Radio
Radio programs are known to be broadcast in the Kanto and Johto regions of the Pokémon world. Most radio stations are hosted by DJs and are broadcast by the Johto Radio Broadcasting Network from Goldenrod Radio Tower or by the Kanto Radio Broadcasting Network in Lavender Radio Tower in Kanto.
In the games
Radio functionality is included in the Pokégear, which is featured in the Johto-based games Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.
Lucky Number Show
The Lucky Number Show (Japanese: ラッキーナンバーキャンペーン Lucky Number Campaign) is a radio program hosted by Reed on the Lucky Channel (Japanese: ラッキーチャンネル Lucky Channel) from the Goldenrod Radio Tower in Goldenrod City in Generation II.
The station broadcasts in Johto on channel 8.5. The channel broadcasts a random OT ID number which changes every Friday. During the week, the player can visit the Radio Tower and talk to a man on the first floor. If any of the player's Pokémon in the party or in the Pokémon Storage System have an OT ID that in whole or in part matches the ID number for the week, they will receive a prize. The player may only receive a prize once per week, even if they have multiple Pokémon with winning IDs. The lucky numbers for the week are randomly generated the first time the player speaks with the man on the first floor of the Radio Tower.
The possible prizes are:
| Item | Location | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PP Up | Trainer ID matched last two digits only | G S C |
|
Exp. Share | Trainer ID matched last three or four digits only | G S C |
|
Master Ball | Trainer ID matched exactly | G S C |
While the program is no longer broadcast in Generation IV, the drawing itself remains on the Radio Tower's ground floor, changing daily, rather than weekly, and with the same prizes as the drawings in Hoenn and Sinnoh.
Mysterious Transmission
When the player is at the Ruins of Alph, strange noises will play and there will be no reception from other stations.
In Generation II, it can be heard on channel 13.5. In Generation IV, it also increases the chance of encountering an Unown form the player has not yet encountered, and sounds similar to the Azure Flute. It can be heard if the radio is tuned to somewhere in the center.
Poké Flute
The station plays Poké Flute music that is used to awaken Snorlax. It requires the EXPN Card upgrade.
In Generation II, it can be heard on channel 20.0. In Generation IV, it only plays in the Celadon Game Corner and the Goldenrod Game Corner. It can be heard if the radio is tuned near the top, above stations 1 and 2.
Pokédex Show
The Pokédex Show (Japanese: よくわかる ポケモンずかん The Pokédex Made Simple) is a radio show available in Johto in Generation II. It operates on radio frequency 4.5 from 4 AM to 10 AM each day. All the other times, Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk is broadcasted on that frequency. This show is not hosted by any known DJ. The Pokédex Show randomly broadcasts Pokédex descriptions out of the Pokémon that the player has caught and stored in the Pokédex.
Pokémon Music
The Pokémon Music Channel (Japanese: ポケモンミュージック チャンネル Pokémon Music Channel) broadcasts different pieces of music on different days of the week, each with different effects. In Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, the EXPN Card is required to listen to the Kanto station.
In Generation II, the program differs between Johto and Kanto. In Johto, the program is known as Pokémon Music (Japanese: ポケモンミュージック Pokémon Music), and is hosted by DJ Ben on channel 7.5. In Kanto, the program is known as Pokémusic (Japanese: ポケミュージック Pokémusic) or Let's All Sing! (Japanese: みんなで うたおう！ Let's Sing, Everybody!), and is hosted by DJ Fern on channel 18.5.
In Generation IV, the program is hosted by Ben in both Kanto and Johto on station 1 (top-left).
