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:''This article is about the development leftovers in Pokémon Gold and Silver. For general development info on the games, see [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions#Development]].
{{incomplete|article|Add missing information and media, like that found on other sites, such as [http://tcrf.net/Pok%C3%A9mon_Gold_and_Silver The Cutting Room Floor] wiki; expand some information and add missing references to reliable sources, when applicable}}
{{move|Development leftovers of Pokémon Gold and Silver}}
{{split|different articles}}
{{incomplete|article}}
[[File:1997 Pokemon2 Logo.png|right|thumb|The original logo of ''Pocket Monsters 2'']]
This article lists the development leftovers and unused content of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}.
The development cycle of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 elsewhere, is probably the most discussed and researched of all releases in the [[core series]] games during the history of the franchise. A relatively broad amount of official material in combination with later investigations reveal a lot of details about incomplete and unreleased elements. Several aspects from the development stages are proof of the over two-year period in which [[Game Freak]] undertook with the sequels to the [[Generation I]] games.


==Locations==
==Pre-release==
===First mention of ''Pocket Monsters 2''===
In 1997, [[Nintendo]] announced the first details about the then-next [[generation]] of [[core series|Pocket Monsters]] games, to be titled '''''Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver''''' (Japanese: '''ポケットモンスター2 金・銀'''). The games were intended to be released at the end of the year for the original [[Game Boy]], while supporting the [[Super Game Boy]] enhancements that the [[Generation I]] games have.
 
One of the many notable additions promised was a skateboard that could be used in addition to the [[Bicycle]] of the previous games, and which would allow the {{player}} to travel to "unusual places". Though this never appeared in the released game, other things announced, such as the [[time]] system with its {{wp|real-time clock}}, as well as {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|100 new Pokémon}}, including [[List of Pokémon with cross-generational evolutions|new evolutions of old Pokémon]], and new [[TM]]s and [[HM]]s containing new [[move]]s, were included. The communication abilities of the games were also to be improved, and [[Time Capsule|backwards compatibility]] with the Generation I games was also announced.
 
A 1997 edition of ''MicroGroup Game Review'' showcased some [[List of unused Pokémon and character designs|Pokémon and character designs]] that were later scrapped.
 
Sprites of {{p|Donphan}}, {{p|Ampharos}}, {{p|Slowking}}, and {{p|Ho-Oh}} were also released, using the [[Super Game Boy]] palettes.
 
Concept art of {{ga|Silver}}, {{p|Ledyba}} and the opening cutscene of the games was also published.
 
<gallery>
File:MicroGroup Game Review Volume 14.jpg|The aforementioned 1997 edition of ''MicroGroup Game Review''.
File:1997 GS Pokemon.png|Four of the "new" {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that would be included in ''Pocket Monsters 2''.
File:Rediba Silver Title Cutscene Concept.png|The concept art mentioned above.
</gallery>
 
===New Pokémon in the anime===
The {{pkmn|anime}} also provided early peeks at the new {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. {{p|Ho-Oh}}, the eventual [[game mascot]] of {{game3|Gold and Silver|Pokémon Gold|s}}, appeared in the [[EP001|first episode]]. Later, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}} hatched from an {{pkmn|Egg}} {{Ash}} himself found, and [[Misty]] became the first main character to own a [[Generation II]] Pokémon. {{p|Snubbull}} and {{p|Marill}} made their first appearances in ''[[PK01|Pikachu's Vacation]]'', and {{p|Donphan}} appeared at the start of ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''. During [[S02|the second season]] of the English dub, Ash and Misty also encountered {{Tracey}}, who owned a {{TP|Tracey|Marill}}; {{OBP|Lugia|M02}}, the game mascot of {{game3|Gold and Silver|Pokémon Silver|s}}, was the focus of [[M02|the second movie]], in which {{p|Slowking}} also appeared. {{p|Bellossom}}, {{p|Ledyba}}, {{p|Hoothoot}}, and {{p|Elekid}} also made an appearance in ''[[PK04|Pikachu's Rescue Adventure]]''.
 
===First screenshots===
The color scheme in these screenshots corresponds to the [[Super Game Boy]] palettes, as the games hadn't been developed with the [[Game Boy Color]] in mind yet. It also sported the palette-swapping functionality that is also present in the [[Generation I]] games.
 
