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Distribution device: Difference between revisions

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{{incomplete}}
{{incomplete|2=Additional distribution methods}}
[[File:Distribution cartridge Deoxys.jpg|thumb|right|A {{p|Deoxys}} distribution card]]
[[File:Distribution cartridge various.jpg|thumb|right|Various distribution cartridges for Generations IV and V]]
A '''distribution device''' is any device that is used to distribute [[event Pokémon|Pokémon events]].


'''Distribution cartridges''' are special game cartridges that are used for Nintendo's distribution of [[event Pokémon|Pokémon events]], via [[DS Wireless Communications]].
Distribution devices include dedicated machines, regular Pokémon game cartridges, game cartridges with special software, and [[Nintendo GameCube]] discs with special software. They distribute events through a variety of methods, including directly plugging the cartridge into the device, [[Game Link Cable]]s, [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]]s, infrared, and local communication.


They are given to stores for event distribution and are not sold commercially. They only contain information for the event Pokémon and have no actual game data or save possibilities.
==Pokémon machines==
===Special machines===
The Special Machine (Japanese: '''特製マシン'''), sometimes referred to as a Mew Machine or a Celebi Machine, was used to distribute event Pokémon in [[Generation I]] starting with the {{DL|List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation I)|Nintendo Space World '97 Mew}} distribution. It was mainly used to distribute Mew but also other events like [[Surfing Pikachu]]. An updated version was used starting with the {{DL|List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation II)|Nintendo Space World 2000 Celebi}} for all {{p|Celebi}} events during [[Generation II]]. At separate events, Pokémon game cartridges containing event Pokémon downloaded from the special machines were sometimes used as "distribution cartridges", and the event Pokémon were exchanged via Game Link Cable.


The cartridges only work from the start of the event to the end of the event. After the time has passed, the cartridges cease to work. Setting back the system time can circumvent this.
====Internal structure====
Video evidence shows that users of the distribution machine would insert their game cartridge into a slot on the front of the machine to initiate the download, which was then followed by a trade animation of the player receiving the event Pokémon. In 2021, actor Cody Burns interviewed ex-Nintendo representative Jeremy Hepworth on the 9th episode of the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huiCsOIsHwg&list=PLbyXgDzUPi-fzbhKR8LUPZKicr9cMZj6b&index=9 Every Pokémon Ever] charity benefit. Hepworth stated that the internals of the machine had specially designed proprietary software that could transfer a Pokémon to a cartridge without the need to trade a Pokémon from the player. Rather, the player had to have an empty slot in their party for the download to initiate. When asked about the location of any existing machines, Hepworth stated that "If they do still exist, they're probably sitting around in a [Nintendo] storage unit somewhere... forgotten". As of 2023, the location of special Mew/Celebi distribution machines is still unknown.


At the end of an event they are intended to be sent to Nintendo's Waste Management facility in Redmond, WA, where they are presumably destroyed.
====Generation I====
<gallery>
Mew machine.jpg| Special machine for distributing {{DL|List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation I)|Nintendo Space World '99 Mew}}
</gallery>
 
====Generation II====
<gallery>
Celebi machine.jpg| Special machine for distributing {{DL|List of European language event Pokémon distributions (Generation II)|Pokémon Fun Fest Celebi}}
</gallery>
 
===Pokémon Distribution Machine===
The Pokémon Distribution Machine (Japanese: '''ポケモン配布マシン'''), also known as the Pokémon Vending Machine, was used to distribute campaign distributions in [[Generation II]] at [[Pokémon Center (store)|Pokémon Centers]] and debuted with the opening of the [[Pokémon Center New York]] for the distribution of the [[List of PCNY event Pokémon distributions (Generation II)|Gotta catch 'em all!]] campaigns. It was also used in Japanese Pokémon Centers to distribute the [[List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation II)#Pokémon Center Mystery Egg Campaigns|Mystery Egg]] campaigns. An updated version of the machine's software for [[Generation III]] was made in June, 2003 and used for the distribution of {{DL|List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation III)|Wishing Star Jirachi}} at the 18th World Hobby Fair and [[Pokémon Festa]] 2003 in Japan. In August, 2003 the machines from the Pokémon Center New York were updated for the distribution of the {{DL|List of PCNY event Pokémon distributions (Generation III)|Gotta Catch 'Em All campaigns in Generation III}}. The Pokémon Center New York machines were promoted as "Gotta Catch 'Em All Stations" and later succeeded by a different hardware setup promoted as the new Gotta Catch 'Em All Station which was used for the wireless [[Mystery Gift]] distribution of the {{DL|List of PCNY event Pokémon distributions (Generation III)|Wish Eggs}} campaign.
 
The distribution machine was connected to a developer [[Gamecube]] and stored configurations, logs, and other information on a memory card. While Shiny Pokémon could be configured, this was never used in Generation III. The devices distribution could was used as the [[Trainer ID]] starting with 1. If more than 65535 Pokémon were distributed without restarting or powering off the device, then the ID would overflow to 0.


