Land transportation in the Pokémon world
There are various methods of transportation by land in the Pokémon world. These methods include various footwear, bikes, motor vehicles, trains, cable cars, and recreational equipment, as well as other unique forms of transportation.
Footwear
Running Shoes
- Main article: Running Shoes
Introduced in Generation III, the Running Shoes are a pair of shoes that allow the player to run by holding down the B button in conjunction with the directional pad. Running is not allowed in most buildings, however, until Generation IV. Running speed is affected by terrain, such as marshes and snow. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Running Shoes can be triggered on and off by using the touch screen.
Roller Skates
- Main article: Roller Skates
Roller Skates are a Key Item in Pokémon X and Y that allow the player to move around faster than they would by running, but slower than they would on a bicycle. The player can perform certain tricks while using the Roller Skates. They are also worn by Roller Skaters. In the anime, Korrina often wears Roller Skates.
Bikes
In the games
- Main article: Bicycle
In all core series games except Generations VII and IX, the player is able to acquire a bicycle. They often have a price that is beyond the player's capacity to pay for, but during the course of the game the player will be given one as a gift from an NPC.
Bicycles allow the player to travel faster than they can walking, running, or skating. Usually, the bicycle cannot be used in most, if any, buildings.
Some of the games also have different types of bicycles. The Hoenn games have two different types of bicycles: the Mach Bike, optimized for speed, and the Acro Bike, optimized for performing tricks. In the Sinnoh games, the bicycle has two different gears. In the Kalos games, the player is given a choice between two colors of a bicycle.
Throughout the games, there have occasionally been areas or obstacles requiring the use of the bicycle. In Kanto, Cycling Road can only be traversed on the bicycle. In Hoenn, the Mach Bike is required to climb muddy slopes or traverse weak ground without falling through, while the Acro Bike is required to cross stepping stones and thin rails. The Seaside Cycling Road in Hoenn can also only be traversed on a bicycle, and a person at the south end of the road will even time the player's traversal. In Sinnoh, there are occasionally ramps jutting out of the ground, allowing the player to jump the bicycle off these ramps and cross certain obstacles.
In the anime
Bikes are used at various times in the anime, most notably when Ash borrows Misty's bike, but crashes, thus ruining it. This bike is alluded to frequently throughout the first few seasons as a reason why Misty is angry at Ash. All of the main female characters, up until Pokémon the Series: Black & White, owned bikes, which were eventually destroyed. In the original series, Ash and his friends used Nurse Joy's bicycles in The Bridge Bike Gang to give medicines to another Nurse Joy in an unknown town. In Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, when Ash and his friends were traveling on Cycling Road, they used bikes. Barry is also seen with a bike in Gotta Get a Gible!.
Motor vehicles
Cars
In the games, cars can be seen in many places, both while parked and being driven. While the player walks the Skyarrow Bridge, busy traffic can be seen underneath. Pokémon Sun and Moon's opening trailer contains concept art of multiple vehicles, many of which can still be seen in-game while parked. While not seen in-game, Professor Kukui is shown to own a red convertible with a flower print on it in promotional material and in the anime.
Cars are used multiple times in the anime. Among the people with cars are Gary Oak, Scott (whose car is based on a 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird), Norman, Reggie, Professor Birch, Bertha, Eusine, Cynthia, Professor Oak (whose car is based on a 1963 Toyota Publica convertible, later a 1967 Datsun Fairlady), Professor Birch, Elisa, Professor Juniper, Officer Jenny (who appears to have a Jeep), Penelope (who appears to have a Citroen 2CV), Professor Kukui, Sonia (who owns a pink buggy), and Professor Cerise (who appears to have a 1987-89 Nissan Be-1).
Other cars have also been featured. In Hypno's Naptime, several parked cars were seen. Local police officers in the Kanto and Johto regions, as well as the Orange Islands, use 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R sports cars. In The Pi-Kahuna, some vans appeared. In Kalos, cars that have appeared include a Volkswagen New Beetle, 2007-2012 Honda CR-V, 2009-2014 Honda Insight, 2007-2014 Toyota Noah, Austin A35, and a Carbon Motors E7. In Alola, some classic cars have been seen.
Limousines have also featured a few times, such as the one used by Paris (a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limo) in Arriving in Style!, and by Palermo several times throughout Pokémon the Series: XY. The owner of Shabboneau Castle also used a limousine in Pokémon Adventures.
