Pokéwalker

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The Pokéwalker

The Pokéwalker (Japanese: ポケウォーカー Pokéwalker) is a pedometer device specifically for use with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver that is able to interact with the games in various manners. It was released on September 12, 2009 in Japan bundled with every copy of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and then later released with every English copy of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver on March 14, 2010. The accessory features a Poké Ball-shaped design with a small LCD, Monochrome screen, with three functioning buttons. The Pokéwalker supports infrared signals allowing players to interact with each other within very short range, or with a Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite or Nintendo DSi system.

The player can transfer a Pokémon to the Pokéwalker from either HeartGold and SoulSilver. Every time the player takes a step, the Pokémon inside gains experience points and the player earns "Watts" which can be exchanged for a chance to obtain items and Pokémon. Players can also catch various Pokémon on the device and obtain items, then transfer them to the game. Alongside the Johto Safari Zone, the Pokéwalker allows for Pokémon normally unavailable until after the player has traveled to Kanto, such as Murkrow, to be available before defeating the Elite Four.

Much as HeartGold and SoulSilver are remakes of the original Gold and Silver, the Pokéwalker could be considered to be somewhat of a remake of the Pokémon Pikachu 2, which interacted in much the same way with the Generation II games. Unlike the Pokémon Pikachu 2, however, Pikachu is not the only Pokémon that can be interacted with, and Pokémon can actually be transferred to and from the Pokéwalker at any given point in time. Like the Pokémon Pikachu and its successor, the Pokéwalker uses a currency known as "watts" (shortened to w), which are obtained as the player walks with the device. Every 20 steps will earn the player one watt.

Hardware

Technical specifications

File:Pokewalker artwork.png
Artwork and features of the Pokéwalker
  • Mass: 21 grams (0.75 ounces)
  • Physical dimensions: 48 millimeters x 48 millimeters x 13.9 millimeters (1.9 inches x 1.9 inches x 0.5 inches)
  • Screens: 1-inch (25mm) LCD, monochrome screen
  • Controls: Accelerometer, infrared signal

Infrared communication

The Pokéwalker uses infrared waves to transfer data from the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver to the the device. There is a infrared receiver in the Pokéwalker which allows the device to send and receive data from other Pokéwalkers or the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver game card, which also contains a infrared receiver. The infrared signals allow players to interact with each other within a very short distance, approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) apart from each other. For best communication, avoid objects between the two connected devices, sunlight or other strong light nearby, and other sources of heat, light, or strong electromagnetic energy, which can interfere with infrared communication.

Battery life

The Pokéwalker contains a CR 2032 3V watch battery with a capacity of 220–225 mAh. The battery will last approximately four months if the Pokéwalker device is used 30 minutes a day and about 10,000 steps are taken. This will vary depending on the temperature, the number of steps taken, how often the Pokéwalker is used, how often infrared communication is used, and how often the buttons are pressed. If the battery power gets low, a battery icon will appear on the top-left corner of the display and the Pokéwalker will save the information once every hour before the battery runs out. The battery is currently not rechargeable and must be replaced with another CR 2032 3V watch battery if it runs out. If the Pokéwalker's batteries run out and the session is not saved, all steps will be lost and all watts, items and Pokémon that were obtained during the trip will be deleted, however the Pokémon deposited at the start of the session will remain the same.

To sustain battery life in the midst of a session, the Pokéwalker puts itself into sleep mode, so the display will turn off and the screen will go blank, which can be revived by holding down the central button for one seconds. While in sleep mode, the Pokéwalker will still maintain its primary function and record the amount of steps the player takes. There is also a setting that is about to turn the display light down to conserve battery life, while the sound can be muted also the save battery life. To replace the battery, a Phillips-head screwdriver is needed to remove the plain backing or the optional belt clip. Removing the battery will cause all steps taken and watts obtained to be cleared. The Pokémon inside will not be erased.

