Mauville is a large city, located in-between four different routes. The roads of the town stretch north to Route 111, west to Route 117 and Verdanturf Town, east to a beach on Route 118, and south to Route 110.
Wattson is the Gym Leader and founder of Mauville. In Generation III, he originally had plans to do a complete overhaul of the town, but abandoned them. In Generation VI, Wattson instead managed to redevelop it, modeling the design on that of Lumiose City of Kalos. Due to this, its layout has changed dramatically, becoming a mostly-indoor city with various shops and three floors. The redevelopment of Mauville is the only successful project of Greater Mauville Holdings.
Located in the north-west of the city, 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.
Located in the east of the city, a store known as 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:
Located in the south west of the city, the Mauville Game Corner can be found. In Generation III, it 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 Generation VI, 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!"
In the Mauville Pokémon Center, a quintet of characters known as the old guys can be found. In Generation III, they will all appear in the Pokémon Center depending on the player's Trainer ID number, though a different one can appear if they mix records with another player that has a different man in their game.
In Generation VI, the Old guys will give the player various O-Powers. Only Giddy initially appears in the Pokémon Center, and after being interacted with twice, he will leave. Other old guys will only appear or give the player their second set of O-Powers after the player has reached specific points in the storyline. If one of the men leaves, the next will not appear until the player has reached the point in the storyline where they can receive the next O-Power; if the player obtains the first O-Power from one old guy but is not yet far enough in the game to obtain the second from him, the current old guy will remain in the Pokémon Center.
After the Storyteller has left the Pokémon Center for their shared apartment in Mauville Hills (Apartment 3), when the player visits all five in their apartment, the Storyteller will mention that they are looking for someone to pass their powers to; the player tells him about the powerless man living across the hall, at which point the Storyteller requests that the player lead the powerless man to them. If the player does so, they will each give him their power (disappearing after doing so), turning the powerless man into Mr. Bonding. Mr. Bonding will give the player the final O-Power, Hatching Power, and leave.
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, this character is unidentified. In Pokémon Emerald only, he is known as Rock Smash Guy (Japanese: いわくだきオヤジ Rock Smash Old Man), but he prefers to be called Rock Smash Dude (Japanese: いわくだきにいさん Rock Smash Young Man).
In the English version of Pokémon Emerald, there is also a non-player character on Route 111 who claims that this HM is obtained from his uncle. This also applies to the German, French, Italian, and Spanish versions, which were translated from English. However, in the Japanese version, he simply refers to the Rock Smash Guy using the word 「オヤジ」, which can mean either "old man" or "father".
Located in the north east of the city, the TV station that runs the news on the BuzzNav can be found. The player can sit at the news desk, but this doesn't put them on the BuzzNav news.
Located in the south east of the city, the Mauville Food Court allows the player to place 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.
Exterior
Interior
Crooner's Café
Located in the south west of the city, a small café can be found, known as Crooner's Café. The bartender will give the player TM48 (Round).
Outside, a sign reads:
"A Mellow Blend of Coffee & Music"
"Crooner's Café"
Exterior
Interior
Move Tutors
In Pokémon Emerald, near the Mauville Gym is a man who will teach a compatible Pokémon Rollout one time only.
Located in the east of the city, the Battle Institute can be found, and works in the same way as the one in Lumiose City in Kalos. After entering the Hall of Fame, 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.
Located in the east of the city, 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"
Exterior
Interior
Narcissus Mirror Shop
Located in the west of the city, the owner of the Narcissus Mirror Shop will give the player a Reveal Glass if they have Thundurus, Tornadus, or Landorus in their party.
Located in the north west of the city, 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.
Located in the north west of the city, the owner of the Pokémon Reflexology Services is a Pokémon groomer, who will offer to massage the player's lead Pokémon for free once per day.
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.
There is no response from the intercom.
Apartment 11
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.
Overlooking view of Mauville City and New Mauville
In Watt's with Wattson?, Ash and his friends went straight to the Mauville Gym for Ash's third HoennGymbattle. After getting through the numerous traps set up inside the Gym, Ash challenged Wattson for a Gym battle. Due to his Pikachu having accidentally become overcharged while destroying one of Wattson's Gym traps, Ash easily won the match, earning the Dynamo Badge. Wattson was initially shaken by his quick loss, and Ash felt that he didn't truly deserve the Badge. However, upon learning the situation behind Ash's swift victory following a confrontation with Team Rocket at New Mauville, Wattson told Ash to keep his Badge. Ash and his friends left Mauville City in the next episode and headed for Fallarbor Town.
The group returned to Mauville City in Manectric Charge, on their way back to Petalburg City. During their pit stop, Ash decided to have a rematch with Wattson, using his recently caughtTorkoal. This time, Wattson emerged victorious in their battle, thanks to his newly evolvedManectric.
Mauville City appeared in I'm Your Biggest Fan, Donphan, where Sapphire arrived in the outskirts of the city on Route 110. There, she met Wattson and the Trick Master, and accidentally found the secret entrance to New Mauville. In Plugging Past Electrike I, the Trick Master revealed that Mauville City was facing a problem with the overpopulation of children, but with the rediscovery of New Mauville, which the Trick Master's ancestor had built as a giant underground amusement park, that problem was solved. As thanks for solving the city's overpopulation problem, Wattson gave Sapphire a Dynamo Badge.
During the weather crisis caused by Groudon and Kyogre, the citizens of Mauville sought shelter in New Mauville.
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 three pictures. The first one features the Prism Tower, the second one the Tower of Mastery, and the third one the Lumiose Museum.
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.
