected and, in times of crisis, all Pokémon can be [[Pokémon storage system|transferred]] from one to another, as seen in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]''.
[[Image:CeruleanPokecenter.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Cerulean City]] Pokémon Center as it appears in the anime]][[File:Pokémon Center heal.png|thumb|left|Ash's Pokémon going to be treated|220px]]

Pokémon Centers are designed for Trainers so they can rest between {{pkmn|training|activities}}. Trainers use Centers as gathering places, so they can share information about Pokémon. They also have access to video phones, PC with trading functions and most offer free food and lodging. Inside a typical Pokémon Center, one can find a front desk, a lobby (sometimes with vending machines), a [[Poké Ball]] room, an Emergency Room with plenty of beds for injured Pokémon, a recovery room, a waiting room, rooms for lodging, and a cafeteria. It is unknown how these activities performed by a Pokémon Center are financed. On the outside, they come in all shapes and sizes, but usually have a rather large ''P'' somewhere.
{{-}}

==Differences among generations==
<gallery widths="66px" heights="80px" perrow="8">
File:Pokémon Center RBGY.png|Generation I (Kanto)
File:Pokémon Center GSC.png|Generation II (Johto)
File:Kanto Pokémon Center GSC.png|Generation II (Kanto)
File:Pokémon Center RSE.png|Generation III (Hoenn)
File:FRLGCenter.png|Generation III (Kanto)
File:Pokémon Center DPPt.png|Generation IV (Sinnoh)
File:Pokémon Center.png|Generation IV (Kanto/Johto)
File:Pokémon Center 2 HGSS.png|Generation IV (Johto)
</gallery>

==Trivia==
* For ''[[DP004|Dawn of a New Era!]]'', [[Professor Oak's lecture]] is about Pokémon Centers.  He writes this [[Pokémon senryū]] about it: ジョーイさん　あいたくなったら　ポケモンセンター ''Jōi-san aitaku nattara, Pokémon sentā.'' "When I want to meet Nurse Joy, Pokémon Center."
* If a Trainer gets at least four stars on their {{ga|Trainer card}} in [[Generation IV]], the nurse at the Pokémon Center will make special mention of this, and then refer to the player by name upon subsequent visits.
* A man in the [[Resort Area]] describes how Pokémon Centers come to be in an area. When [[Pokémon]] appear, Trainers will also come. When Trainers appear, Pokémon Centers will also come about.
* The Pokémon Center's theme music has remained essentially the same throughout the franchise. It is notably different at [[time|night time]] in [[Generation IV]].
*A remix of the theme music was used in [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]].
* In the Japanese versions of the [[Generation II]] games, the sign of Johto's Pokémon Centers have a Poké Ball logo and the letters PC while Kanto's use the same sign as [[Generation I]]. However, the Generation I sign was used for both regions in the international versions.
*In [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions]], the phrase the nurse says after healing your Pokémon is changed from "We hope to see you again!" to "Please, come back again any time!" It was probably changed because the phrase "We hope to see you again!" can be taken to mean that the nurse wants your pokemon to get hurt, as the main reason for going to a Pokémon Center is to heal hurt Pokémon.

[[Category:Buildings]]
[[Category:Pokémon world]]

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