At this time, the initial game screenshots released didn't look all that much different from the Generation I games. The pictures clearly show the games' engine being in a more developed, but still early, stage. The lack of {{pkmn|battle}} screenshots would seem to indicate that a redone battle system had not been implemented yet.
 
As can be seen on one of the screenshots, {{m|Whirlpool|whirlpools}} were originally randomly interspersed across [[Route|sea routes]] to serve as obstacles.
 
On some other screenshots of different stages of development, part of a city resembling [[Ecruteak City]] is seen. Whether it was an actual prototype of Ecruteak City, or a completely distinct location, is not known.
 
A screenshot depicting an earlier design for the [[Pokémon Center]] also shows an [[Unown]] ruin on the upper-right corner, which was possibly related to the [[Ruins of Alph]], or an equivalent location at that point in development.
 
A simplified version of the northwestern-most section of {{rt|35|Johto}}, near the [[gate]] to [[National Park]], also appeared on one of the screenshots. The differences from the final design of the route include water instead of trees and fences, with the path to the right not being open.
 
Another screenshot also depicts possible prototypes of [[Goldenrod Radio Tower]], as well as of a gate-- possibly the gate that leads to Route 35, or rather, the [[Magnet Train]] station in [[Goldenrod City]].
 
<gallery perrow=4>
File:1997 GS Building.png|Coming out of a building.
File:1997 GS Silent Hills.png|'''Silent Hills''' (サイレントヒルズ), the originally planned starting town
File:1997 GS Violet City.png|A possible prototype of [[Ecruteak City]], or a completely scrapped location.
File:1997 GS Violet City 2.png|The same location on a different stage of development.
File:1997 GS Surfing.png|Prototype {{m|Whirlpool|whirlpools}}
File:1997 GS Ruins.png|Prototype [[Pokémon Center]] and [[Ruins of Alph]]
File:1997 GS Route 35.png|Prototype {{rt|35|Johto}}
File:1997 GS Goldenrod City.png|Possible prototypes of [[Goldenrod Radio Tower]] and a [[gate]].
</gallery>
 
===Delayed release===
[[File:1998 Pokemon GS Logo.png|right|thumb|The second logo of ''Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver'', with the number 2 being dropped from the title]]
The end of 1997 passed without a release for ''Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver''. The potential release date was removed, and things generally stayed quiet until March 1998, where it was officially announced that the release would be delayed.
 
It was at this time that the games were re-announced as '''''Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver'''''. Though the number 2 was dropped, the games remained as sequels to the [[Generation I]] games. Much of the year was quiet with regard to information about the games, as {{game3|Yellow|''Pocket Monsters: Pikachu''}} was on its way out in Japan, and {{game|Red and Blue|s}} and the {{pkmn|anime|Pokémon anime}} were on their way to the United States.
 
Video showing a few seconds of how the game looked like:
{{Youtubevid|4de7uwhoOyY|channel/UCzF1JNxVw4vd1gK7nNTxKqg|name=Escape, Cyberia i inne|Gold|Silver}}
{{-}}
 
===More information===
[[File:1999 Pokemon Gold Logo.png|right|thumb|The final logo for {{game3|Gold and Silver|''Pocket Monsters: Gold''|s}}]]
[[File:1999 Pokemon Silver Logo.png|right|thumb|The final logo for {{game3|Gold and Silver|''Pocket Monsters: Silver''|s}}]]
Following nearly a year without press releases, the [[Nintendo]] of Japan website was finally updated with new information on {{game3|Gold and Silver|''Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver''|s}}. A revised release date of June 1999 was given and it was announced the games would be compatible with the then soon-to-be-released [[Game Boy Color]].
 
[[Ken Sugimori]]'s artwork for {{p|Slowking}}, {{p|Marill}}, {{p|Bellossom}}, and {{p|Hoothoot}} was also released, as were several screenshots of the new {{pkmn|battle}} system, featuring fully-colored sprites.
 
The battle screens are very similar to the final ones, but the absence of [[gender]] notation is apparent. {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} gender was a previously announced feature, and the graphical indicator of the gender during battle was likely added later as a convenience to {{player}}s.
 
The [[move]] [[stats]] screen, which, in the final release, shows players the remaining and total amount of {{PP}} for each move, as well as its [[type]], was apparently not fully completed at this point in development.
 
The battle system, nearly complete, was demonstrated, including [[wild Pokémon]] encounters. The new [[Pokédex]], while close to completion, was still missing several features, such as the [[footprint]] and [[National Pokédex]] number of the Pokémon. The location, [[cry]], and printing functions were also missing.
 
