Pokégear

Blue Pokégear in HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pink Pokégear in HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokémon Gear (Japanese: ポケモンギア Pokémon Gear), mostly known as Pokégear (Japanese: ポケギア Pokégear), is an electronic device found in Johto. It looks like a large, advanced wristwatch with the Silph Co. logo on it. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the player receives a Pokégear from their mother at the start of their journey. Similar devices are the PokéNav, the Pokétch, the C-Gear, and the Player Search System.

The Pokégear is an important tool for Trainers, some see it necessary to have one on a Trainer's adventure. The player is able to have access to the Pokégear by selecting it from the menu. At that, it is easy to navigate through the Pokégear by selecting through four different functions located at the top-left of the screen. It displays the map of the region, names of previously fought Trainers, and the current time. It also allows players to call registered Trainers. Certain functions need to be unlocked during the game by receiving special expansion cards.

The Pokégear returns in the Generation IV remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. The interface has been completely redesigned, using both screens on the Nintendo DS. The top will always display the time function on the Pokégear, while the touch screen will display the other different functions of the Pokégear, as well as selecting other functions using the touch screen. The outer aesthetics of the Pokégear have changed abruptly as well. The whole Pokégear is a flip top, while the bottom section of the Pokégear is used to scan special expansion cards to upgrade it with other functions. Its color skin is changeable between blue (standard for male players), pink (standard for female players), a Team Rocket theme, a Japanese dojo theme, a Pokémon League theme, and teal-and-white with a Silph Co. theme.

Functions

Pokégear artwork from Generation II

The Pokégear's functionality comes from the several features and applications that can be installed in it, making it extensible. Many people are willing to give away special expansion cards to upgrade the Pokégear with other functions. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, there are 4 available functions, two of which are included with the Pokégear. The rest are not available at the start but can be received at a later time.

Time

Included in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal with the Pokégear, the time function is the most basic feature. The Pokégear will digitally display the time of day using the 12-hour AM/PM format as well as the day of the week. It runs off the time that the player input at the beginning of the game.

A glitch in Gold and Silver will change the day if the functions are scrolled through; this was addressed in Crystal. A function in Gold and Silver that allowed players to reset the game's time in the title screen was also removed from Crystal.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the time will always be displayed on the top screen of the DS. However, unlike in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the time is displayed using the 24-hour format instead of the 12-hour format and runs on the Nintendo DS's internal clock, much like the Pokétch. There is also a wireless signal measurement next to the time, though it has no purpose and always displays the same.

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  The time function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal

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  The top screen in HeartGold and SoulSilver

Map

Obtained after the player receives a map card for the Pokégear after taking a tour of Cherrygrove City from the Guide Gent, the map function of the Pokégear acts as a Town Map, displaying a map of Johto and later Kanto with cities, towns and other important landmarks. It is the most basic of the map devices used by the player, and is the navigational item for all Generation II games.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the mechanics of the map remain the same, only to have several added features, including the ability to zoom in to display areas of interest, with certain locations having a small flavor text. There is another feature that allows the player to add notes and markings to different locations, to allow the player to make notes about each area about the Pokémon in the area, any Apricorn trees, any special buildings, TM locations or any other notes. These notes will appear on the top screen when the player highlights that specific area on the map. Like the Marking Map on the Pokétch, it also displays the current locations of all Roaming Pokémon, including Entei and Raikou.

If, in HeartGold and SoulSilver, a non-player character calls the player on the Pokégear phone for a rematch or to give an item, then the Pokégear map will display a small red exclamation point next to the name of the route or location.

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  The map function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal

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  The map function in HeartGold and SoulSilver

Phone

The phone function in HeartGold and SoulSilver

The phone function in Generation II

Included in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal with the device, the Pokégear's phone acts like a cellphone, allowing the user to make calls to people that they've traded phone numbers with. This allows the player to talk to other characters and learn information from them, such as battling tips or when rare Pokémon appear. Trainers with whom the player has exchanged numbers may also sometimes call the player to request a rematch, in which they will use higher-level Pokémon than during their initial battle.

