Mauville City (Japanese: キンセツシティKinsetsu City) is located in central Hoenn and serves as the hub for travelers throughout the Hoenn region. The city is also notable for its old guys.
Wattson is the Gym Leader and founder of Mauville. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, he originally had plans to do a complete overhaul of the town, but abandoned them. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Wattson instead managed to redevelop it, modeled on Lumiose City of Kalos. Due to this, its layout has changed dramatically, becoming a mostly-indoor city with various shops and floors.
A bike shop is located in Mauville City which is called Rydel's Cycles. It is very conveniently located for the owner and customers alike, as the Seaside Cycling Road runs on Route 110, just to the south. Rydel sells Acro Bikes and Mach Bikes. However, he will give the player a bike for free after he finds out that the player has come all the way from Littleroot Town with just Running Shoes. The player may exchange their bike with Rydel for the other bike.
In Generation VI, after the Delta Episode, the player has the opportunity to carry both bikes at the same time. After advertising the bikes to certain NPCs, the player will receive the counterpart bike of the one they are currently using as thanks for their continued advertisement of the Rydel brand. The NPCs are located:
In Generation III, the Mauville Game Corner is a tourist attraction where people can gamble coins on slots or roulette. This game corner houses two roulette wheels and sixteen slot machines. A Coin Case is needed to play at the game corner, which can also be found in one of the houses at Mauville City, in exchange for Harbor Mail.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Game Corner is closed, with the owner stating that he had to close it for "reasons you don't need to know".
On the closed door, a notice reads:
"Thank you for your support over the years. Good game!"
The Mauville Gym specializes in Electric-type Pokémon. Wattson, the Gym leader hands out the Dynamo Badge to players who defeat him. The Gym contains electric dividers that turn on or off when different switches are stepped on.
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Mauville Food Court allows the player places an order for food at one of the three counters. After paying, the player is given an amount of turns to wait for their meal. Taking a seat, the player is then challenged to battle by a gauntlet of Trainers trying to take their seat away.
Crooner's Café
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the bartender at this café will give the player TM48 (Round).
Outside, a sign reads:
"A Mellow Blend of Coffee & Music"
"Crooner's Café"
Narcissus Mirror Shop
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the owner of this shop will give the player a Reveal Glass if they have Thundurus, Tornadus, or Landorus in their party.
Outside, a sign reads:
"We See Eye to Eye"
"Narcissus Mirror Shop"
Move Tutors
In Pokémon Emerald, near Mauville Gym is a man who will teach a compatible Pokémon Rollout one time only.
The Battle Institute on the east side of the first floor works in the same way as the one in Lumiose City in Kalos. The player can opt for a Battle Test (five consecutive single or double battles) or a Download Test (which can be downloaded either wirelessly or via Wi-Fi at certain time, similar to event Pokémon). The player can win Battle Points here.
Next to the Battle Institute is the Inverse Battle Stop. Here, the player can battle Inver, the same Psychic who challenges players to Inverse Battles in Kalos. Inver uses a different pool of Pokémon compared to the ones he used in X and Y, and they start at level 20 as opposed to level 55. Inver has many preset Pokémon, but only chooses a random three during the battle. In addition, his Pokémon's Abilities may vary, even potentially having their Hidden Abilities. After he is defeated, Inver will give the player an item depending on how well they did.
A sign outside the building reads:
"Same Old Battles Got You Down? Turn It Up!"
"Inverse Battle Stop"
Ritzy Ribbon Retail
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, a store north of the exit to Route 117 will sell expensive Ribbons previously sold by the Ribbon Syndicate of Sinnoh.
In the northwest area of the first floor, a Gentleman will allow the player to exchange their Poké Miles for items. His function and wares are identical to that of the Poké Mile store in X and Y.
The TV station that runs the news on the BuzzNav. The player can sit at the news desk, but this doesn't put them on the BuzzNav news.
Mauville Hills
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the second floor of Mauville City is a high-class apartment complex known as Mauville Hills, and is the only residential area in the city. The player is not authorized to enter until they have agreed to help Wattson investigate New Mauville. To gain access, the player must speak to Wattson, who can be found in the central area of the city looking at the brightly shining Square Tower after the player has caught or defeatedGroudonOR/KyogreAS.
All accessible balconies can be flown or soared from.
Apartment 1
Apt. 1: Rotation Frump's Home is located against the northern wall on the west side of the northern hallway. It is home to a unique female Expert known as Rotation Girl Circie—also known as the Rotation Frump, formally known as the Rotation Fiend—who will reluctantly battle the player in a Rotation Battle once per day. This is the only instance of Rotation Battles found in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire outside of Secret Bases and the Battle Maison.
Trainers with a PokéNav by their names will be registered in the Trainer's Eyes or Match Call function after the first battle, and may have a rematch with the player with higher-level Pokémon.
There is no response from the intercom.
Apartment 2
Apt. 2: Ribbon Belle's Home is located against the northern wall on the east side of the northern hallway. It is home to the Ribbon Belle, who will gift the player's entire party with daily Memorial Ribbons.
It is also home to a woman who will comment on the affection of the Pokémon at the front of the player's party. If she is shown a Pokémon with maximum affection, she will give it a Best Friends Ribbon.
Affection
Quote
0-1
It's affectionate, perhaps? I don't know.
2
It's a bit affectionate to you! I can tell!
3
It's affectionate to you! You and your Pokémon must be enjoying Pokémon-Amie and contests together!
4
It's very affectionate to you! Affectionate Pokémon are very cute when they battle along you, aren't they?
5
For a Pokémon not wearing the Ribbon: It's super affectionate to you! You must love each other very much! Thank you for showing your strong bond with your Pokémon! The journey will be a lot more fun if you're with affectionate Pokémon!