The screenshots released look very similar to the actual footage of the final release. The locations shown do not appear to be part of the final map, though they look similar.
 
The Pokédex Entries for the 'new' Pokémon ({{p|Marill}}, {{p|Girafarig}}, {{p|Hoppip}}, {{p|Sunflora}}, and {{p|Ledyba}}) had 'Now investigating this newly discovered Pokémon' as their entries. This was the same as the Spaceworld '97 Demo.
<gallery perrow=6>
File:1999 Slowking Artwork.png|Artwork of {{p|Slowking}}
File:1999 Marill Artwork.png|Artwork of {{p|Marill}}
File:1999 Bellossom Artwork.png|Artwork of {{p|Bellossom}}
File:1999 Hoothoot Artwork.png|Artwork of {{p|Hoothoot}}
File:1999 shot p1.png|{{p|Snubbull}} vs. {{p|Marill}}
File:1999 shot p2.png|{{p|Butterfree}} vs. {{p|Venusaur}}
File:1999 shot p3.png|[[Player character|Player]] vs. {{tc|Picnicker|Picnic Girl}} Kanami
File:1999 shot p4.png|{{p|Charizard}} vs. {{p|Donphan}}
File:1999-GS beta title screen.png|Prototype title screen of {{game3|Gold and Silver|''Pocket Monsters: Gold''|s}}
File:1999 trailer titlescr.png|A more advanced title screen, also of {{game3|Gold and Silver|''Pocket Monsters: Gold''|s}}.
File:1999 trailer battle2.png|"Ah! A {{pkmn2|wild}} {{p|Togepi}} appeared!"
File:1999 Slowking Pokedex entry.png|"{{p|Slowking}}'s Beta Pokédex Entry -Now investigating this newly discovered {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}."
</gallery>
 
==Post-release==
Since {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} were released, other things have been uncovered that reveal interesting details about their development.
 
===Locations===
The final releases have a large number of incomplete maps that detail what most [[Johto]] towns looked like during the development stages. Some data pertaining to [[Kanto]] locations that are not available is also present.
The final releases have a large number of incomplete maps that detail what most [[Johto]] towns looked like during the development stages. Some data pertaining to [[Kanto]] locations that are not available is also present.


===Ecruteak Pharmacy===
====Ecruteak Pharmacy====
[[File:Olivine beta house.png|thumb|right|Inside the unused house in Olivine City]]
[[File:Olivine beta house.png|thumb|right|Inside the unused house in Olivine City]]
Another complete map is a house in [[Olivine City]], where a woman refers to a pharmacy in [[Ecruteak City]] instead of [[Cianwood City]] on both Japanese and English releases. This possibly suggests that the pharmacy was originally planned for Ecruteak City. Oddly enough, she has a {{p|Rhydon}} inside her house, which uses a bugged overworld sprite that intermittently changes between its own and the one resembling a {{p|Clefairy}}. The warp data is complete and is in the top left corner of Olivine City in the middle of trees (meaning that the player cannot normally walk there)<!--coordinates 0,0?-->, however, there is no door and walking into the warp tile alone will not activate the warp. Additional hacking must be done to activate it, such as making all warps act like holes. Additionally, the trees should be removed if this is to be accessed without "walk through walls".
Another complete map is a house in [[Olivine City]], where a woman refers to a pharmacy in [[Ecruteak City]] instead of [[Cianwood City]] on both Japanese and English releases. This possibly suggests that the pharmacy was originally planned for Ecruteak City. Oddly enough, she has a {{p|Rhydon}} inside her house, which uses a bugged overworld sprite that intermittently changes between its own and the one resembling a {{p|Clefairy}}. The warp data is complete and is in the top left corner of Olivine City in the middle of trees (meaning that the player cannot normally walk there)<!--coordinates 0,0?-->, however, there is no door and walking into the warp tile alone will not activate the warp. Additional hacking must be done to activate it, such as making all warps act like holes. Additionally, the trees should be removed if this is to be accessed without "walk through walls".
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;English
;English
<blockquote><sc>Rhydon</sc>: Gugooh!</blockquote>
<blockquote><sc>Rhydon</sc>: Gugooh!</blockquote>
====Special (location)====
[[File:Pokemon Center 2F Special GS SGB JP WST.png|thumb|Special in non-Korean Gold and Silver on Super Game Boy mode]]
The second floor of every Pokémon Center is actually the same map, regardless of which Pokémon Center the player is at. This is because when the player goes up the stairs, they are redirected to a map internally labeled as '''SPECIAL''' (Japanese: '''スペシャル''' ''Special''). In Korean Gold and Silver, it is instead labeled as '''???'''.
It is likely that [[Game Freak]] created Special in order to save storage space in the ROM of the games; however, there is unused map data for copies of Special in every [[Kanto]] location with a Pokémon Center, suggesting that Game Freak also tested multiple copies of the second floor in every Pokémon Center, an idea they later used in the [[Generation III]] games. These unused copies all have but a single warp programmed in, which leads the player back to the respective ground floor, and use the map header of the location in which they were supposed to be found.