The phone can also store numbers of other important people, like the player's mom or Professor Elm. Mom will also ring every so often, telling the player about the money she has saved (if opted for by the player) and occasionally spending that money on decorations for the player's bedroom or items such as Super Potions for the player. In Generation II, the phone function has a memory bank that can store the numbers for up to ten people.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the phone function makes a return and is used in the same way as before, though the interface (like the rest of the Pokégear) can now be controlled with the touch screen in addition to (or as an alternative to) the DS's buttons. In the remakes, the phone has no limit on how many numbers can be stored, though, unlike Generation II, numbers cannot be deleted from it. Also in the remakes, the player now has the option not to answer when someone calls them.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Trainers will only begin calling the player for rematches once the player has collected seven Badges and beaten Team Rocket at the Radio Tower in Goldenrod City. In addition, once the Radio Tower has been saved, the player can call registered Trainers to arrange rematches with them without having to wait for the respective Trainers to call the player. Each Trainer has a specific time during a specific day each week where they will accept a rematch when called; if they are called at any other time of the week, they will use their usual script, and a rematch will not be arranged. When a Trainer is called at the appropriate time, as long as the player is not at the same route or location as the Trainer, they will accept the challenge of a rematch and can then be battled at their original location with higher-level Pokémon at any later point in time (though, once the rematch has taken place, the player will need to call or be called again in order to carry out another rematch). Additionally to further power up the Trainer's team in two additional phases, defeating the Elite Four and later collecting all 16 Badges are the necessary requirements for these powerups as long as each incarnation of that Trainers' team is fought at least once. If a rematch with a Trainer has been arranged but not carried out, a red exclamation point will appear next to the name of the Trainer's location on the Pokégear map (unless it is against a Gym Leader, in which Saffron City will not have the exclamation point).