Gameplay and features

Pokéwalker gameplay boils down to simply walking around with the device so as to charge up watts, then utilizing the watts to purchase use of the Poké Radar and Dowsing MCHN. Up to three caught Pokémon and up to three found items may be stored at once: any more than that, and the player will have to decide which to get rid of. The step counter resets at midnight each day. Watts is the mode of currency used within the Pokéwalker. Watts can be earned in various different ways; every 20 steps the player takes 1 watt is earned, and Pokémon within the Pokéwalker can randomly find multiples of 10, 20, or 50 watts whilst on their walk. In total, a Pokémon can only gain one level every time they are sent to the Pokéwalker, and will not gain any more experience if it exceeds that level.

Each Pokéwalker area has three advantageous elemental types which vary between areas, and have influence over the Pokéwalker's Poké Radar and Dowsing MCHN. When a Pokémon of an advantageous type is brought into a areas, then the chance of finding rarer Pokémon when using the Poké Radar and items when using the Dowsing MCHN will slightly increase. In addition to making rarer Pokémon easier to find when using the Poké Radar, an advantageous type will lower the required step count for each Pokémon by 25%. This effect does not seem to apply to the Dowsing MCHN.

Poké Radar

Each time the Poké Radar is used will cost the player 10 watts, and brings them to a screen containing four patches of grass. After a short period of time, an exclamation mark will appear above one of the patches. The player must then use the side buttons to align the arrow with that bush and push the center button to look in that bush before time expires. If the player successfully selects the bush with the exclamation mark, either a battle will begin or after a short random period of time an exclamation mark will appear above a bush again. Again the player must select the bush at which time either battle will begin or after a short random period of time two exclamation marks will appear above a random bush. If battle does not begin this time, finally three exclamation points will appear above one of the bushes. Successfully selecting that bush will always begin a battle. Taking too long to select the correct bush will instantly result in failure and the Poké Radar will need to be reused with 10 more watts to try again.

Exclamation Point Pokémon Group
! Group C
! Group C or Group B
!! Group B or Group A
!!! Group A

It is important to note that the Pokémon catchable on a given stroll are fixed from the time the player transfers their Pokémon to the Pokéwalker. At this time the game selects one Pokémon from each of the 3 groups (A, B and C) that will appear during that stroll. Should the player wish to catch one of the three Pokémon not selected for that stroll they must send their Pokémon back to their game card and then choose to go on the route again. It is also important to note that Pokémon caught are assigned a random nature, ignoring Synchronize.

The battle system of the Pokéwalker is quite primitive, even compared to the Generation I games; each Pokémon utilizes their in-game menusprite in the battle, while each has only 4 HP. Only three choices are offered: Attack, Evade, or Catch. Attacking will cause the player's Pokémon to perform a basic tackle on the opponent (note that this is not the move itself, and that type advantages and disadvantages play no role), while evading may cause the opponent's attack to miss. Evading successfully will result in attacking the opponent for one damage without receiving any. If the player's Pokémon evades but the opponent does not choose to attack, it will result in a "Stare down" between the two Pokémon. If multiple stare-downs occur in succession, it is likely the opponent will flee, though this is not always the case. The catch option will throw a Poké Ball at the wild Pokémon, which may be caught. Critical hits sometimes occur: these will take away 2 HP rather than the standard 1. If a Poké Ball is not successful in capturing the opponent Pokémon, it will flee, and the player's 10 watts will have been in vain. The same is true if the player's Pokémon defeats its opponent, whereas if the opponent defeats the player's Pokémon, up to ten watts will be lost (much as money is in the main series games after the defeat of the player's Pokémon).