===Safari Zone===
===Safari Zone===
There is an unused and incomplete map for the [[Kanto Safari Zone]], along a disabled warp for the Safari Zone [[gate]].
There is an unused and incomplete map for the [[Kanto Safari Zone]], along with a disabled warp for the Safari Zone [[gate]].


In {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, it is replaced by [[Pal Park]] and an actual {{safari|Johto}} was newly added to the north of {{rt|48|Johto}}.
In {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, it is replaced by the [[Pal Park]], and an actual {{safari|Johto}} was newly added to the north of {{rt|48|Johto}}.


====Pokémon====
====Pokémon====
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Full maps without events programmed in exist for the [[Pokémon Lab]] in [[Cinnabar Island]], indicating that Cinnabar Island was originally planned to make an appearance without the erupted volcano, or at least that the Lab was going to remain.
Full maps without events programmed in exist for the [[Pokémon Lab]] in [[Cinnabar Island]], indicating that Cinnabar Island was originally planned to make an appearance without the erupted volcano, or at least that the Lab was going to remain.


===Prototype maps===
====Prototype maps====
The prototype maps are left over in the Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal ROMs. They don't fit with any tileset in the final game.
The prototype maps are left over in the Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal ROMs. They don't fit with any tileset in the final game.
<gallery perrow=6>
<gallery perrow=6>
Line 69: Line 166:
File:Beta Lake of Rage.png|The prototype [[Lake of Rage]]
File:Beta Lake of Rage.png|The prototype [[Lake of Rage]]
File:Blackthorn City beta GS.png|Possible prototype [[Blackthorn City]]
File:Blackthorn City beta GS.png|Possible prototype [[Blackthorn City]]
File:Beta Safari Zone GSC.png|Prototype {{safari|Kanto}} in [[Fuchsia City]]
File:Kanto Safari Zone unused GSC.png|Prototype {{safari|Kanto}} in [[Fuchsia City]]
File:Route 23 beta.png|Prototype of {{rt|23|Kanto}}
File:Route 23 beta.png|Prototype of {{rt|23|Kanto}}
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 107: Line 204:


===Naming the mother===
===Naming the mother===
One of the different types of name entry screens is unused and has the player naming their mother, complete with [[Mom]]'s sprite and the text "MOTHER's NAME?" (Japanese:ははおや の なまえは?). Additionally, the hex:49 control character will display text starting from the memory address D1AE, but it is seemingly unused; changing the data at D1AE will not change Mom's name in the Pokégear's list of contacts.<ref>[http://iimarck.us/i/naming-mother Naming Your Mother - iimarck.us]</ref>
One of the different types of name entry screens is unused and has the player naming their mother, complete with {{jo|Mom}}'s sprite and the text "MOTHER's NAME?" (Japanese:ははおや の なまえは?). Additionally, the hex:49 control character will display text starting from the memory address D1AE, but it is seemingly unused; changing the data at D1AE will not change Mom's name in the Pokégear's list of contacts.<ref>[http://iimarck.us/i/naming-mother Naming Your Mother - iimarck.us]</ref>