==Screenshots==
====Generation II====
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Distribution cartridge Arceus screenshot.jpg|Active distribution of {{p|Arceus}}
Gotta Catch 'Em All Station.jpg|[[Pokémon Center New York]]'s "Gotta Catch 'Em All Station"
File:Distribution cartridge Arceus expired screenshot.jpg|Expired distribution
</gallery>
File:Distribution cartridge Arceus.jpg|Arceus distribution cartridge
 
File:Distribution cartridge various.jpg|Various distribution Cartridges from Generations IV and V
==Distribution cartridges==
File:Distribution cartridge Keldeo.jpg|Toys 'R' Us {{p|Keldeo}} distribution cartridge
Game Link Cables were used to distribute many events until the start of [[Generation IV]]. Starting in [[Generation V]], infrared was used to distribute certain events in Japan and {{pmin|South Korea}}.
File:Distribution cartridge Slot 2.jpg‎|Japanese SLOT 2 distribution cartridge
 
File:Distribution cartridge Generation III.jpg|Old Generation III distribution system
Distribution cartridges are given to stores for event distributions, and are not sold commercially. Starting in [[Generation IV]], they only contain information for the event Pokémon, and have no actual game data or save possibilities. These cartridges use [[DS Wireless Communications]] to distribute events starting in Generation IV. At the end of an event, they are intended to be sent to Nintendo's Waste Management facility in Redmond, Washington, where they are presumably destroyed. However, sometimes, distribution cartridges are leaked or sold to the public.
 
No distribution cartridges are known to exist for event distributions for the post-Generation V games, presumably due to the advent of full digital games.
 
====Generation I====
<gallery>
Distribution system Generation I.jpg|Distribution system used for {{DL|List of European language event Pokémon distributions (Generation I)|U.S. Toys "R" Us Mew}}
</gallery>
 
===Generation III===
<gallery>
Distribution cartridge waiting screenshot Generation III.jpg|Waiting for a distribution in [[Generation III]]
Top 10 distribution system.jpg|Distribution system used for the [[Top 10 Distribution|Top 10]] Pokémon
Mystery Mew distribution system.jpg|{{DL|List of English event Pokémon distributions (Generation III)|Mystery Mew}} link trade distribution
Distribution cartridge Generation III.jpg|Distribution system used in [[Generation III]]
</gallery>
 
===Generation IV===
<gallery>
Distribution cartridge pending screenshot Generation IV.png|Waiting for a distribution in [[Generation IV]]
Distribution cartridge active screenshot Generation IV.png|Active distribution in [[Generation IV]]
Distribution cartridge expired screenshot Generation IV.png|Expired distribution in [[Generation IV]]
Slot 2 distribution system.jpg|Slot 2 distribution
Distribution cartridge Arceus EU.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|European Michina Arceus}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Arceus US.png|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Toys "R" Us Arceus}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Celebi EU.png|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|European Winter 2011 Celebi}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Celebi US.png|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Americas Winter 2011 Celebi}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Darkrai US.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Toys "R" Us Darkrai}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Deoxys US.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|GameStop Deoxys}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Dragonite US.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Toys "R" Us Dragonite}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge GameStop Pichu Jirachi US.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|GameStop Pikachu-colored Pichu}} and {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|GameStop Jirachi}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge GameStop legendary beasts Celebi US.png|GameStop [[legendary beasts]]<!--no link available due to current page layout--> (and [[List of undistributed event Pokémon#GameStop Celebi|undistributed Celebi]]) distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Manaphy US.jpg|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Toys "R" Us Manaphy}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Pikachu US.png|[[List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)#Ash's Pikachu|Toys "R" Us Ash's Pikachu]] distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Secret Key US.jpg|US {{si|Secret Key}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Shaymin EU.png|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|Movie 11 Shaymin}} distribution DS card
Distribution cartridge Slot 2.jpg|{{DL|List of local Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation IV)|10th Movie Deoxys}} distribution Slot 2 cartridge
</gallery>
 