An amphibious car was used by Grings Kodai and Goone in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Cars are used a few times in Pokémon Adventures. As the head of Hoenn TV, Archie owns a car, while the Radio Director owns a minivan. Cassius also owns a van.
Lumi Cabs
- Main article: Lumi Cab
In Pokémon X and Y, Lumi Cab is a taxi service that lets the player travel between many stops around Lumiose City for a fee; destinations that are farther away cost more. If the player has enough style, the fare will be half price. If the player does not have enough money to pay for the ride, the driver will challenge them to a battle.
Recreational vehicles
Recreational vehicles have featured a few times in the games. In Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, there is a trailer located in Route 5 owned by a hungry maid. There is also a trailer in Lostlorn Forest where a Zoroark, disguised as a woman, lives.
In the anime, several caravans were seen in It's Mr. Mime Time, including one owned by Stella. The Pokémon poacher in Pokémon 4Ever - Celebi: The Voice of the Forest; also owned a caravan. The Marina Underwater Pokémon Show crew also used a caravan in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea as a home and to travel around to different locations for their show.
In Pokémon Adventures, Henry and Casey used a trailer house called the (Japanese: マグノリア号 Magnolia) to travel. It has an auto-driver feature, allowing it to drive by itself on a predetermined path, even though Professor Magnolia likes to pretend she's in control while driving.
Trucks
Trucks have had several appearances in the games. A truck is used by the player's family to move from Johto to Hoenn in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player starts the game inside of the truck. In Pokémon Red and Blue, a truck is located in a normally inaccessible part of the S.S. Anne. There were rumors that one could get a Mew or a rare item by using Strength on it. However, these proved to be false. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, if the Itemfinder is used to look for an item near the truck, a Lava Cookie can be found instead, possibly referencing the rumors. In Unova, trucks can be seen on Skyarrow Bridge, driving on the road beneath the walkway for pedestrians. Trucks can also be seen driving on the highway, in Route 4. A parked truck can be seen in a garage in Floccesy Town.
Trucks have also appeared many times in the anime. For example, Jessie and James have used trucks many times as a mode of transport. Additionally, in Princess vs. Princess, Misty ships her Pokémon Princess Dolls that she won from the Queen of the Princess Festival contest home to the Cerulean Gym in a Pidgeot Transport truck. Butch and Cassidy own a teal colored truck with a Pidgeot on its side. The truck was only seen in Oaknapped!. J's henchmen use a getaway truck to transport the Aura Sphere Riolu that they stole from a research lab in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1). Team Rocket used a truck to steal Ash's Pikachu and Penelope's Sylveon in Kindergarten Chaos!. They used another one to steal cheese from Baa de Mer Ranch in A Race for Home! and then a similar truck to steal Poké Balls from the Poké Ball Factory in A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!. A truck also appeared in a fantasy in Trial and Tribulation!, where Ash's Rotom Pokédex explained to him that Hala's Hariyama was powerful enough to send a truck flying.
Ambulances
Ambulances have been seen a few times in the anime. Two ambulances appeared in A Chansey Operation. Team Rocket, disguised as paramedics, drove an ambulance in The Chikorita Rescue. An ambulance appeared again in a flashback in To Find a Fairy Flower!, when Florence was taken to the Calanthe Town hospital by ambulance. Another one featured in The Clumsy Crier Quiets the Chaos!, where Team Rocket were again disguised as ambulance drivers. Another ambulance was shown in A Giga Battle with Mega Results!, this time driven by Nurse Joy who used the ambulance to drive Ash and his friends to the Pokémon Center.
Buses
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Exeggutor Express bus connects Route 10 to the top of Mount Hokulani.
In The Teal Mask expansion of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a bus connects an airport to mainland Kitakami.
In Pokémon Channel, there is a bus stop in Springleaf Field leading to other parts of Mintale Town including Viridian Forest, Cobalt Coast, and Mt. Snowfall. These buses require passes, which can be purchased on the Shop 'N Squirtle channel.
Many buses have also appeared in the anime, such as Matt's bus in Pinch Healing! and Luka's bus in Mewtwo Returns. A bus station was seen at Lumiose City in The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!. Grace traveled by bus to return home from Lumiose City. Buses have also appeared in movies, including one ridden by Ash, his friends, and Diancie in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
In A Snow Day for Searching!, Goh and later Ash used a bus to travel from Vermilion City to visit Goh's family. In Under Color of Darkness!, Ash and Goh rode a bus to look for a white flower for Goh's Flabébé.