The text at D1AE initialized as "MOM" from a New Game, implying that the hex:49 control character may have been intended to display the mother's name, but D1AE is actually used for a different purpose in the final game. The data at D1AE is written to with the player's name if the player watches the [[Dude]]'s catching demonstration, so that the game can copy this data back into the player's name (as the player name is temporarily replaced with "DUDE"). This mechanic is similar to how watching the [[old man]]'s demonstration in Generation I temporarily stores the player's name in wild encounter data.
The text at D1AE initialized as "MOM" from a New Game, implying that the hex:49 control character may have been intended to display the mother's name, but D1AE is actually used for a different purpose in the final game. The data at D1AE is written to with the player's name if the player watches the [[Dude]]'s catching demonstration, so that the game can copy this data back into the player's name (as the player name is temporarily replaced with "DUDE"). This mechanic is similar to how watching the [[old man]]'s demonstration in Generation I temporarily stores the player's name in wild encounter data.
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===Game Corner===
===Game Corner===
A second card-flipping [[Game Corner]] game exists in the game code. It exists in both the Japanese and English versions, but some text strings for it were not translated for the English versions; resulting in {{wp|mojibake}}.
A second card-flipping [[Goldenrod Game Corner|Game Corner]] game exists in the game code. It exists in both the Japanese and English versions, but some text strings for it were not translated for the English versions; resulting in {{wp|mojibake}}.


{{youtubevid|XJsWw2LlKto|IIMarckus}}
{{youtubevid|XJsWw2LlKto|IIMarckus}}
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In the game code there are six unused types of hold item effects that prevent the Pokémon holding it from being inflicted with a status ailment.  
In the game code there are six unused types of hold item effects that prevent the Pokémon holding it from being inflicted with a status ailment.  


Four of the effects bring up the text "<Pokémon>'s protected by <item>!", but the ones that prevent the Burn and Freeze ailments, while functionable, do not bring up this message. Hold items with these attributes are not consumed after they do their effect, like Leftovers.
Four of the effects bring up the text "<Pokémon>'s protected by <item>!", but the ones that prevent the Burn and Freeze ailments, while functionable, do not bring up this message. Hold items with these attributes are not consumed after use, like Leftovers.


It is unknown why these are unused.
It is unknown why these are unused.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>
 
==External links==
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20090529070931/http://glitchcity.info/docs/gscsafarizone Glitch City Safari Zone]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20071202131509/http://www.geocities.com/worldofpkmn/gs_pre/gs_pre.htm Pokémon GS Pre-Release Images] (Wayback archive)
* [http://gameboy.ign.com/ IGN Pocket]
* [http://pkmn.net/?action=content&page=viewpage&id=109&parentsection=1 Pokémon GS prototype Information]
* [http://pkmn.net/?action=content&page=viewpage&id=112&parentsection=1 Pkmn.co.uk Lost Pokémon!]
* [http://pkmn.net/?action=gallery&page=viewgall&id=19 Pkmn.co.uk GS prototype Maps]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/tohjofalls/crysdump.txt Tohjo Falls Crystal Text Dump]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20041021125709/pokefor.greenchu.de/meowth346/gbc/alpha/ Pokefor.tk Pokémon GS Pre-Release] (Wayback archive)
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20101115173729/http://web.me.com/celebi23/Spaceworld_97_Pokemon/Main.html Pocket Monsters 2 Alpha Release Information] (Wayback archive)
* [http://mltreq.alwaysdata.net/i/beta-song Beta Song]
* [http://mltreq.alwaysdata.net/i/ecruteak-daughter Ecruteak Daughter]


{{beta|gold|silver}}<br><br/>
{{beta|gold|silver}}<br><br/>

Revision as of 18:46, 19 May 2016

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Add missing information and media, like that found on other sites, such as The Cutting Room Floor wiki; expand some information and add missing references to reliable sources, when applicable

292Shedinja.png The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into different articles.
Please discuss it on the talk page for this article.
The original logo of Pocket Monsters 2

The development cycle of Pokémon Gold and Silver, released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 elsewhere, is probably the most discussed and researched of all releases in the core series games during the history of the franchise. A relatively broad amount of official material in combination with later investigations reveal a lot of details about incomplete and unreleased elements. Several aspects from the development stages are proof of the over two-year period in which Game Freak undertook with the sequels to the Generation I games.

Pre-release

First mention of Pocket Monsters 2

In 1997, Nintendo announced the first details about the then-next generation of Pocket Monsters games, to be titled Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver (Japanese: ポケットモンスター2 金・銀). The games were intended to be released at the end of the year for the original Game Boy, while supporting the Super Game Boy enhancements that the Generation I games have.

One of the many notable additions promised was a skateboard that could be used in addition to the Bicycle of the previous games, and which would allow the player to travel to "unusual places". Though this never appeared in the released game, other things announced, such as the time system with its real-time clock, as well as 100 new Pokémon, including new evolutions of old Pokémon, and new TMs and HMs containing new moves, were included. The communication abilities of the games were also to be improved, and backwards compatibility with the Generation I games was also announced.

