Pokégear

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search
050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Images of HeartGold and SoulSilver backgrounds needed

Blue Pokégear in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pink Pokégear in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokégear artwork from Generation II

Pokémon Gear (Japanese: ポケモンギア Pokémon Gear), mostly known as Pokégear (Japanese: ポケギア Pokégear), is an electronic device found in Johto. It looks like a large, advanced wristwatch with the Silph Co. logo on it. Similar devices and systems are the PokéNav, the Pokétch, the C-Gear, and the Player Search System.

In the core series games

The player receives a Pokégear from their mother at the start of their journey in the Generation II games and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The Pokégear is an important tool for Trainers, some see it necessary to have one on a Trainer's adventure. The player is able to have access to the Pokégear by selecting it from the menu. In Generation II, the Pokégear option on the menu is rendered as "POKéGEAR". At that, it is easy to navigate through the Pokégear by selecting through four different functions located at the top-left of the screen. It displays the map of the region, names of previously fought Trainers, and the current time. It also allows players to call registered Trainers. Certain functions need to be unlocked during the game by receiving special expansion cards.

The Pokégear returns in the Generation IV remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. The interface has been completely redesigned, using both screens on the Nintendo DS. The top will always display the time function on the Pokégear, while the touch screen will display the other different functions of the Pokégear, as well as selecting other functions using the touch screen. The outer aesthetics of the Pokégear have changed abruptly as well. The whole Pokégear is a flip top, while the bottom section of the Pokégear is used to scan special expansion cards to upgrade it with other functions. Its color skin is changeable between blue (standard for male players), pink (standard for female players), a Team Rocket theme, a Japanese dojo theme, a Pokémon League theme, and teal-and-white with a Silph Co. theme.

Functions

The Pokégear's functionality comes from the several features and applications that can be installed in it, making it extensible. Many people are willing to give away special expansion cards to upgrade the Pokégear with other functions. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, there are 4 available functions, two of which are included with the Pokégear. The rest are not available at the start but can be received at a later time.

Time

Included in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal with the Pokégear, the time function is the most basic feature. The Pokégear will digitally display the time of day using the 12-hour AM/PM format as well as the day of the week. It runs off the time that the player input at the beginning of the game.

A glitch in Gold and Silver will change the day if the functions are scrolled through; this was addressed in Crystal.

In non-Japanese releases of Gold, Silver, and Crystal and non-Korean releases of Gold and Silver, the player's Mom will set daylight saving time accordingly, except if it's between 11:00 PM and 12:59 AM in-game, in which the game prevents this due to the day of the week changing. When this occurs, she will claim that she lost the instruction booklet for the Pokégear, although not during the initial setup process.

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the time will always be displayed on the top screen of the DS. However, unlike in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the time is displayed using the 24-hour format instead of the 12-hour format and runs on the Nintendo DS's internal clock, much like the Pokétch. There is also a wireless signal measurement next to the time that only changes when inside the Pokémon League, which prevents calls from being made, or recieved.

Map

Main article: Town Map → Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Main article: Town Map → Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

The Town Map is available as a Pokégear feature, displaying maps of Kanto and Johto.

Phone

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: What's the chance of trainers challenging the player on any day?
The phone function in HeartGold and SoulSilver
The phone function in Generation II

The Pokégear has a phone feature, allowing the user to make calls to and receive calls from people whose phone numbers they have registered. This allows the player to talk to other characters and learn information from them, such as battling tips or when rare Pokémon appear. Trainers with whom the player has exchanged numbers may also sometimes call the player to request a rematch, in which they will use higher-level Pokémon than during their initial battle.

The phone can also store numbers of other important people, like the player's Mom or Professor Elm. Mom will also ring every so often, telling the player about the money she has saved (if opted for by the player) and occasionally spending that money on decorations for the player's bedroom or items such as Super Potions for the player.

In Generation II, the phone can only store 10 phone numbers; since Mom and Professor Elm's phone numbers cannot be deleted, the player only has 8 discretionary phone number slots. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the phone has no limit on how many numbers can be stored, and it is no longer possible to delete phone numbers.