In The Pendant That Starts It All (Part One), Liko rode on a bus from Route 22 to Indigo Academy. The bus had a Machop assisting passengers with luggage.
Tanks
Nastina was seen using a tank in Tentacool & Tentacruel. Team Rocket also used a tank in It's Mr. Mime Time!, to try to kidnap all the Circus Pokémon. The latter was also coated with rubber specifically to act as a deterrent against Ash's Pikachu's electric abilities.
Motorbikes
The Biker, Cue Ball*, and Motorcyclist Trainer classes use motorbikes.
In Pokémon Colosseum, Wes rides a futuristic levitating motorcycle.
In the anime, motorbikes have been used by Officer Jenny multiple times.
A Pokémon hunter used a motorcycle in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest when he was chasing Celebi.
Scooters
Olesia was seen driving a scooter in No Big Woop!.
Michael uses a scooter to travel around Orre. Later on, it is converted into a hoverscooter to reach S.S. Libra.
Michael and Jovi riding on a scooter
Michael riding on a hoverscooter
Segways
In The Scheme Team, Butch and Cassidy rode segways, although they were referred to as scooters.
Trains
In the games
Magnet Train
- Main article: Magnet Train
The Magnet Train runs between Saffron City and Goldenrod City, connecting Kanto and Johto in the Generation II games and their Generation IV remakes. It was constructed some time after Generation I. To ride it, a person needs a Pass, which was given to those displaced by the train stations' construction. A Pass can be received by the Copycat if the player returns her doll which was given to her by the player in Generation I and their Generation III remakes and found by a Pokémon Fan Club member in Vermilion City.
Battle Subway
- Main article: Battle Subway
The Battle Subway, accessible in Unova from Nimbasa City, functions as Unova's version of the Battle Tower. One train can also be ridden by the player to Anville Town. As well as featuring Battle Trains, the Battle Subway appears as typical public transportation for the citizens of Nimbasa City.
Lumiose-Kiloude train
Upon becoming the Champion, Professor Sycamore will meet the player at Lumiose Station and give them the TMV Pass which allows them to board a train to Kiloude City.
Coumarine City Monorail
In Coumarine City, a monorail will take the player between the seaside and hillcrest halves of the city.
Galar Railways
In Galar, there is a railway system that connects various areas of the region. The railways connect the following areas: Wedgehurst, the Wild Area, Motostoke, Hulbury, Hammerlocke, White Hill Station and Wyndon.
Wyndon Monorail
In Wyndon, a monorail will take the player between Wyndon Station, the Rose of the Rondelands, Wyndon Stadium, and the Battle Tower.
Other trains in the games
Some other trains that have appeared in the games.
In Orre, Outskirt Stand appears to be made from an old steam locomotive. There is also an underground railway in the region.
According to a book in the Nacrene City Library, trains were used for transportation in the Unova region before airplanes, and thus there are old, disused train tracks in Nacrene City. Single Trains from the Battle Subway can also be seen passing below Tubeline Bridge. Additionally, a subway is used to reach an undersea elevator that leads to Blueberry Academy.
In the anime
Several trains from the games also appear in the anime. The Magnet Train connects Goldenrod City and Saffron City. It was seen in A Goldenrod Opportunity, where it was mentioned to still be in development. It was seen again in Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!, where Iris and Cilan board the Magnet Train from Vermilion City bound for Johto. The Battle Subway appeared as typical public transportation for the citizens of Nimbasa City, as well as featuring Battle Trains that Trainers may battle on. Ash and his friends used it as a means of transport in Crisis from the Underground Up!, Battle for the Underground, and Lost at the Stamp Rally!. Coumarine City is divided into two sections that are connected by a monorail. However, in Thawing an Icy Panic!, Ash and his friends trek up the hill, not knowing about the monorail. In Under the Pledging Tree!, Ash and Serena travel via the monorail after shopping for gifts for their Pokémon.
Lumiose City's extensive underground subway system was featured in XYS06. All of the trains there have automatic train operation, including the Super Multi Train, which is an experimental train utilizing the latest technology. During the episode, an error in the system's microprocessor causes the trains to become runaway. Bonnie gets trapped in the runaway Super Multi Train before she gets saved by Cilan and Clemont.