The highlighted row in the schedule below marks the current day (in UTC time).
| Day | Music | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation II | Generation IV, pre-National Pokédex |
Generation IV, post-National Pokédex | |
| Sunday | Pokémon March | Pokémon March | Pokémon Past Archive* |
| Monday | Pokémon Lullaby | Pokémon March | Pokémon March |
| Tuesday | Pokémon March | Pokémon Lullaby | Pokémon Lullaby |
| Wednesday | Pokémon Lullaby | Pokémon March | Hoenn Sound |
| Thursday | Pokémon March | Pokémon Lullaby | Sinnoh Sound |
| Friday | Pokémon Lullaby | Pokémon March | Pokémon March |
| Saturday | Pokémon March | Pokémon Lullaby | Pokémon Lullaby |
Pokémon March
The Pokémon March doubles the encounter rate of wild Pokémon when played, much like the White Flute does in Generation III and IV.
- In Generation II: The song plays on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- In Generation IV: The song plays on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays pre-National Pokédex, and only on Mondays and Fridays post-National Pokédex after receiving the GB Sounds.
Pokémon Lullaby
The Pokémon Lullaby halves the encounter rate of wild Pokémon when played, much like the Black Flute does in Generation III and IV.
- In Generation II: The song plays on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- In Generation IV: The song plays on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays pre-National Pokédex, and only on Tuesdays and Saturdays post-National Pokédex.
Pokémon Past Archive
The Pokémon Past Archive is only accessible in Generation IV, after the player has acquired the National Pokédex. It has no function in the field, but like the GB Sounds, it plays chiptunes from Generation II. It primarily plays music that the player cannot normally listen to with the GB Sounds, such as the game's opening and ending themes. It plays on Sundays after receiving the GB Sounds from the Game Freak employee.
Hoenn Sound
The Hoenn Sound channel is also accessible only in Generation IV, post-National Pokédex. It plays a remixed version of the Route 101 theme, which attracts certain wild Hoenn Pokémon. The song plays on Wednesdays. In order to successfully attract Pokémon, the music must be currently playing instead of the location music.
Sinnoh Sound
The Sinnoh Sound channel, much like the Hoenn Sound channel, can attract wild Pokémon from Sinnoh with a remix of the music played on Route 201. It is only available in Generation IV, post-National Pokédex. The song plays on Thursdays. In order to successfully attract Pokémon, the music must be currently playing instead of the location music. Curiously, it attracts Meditite even though it was introduced in Generation III, however, this also makes sense, as Meditite is quite common in Sinnoh.
Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk
Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk (Japanese: オーキドはかせの ポケモンこうざ Dr. Okido's Pokémon Lecture) is a radio show aired on the Pokémon Channel (Japanese: ポケモン チャンネル Pokémon Channel). It is hosted by Professor Oak and DJ Mary. The show talks about Pokémon and where they are found. At first, Professor Oak was going to turn down the offer of having his own radio show, but Mary's energy and enthusiasm convinced him to host it.
In Generation II, the show can be heard on channel 4.5, during the afternoons; in the mornings, the Pokédex Show is broadcast instead. In Generation IV, the show can be heard all day on station 2 (top-right). After obtaining the National Pokédex, it also informs the viewers of mass outbreaks. This also includes the ones from Generation II that appeared in a swarm when a Trainer registered into the player's Pokégear contacted the player.
The following Pokémon may be found by listening to Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Radio Transmission
A high-pitched screech plays over and over. It only plays in Mahogany Town, Route 43, and Lake of Rage before the player has cleared the Team Rocket HQ.
In Generation II, it can be heard on channel 20.5. In Generation IV, the broadcast causes interference that prevents the radio from tuning in to other stations.
Team Rocket Announcement
The announcement is played on all stations after Team Rocket succeeds in taking over the Goldenrod 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. It begins playing once the player had defeated the seventh Gym Leader, and no longer plays after Team Rocket disbands.
That Town, These People
That Town, These People (Japanese: あのまち このひと That Town, These People), known as Places and People in Generation II, is a show that focuses on various towns or people.
In Generation II, it is broadcast from Kanto on channel 16.5, and is hosted by Lily. In Pokémon Crystal, an EXPN Card is required to listen to the program on a Pokégear; however, players can listen to the show on radios in Kanto houses before then. The program pulls the name of a random Trainer the player has fought, or a random location, and then applies a random quality from the list below to it.
- <Trainer> is actually great.
- <Trainer> is always happy.