In Generation II, when the player receives a phone call, the call is automatically answered, with text being displayed on the screen immediately. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, when someone calls the player, the Pokégear rings but the player does not have to answer it; while ringing, the Pokégear icon on the lower screen bounces while a ringing sound plays, and the name of the person calling is displayed.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Trainers will only begin calling the player for rematches once the player has collected seven Badges and defeated Team Rocket at the Radio Tower in Goldenrod City. In addition, once the Radio Tower has been saved, the player can call registered Trainers to arrange rematches with them without having to wait for the respective Trainers to call the player. Each Trainer has a specific time during a specific day each week where they will accept a rematch when called; if they are called at any other time of the week, they will use their usual script, and a rematch will not be arranged. When a Trainer is called at the appropriate time, as long as the player is not at the same route or location as the Trainer, they will accept the challenge of a rematch and can then be battled at their original location with higher-level Pokémon at any later point in time (though, once the rematch has taken place, the player will need to call or be called again in order to carry out another rematch). Additionally to further power up the Trainer's team in two additional phases, entering the Hall of Fame and later collecting all 16 Badges are the necessary requirements for these power-ups as long as each incarnation of that Trainers' team is fought at least once. If a rematch with a Trainer has been arranged but not carried out, a red exclamation point will appear next to the name of the Trainer's location on the Pokégear map (unless it is against a Gym Leader, in which Saffron City will not have the exclamation point).

Trainers
Games Person Location RematchCHGSS Notes
Youngster Joey Route 30 Monday afternoon Gives away HP Up after defeating him in a rematchHGSS (fourth rematch onlyC).
Bug Catcher Wade Route 31 Tuesday night Reminds player of the Bug-Catching Contest. Gives away Berries.CHGSS
Picnicker Liz Route 32 Thursday afternoon
Fisherman Ralph Route 32 Wednesday morning Calls during a Qwilfish swarmGSC
Hiker Anthony Route 33 Friday night Calls during a Dunsparce swarmGSC
Picnicker Gina Route 34 Sunday afternoon Gives away Leaf StonesCHGSS
Camper Todd Route 34 Saturday morning Reminds player of the Goldenrod Department Store's bargain sale.C
Youngster Ian Route 34 Saturday morning Gives away Berries after defeating him in a rematch
Bug Catcher Arnie Route 35 Tuesday morning Calls during a Yanma swarm.GSC
Firebreather Walt Route 35 Monday afternoon
Juggler Irwin Route 35 Random Can be called for a rematch at anytime.GS Calls to chat about the player's achievements as they progress throughout the game. Cannot be called for a rematch.CHGSS
Lass Krise National Park Sunday morning
Pokéfan Beverly National Park Requires Marill in party to registerC. Gives away Nuggets.CHGSS. Cannot be called for a rematch.CHGSS
School Kid Jack National Park Monday morning
School Kid Alan Route 36 Wednesday afternoon Gives away Fire StonesCHGSS
Lass Dana Route 38 Thursday night Gives away ThunderstonesCHGSS
School Kid Chad Route 38 Friday morning Calls during a Snubbull swarm.GS
Pokéfan Derek Route 39 Reminds player of the Bug-Catching Contest. Requires Pikachu in party to registerC. Gives away Nuggets.CHGSS. Cannot be called for a rematch.CHGSS
Gentleman Alfred Olivine Lighthouse Tuesday afternoon
Sailor Huey Olivine Lighthouse Wednesday night Gives away Protein after defeating him in a rematchHGSS (fourth rematch onlyC)
Fisherman ChrisGS/TullyCHGSS Route 42 Sunday afternoonHGSS, Sunday nightC Gives away Water StonesCHGSS
Picnicker Tiffany Route 43 Tuesday afternoon Requires Clefairy in party to registerC. Gives away Pink BowsC. Gives away Poké DollsHGSS
PokéManiac Brent Route 43 Monday morning
Bird Keeper Vance Route 44 Wednesday night Gives away Carbos after defeating him in a rematchHGSS (second rematch onlyC)
Fisherman Wilton Route 44 Thursday morning Calls during a Remoraid swarmGS and gives away various Poké BallsCHGSS
Black Belt Kenji Route 45 Random Gives away a PP Up every 2 to 5 days if visited in the afternoonC
Calling him between 12:00 pm and 12:59 pm, he may challenge the player for a rematch. Gives away a PP Up if defeated. Whether or not he will challenge the player on a given day is randomHGSS
Hiker Parry Route 45 Friday afternoon Calls during a Marill swarmGS, and gives away Iron after defeating him in a rematchHGSS (second rematch onlyC)
Picnicker Erin Route 46 Saturday night Gives away Calcium after defeating her in a rematchHGSS (second rematch onlyC)
Bug Catcher Doug Route 2 Wednesday morning Gives away Berries
Bug Catcher Rob Route 2 Friday morning Gives away Berries
Fisherman Kyle Route 12 Wednesday afternoon
Fisherman Kyler Route 12 Thursday afternoon
Camper Tanner Route 13 Monday night Gives away Sun Stones
Hiker Kenny Route 13 Saturday afternoon
Young Couple Tim & Sue Route 13 Friday afternoon
Bird Keeper Josh Route 14 Tuesday night Gives away Shiny Stones
School Kid Torin Route 14 Wednesday night
School Kid Billy Route 15 Friday night Gives hints on a specific Gym Leader which helps with collecting their phone number.
Teacher Hillary Route 15 Thursday night
Twins Kay & Tia Route 15 Saturday night Give away Oval Stones
Biker Aiden Route 17 Monday morning Gives away Dawn Stones
Biker Ernest Route 17 Sunday afternoon
Biker Reese Route 17 Sunday night Gives away Dusk Stones
Ace Trainer BethGSC/JamieHGSS Route 26 Friday afternoon Rapidash holds a Focus Band (second rematch onwardC)
Ace Trainer Gaven Route 26 Thursday morning Kingler holds a King's Rock (second rematch onwardC)
Ace Trainer Reena Route 27 Sunday morning Nidoqueen holds a Pink Bow (second rematch onwardC)
Bird Keeper Jose Route 27 Saturday night Gives away Star PiecesCHGSS
Gym Leaders
Main article: Fighting Dojo/Generation IV