A 1997 edition of MicroGroup Game Review showcased some Pokémon and character designs that were later scrapped.

Sprites of Donphan, Ampharos, Slowking, and Ho-Oh were also released, using the Super Game Boy palettes.

Concept art of Silver, Ledyba and the opening cutscene of the games was also published.

New Pokémon in the anime

The anime also provided early peeks at the new Pokémon. Ho-Oh, the eventual game mascot of Pokémon Gold, appeared in the first episode. Later, Togepi hatched from an Egg Ash himself found, and Misty became the first main character to own a Generation II Pokémon. Snubbull and Marill made their first appearances in Pikachu's Vacation, and Donphan appeared at the start of Mewtwo Strikes Back. During the second season of the English dub, Ash and Misty also encountered Tracey, who owned a Marill; Lugia, the game mascot of Pokémon Silver, was the focus of the second movie, in which Slowking also appeared. Bellossom, Ledyba, Hoothoot, and Elekid also made an appearance in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

First screenshots

The color scheme in these screenshots corresponds to the Super Game Boy palettes, as the games hadn't been developed with the Game Boy Color in mind yet. It also sported the palette-swapping functionality that is also present in the Generation I games.

At this time, the initial game screenshots released didn't look all that much different from the Generation I games. The pictures clearly show the games' engine being in a more developed, but still early, stage. The lack of battle screenshots would seem to indicate that a redone battle system had not been implemented yet.

As can be seen on one of the screenshots, whirlpools were originally randomly interspersed across sea routes to serve as obstacles.

On some other screenshots of different stages of development, part of a city resembling Ecruteak City is seen. Whether it was an actual prototype of Ecruteak City, or a completely distinct location, is not known.

A screenshot depicting an earlier design for the Pokémon Center also shows an Unown ruin on the upper-right corner, which was possibly related to the Ruins of Alph, or an equivalent location at that point in development.

A simplified version of the northwestern-most section of Route 35, near the gate to National Park, also appeared on one of the screenshots. The differences from the final design of the route include water instead of trees and fences, with the path to the right not being open.

Another screenshot also depicts possible prototypes of Goldenrod Radio Tower, as well as of a gate-- possibly the gate that leads to Route 35, or rather, the Magnet Train station in Goldenrod City.

Delayed release

The second logo of Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver, with the number 2 being dropped from the title

The end of 1997 passed without a release for Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver. The potential release date was removed, and things generally stayed quiet until March 1998, where it was officially announced that the release would be delayed.

It was at this time that the games were re-announced as Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver. Though the number 2 was dropped, the games remained as sequels to the Generation I games. Much of the year was quiet with regard to information about the games, as Pocket Monsters: Pikachu was on its way out in Japan, and Pokémon Red and Blue and the Pokémon anime were on their way to the United States.

Video showing a few seconds of how the game looked like:

By Escape, Cyberia i inne
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.



More information

The final logo for Pocket Monsters: Gold
The final logo for Pocket Monsters: Silver

Following nearly a year without press releases, the Nintendo of Japan website was finally updated with new information on Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver. A revised release date of June 1999 was given and it was announced the games would be compatible with the then soon-to-be-released Game Boy Color.

Ken Sugimori's artwork for Slowking, Marill, Bellossom, and Hoothoot was also released, as were several screenshots of the new battle system, featuring fully-colored sprites.

The battle screens are very similar to the final ones, but the absence of gender notation is apparent. Pokémon gender was a previously announced feature, and the graphical indicator of the gender during battle was likely added later as a convenience to players.

The move stats screen, which, in the final release, shows players the remaining and total amount of PP for each move, as well as its type, was apparently not fully completed at this point in development.

The battle system, nearly complete, was demonstrated, including wild Pokémon encounters. The new Pokédex, while close to completion, was still missing several features, such as the footprint and National Pokédex number of the Pokémon. The location, cry, and printing functions were also missing.

The screenshots released look very similar to the actual footage of the final release. The locations shown do not appear to be part of the final map, though they look similar.

The Pokédex Entries for the 'new' Pokémon (Marill, Girafarig, Hoppip, Sunflora, and Ledyba) had 'Now investigating this newly discovered Pokémon' as their entries. This was the same as the Spaceworld '97 Demo.

Post-release

Since Pokémon Gold and Silver were released, other things have been uncovered that reveal interesting details about their development.