- <Trainer> is cute.
- <Trainer> is definitely odd!
- <Trainer> is inspiring!
- <Trainer> is just my type.
- <Trainer> is just so-so.
- <Trainer> is kind of weird.
- <Trainer> is precocious.
- <Trainer> is quite noisy.
- <Trainer> is right for me?
- <Trainer> is so cool, no?
- <Trainer> is sort of OK.
- <Trainer> is sort of lazy.
- <Trainer> is somewhat bold.
- <Trainer> is too picky!
In Generation IV, the show is broadcast on the Town Channel (Japanese: まちかどチャンネル Street Corner Channel) on station 3 (bottom-left). It features the top three parts of the towns and cities in both Johto and Kanto. It is broadcasted by an unknown announcer. It switches every hour with Trainer Profiles.
Trainer Profiles
Trainer Profiles (Japanese: トレーナープロフィール Trainer Profiles) is a show broadcast on the Street Corner Channel (Japanese: まちかどチャンネル Street Corner Channel) in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver on station 3 (bottom-left). The host, Snap, describes Trainer classes found in the game randomly. It switches with That Town, These People every hour.
| Trainer | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Biker | 
|
Hey kid, get out of my way! If you hang around, I'll smack you! Get out of the way. Out of the way. My Bike is coming through! It's so very loud, you'll cover your ears! We'll line up and get in the way. Go ahead. Try to stop us Bikers! |
| Bird Keeper | 
|
Flying majestically through the sky. Rejecting the land for the open air. Gradually flapping its wings. Riding the wind to soar high into the sky! I want to fly there, too, sometime! The Bird Keeper! |
| Black Belt | 
|
I can break ten roof tiles in one chop! Some people think I'm just a hooligan. The palm of my hand becomes covered in blisters. I never forget to bow, and I shout out to psych myself up! I'm the Black Belt! |
| Bug Catcher | 
|
This boy loves Bug types! He's so energetic, and he doesn't mind running through thick grass to catch Bug-type Pokémon! He does what he wants, on the hills and in the fields, the Bug Catcher! |
| Camper | 
|
Singing in the cabin. Laa... Laa... La la la la... The plan is to take a three-night, four-day holiday. To fish off the boat, hike in the mountains, and look for Eevee in the east and west. That's the Camper! |
| Firebreather | 
|
The day has come to an end, but it's still bright. That's strange, you'd think. There's an intense fire burning, and it looks like it's going to burn them. He doesn't need a candle. He's a human ablaze, carelessly playing with fire. The Firebreather! |
| Fisherman | 
|
Dropping a line in the cold water, in the hopes of catching something big. The line is yanked. The float drops underwater. What was caught? Some lively rubber boots! This poor Fisherman! |
| Hiker | 
|
Yaho... Yaho... Yahohoho... Singing in a loud voice without worrying about what's around. A bearded man shouts to the sky. From the far mountain. Yahohoho... So happy the echo came back to the Hiker! |
| Picnicker | 
|
Greeting you with a peace sign, stuffing drinks into a cooler, smiling brightly while hiking through the mountains, you can see her clearly on the horizon. Oh no! Forgot the lunchbox! The number one rule is to protect nature. The Picnicker! |
| Poké Maniac | 
|
This is so cool isn't it? The tail is such a great shape. Want to trade figurines? Want to come over and see my collection? Oh hey! This mark is in the wrong place. Looks like I fell for a counterfeit... But it's art anyway! That's a Poké Maniac! |
| Pokéfan | 
|
Hold it close, cheek to cheek. I always want to be with you, surrounded by wonderful Pokémon. I'll mutter your name. So happy, I'm dizzy. I love Pokémon! That's a Pokéfan! |
| Sailor | 
|
A strong guy on a boat, plunging on through the waves. Dancing and singing and having a merry old time. But gentle as kittens once they get back on land. That's a Sailor! |
| School Kid | 
|
Had plenty of success. Learning through constant repetition. Recklessly carrying around notebooks. Attending classes for gifted kids. A wonderful Pokémon Trainer, that School Kid! |
| Swimmer♂ | 
|
Accidentally inhaling a little ocean water, he now has a sore nose. Swimming around the rocks, pushing ahead with a breaststroke, tirelessly swimming along, and getting a leg cramp! His lungs expand easily but it's an unlucky day-- it's raining! That poor Swimmer! |
| Swimmer♀ | 
|
A silhouette like that of Venus. An adorably dazzling smile. A nickname of "Mermaid." Swimming around carefree in the early afternoon. Feeling hungry but on a diet. The number of enthusiastic fans. Droplets of water in her dimples. Playing in the water rather than taking a walk, this Swimmer! |
| Twins | 
|
These two are always together. They have the same birthday. They always eat together. Do you think you can tell them apart? These Twins! |
Variety Channel
The Variety Channel (Japanese: バラエティー チャンネールー Variety Channel) is a radio channel introduced in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The program is hosted on station 4 (bottom-right). It mixes the Buena's Password channel with a couple new shows. Aside from the aforementioned program are a documentary and radio play; the three programs rotate on an hourly basis throughout the day.