Several other trains have also appeared in the anime. A freight train appeared in Camp Pikachu. It consisted of a red steam locomotive, numerous freight wagons and a passenger carriage at the rear. It runs on a line in the mountainous areas of Johto. The Pichu Brothers enjoy going for rides on it. The Pichu Brothers' Rascal Railway at PokéPark is likely based on this train. LaRousse City has a monorail that circles the city, providing access to the central island. South City is also located along this train line. Fuchsia City's train station was revealed in Time-Warp Heals All Wounds. It was initially in disuse, but in the alternate present created by May, in which Jonathan is alive, trains now run to Fuchsia City. The various areas of the Pastoria Great Marsh are accessed by rail. Another train appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, which travels through some mountains to a field full of Gracideas. A train powered solely by an Ampharos runs between Snowpoint City and Lake Acuity in Sinnoh. It was featured in Frozen on Their Tracks. In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, Ash and his friends take a train to Roshan City, which also passed through Windy Station. Roshan City also includes a large network of abandoned, dilapidated subways, and Cilan later drove one such train to Full Court. After arriving in Vermilion City in Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!, Iris and Cilan boarded a train from the local station before swapping at Saffron City to board the Magnet Train directly into the Johto region. In A Snow Day for Searching!, Ash planned to catch a train from the Vermilion City station to his hometown of Pallet Town. In A Trip Down Memory Train!, Clemont and Bonnie were reveled to have first encountered Bunnelby while he lived in an abandoned train. In Goodbye, Friend!, Ash and Goh rode on a train to reach Littleroot Town. The station stop is along a trainline that goes north in one direction and follows the ocean westwards in another.
In the Japanese version of Pokémon - I Choose You!, Professor Oak references commuter trains and the disastrous consequences of being a second late as a comparison for late-arrival Trainers, after Ash finds out all three first partner Pokémon have already been taken. This was changed in the English dub to a variation of the adage of "The early bird gets the worm," although the dub for the movie retelling of these events retains the commuter train analogy.
Cable cars
In the games, a cable car is the only transport to the summit of Mt. Chimney in the Hoenn region. In the anime, Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket also board a cable car to reach the summit of Mt. Chimney in Fight for the Meteorite!. This cable car has also appeared in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
There are also some other cable cars that appear in the anime: a cable car to the summit of a mountain on Navel Island at the Navel Gym appears in Navel Maneuvers, a cable car to Blue Lagoon appears in Takin' it on the Chinchou, and a cable car track is seen at Cameran Palace in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
Recreational equipment
Skateboards
In Extreme Pokémon!, Ash and Gary race on skateboards. Skateboards were also supposed to appear in Pokémon Gold and Silver as a different mode of transportation, but that idea was scrapped.
Skis
The Skier Trainer class uses skis to move quickly on top of snow and ice.
Skis also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.
Sleds
Sleds have appeared several times in the anime in various forms. A bobsled carved from ice appeared in Navel Maneuvers, which Ash used to race down the mountain on Navel Island to earn himself the Sea Ruby Badge. Ash and his friends also used a sled down a grassy hill in Sitting Psyduck. Another ice sled appeared in PK19. A sled pulled by Stoutland was also featured in White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram, which Donuke used to travel across the snow.
Sleds also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.
Snowboards
The Boarder Trainer class uses snowboards to move quickly on top of ice.
Snowboards also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.
Other
Other unique forms of land transport have appeared in the anime and spin-off games.
Team Rocket's mechas
- Main article: Team Rocket's mechas
Many of Team Rocket's mechas have the ability to transport people and Pokémon.
ZERO-ONE and NEO-ONE
In Pokémon Snap, the ZERO-ONE is an all-terrain safari vehicle designed by Professor Oak. One of the main features of the ZERO-ONE is that it can switch modes depending on its terrain. It has a land mode, a water mode, and an air mode. The ZERO-ONE has no steering mechanism. Instead, it will follow a set path preprogrammed by Professor Oak that takes it to the goal gate.
In New Pokémon Snap, the player character rides an upgraded version called the NEO-ONE vehicle. It was developed by Professor Mirror, with assistance from Todd Snap. It moves around by hovering, following a preprogrammed path, though there are instances where the player can choose to take an alternate path, which later reconnect with the main path. It is able to teleport to and from certain predetermined points around the Lental region.
See also
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