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver only, the player can register the phone numbers of Gym Leaders. If the player calls a Gym Leader at a specific time, they will agree to a rematch, which will be conducted at Saffron City's Fighting Dojo. All Gym Leaders have the title "Leader" in the Pokégear.

After entering the Hall of Fame, the player can obtain Gym Leaders' phone numbers. In order to obtain their phone number, the player must meet certain requirements, often requiring them to talk to the Gym Leader in a certain location (outside of their Gym), which they only appear in at certain times or on certain days of the week.

After obtaining the Earth Badge, if the player has a Gym Leader's phone number, they can call them at certain times of day to schedule a rematch. If the player calls at the right time on the right day, the Gym Leader will always accept the rematch. Once they have accepted the rematch, the player can battle them at Saffron City's Fighting Dojo. Any number of Gym Leaders can be present in the Fighting Dojo at once.

Leader Time and location of phone number Rematch call time
Falkner Mondays in the Celadon City Department Store 4F; must have beaten Janine; any time Saturday morning
Bugsy Thursdays in Viridian Forest; any time Thursday afternoon
Whitney Any day in the Goldenrod City Department Store 6F; between 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon
Morty Mondays and Tuesdays on the Bellchime Trail; any time Tuesday night
Chuck Any day from Chuck's wife; any time Wednesday night
Jasmine Any day in the Olivine Café; between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM Wednesday afternoon
Pryce Any morning by the Lake of Rage; between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM Monday morning
Clair Any morning in the Dragon's Den; must have beaten Lance and her in a double battle; between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM Friday night
Brock Any day in Diglett's Cave; must have beaten Blue; between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM Saturday night
Misty Any day on Route 25 (unless Suicune is present); must have beaten Blue; between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Wednesday morning
Lt. Surge Any day by the Kanto Power Plant after Zapdos is captured and the player is walking with a Pikachu; must have beaten Blue; between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Friday morning
Erika Saturdays and Sundays by the Celadon City fountain; must have beaten Blue; between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM Sunday morning
Sabrina Fridays at the Olivine City harbor; must have S.S. Ticket; any time Sunday afternoon
Janine Any evening by the Pokémon League Reception Gate; between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Monday afternoon
Blaine Tuesdays on Cinnabar Island; must have beaten Blue; any time Tuesday afternoon
Blue Any day from Daisy Oak, after having at least seven massages and showing her a Pokémon with full friendship; any time Sunday night
Other characters
Games Person Title Location Notes
MomGSC/MotherHGSS New Bark Town Saves the player's money and buys items. Cannot be removed from the phone in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
Prof. Elm Pokémon ProfessorHGSS New Bark Town Calls about major events. Cannot be removed from the phone in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
Prof. Oak Pokémon Professor Pallet Town Gives phone number when first met at Mr. Pokémon's house; call him to have Pokédex rated.
Kurt Poké Ball Creator Azalea Town Calls to tell the player that their Poké Balls are ready
Day-C Lady Day Care Route 34
Day-C Man Day Care Route 34 Calls when Pokémon left at the Day Care produce an Egg. After he has given the player an Egg for the first time, they can choose whether he should call the player whenever he finds an Egg.
Ethan/Lyra Childhood Friend New Bark Town Number is obtained from them when first visiting the Day Care Center on Route 34; when contacted, they will give information on how certain Pokémon will react to different areas
Baoba Safari Warden Johto Safari Zone Calls about expansions in the Safari Zone
Bike Shop Goldenrod City Calls when the player after they ride their Bike for 1024 steps to tell them they can keep it permanently.
Bill Poké ManiacHGSS Goldenrod City Calls when Bill's PC box is fullGSC or when every box is full.HGSS Can be called to find out how much space is left in the current boxGSC or the entire storage systemHGSS.
C Buena Disc JockeyC/Radio PersonalityHGSS Goldenrod City Obtainable after getting 30 Blue Card points.CHGSS