Trainer phone listing

Person Location RematchHGSS Notes Mom* New Bark Town Saves the player's money and buys items. Professor Elm* New Bark Town Calls about major events. Professor Oak Pallet Town Gives phone number when first met at Mr. Pokémon's house; call him to have Pokédex rated.HGSS Youngster Joey Route 30 22 Monday afternoon Gives away HP Up.CHGSS Bug Catcher Wade Route 31 33 Tuesday night Reminds player of the Bug-Catching Contest. Gives away Berries.CHGSS Picnicker Liz Route 32 52 Thursday afternoon Fisherman Ralph Route 32 41 Wednesday morning Calls during a Qwilfish swarmGSC Hiker Anthony Route 33 63 Friday night Calls during a Dunsparce swarmGSC Poké Ball Creator Kurt Azalea Town Calls to tell the player that his/her Poké Balls are readyHGSS Picnicker Gina Route 34 12 Sunday afternoon Gives away Leaf StonesCHGSS Camper Todd Route 34 71 Saturday morning Reminds player of the Goldenrod Department Store's bargain sale.C Youngster IanHGSS Route 34 71 Saturday morning Day Care LadyHGSS Route 34 Day Care Man Route 34 01 Calls when Pokémon left at the Day Care produce an Egg if the player wishes him to*HGSS Childhood Friend Ethan/LyraHGSS New Bark Town Number is obtained from them when first visiting the Day Care Center on Route 34; when contacted, they will give information on how certain Pokémon will react to different areas Bill Goldenrod City Calls when Bill's PC box is fullGSC or when every box is full.HGSS Can be called to find out how much space is left in the current boxGSC or the entire storage systemHGSS. Buena Goldenrod City Obtainable after getting 30 Blue Card points.CHGSS Bug Catcher Arnie Route 35 31 Tuesday morning Calls during a Yanma swarm.GSC Firebreather WaltHGSS Route 35 22 Monday afternoon Juggler Irwin Route 35 Lass KriseHGSS National Park 71 Sunday morning Pokéfan Beverly National Park Requires Marill in partyC: Gives away NuggetsCHGSS School Kid Jack National Park 21 Monday morning School Kid Alan Route 36 42 Wednesday afternoon Gives away Fire StonesCHGSS Lass Dana Route 38 53 Thursday night Calls during a Tauros swarmGSC, and gives away ThunderstonesCHGSS School Kid Chad Route 38 61 Friday morning Calls during a Snubbull swarm.GSC Pokéfan Derek Route 39 Requires Pikachu in partyC: Gives away NuggetsCHGSS Gentleman AlfredHGSS Glitter Lighthouse 32 Tuesday afternoon Sailor Huey Glitter Lighthouse 43 Wednesday night Gives away ProteinCHGSS Fisher ChrisGS Route 42 72 Sunday afternoon Fisherman Tully Route 42 72 Sunday afternoon Gives away Water StonesCHGSS Picnicker Tiffany Route 43 32 Tuesday afternoon Gives away Poké DollsCHGSS PokéManiac Brent Route 43 21 Monday morning Bird Keeper Vance Route 44 43 Wednesday night Gives away CarbosCHGSS Fisherman Wilton Route 44 51 Thursday morning Calls during a Remoraid swarmGS and gives away various Poké BallsCHGSS Black Belt Kenji Route 45 80 Random Gives away PP Ups during random lunch breaks at noonCHGSS Hiker Parry Route 45 62 Friday afternoon Calls during a Marill swarmGSC, and gives away IronCHGSS Picnicker Erin Route 46 73 Saturday night Gives away CalciumCHGSS Safari Warden Baoba Johto Safari Zone Calls about expansions in the Safari ZoneHGSS Bug Catcher DougHGSS Route 2 41 Wednesday morning Bug Catcher RobHGSS Route 2 61 Friday morning Fisherman KyleHGSS Route 12 42 Wednesday afternoon Fisherman KylerHGSS Route 12 52 Thursday afternoon Camper TannerHGSS Route 13 23 Monday night Hiker KennyHGSS Route 13 72 Saturday afternoon Young Couple Tim & SueHGSS Route 13 62 Friday afternoon Bird Keeper Josh Route 14 33 Tuesday night Gives away Shiny StonesHGSS School Kid TorinHGSS Route 14 43 Wednesday night School Kid Billy Route 15 63 Friday night Gives hints on a specific Gym Leader which helps with collecting their phone number.HGSS Teacher HillaryHGSS Route 15 53 Thursday night Twins Kay & TiaHGSS Route 15 73 Saturday night Biker AidenHGSS Route 17 21 Monday morning Biker ErnestHGSS Route 17 12 Sunday afternoon Biker ReeseHGSS Route 17 13 Sunday night Cooltrainer BethGSC Route 26 62 Friday afternoon Ace Trainer Jamie Route 26 62 Friday afternoon Ace Trainer Gaven Route 26 51 Thursday morning Ace Trainer Reena Route 27 71 Sunday morning Bird Keeper Jose Route 27 73 Saturday night Gives away Star PiecesCHGSS

Gym Leader phone listing

See also Gym Leader Phone Listing (sub-section of Gym Leader Rematch).

The rematch concept is expanded in HeartGold and SoulSilver to allow players to rematch the Gym Leaders of Johto and Kanto. The phone numbers for most of the sixteen Leaders can be obtained after defeating the Elite Four, but rematches with the Gym Leaders cannot be scheduled until the Earth Badge has been obtained (i.e Blue has been defeated). By speaking with them at the appropriate time and place, players can obtain their phone numbers. At a later, specified date, the player can call the Leader and ask for a rematch. The Leader will always accept, and the battle will be fought at Saffron City's Fighting Dojo.