Player Action Wild Pokémon Action Result
Attack Attack Player's Pokémon Receive one damage
Wild Pokémon Receive one damage
Evade Player's Pokémon Receive one damage
Wild Pokémon ---
Run Player's Pokémon Receive one damage
Wild Pokémon Receive two damage (critical hit)
Evade Attack Player's Pokémon ---
Wild Pokémon Receive one damage
Evade Player's Pokémon ---
Wild Pokémon ---
Run Player's Pokémon ---
Wild Pokémon Run away
Catch Succeed Wild Pokémon is caught
Fail Wild Pokémon runs away

Dowsing MCHN

Much like in the main games, the Dowsing MCHN will help the player find items in the wild. Each use of this function costs 3 watts, and the player has two chances to find an item hidden among six grass tufts. If the item is not found the first time, the Dowsing MCHN will tell the player if the item is close by or far away. If the item is close by then it is likely either to the direct right or the direct left of the first checked grass tuft. Likewise if the item is far away then the item is at least two grass tufts away in either direction. If the item is not found on the second search, the player will be out of luck and will have to pay an additional 3 watts to try again.

Other menu options

  • Connect - Allows connection to another player's Pokéwalker, however that same person cannot be connected to during the remainder of the day.
  • Trainer Card - Views details such as the Trainer name, current area name and current time. By pressing the right-most button seven times, further details will be shown such as the day, the total number ofsteps taken, the total number of days, and the steps taken in those days.
  • Pokémon and Items - Displays all Pokémon and items obtained in the current session.
  • Settings - Alters features such as sound and screen contrast.

Areas

File:Pokewalker areas.png
Selecting an area before sending a Pokémon

The Pokéwalker has 27 distinct areas that a player can have their Pokémon visit on sending them from HeartGold or SoulSilver. The main difference between them is the species of Pokémon that can be found using the Poké Radar. Two areas are unlocked from the start, while more can be unlocked by various means.

Pre-National Pokédex

Route Name Unlock Method
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Default
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Default
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50 watts
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200 watts
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500 watts
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1,000 watts
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2,000 watts
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3,000 watts

Post-National Pokédex

Route Name Unlock Method
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5,000 watts
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7,500 watts
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10,000 watts
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15,000 watts
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20,000 watts
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25,000 watts
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30,000 watts
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40,000 watts
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50,000 watts
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65,000 watts
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80,000 watts
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100,000 watts

Special

Route Name Unlock Method
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Obtaining a foreign Pokémon through the GTS
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Transferring a fateful encounter Jirachi to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Event download to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Event download to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Event download to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Event download to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Currently unknown

Communication

Other Pokéwalkers

If two Pokéwalkers are within range of each other, and infrared communications are activated, the two players' Pokémon will interact, and each player will receive an item. Which items are given is based on the route the player is using at the time. A player can only link with the same person once per day. Similar to mixing records, once two players connect their Pokéwalkers, then their in-game team data at the time they sent their Pokémon to the Pokéwalker will also be passed to the other person. When a player then sends their Pokémon back to the games, then the person that they connected with and their team will appear in the basement of the Trainer House located in Viridian City so that they can be battled for one Battle Point once a day. The Pokéwalker, like the Pokémon Pikachu 2, can communicate with other Pokéwalkers as well as with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Unlike before, this exchange is not limited merely to watts, but also items and Pokémon.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

File:PokéWalk.png
Communication between a Pokéwalker and a Nintendo DSi with HeartGold or SoulSilver

Coming bundled with the games themselves, the Pokéwalker's most important means of communication is with a copy of Pokémon HeartGold or Pokémon SoulSilver. The Pokéwalker synchs with the time on the Nintendo DS system it links with. As long as a Pokémon is on the Pokéwalker, the specific game it came from is locked to that Pokéwalker, and will only send back to the same save file.

After a sync with the games, any Pokémon caught in the Pokéwalker will be put into a PC box, while items found in the device will be placed into the bag's appropriate pocket. A diary will be kept on the game of specific events related to the Pokémon in the Pokéwalker. The Pokéwalker will connect to any DS system, be it the original Nintendo DS, DS Lite, DSi, or DSi XL as the infrared receiver is in the game cartridge itself, rather than on the system (as was the case with the originals Gold, Silver, and Crystal themselves, cut off from communication with the Pokémon Pikachu 2 if not in a Game Boy Color).