Radio

The radio interface in Gold, Silver, and Crystal
The bottom screen of the radio interface in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Main article: Radio

After acquiring the Radio Card (Japanese: ラジオカード Radio Card) from a quiz host at the Goldenrod Radio Tower, the Radio function of the Pokégear can now be used. It allows the player to tune in to the various radio stations being broadcast from the two Radio Towers in Goldenrod (Johto) and Lavender (Kanto). When traveling to Kanto, however, the EXPN Card (Japanese: かくちょうカード Expansion Card) must be obtained from the manager of the Kanto Radio Tower before all Kanto stations can be played in Crystal Version, and the Poké Flute station can be played in Gold, Silver, HeartGold, and SoulSilver versions.

The Radio usually allows the players to tune in to the local programs, allowing the player to get tips from Professor Oak and DJ Mary on Prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk, or to let the player tune in to specific channels such as Buena's Password to win prizes. However, the Radio is also capable of picking up other signals within its tunable range, thereby occasionally causing weird noises to be heard such as the Mysterious Transmissions coming from the Ruins of Alph, or Team Rocket's evolution-forcing signals near the Lake of Rage.

During Team Rocket's takeover of the Goldenrod Radio Tower, all other stations were being replaced by the Team Rocket Announcement.

The Radio function also works when the Pokégear is not in use, allowing the player to play tunes from a specific radio show when on the move, even when the player uses Surf on a water area (though the radio will stop playing after getting out of the water). Some tunes even affect how wild Pokémon appear, notably in HeartGold and SoulSilver, when Ben from the Pokémon Music Channel occasionally broadcasts the Hoenn Sound or Sinnoh Sound to allow the player to attract wild Pokémon native to Hoenn or Sinnoh.

Generation II

In Generation II when the Radio was first introduced, the interface features an interactive box at the top right corner, consisting of a number line divided into 'channels' and a slider that is controlled by the up (slider moves right) and down (slider moves left) buttons. The channels range from 0.5 to 20.5, and when the slider reaches a correct channel, a program will play (in this case, 4.5 for Prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk). Most of the screen shows the name of the program and a large space for the dialog box to appear.

Generation IV

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the radio function makes a return, but the interface changed drastically from Generation II. Most of the dialog and the reception icon is now shown at the top screen, while tuning can be done at the bottom screens. Tuning is done in two ways: moving a rounded indicator around the circular area using the stylus, or by selecting one of the four buttons at the side of the circular area, which directly tunes the radio to a pre-set Radio Station. (The Mysterious Transmission and the Poké Flute have to be manually tuned using the stylus.)

Programs in HeartGold and SoulSilver are now more varied; Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk will update the player on recent swarm, while a Variety Channel features a documentary and radio play. The broadcast timings for Buena's Password have also been changed, allowing her program to be received for one out of every three hours. Most programs are also not limited to their respective broadcast regions; the four main stations can be heard in both Kanto and Johto. While the radio is playing, regardless of what channel the player is on, when a Pokémon is talked to, will say the following quotes:

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: More quotes

<Pokémon> is jumping for joy!

<Pokémon>'s cheeks are becoming rosy!

Whoa! <Pokémon> suddenly danced in happiness!

Whoa! <Pokémon> suddenly hugged you!

<Pokémon> is happy but shy!

<Pokémon> suddenly started walking closer!

<Pokémon> gave you a sunny look!

<Pokémon> gives you a happy look and a smile!

<Pokémon> began poking you in the stomach!

They will not say the following quotes unless friendly towards the trainer.

Appearance

Kris Pokégear Masters.png Lyra Pokégear Masters.png
Model of Kris's Pokégear from
Pokémon Masters EX
Model of Lyra's Pokégear from
Pokémon Masters EX

In the anime

Main series

Brock's Pokégear in the anime
Misty's Pokégear in the anime

In the anime, it is shown that the Pokégear has at least three designs: a black one, a white one, and a pink one. Several characters in the anime own Pokégears:

Pokémon Generations

Lance's Pokégear in Pokémon Generations
Ethan's Pokégear in Pokémon Generations

Two Pokégears appeared in The Lake of Rage, with one owned by Lance and another owned by Ethan. They were used by the two to communicate while they were taking down the Team Rocket HQ.