Leader Time and Location of Phone Number Time of Battle Falkner Mondays in the Celadon City Department Store; must have beaten Janine; any time Saturday morning Bugsy Thursdays in Viridian Forest; any time Thursday afternoon Whitney Any day in the Goldenrod City Department Store; between 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon Morty Mondays and Tuesdays on the Bellchime Trail; any time Tuesday night Chuck Any day from Chuck's wife; any time Wednesday night Jasmine Any day in the Olivine Café; between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM Wednesday afternoon Pryce Any morning by the Lake of Rage; between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM Monday morning Clair Any morning in the Dragon's Den; must have beaten Lance and her in a double battle; between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM Friday night Brock Any day in Diglett's Cave; must have beaten Blue; between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM Saturday night Misty Any day on Route 25 (unless Suicune is present); must have beaten Blue; between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Wednesday morning Lt. Surge Any day by the Kanto Power Plant after Zapdos is captured and the player is walking with a Pikachu; must have beaten Blue; between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Friday morning Erika Saturdays and Sundays by the Celadon City fountain; must have beaten Blue; between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM Sunday morning Sabrina Fridays at the Olivine City harbor; must have S.S. Ticket; any time Sunday afternoon Janine Any evening by the Pokémon League Reception Gate; between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Monday afternoon Blaine Tuesdays on Cinnabar Island; must have beaten Blue; any time Tuesday afternoon Blue Any day from Daisy Oak, after having at least seven massages and showing her a Pokémon with full happiness; any time Sunday night

Radio

After acquiring a Radio Card from a quiz host at the Goldenrod Radio Tower, the Radio function of the Pokégear can now be used. It allows the player to tune in to the various radio stations being broadcast from the two Radio Towers in Goldenrod (Johto) and Lavender (Kanto). When traveling to Kanto, however, the EXPN Card must be obtained from the manager of the Kanto Radio Tower before all Kanto stations can be played in Crystal Version, and the Poké Flute station can be played in Gold, Silver, HeartGold, and SoulSilver versions.

The Radio usually allows the players to tune in to the local programs, allowing the player to get tips from Professor Oak and DJ Mary on Prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk, or to let the player tune in to specific channels such as Buena's Password to win prizes. However, the Radio is also capable of picking up other signals within its tunable range, thereby occasionally causing weird noises to be heard such as the Mysterious Transmissions coming from the Ruins of Alph, or Team Rocket's evolution-forcing signals near the Lake of Rage.

During Team Rocket's takeover of the Goldenrod Radio Tower, all other stations were being replaced by the Team Rocket Announcement.

The Radio function also works when the Pokégear is not in use, allowing the player to play tunes from a specific radio show when on the move. Some tunes even affect how wild Pokémon appear, notably in HeartGold and SoulSilver, when Ben from the Pokémon Music Channel occasionally broadcasts the Hoenn Sound or Sinnoh Sound to allow the player to attract wild Pokémon native to Hoenn or Sinnoh.

Generation II

The radio interface in Gold, Silver, and Crystal

In Generation II when the Radio was first introduced, the interface features an interactive box at the top right corner, consisting of a number line divided into 'channels' and a slider that is controlled by the up (slider moves right) and down (slider moves left) buttons. The channels range from 0 to 20.5, and when the slider reaches a correct channel, a program will play (in this case, 4.5 for Prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk). Most of the screen shows the name of the program and a large space for the dialog box to appear.

The following lists the shows available in Generation II:

See also Broadcasted programs in Goldenrod Radio Tower.