===Generation V===
<gallery>
Distribution cartridge pending screenshot Generation V.png|Waiting for a distribution in [[Generation V]]
Distribution cartridge active screenshot Generation V.png|Active distribution in [[Generation V]]
Distribution cartridge expired screenshot Generation V.png|Expired distribution in [[Generation V]]
Distribution cartridge Liberty Ticket EU.png|European [[Liberty Ticket]] distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Karrablast Shelmet EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Summer 2011 Karrablast}} and {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Summer 2011 Shelmet|Summer 2011 Shelmet}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Zoroark EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Summer 2011 Zoroark}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Zoroark US.jpg|US {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Zoroark Month Zoroark}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Darkrai EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Winter 2011 Darkrai}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Keldeo EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Summer 2012 Keldeo}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Keldeo US.jpg|US {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Summer 2012 Keldeo}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Meloetta EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Spring 2013 Meloetta}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Meloetta US.png|US {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Spring 2013 Meloetta}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Secret Egg US.png|US {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|Secret Eggs}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Creation trio EU.png|European {{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|International Summer 2013 Pokémon of Myth trio}} distribution cartridge
Distribution cartridge Creation trio US.png|{{DL|List of local English event Pokémon distributions (Generation V)|United States Summer 2013 Shiny Pokémon of Myth}} distribution cartridge
Shiny creation trio distribution instructions.jpg|Distribution instructions for the Shiny Pokémon of Myth
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* [[Event Pokémon]]
* [[Event Pokémon]]


 
{{-}}
{{Project Games notice}}
{{Project Games notice}}


[[Category:Event Pokémon]]
[[Category:Event distributions]]


[[it:Cartuccia di distribuzione]]
[[it:Cartuccia di distribuzione]]

Latest revision as of 09:23, 11 April 2024

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Additional distribution methods
Various distribution cartridges for Generations IV and V

A distribution device is any device that is used to distribute Pokémon events.

Distribution devices include dedicated machines, regular Pokémon game cartridges, game cartridges with special software, and Nintendo GameCube discs with special software. They distribute events through a variety of methods, including directly plugging the cartridge into the device, Game Link Cables, Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapters, infrared, and local communication.

Pokémon machines

Special machines

The Special Machine (Japanese: 特製マシン), sometimes referred to as a Mew Machine or a Celebi Machine, was used to distribute event Pokémon in Generation I starting with the Nintendo Space World '97 Mew distribution. It was mainly used to distribute Mew but also other events like Surfing Pikachu. An updated version was used starting with the Nintendo Space World 2000 Celebi for all Celebi events during Generation II. At separate events, Pokémon game cartridges containing event Pokémon downloaded from the special machines were sometimes used as "distribution cartridges", and the event Pokémon were exchanged via Game Link Cable.

Internal structure

Video evidence shows that users of the distribution machine would insert their game cartridge into a slot on the front of the machine to initiate the download, which was then followed by a trade animation of the player receiving the event Pokémon. In 2021, actor Cody Burns interviewed ex-Nintendo representative Jeremy Hepworth on the 9th episode of the Every Pokémon Ever charity benefit. Hepworth stated that the internals of the machine had specially designed proprietary software that could transfer a Pokémon to a cartridge without the need to trade a Pokémon from the player. Rather, the player had to have an empty slot in their party for the download to initiate. When asked about the location of any existing machines, Hepworth stated that "If they do still exist, they're probably sitting around in a [Nintendo] storage unit somewhere... forgotten". As of 2023, the location of special Mew/Celebi distribution machines is still unknown.

Generation I

Generation II

Pokémon Distribution Machine

The Pokémon Distribution Machine (Japanese: ポケモン配布マシン), also known as the Pokémon Vending Machine, was used to distribute campaign distributions in Generation II at Pokémon Centers and debuted with the opening of the Pokémon Center New York for the distribution of the Gotta catch 'em all! campaigns. It was also used in Japanese Pokémon Centers to distribute the Mystery Egg campaigns. An updated version of the machine's software for Generation III was made in June, 2003 and used for the distribution of Wishing Star Jirachi at the 18th World Hobby Fair and Pokémon Festa 2003 in Japan. In August, 2003 the machines from the Pokémon Center New York were updated for the distribution of the Gotta Catch 'Em All campaigns in Generation III. The Pokémon Center New York machines were promoted as "Gotta Catch 'Em All Stations" and later succeeded by a different hardware setup promoted as the new Gotta Catch 'Em All Station which was used for the wireless Mystery Gift distribution of the Wish Eggs campaign.

The distribution machine was connected to a developer Gamecube and stored configurations, logs, and other information on a memory card. While Shiny Pokémon could be configured, this was never used in Generation III. The devices distribution could was used as the Trainer ID starting with 1. If more than 65535 Pokémon were distributed without restarting or powering off the device, then the ID would overflow to 0.

Generation II

Distribution cartridges

Game Link Cables were used to distribute many events until the start of Generation IV. Starting in Generation V, infrared was used to distribute certain events in Japan and South Korea.

Distribution cartridges are given to stores for event distributions, and are not sold commercially. Starting in Generation IV, they only contain information for the event Pokémon, and have no actual game data or save possibilities. These cartridges use DS Wireless Communications to distribute events starting in Generation IV. At the end of an event, they are intended to be sent to Nintendo's Waste Management facility in Redmond, Washington, where they are presumably destroyed. However, sometimes, distribution cartridges are leaked or sold to the public.

No distribution cartridges are known to exist for event distributions for the post-Generation V games, presumably due to the advent of full digital games.

Generation I

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

See also


Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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