Pokémon Crystal

Japanese Release Date: December 14, 2000

American Release Date: July 30, 2001

Pokémon Crystal is the seventh Japanese Pokémon game released, and the sixth American one. Similar to how Pokémon Yellow built upon the original generation of games, so to does Crystal build upon the Second Generation, packing additional storyline features from the original Gold and Silver games. Among the most exciting additions to the series include short battle animations when a Pokémon is released from its Pokéball, as well as allowing the player character to be a girl for the first time in the series. And although the game begins in New Bark town in the Johto region, the Kanto region becomes available later in the game.

Interestingly, the game has different changes, depending on where it was released. The American release, in comparison to the Japanese release, failed to upgrade several mechanics or outright dropped events from the Japanese game.

Changes from Gold and Silver:

The character Eusine is introduced. He searches for the legendary Pokémon Suicune throughout the game. He battles the player character in an attempt to gain its respect.

In addition, a much larger number of Pokémon are available in Crystal. While both Lugia and Ho-Oh may still be captured, there is now a larger focus on Suicune. Also important to note, Ho-Oh can't be captured until Raikou, Entei, and Suicune are all caught. Both Lugia and Ho-Oh appear as level 60 when captured. In the same vein, Gligar and Skarmory are both available, whereas they were version exclusive before. Sneasel now appears in the Ice Path; before it was only available after reaching Mt. Silver. Magmar now appears exclusively in Mt. Silver instead of in the Burned Tower. The Pokémon Growlithe becomes available in a new patch of grass west of Violet City. This is important because previously fire-type Pokémon (excluding the starter Cyndaquil) weren't available until much later in the game.

The Ruins of Alph have been altered; a much larger selection of Unown are available. The Ruins are also part of a new subplot. If the player completes enough puzzles within the ruins, a message left behind by the Unown is revealed. The message itself implies that the Unown were once part of an ancient civilization that built the Ruins of Alph; the statues themselves were apparently built by the Unown. Several areas, including the Ice Path and Lance's Chamber in the Indigo Plateau have also recieved alternate designs. The Pokémon Day Care Center now gives the player a free egg.

Now, trainers who call the player on the cell phone have 'personalities'. Whereas they all said the same line with the relevant Pokémon name replaced before, they now have definable characters; one will talk to the player about shopping, while another will talk about Pokémon grooming, as well as others. The trainers will also call more often, instead of just for battling; trainers now give the player items or talk about rare Pokémon that may have appeared. Certain other cosmetic were also made, such as the Legendary Dog Trio gaining their own battle music, or having certain trainers rearranged to fit differently on the map. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, sprites played a short animation; a feature that would not be seen again until years later, upon the release of Pokémon Emerald.

Us Darn West Coasters:

While Westerners did get an updated version of Pokémon Gold and Silver when they received Crystal, they also missed out on quite a bit...

A Pokémon Communications Center was originally built in place of what became Goldenrod's Pok*eacute;Center. This Communications Center was used to allow Japanese players to connect their cell phones for a certain 'special event'...
The special event previously mentioned was a Celebi event that allowed players to find Celebi in the Ilex Forest within the Ilex Shrine. After activating the event, the nurse at the Communications Center would gift to you a GS Ball, which you were expected to take to Kurt for further investigation. After waiting a day, you could place the one-of-a-kind ball into the shrine to find a level 30 Celebi.
In addition to this event, players could also use the Center as a base for battling or trading online, in a fashion very similar to that used in Generation IV by Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum's GTS.
The old man living at the Pok*eacute;Daycare would give you a ticket that allowed you to trade it in to the Center for a Shiny Egg Pokémon who would know Dizzy Punch. This was still somewhat present in the English version, as the old man simply directly gave you the egg.

Page was last modified on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:27:09