If you are a Pokémon newbie or just picking up a Pokémon game for the first time, don’t worry there’s no need to be ashamed. Well admittedly, there is a little shame but it’s ok, we’ve got your back. These ten phrases, words, lingo, and items on this list are essential to playing and understanding the first generation Pokémon games.
The first generation refers to Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Green (released only in Japan). These titles are playable on the original Gameboy, Gameboy Pocket, Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advanced. While this is a guide for first generation Pokémon games, many if not all entries in this list apply to Pokémon games from every generation. So sit tight, take some notes and use your knowledge of these phrases to catch ‘em all!
1. Pokémon
This may be self-explanatory for most people. However, being a current resident of Japan, I feel the need to do the creators justice and explain the origin of this term for those that do not know. In the English version of the anime and games, Pokémon is explained as the term for the world’s animals. However, in the original Japanese series Pokémon is an abbreviation for Pocket Monsters which is the original title of the game in Japan.
2. Badges
As you make your way through the game you will have to defeat a number of Pokémon Gym leaders. Each Gym leader will have Pokémon of a different elemental attribute. Once defeated you will receive that gym’s badge as a reward. Said badge will be of the same elemental attribute of the leader’s Pokémon. Badges are important for many reasons. The game can’t be progressed in some areas until the gym leader is defeated. As well, defeating gym leaders unlocks special and necessary abilities known as HMs.
3. HM
HM is an item in the game which is an abbreviation for Hidden Machine. Hidden Machines are incredibly useful and necessary in the game. These items teach Pokémon special abilities which are required to press forward in the game. From cutting trees to flying and swimming, HMs teach Pokémon all these skills which can also be used in battle. Unlike TMs, HMs are an unlimited-use item and can be used on multiple Pokémon.
4. TM
TM, short for Technical Machine is different from the Hidden Machines in the game in the sense that they contain non-essential special attacks. TMs teach Pokémon attacks the same way HMs do, except that they are one-time use only. These attacks are not necessary to travel to different areas in the game but are sometimes rare, fun-to-use and effective in combat.
5. PP
Short for Power Points, PP is what Pokémon use to perform attacks. Each attack has a different maximum amount of Power Points. Some attacks can have as low as five, others may have thirty. PP can be restored using various items, but since each attack will have a different amount of PP, items restore PP for only one attack of each individual Pokémon.
6. Parlyz Heal
The Parlyz Heal, later fully written out as “Paralyze Heal” in later games, is an item that cures paralysis in Pokémon. Pokémon can become temporarily paralyzed due to numerous types of attacks and primarily Electric attacks. If you’re out of Parylz Heal items, simply visiting a Pokémon Center will cure all status ailments.
7. Repel
There’s nothing more annoying than constantly getting hit with random encounter after random encounter when walking through acres of wild grass or trying to get through the various caves in the game. One item that can prevent random encounters is Repel. The item comes in three variants: Repel, Super Repel, and Max Repel, each of which works to repel random encounters for a certain amount of steps.
8. Rare Candy
Like many Japanese Role-playing Games, Pokémon requires a large amount of grinding in order to level-up your Pokémon. While grinding is still a big part of the game, there is an item that can make levelling your Pokémon easier. The Rare Candy instantly levels up Pokémon along with all their stats. While the items are not common, there is a glitch that can duplicate Pokémon and items in second generation Pokémon Games.
9. Stones
While Rare Candies can instantly level up your Pokémon, evolutionary stones instantly evolve your Pokémon. Generation one Pokémon games include the Fire Stone, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Leaf Stone and Moon Stone. These stones can evolve Pokémon who match the element of the stone. While the Pokémon evolve, they retain their levels and stats.
10. Team Rocket
We can’t talk about the Pokémon series without talking about its number one villainous group, Team Rocket. Team Rocket is an organized crime group led by the mastermind, Giovanni. Throughout all games in Generation 1 and Generation 2 Pokémon series, Team Rocket plays a major role as the series’ main antagonist.
Any essential phrases we missed? What’s your favorite Pokémon game? Let us and our readers know in the comments below.