| Hours | Program |
|---|---|
| 12 am, 3 am, 6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm | Pokémon Search Party |
| 1 am, 4 am, 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm | Serial Radio Drama |
| 2 am, 5 am, 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm, and 11 pm | Buena's Password |
Pokémon Search Party
Pokémon Search Party (Japanese: ポケモンそうさくたい Pokémon Search Party) is a radio documentary covering the events a data crew encounter while exploring caves and ruins. More episodes become available as the player advances through the game.
- The Cave Plunged into Darkness (Union Cave) (Japanese: やみに しずむ どうくつ！)
- Solving the Unown Puzzle! (Ruins of Alph) (Japanese: アンノーンの なぞを おえ！)
- The Dark Shadow that Kidnapped Slowpoke! (Slowpoke Well) (Japanese: ヤドンを さらう くろいかげ)
- Great Strategy in Ilex Forest! (Japanese: ウバメのもり だいさくせん)
- Look! A Red Gyarados! (Lake of Rage) (Japanese: もくげき！ あかいギャラドス)
- The Shivering Path Out of Ice! (Ice Path) (Japanese: ふるえる こおりのぬけみち)
- The Legend Disappeared into the Whirlpool! (Whirl Islands) (Japanese: うずしおに きえた でんせつ)
- The Viridian Forest Search Party! (Japanese: トキワのもりの そうさくたい)
- Rumors on Mt. Moon! (Japanese: おつきみやまの うわさ)
- Illusion Cycling! (Route 17) (Japanese: まぼろし サイクリング！)
- The Strange Giratina! (Distortion World) (Japanese: きみょうな ギラティナ！)
- Found it! The Illusion Space! (Mt. Coronet) (Japanese: はっけん！ まぼろしのくうかん)
- The True Shape of the Cave’s Owner! (Cerulean Cave) (Japanese: どうくつの ぬしの しょうたい)
Serial Radio Drama
The Serial Radio Drama (Japanese: れんぞくラジオドラマ Serial Radio Drama) program features four different radio plays of varying genres, all of which are performed by Silver Drama (Japanese: シロガネげきだん Shirogane Troupe).