In-depth troubleshooting

Pokémon retrieval

A Pokémon that has been transfered onto a Pokéwalker isn't actually sent to the device, but rather copied and the data for the Pokémon is sent. The targeted Pokémon is instead put aside, and can't be used in the game, until the data has been returned to the game. Therefore, if a Pokéwalker is lost or damaged, the Pokémon is not lost. Pokémon can be restored to the game it was taken from if a Pokéwalker is lost or broken by pressing and holding Up, Select, and R at the Pokéwalker connection screen. The Pokémon will be returned to the PC box with its level or happiness unaffected.

Nintendo has started selling individual Pokéwalkers, battery covers, and clip covers as replacements on their online store. These replacements can be used with any HeartGold or SoulSilver game card, regardless of the default language.

Reset settings

Once a Pokémon is forcefully retrieved from the system, the Pokéwalker which holds the Pokémon's details is unusable. A Pokéwalker's settings must be deleted and reset before making it usable again. Delete and reset the settings on the game by pressing and holding Down, X, and L at the Pokéwalker connection screen. This must be done to avoid cloning and glitches to occur in the game. After resetting a Pokéwalker, it may be synced with another game.

If you save a new game file to your game card, you must also reset your Pokéwalker to make it usable with the new save file. This is done by pressing and holding Down, X, and L at the screen that gives you the option to Save then go for a stroll instead of the connection screen. It will then allow you to reset the Pokéwalker for use with any game file.

It should also be noted that when synced with a new game, the Pokéwalker will become the language the game is. For example, if one synced a Pokéwalker that came with a Japanese game with an English game, after syncing, the Pokéwalker would be in English. This proves that very little data is stored on the Pokéwalker itself, most likely that only the Pokémon on it and the trainer's party is stored on it. The latter could be because players can fight up to 10 trainers they have gifted with at the Trainer House in Viridian City.

Multiple Pokéwalkers

It is possible to use the one game cartridge for multiple Pokéwalkers, however only one Pokémon is allowed to stroll at one time.

  • At the Pokéwalker connection screen Press and hold Down, X, and L .

WARNING : Resetting a Pokéwalker may also reset collected watts to zero on the game cartridge used to reset the Pokéwalker. When resetting a Pokéwalker, it is suggested that it is done with a game cartridge that has few or no watts.

  • After the "Caution!" message, say "Yes" and connect the additional Pokéwalker (Not the original Pokéwalker previously registered with the game), this will reset and register the new Pokéwalker with the game and reset current walk and step counters in-game temporarily.
  • Send over a Pokémon to the new Pokéwalker and return from stroll.

Either Pokéwalkers can now sync with the game and when original Pokéwalker is connected for a stroll, the step count and original watt count should be restored. To have a Pokémon on the extra Pokéwalkers, a wild Pokémon from the selected walking route simply needs to "befriend" or join in the walk, this Pokémon and any other additional ones caught can return to the game normally. It is not possible to change routes on any additional Pokéwalker when a Pokémon is currently out on a stroll. The Pokémon that needs to be returned should appear on the top screen. To change routes, all Pokémon need to be returned into the game and then sent back out into either Pokéwalkers with the desired route and returned back into the game.

Trivia

  • The Pokéwalker's sprites are greyscale versions of the ones used in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, rather than the ones from Pokémon Platinum or Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
    • This is of course with the exception of Platinum-exclusive and HeartGold and SoulSilver-exclusive alternate forms, such as Origin Forme Giratina or Spiky-Eared Pichu.
  • In order to unlock all non-event routes, one would need to walk approximately 1000 miles (1609 km), assuming 2000 steps per mile, with the assumption that no watts are spent or received as gifts.[1]
  • If walking with the Pokéwalker the recommended 10,000 steps[2] per day, it would take 200 days to unlock all the routes, with the assumption that no watts are spent or received as gifts.
  • In the Pokéwalker, 20 steps equals 1 watt. Similarly, it takes approximately 20 steps to burn 1 calorie. [3]
  • The Pokéwalker will record up to a maximum of 99999 steps a day, though watts will continue to be earned. Similarily, there is a limit of 9999 watts before some must be transferred or spent to earn more.

See also

Bulbanews
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:

References


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