Radio shows in Generation II

Program Host(s) Channel Description Pokédex Show (no host) 4.5 (Johto) 4 AM-10 AM only A show that broadcasts Pokédex entries gathered by the player. Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk Mary and Oak 4.5 (Johto) 10 AM-4 AM only Talk show discussing locations where Pokémon can be found. Pokémon Music Ben 7.5 (Johto) Broadcasts different music of different effects depending on the day of the week. Lucky Channel Reed 8.5 (Johto) Broadcasts one ID per week; Trainers who come to the welcome center with a Pokémon whose ID is similar will win a prize. Buena's Password (Crystal only) Buena 10.5 (Johto) Broadcasts one password per night between 6 PM-12 AM; Trainers who come to Buena and recite the password can get points redeemable for prizes. Mysterious Transmission (Un(kn)own Radio Station) Unown 13.5 (Johto) Strange noises will play. Only when the player is at Ruins of Alph. Places and People Lily 16.5 (Kanto) Talk show discussing Kanto locations or Trainers the player has faced. Requires EXPN Card in Pokémon Crystal. Let's All Sing Fern 18.5 (Kanto) Broadcasts different music of different effects depending on the day of the week. Requires EXPN Card in Pokémon Crystal. Poké Flute (no host) 20.0 (Kanto) Plays Poké Flute music. Used to awaken Snorlax. Requires EXPN Card. Radio Transmission Team Rocket evolution signal Team Rocket HQ 20.5 (Johto) A high-pitched screech plays over and over. Only plays in Mahogany Town, Route 43, and Lake of Rage. No longer plays when the player has cleared the Team Rocket HQ. Team Rocket Announcement Team Rocket All stations (Johto) Plays on all stations once Team Rocket has succeeded in taking over the Radio Tower. A Team Rocket executive announces over the airwaves that they have rejoined, and pleads their boss, Giovanni, to come out of hiding and rejoin them. Begins playing once the player has obtained seven Badges; no longer plays when Team Rocket disbands.

Generation IV

The bottom screen of the radio interface in HeartGold and SoulSilver

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the radio function makes a return, but the interface changed drastically from Generation II. Most of the dialog and the reception icon is now shown at the top screen, while tuning can be done at the bottom screens. Tuning is done in two ways: moving a rounded indicator around the circular area using the stylus, or by selecting one of the four buttons at the side of the circular area, which directly tunes the radio to a pre-set Radio Station. (The Mysterious Transmission and the Poké Flute have to be manually tuned using the stylus.)

Programs in HeartGold and SoulSilver are now more varied; Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk will update the player on recent swarm, while a Variety Channel features a documentary and radio play. The broadcast timings for Buena's Password have also been changed, allowing her program to be received for one out of every three hours. Most programs are also not limited to their respective broadcast regions; the four main stations can be heard in both Kanto and Johto.

The following lists the shows available in Generation IV:

Radio shows in Generation IV

Program Host(s) Description Station 1 (top-left) Pokémon Music Ben Broadcasts different music of different effects depending on the day of the week. Station 2 (top-right) Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk Mary and Oak Talk show discussing locations where semi-rare Pokémon can be found. Also broadcasts updates on swarms and where Sinnoh/Hoenn and other Pokémon currently reside after receiving the National Pokédex. Station 3 (bottom-left) Street Corner Channel Snap Broadcasts a show called "Trainer Profiles", which describes a randomly selected Trainer class. Switches with the Town Channel every hour. Town Channel Unknown Broadcasts a show called "That Town, These People" that selects the top 3 landmarks or persons in any given city or town (except for Cinnabar Island). Switches with the Street Corner Channel every hour. Station 4 (bottom-right) Variety Channel Silver Drama Broadcasts Pokémon Search party, Serial Radio Drama and the Buena's Password channel. The three programs rotate on an hourly basis throughout the day. Buena's Password (part of Variety Channel) Buena Broadcasts one password every hour at 2 AM, 5 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 8 PM, and 11 PM; Trainers who come to Buena and recite the password can get points redeemable for prizes. Others (stations that have to be manually tuned, or otherwise) Poké Flute (manually tuned) (no host) Plays Poké Flute music that is used to awaken Snorlax. Only plays in Kanto and Johto's Game Corner. Requires EXPN Card upgrade. Tuning instructions: somewhere near the top, above stations 1 and 2. Mysterious Transmission (Un(kn)own Radio Station, manually tuned) Unown When the player is at the Ruins of Alph, strange noises will play and there will be no reception from other stations. It also increases the chance of encountering an Unown shape the player has not yet encountered. Sounds similar to the Azure Flute. Tuning instructions: somewhere in the center. Radio Transmission (Team Rocket evolution signal) Team Rocket HQ A high-pitched screech plays over and over. Only plays in Mahogany Town, Route 43, and Lake of Rage and causes interference that prevents the radio from tuning in to other stations. No longer plays when the player has cleared the Team Rocket HQ. Team Rocket Announcement Team Rocket Played on all stations after Team Rocket had succeeded in the taking over the Radio Tower. A Team Rocket executive announces over the airwaves that they have rejoined, and pleads their boss, Giovanni, to come out of hiding and rejoin them. Begins playing once the player had defeated the seventh Gym leader, no longer plays when Team Rocket disbands.