For a Pokémon wearing the Ribbon: It's super affectionate to you! You must love each other very much! I'm envious!
There is no response from the intercom.
Apartment 3
Apt. 3: Old Guys' Home is located against the eastern wall on the north side of the eastern hallway. It is home to the old guys found in the Mauville City Pokémon Center. Each time one of the old guys gives the player both of their O-Powers, they return here (old guys the player has not yet encountered in the Pokémon Center are not present).
If the player speaks to the Storyteller after having spoken to the powerless man in Apt. 11, the Storyteller will ask the player to go fetch the man. When the powerless man is spoken to again, the player will bring him to Apt. 3. Here, the old guys transfer their power to the powerless man one by one, each one disappearing as he does. Once all five old guys have disappeared, the powerless man becomes Mr. Bonding, who gives the player Hatching Power and leaves.
There is no response from the intercom.
Apartment 7
Apt. 7: A Dreaming Man's Home is located against the western wall on the south side of the western hallway. It is home to a Scientist who dreams of giving out HM06 (Rock Smash) to Trainers. He can be found practicing his explanation of the function of Rock Smash HM. On the wall is a picture of a rock being smashed. There is also a Beauty with a Slakoth in the overworld.
Apt. 11: A Powerless Man's Home is located against the western wall on the north side of the eastern hallway. It is home to a businessman who is depressed about his lack of power.
This apartment also includes access to the balcony. TM89 (U-turn) can be found on this balcony.
There is no response from the intercom.
Apartment 13
Apt. 13: Wattson's Home is located against the northern wall on the east side of the southern hallway. Here, Wattson will request that the player visit New Mauville and press a button on the computer. After doing so, he will reward the player with TM24 (Thunderbolt); Wattson will then return to his Gym rather than staying in his apartment. Other than Wattson (who is not always there), inside Wattson's apartment is his wife, as well as a Plusle and Minun walking around in the overworld.
Wattson's apartment also includes access to the balcony. A Taillow in the overworld is standing on this balcony.
Using the intercom, a voice will invite the player inside.
Apartment 14
Apt. 14: An Ice-Cream Lover's House is located against the northern wall on the west side of the southern hallway. It is home to a Fairy Tale Girl who will sell the player a Casteliacone for $200 if the player has Regice in their party.
This apartment also includes access to the balcony. A Rich Boy is standing on this balcony, who comments about the exclusive view tenants have access to.
There is no response from the intercom.
Inaccessible inhabited apartments
For all of these apartments, the door is locked, preventing the player from entering; however, a person inside will talk to the player over the intercom.
Apt. 5: A Composer's Home is located against the southern wall on the east side of the southern hallway. Using the intercom, the composer assumes the player to be a fan and considers their presence to be an invasion of his privacy.
Apt. 6: A Devoted Woman's Home is located against the southern wall on the west side of the southern hallway. It is home to woman who is a huge fan of the composer in apartment 5. Using the intercom, the woman assumes the player to be a fan of the composer, criticizing the player for attempting to enter the composer's home and proclaiming that she is a more devoted fan.
Apt. 9: A Cold Woman's Home is located against the southern wall on the west side of the northern hallway. Using the intercom, the woman will simply tell the player she doesn't need anything.
Apt. 10: Home of the Man Who Keeps an Eye on the Corridor is located against the southern wall on the east side of the northern hallway. Using the intercom, the man will ask the player to leave as they are obstructing his view of the corridor through his video intercom.
Apt. 12: A Frightened Man's Home is located against the western wall on the south side of the eastern hallway. It is home to a Collector who is late on his rent payment. The first time the player visits the area, he is in the hallway being harassed by a loan shark for money, with the two of them entering the locked apartment after a brief conversation. If the player returns to this hallway, the loan shark will be standing outside and give the player a Lopunnite who took as payment from this tenant. Using the intercom, the man will claim to not be home.
Vacant apartments
Apartments 4, 8, 15, and 16 are vacant. There is no response from the intercom. They serve no functional purpose.
Unlike the other three, Apartment 16 states it has a deal on the lease, and using the intercom gives a response of "..." rather than a message telling the player that there is no response.
Apartment 4 is located against the eastern wall on the south side of the eastern hallway, Apartment 8 against the western wall on the north side of the western hallway, Apartment 15 against the eastern wall on the south side of the western hallway, and Apartment 16 against the eastern wall on the north side of the western hallway.
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, including the Trainers in the Food Court, Mauville City has a total population of 148, making it the largest city in Hoenn and the third-largest city in the Pokémon world, following Nimbasa and preceding Castelia, both of Unova.
Mauville City first appeared in the anime in the episode Watt's with Wattson. Ash and his friends arrived here and went straight to the Mauville Gym where Ash challenged Wattson for the Dynamo Badge. Mauville City also appeared in the episode Manectric Charge when Ash and his friends arrived here as a pit stop on their way back to Petalburg City.
Mauville City is the hometown of Tyson, one of Ash's rivals.
The city's French name "Lavandia" is the same as the German name of Lavender Town.
Additionally, the city shares its name with Lavender Town in Korean.
A small glitch occurs in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. If the player obtains the Mach Bike or Acro Bike before battling Wally, leaves the city, gets on the bicycle, then re-enters and battles him, the bicycle music will start playing after Wally's theme ends instead of the town's usual background music.
In the PokéMileage Center shop, there is a TV displaying various pictures. One of them features the Eiffel Tower.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after completing the Delta Episode, Winona is standing on a transmission tower on the roof of Mauville Hills.
Name origin
Language
Name
Origin
Japanese
キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City
Possibly from 菫 kin (violet), 近接 kinsetsu (nearby; neighboring), and 晢 setsu (shine)