Locations

The final releases have a large number of incomplete maps that detail what most Johto towns looked like during the development stages. Some data pertaining to Kanto locations that are not available is also present.

Ecruteak Pharmacy

Inside the unused house in Olivine City

Another complete map is a house in Olivine City, where a woman refers to a pharmacy in Ecruteak City instead of Cianwood City on both Japanese and English releases. This possibly suggests that the pharmacy was originally planned for Ecruteak City. Oddly enough, she has a Rhydon inside her house, which uses a bugged overworld sprite that intermittently changes between its own and the one resembling a Clefairy. The warp data is complete and is in the top left corner of Olivine City in the middle of trees (meaning that the player cannot normally walk there), however, there is no door and walking into the warp tile alone will not activate the warp. Additional hacking must be done to activate it, such as making all warps act like holes. Additionally, the trees should be removed if this is to be accessed without "walk through walls".

The following text is from the woman's speech:

Japanese

あたしの ポケモンが びょうきに なったときは エンジュの クスリやさんに クスリを つくって もらったの

English

When my Pokémon got sick, the Pharmacist in Ecruteak made some medicine for me.

Interacting with the Pokémon's overworld sprite will yield:

Japanese

サイドン『ぐごーおお!

English

Rhydon: Gugooh!

Special (location)

Special in non-Korean Gold and Silver on Super Game Boy mode

The second floor of every Pokémon Center is actually the same map, regardless of which Pokémon Center the player is at. This is because when the player goes up the stairs, they are redirected to a map internally labeled as SPECIAL (Japanese: スペシャル Special). In Korean Gold and Silver, it is instead labeled as ???.

It is likely that Game Freak created Special in order to save storage space in the ROM of the games; however, there is unused map data for copies of Special in every Kanto location with a Pokémon Center, suggesting that Game Freak also tested multiple copies of the second floor in every Pokémon Center, an idea they later used in the Generation III games. These unused copies all have but a single warp programmed in, which leads the player back to the respective ground floor, and use the map header of the location in which they were supposed to be found.

Safari Zone

There is an unused and incomplete map for the Kanto Safari Zone, along with a disabled warp for the Safari Zone gate.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, it is replaced by the Pal Park, and an actual Safari Zone was newly added to the north of Route 48.

Pokémon

No wild Pokémon exist within the grass of the unused Safari Zone; however, a few Pokémon can be found by fishing (the usual set of Pokémon found by fishing in many places in the game).

Generation II

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
Morning Day Night
Fishing
Magikarp Magikarp
G S C
Old Rod Fishing
Old Rod
10 85%
Krabby Krabby
G S C
Old Rod Fishing
Old Rod
10 15%
Krabby Krabby
G S C
Good Rod Fishing
Good Rod
20 55%
Magikarp Magikarp
G S C
Good Rod Fishing
Good Rod
20 35%
Corsola Corsola
G S C
Good Rod Fishing
Good Rod
20 10% 10% 0%
Staryu Staryu
G S C
Good Rod Fishing
Good Rod
20 0% 0% 10%
Krabby Krabby
G S C
Super Rod Fishing
Super Rod
40 60%
Corsola Corsola
G S C
Super Rod Fishing
Super Rod
40 30% 30% 0%
Staryu Staryu
G S C
Super Rod Fishing
Super Rod
40 0% 0% 30%
Kingler Kingler
G S C
Super Rod Fishing
Super Rod
40 10%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.


Area

The map data of the gate still exists, with an exit warp back to Fuchsia City and an entrance warp into the unused Safari Zone. The Safari Zone area itself is rather small, with several tiles of long grass, a small pond, and other features. Oddly, the water tiles have no outline surrounding them, unlike other pools of water in the game. There are no regular exit warps from within the Safari Zone area, but two normally inaccessible warps to the gate exist at the two positions that the player initially appears at after entering the Safari Zone from the gate's left or right door.[1]

Pokémon Lab

Full maps without events programmed in exist for the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar Island, indicating that Cinnabar Island was originally planned to make an appearance without the erupted volcano, or at least that the Lab was going to remain.

Prototype maps

The prototype maps are left over in the Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal ROMs. They don't fit with any tileset in the final game.

Graphics

A mine cart image was discovered on the cave tilesets. The player character's early sprites, which depict him without his Bag, are still present in the games' code as well.