In the anime

Brock's Pokégear

In the anime, it is shown that the Pokégear has at least three designs: a black one, a white one, and a pink one. Several characters in the anime own Pokégears:

• Lisa lent hers to Ash so that he could keep in contact with Professor Oak in Spell of the Unown.
• A Pokégear under the ownership of Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader made a brief appearance in Fight for the Light.
• Jimmy, Marina, and Vincent all own Pokégears. A plot point of The Legend of Thunder! is that it includes a tracking system to show where the other Pokégears currently are.

Misty's Pokégear

• Misty also owns one, so that she can keep in contact with her sisters at the Cerulean Gym.
• Lyra owns the new version of the Pokégear, and she owns a pink model. Likewise, her friend Khoury owns a blue model.
• Brock received his own Pokégear at the end of Bagged Then Tagged! when he was given one by Khoury's father. It has been used fairly regularly by him since then, normally being used by Brock to track the group's location (similar to how Max did with the PokéNav).

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

The Pokégear in Pokémon Adventures

Cyrus's Pokégear in Pokémon Adventures

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

The Pokégear is often used in Pokémon Adventures, first appearing in the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc. The Pokégear is the Pokémon world's equivalent of a cellular phone, albeit with more functions such as a Map Card. In addition to the Johto and Kanto Pokédex holders, Ruby also possesses one. Bill, Kimberly, Mr. Briney, Misty, Erika, Norman, Juan, Byron, Riley, Wallace, Volkner, and Flint are also seen to own a Pokégear. Cyrus was seen with a special Pokégear that had the Team Galactic symbol around the screen.

In addition to its role as a cellular phone, the Pokégear can also be used as a remote control. It played a large role in the development of the Masked Man; this gadget was used to send signals to his Pokémon so that the Masked Man and his alter ego could be in "two places at one time."

Later in the Ruby & Sapphire arc, Ruby explained to Sapphire how a password from the Pokégear is needed to operate an aircar, having learned how to do so from his mentor.

In the TCG

Both iterations of the Pokégear appear as cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
PokéGear	T	Neo Genesis		88/111	Gold, Silver, to a New World...
Pokégear 3.0	T	HeartGold & SoulSilver		96/123	SoulSilver Collection		064/070

Trivia

• Music from the Pokégear doesn't stop when the player uses Surf; however, it does stop when the player gets out of the water.
• In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Pokégear's map displays Ethan's icon's hat with black sides, however the Pokédex display Ethan's icon's hat with yellow sides. This may be a leftover from conversion from his Generation II design (where the front of his hat was all black and the back was all yellow) to his Generation IV design (where the sides of his hat are black and the middle is yellow).
• The older Pokégear in Crystal is divided into male and female, male has a dark gray and female has a pearl white. and the new Pokégear of male changes the color into blue.

Names

Language Title Japanese ポケギア English Pokégear Mandarin Chinese 神奇寶貝裝置 Shénqíbǎobèi Zhuāngzhì European French PokéMatos German PokéCom Italian Pokégear Korean 포켓기어 Pokégear Polish Pok飹cze European Spanish PokéGear

Menu Pokémon List • Pokédex • Bag/Satchel • Trainer Card/League Card • Save • Options Apps: Town Map • Rotom Pokédex • Rotom Phone Pokégear • PokéNav • PokéNav Plus • Pokétch C-Gear • Player Search System • Festival Plaza • Communicate • Y-Comm • Poké Portal Pokémon-Amie • Pokémon Refresh • Partner Play • Pokémon Camp • Picnic Mystery Gift • Super Training • QR Scanner • Poké Pelago • VS • P★DA

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.