Record mixing
Mixing records is a way to share information with other players, which is able to be done in the Record Mixer. The Record Mixer is a room in the Pokémon Center that allows players to mix records with up to four players. Mixing records allows the players to swap their data from other players. Some of the things that are done are just meant for entertainment, and some have an effect on what the player can do with their Pokémon in the game. The Record Mixer and the record mixing feature was introduced in Generation III as a special feature using the enhanced multiplayer mode on the Game Boy Advance. The Record Room is located in any Pokémon Center in the second floor on the far left in Generation III and inside the Union Room in Generation IV.
In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Versions, two to four Game Boy Advances are needed with one to three link cables. The game will allow up to three other people to mix records with the player at one time. Enter the Record Mixer, and sit in a chair, and wait for the other players to sit as well. The records will automatically mix with each other. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Versions, two to four Nintendo DS systems are needed to mix records. Instead of a separate room, the Record Room is combined with the Union Room, where the people in the Union Room will automatically mix with each other.
Mixing records with other players change many small aspects of the game including television shows, secret bases, and even the movement of Feebas.
This feature is not in Generation V.
Effects in Generation III
Television shows
Mixing records affect the Television shows the player can watch, introducing some new shows that weren't available at the start of the game. The people the player mixes records with will be featured in these shows. Four new shows are available after records are mixed:
- Today's Smart Shopper - This show will show one of the purchases the recorded player made at a Poké Mart.
- Pokémon Angler - This show will feature one of the recorded player's recent fishing catches. The presenters will judge the recorded player's technique of fishing and tell everyone the caught Pokémon.
- Pokémon Today - This show will feature one of the recorded player's recent battle where they caught a Pokémon. The presenters will show what Poké Ball the recorded player's use to catch the Pokémon and if they decided to nickname it.
- The World of Masters
There are also two shows that appear from the start of the player's journey that will change when records are mixed. These television shows will sometimes feature recorded players in them and their status:
- Bravo Trainer - The Bravo Trainer show will also feature the recorded player's battles with Gabby and Ty, whether they won, and their opinion of the battle.
- Name Rater Show - The Name Rater Show will also feature the recorded player's Pokémon. It will display what the Name Rater rated the Pokémon and if they changed their Pokémon's nickname.
Secret base
Mixing records will copy and transfer all of the recorded player's secret bases to the player's game. The exact position of the secret base and the furniture arrangement of the recorded player's game will be put into the player's. After the player defeats the Elite Four, they can fight the recorded player by entering their own secret base and talking to them. It is not like a Battle Tower battle, but rather like a normal battle, where items can be used and Pokémon seen will be registered on the Pokédex. Experience and money gained will be kept as well; however, stolen items will not be kept. The recorded player's character will not look like his/her normal Trainer from the game. They will range from being, but not limited to, Trainers such as a Cooltrainer, School Kid, Youngster, Lady, and Picnicker, depending on gender and ID number.
The Storyteller
Mixing records will also change what the storyteller in the Pokémon Center of Mauville City says or does, depending on his color. He tells the player about records they have set as well as those set with other players they have mixed records with in Pokémon Emerald. When approached by the player, he will offer them choices of the records they would like to hear about as well as add a comment about it:
- The Save-Happy Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times that the player has saved the game. He then comments that one will never find a more cautious Trainer than that player.
- The Cut-Frenzy Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times that the player has used Cut. He then comments that that is a Trainer who just must love to cut.
- The Move-Loving Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times the player has moved their secret base. He then comments that that is a Trainer who loves to move houses often.
- The Cable Car-Loving Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times the Trainer rode the Cable Car to Mt. Chimney. He then comments that that must be a busy Trainer who's up and down all the time.
- The Interviewed Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times the Trainer has been interviewed. He then comments that the Trainer must be attracting a lot of attention.
- The Safari-Loving Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times the Trainer has went into the Safari Zone. He then comments that the Trainer must have a wild side that comes out in the Safari Zone.
- The Hot Spring-Loving Trainer - The Storyteller states the number of times the Trainer bathed in the hot springs. He then comments that this must be a Trainer with baby-smooth skin.
Pokémon Trainer Fan Club
Another effect would be the Trainers in the Pokémon Trainer Fan Club will start praising the recorded player depending on how well he or she has done in different areas such as the Battle Tower or the Elite Four. Normally, the Pokémon Trainer Fan Club would praise the player's achievements and announce themselves as fans of the player.
Feebas factor
Mixing records can change the trendy phrase in Dewford Town. The trendy phrase in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Versions will also affect the pattern of Feebas on Route 119. By changing the trendy phrase in Dewford Town, the six water tiles where the Feebas are positioned will change to the same patterns of those the player had mixed records with. The Feebas tiles do not stay in the same spot; rather, they change the next time the trendy phrase is changed.
Battle Tower
Mixing Records can also change the way the Trainers battle at the Battle Tower and include all recorded players in the Battle Tower. The recorded players will be placed with the exact team, moveset, and stats in the spot they lost in the Battle Tower. For example, if the recorded player broke his/her streak and lost at the 45th battle, the player will be able to fight the recorded player at the 45th battle. Furthermore, in Emerald Version, recorded players can also appear as partner Trainers in the Battle Tower's Battle Salon (within the Multi Battle mode), where two of out of the recorded players' three Pokémon will be selected for their party. All recorded players will have Trainer classes assigned to them whether fought or partnered with, similar to what occurs when battling in a recorded player's secret base.
Eon Ticket
Mixing records will copy and transfer the Eon Ticket over from another person to the player's own game. The person with the Eon Ticket must be connected to the Player 1 slot while the rest are in other spots. This will allow access to Southern Island and catch Latios or Latias, depending on the game.
Record Hall
In Pokémon Emerald, if a player mixes records with another player of Pokémon Emerald, all their records from the Record Hall will be added to the player's Record Hall and can be compared with one another. The Record Hall contains all of the records that the player has set at the Battle Frontier.
Effects in Generation IV
Television shows
There are a couple of shows that use the Record Mixer featured in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Versions, including the Trend Tracker show, Trainer Research, and Sinnoh Now, that informs players of stats about how many berries picked on a certain day, battles fought, and contest information about the recorded player. They also show interviews about recorded players along with trendy phrases set up by the recorded player.
Feebas factor
When the player mixes records, all the players who mix records will get the same positioning of the Feebas in Mt. Coronet. The four tiles where Feebas can be obtained will change to where the Player 1 slot's tiles are in the game. This can make it easier to obtain Feebas if all four players search at the same time. The Feebas tiles do not stay in the same spot, however; they change the next day.
Great Marsh
Mixing records also changes the special Pokémon of the day in the Great Marsh so all recorded players have the same Pokémon on the same day. Each day, a special Pokémon will change in the Great Marsh, therefore, to get a new set, players must wait a day. These Pokémon will appear randomly in one of the six areas, some may not appear for a while, while others appear several days in a row or in multiple areas on the same day.
Game Corner
When the player mixes records, all the players who mix records will strangely equalize the chances of winning in the Veilstone Game Corner.
Jubilife TV
When players mix records, if they have used the dressing up studio on the second floor of Jubilife TV, other players photos will be displayed alongside the players.