Events

An unused event script, complete with text, was discovered.[2] In it, a different event for a level 40 Entei, analogous to the birds in Generation I, was planned. The script consists of three events: output text on-screen, play Entei's cry and initiate a battle with a wild level 40 Entei. The output text is: "Entei: Bufuu!"

This unused event was removed from Pokémon Crystal.

There are also unused text strings for an event related to the Burned Tower, where someone's daughter was missing.[3] It is possible that this event made its final debut as the missing granddaughter in the S.S. Aqua.

Oh, no. Oh, no…
My daughter is missing.

No… She couldn't have gone to the Burned Tower. I told her not to go near it… People seem to disappear there…

Oh, what should I do…?

Sweet Honey

Several text strings refer to Sweet Honey, suggesting that Honey was originally planned for the Generation II games. It eventually made its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

My Pokémon is an expert at collecting Sweet Honey.

If the unidentified NPC were to give Sweet Honey to the player:

I'll share some with you.

If the player did not have enough room in his Bag:

I want to give you some Sweet Honey, but you have no room for it.

If the player had room in the Bag:

Here you go! Have some Sweet Honey!



{Player} received Sweet Honey.

Other text related to Sweet Honey includes:

My little brother takes Sweet Honey and goes somewhere with it.
I wonder what he's up to?



Did you put Sweet Honey on a tree? What happened to it?



Did you put Sweet Honey on a tree? It takes about a day for Pokémon to be drawn to it.



Butterfree: Freeh!

Naming the mother

One of the different types of name entry screens is unused and has the player naming their mother, complete with Mom's sprite and the text "MOTHER's NAME?" (Japanese:ははおや の なまえは?). Additionally, the hex:49 control character will display text starting from the memory address D1AE, but it is seemingly unused; changing the data at D1AE will not change Mom's name in the Pokégear's list of contacts.[4]

The text at D1AE initialized as "MOM" from a New Game, implying that the hex:49 control character may have been intended to display the mother's name, but D1AE is actually used for a different purpose in the final game. The data at D1AE is written to with the player's name if the player watches the Dude's catching demonstration, so that the game can copy this data back into the player's name (as the player name is temporarily replaced with "DUDE"). This mechanic is similar to how watching the old man's demonstration in Generation I temporarily stores the player's name in wild encounter data.

Red and Green

Space is reserved in RAM for two names, Red and Green—the protagonist and his rival from the Generation I games, but there is seemingly no menu for the player to name them, unlike how there is an unused menu for naming the mother.

Bird type

The Bird type from the Generation I games remains in the internal data. This is presumed to be a carryover from the Generation I games' engine, as Pokémon Gold and Silver were developed on an upgraded version of it.

Items

The Town Map and Poké Flute from the Generation I games are also present. Both are named Teru-sama (Japanese: カビチュウ Kabichū) and are otherwise unusable. However, if their data is modified so that the Use option in the Bag appears, the Poké Flute will still function, and the Town Map will attempt to, but fail, as the data it would access was relocated or removed altogether.

Cal

There is unused battle data for Cal, the default opponent at the Trainer House. There are two parties—one with the initial evolutionary stages of the Johto starters and one with their second evolutionary stages. As Viridian City and its Trainer House cannot be legally accessed until much later in the player's adventure, it is unknown what purpose these parties would have served.

Game Corner

A second card-flipping Game Corner game exists in the game code. It exists in both the Japanese and English versions, but some text strings for it were not translated for the English versions; resulting in mojibake.

By IIMarckus
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Status prevention hold item effects

In the game code there are six unused types of hold item effects that prevent the Pokémon holding it from being inflicted with a status ailment.

Four of the effects bring up the text "<Pokémon>'s protected by <item>!", but the ones that prevent the Burn and Freeze ailments, while functionable, do not bring up this message. Hold items with these attributes are not consumed after use, like Leftovers.

It is unknown why these are unused.

References

External links


Beta versions of Pokémon games
Generation I
Red and GreenYellow
Generation II
Gold and Silver (Spaceworld '97 demo) • Crystal
Generation III
Ruby and SapphireFireRed and LeafGreenEmeraldColosseumXD
Generation IV
Diamond and PearlPlatinumHeartGold and SoulSilver
Generation V
Black and WhiteBlack 2 and White 2
Generation VI
X and YOmega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII
Sun and MoonUltra Sun and Ultra Moon
Generation VIII
Sword and Shield
Unreleased
Pokémon Picross



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