- An anime-style drama titled "The Young Pokéathlete Maximo" (Japanese: ポケスリートしょうねん ケジメ) starring Maximo, eight episodes total
- Angry Maximo (Japanese: あれくるう ケジメ)
- The Screaming Old Man (Japanese: さけぶ じじい！)
- Unforgettable Emotions (Japanese: わすれえぬ おもい)
- Hot Blooded (Japanese: たぎる ちしお)
- True Friends (Japanese: しんじつの なかま)
- The Old Man's True Face (Japanese: ほんとうの ろうじん)
- The Real Me (Japanese: ほんとうの じぶん)
- The Real Maximo (Japanese: ほんとうの ケジメ)
- A suspense drama titled "Johto Case Notes" (Japanese: ジョウトじけんぼ) starring the Radio Crew (Japanese: ラジオクルー), five episodes total
- A soap opera set around Johto and on the S.S. Aqua titled "Waves of Love" (Japanese: あいのなみま) starring a couple named East (Japanese: ヒガシ) and West (Japanese: ニシエ), five episodes total
- A road film-style drama titled "Delinquent Road" (Japanese: つっぱりロード) starring Pario (Japanese: パリオ), four episodes total
- <unnamed>
- Racing Emotions (Japanese: あいのなみま)
- A Rival Appears (Japanese: かそくする おもい)
- Bicycle Girl (Japanese: ライバルとうじょう)
Buena's Password
Buena's Password (Japanese: アオイのあいことば Aoi's Password) is a quiz show held in the Goldenrod Radio Tower by Buena that was first introduced in Pokémon Crystal. In Generation II, the channel is broadcast on its own station, station 10.5. In Generation IV, it is part of the repertoire of the Variety Channel.
In order to play the quiz show, the player must listen to the Pokégear radio from 6 PM to midnight (in Generation IV, at 2 AM, 5 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 8 PM, and 11 PM). A secret password will be announced over the air, along with an invitation for listeners to come to the Goldenrod Radio Tower in Goldenrod City. The player is to go to the second floor and talk to Buena, the show's host. She will give the player three options; if the correct one is picked, one point is added to the player's Blue Card. Only one point can be earned per day; changing the DS time to a different day will not allow another point to be earned.
In Generation II, points must be spent to buy each prize; whereas in Generation IV, prizes are awarded when the player obtains a certain number of points. Players cannot have more than 30p on the Blue Card. If the player has 30p, they can speak to Buena to register her phone number in the Pokégear (points will not be spent). In Generation II, the player cannot earn points while their Blue Card has 30p (requiring points to be spent); whereas in Generation IV, the player will be issued a new Blue Card once the 30p limit is hit.
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In the manga
In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga
Buena's Password is featured briefly in Escape From The Mystery Forest!, coming on Gold's Pokégear radio as he is flipping channels while lost in a forest.
In the English translation by Chuang Yi, Buena is still known as her Japanese name, Aoi.
Trivia
- On the Lucky Channel, Reed occasionally says, "...Repeating myself gets to be a drag..."
- In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the poster announcing the Lucky Channel on the ground floor of the Goldenrod Radio Tower is still present, despite the program itself no longer being available. It reads "Lucky Channel! Win with Pokémon ID numbers! Trade your Pokémon to collect different ID numbers!"
- In the Japanese versions, the poster refers to the Lucky Channel as だいこうひょうポケモンくじ The Great Pokémon Lottery. In the English versions, the name "Lucky Channel" is kept.
- In Pokémon Music, the Hoenn Sound channel plays on Wednesday, considered the third day of the week in some parts of the world, as well in international standardization. This corresponds with Hoenn's introduction in Generation III. Likewise, the Sinnoh Sound channel plays on Thursday, sometimes considered the fourth day, matching Generation IV.
- In Pokémon Music, Meditite is the only Pokémon found with the regional music programs that doesn't match the generation, being a Generation III Pokémon found with Sinnoh Sound. This is probably due to its greater prominence in the Generation IV games.
- In Pokémon Music, Sunday is the only day of the week that the music playing before the National Pokédex has been obtained in Generation IV is the same as the music playing in Generation II. All other days swapped the music.
- In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, one of Professor Oak's aides mentions Professor Oak's show he's planning, but mentions that it's called Professor Oak's Pokémon Seminar rather than Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk.
- According to one of Professor Oak's aides in Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk is prerecorded. This explains why Oak is always in his lab, even if the player listens to the program while visiting him, and why he isn't in the Radio Tower while the program is playing.
- The Town Channel in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver shares its Japanese name with the Street Corner Channel.
- The program Serial Radio Drama on the Variety Channel may have originally been intended to be called Radio Miniseries, as referenced by the radio located in Mahogany Town tuned to the Variety Channel.