In the manga

The Pokégear in Pokémon Adventures
Cyrus's Pokégear in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

The Pokégear is the Pokémon world's equivalent of a cellular phone, albeit with more functions, such as the Map Card. The Pokégear has seen less usage since the introduction of the Xtransceiver and the Holo Caster.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The Pokégear is often used in Pokémon Adventures, first appearing in this arc. Some Johto and Kanto Pokédex holders have a Pokégear.

In addition to its role as a cellular phone, the Pokégear can also be used as a remote control. The Masked Man used a special Pokégear to control his ice copy by Morse code, allowing him to be in two places at once and thus help conceal his true identity.

Ruby & Sapphire arc

It was shown that Ruby also possesses a Pokégear, as he moved to Hoenn from Johto.

Ruby explained to Sapphire how a password from the Pokégear is needed to operate an aircar, having learned how to do so from his mentor Wallace.

Diamond & Pearl arc

Cyrus was seen with a special Pokégear that had the Team Galactic symbol around the screen.

In the TCG

Pokégear 3.0
Main article: Pokégear 3.0 (HeartGold & SoulSilver 96)

Pokégear 3.0 is an Item card that was first introduced in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the Japanese LEGEND Era, as part of the SoulSilver Collection. This Trainer card allows a player to look at the top 7 cards of their deck, reveal a Supporter card they find there, and put it into their hand. The other cards are then shuffled back into the deck.

Trivia

  • In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Ethan's icon on the Pokégear's map depicts his hat with black sides while his Pokédex icon depicts his hat with yellow sides. This may be a leftover from the conversion of his Generation II design (where the front of his hat was all black and the back was all yellow) to his Generation IV design (where the sides of his hat are black and the middle is yellow).

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 寶可裝置 Poké-Jōngji*
寶可齒輪 Poké-Chílèuhn*
寵物小精靈裝置 Chúngmaht Síujīnglìhng Jōngji*
Mandarin 寶可裝置 Bǎokě-Zhuāngzhì*
寶可齒輪 Bǎokě-Chǐlún*
宝可梦齿轮 Bǎokěmèng Chǐlún*
神奇寶貝裝置 / 神奇宝贝装置 Shénqíbǎobèi Zhuāngzhì*
神奇寶貝錶 Shénqíbǎobèi Biǎo*
神奇宝贝金表 Shénqíbǎobèi Jīnbiǎo*
Denmark Flag.png Danish Pokégrej
Finland Flag.png Finnish Pokélaite (M03)
Pokégear (Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl)
France Flag.png European French PokéMatos
Germany Flag.png German PokéCom
Iceland Flag.png Icelandic Poké-tækið
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokégear
South Korea Flag.png Korean 포켓기어 Pokégear
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Pokéutstyr
Pokésendere*
Pokégear (Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl)
Poland Flag.png Polish Pok飹cze
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Pokégear (TCG, manga)
PokéTransmissor
Portugal Flag.png Portugal PokéTransmissor
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America PokéGear
PokéFono (TLoT)
Spain Flag.png Spain PokéGear (games, DP181)
PokéMóvil (TLoT, DP143-DP147)
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Pokéutrustning
Pokésändare*
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Pokégear

Map Card

Language Title
Mandarin Chinese 地圖卡 Dìtú Kǎ
France Flag.png French Coupon CarteHGSS
Cpn CarteGSC
Germany Flag.png German Karten-Modul
Italy Flag.png Italian Scheda Mappa
South Korea Flag.png Korean 맵 카드 Map Card
Spain Flag.png Spanish Tarjeta Mapa
Tarj. MapaGSC

Radio Card

Language Title
France Flag.png French Coupon Radio
Germany Flag.png German Radio-Modul
Italy Flag.png Italian Scheda Radio
South Korea Flag.png Korean 라디오카드 Radio Card
Spain Flag.png Spanish Tarjeta Radio
Tarj.RadioGSC

EXPN Card

Language Title
Mandarin Chinese 擴張卡 Kuòzhāng Kǎ
France Flag.png French Coupon d'ExpansionHGSS
Cpn Expan.GSC
Germany Flag.png German Zusatzset
Italy Flag.png Italian Scheda Espansione
Scheda Esp.GSC
South Korea Flag.png Korean 확장 카드 Hwakjang Card
Spain Flag.png Spanish Tarjeta ExpansiónHGSS
Tarjeta ExpnGSC
Tar. ExpnGSC


Project ItemDex logo.png This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.