Pokémon Gold and Silver beta: Difference between revisions

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(Undo revision 1579327 by ZMT123 (talk)why?)
(Switched File:1999 shot p1.gif for File:1999 shot p1.png, and so on up to p4.)
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{{incomplete|needs=wild Pokémon via fishing}}
{| align="right" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
{{Infobox location
|- align=center
|image=Beta Safari Zone GSC.png
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
|type=land
[[File:1997 Pokemon2 Logo.png|200px]]
|location_name=Safari Zone
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
|japanese_name=サファリゾーン
| The original logo of Pocket Monsters 2
|translated_name=Safari Zone
|}
|location=Not accessible through normal gameplay
|region=Kanto
|map=SafariZoneKantoTownMap.gif
|generation={{gen|II}}
}}
The '''Beta Safari Zone''' is an area programmed into {{3v|Gold|Silver|Crystal}}, which was removed from gameplay by replacing the entrance door with a building wall, making the warp where the door used to be unusable. It was intended to be located in [[Fuchsia City]], as its [[Kanto Safari Zone|Generation I counterpart]] was. In [[Generation IV]], it is replaced by [[Pal Park]] and the [[Johto Safari Zone|Safari Zone]] is moved to the north of {{rt|48|Johto}}.


==Pokémon==
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 of Pokémon games in 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 their prototype versions are proof of the over two year development period [[Game Freak]] undertook with the sequels of the [[Generation I]] games.
No wild Pokémon exist within the grass of the Beta Safari Zone; however, a few Pokémon can be found by [[fishing]].<!--which ones?-->


==Area==
==First mention of Pocket Monsters 2==
Although the entrances to the Safari Zone were removed, the warps still exist, so it is possible to enter the area; however, the exits were fully removed. The area is rather small, with a few tiles of long grass, a small pond, and several other features. However, there are no wild Pokémon within the Safari Zone grass, but there are some that can be found by [[fishing]].<!--which ones?-->


==Trivia==
In 1997, Nintendo announced the first details of the next generation of Pocket Monsters games, to be titled '''Pocket Monsters 2: Gold and Silver'''. The games were intended to be released at the end of the year for both [[Game Boy]] and [[Super Game Boy]].
* This is the only Safari Zone to not house any wild Pokémon within the grass, due to it not being accessible in the final game.


One of the many additions promised, notably, was a skateboard that could be used in addition to the [[Bicycle]] of the previous games and would allow users to travel to "unusual places". Though this never made the final cut, other things announced, such as the [[time|real-time clock]], {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|100 new Pokémon}}, including [[List of Pokémon with cross-generational evolutions|new evolutions of old Pokémon]], new [[TM]]s and [[HM]]s containing new [[move]]s were included. The trading and communication abilities of the games were also to be improved, and [[Time Capsule|backward compatibility]] with the Generation I games was also announced.
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:MicroGroup Game Review Volume 14.jpg|175px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{white color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Pokemon.png|500px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{white color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Rediba Silver Title Cutscene Concept.png|300px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| A 1997 edition of ''MicroGroup Game Review'', featuring {{colorlink|prototype Pokémon and characters|000}} that were part of the development of the first {{colorlink|Generation II|000}} releases
|  Four "new" Pokémon that would be included in Pocket Monsters 2: {{colorlink|Donphan|000}}, {{colorlink|Ampharos|000}}, {{colorlink|Slowking|000}}, and {{colorlink|Ho-Oh|000}}. Due to the color palette used in the sprites, these were likely released after the games' development was focused to include {{colorlink|Game Boy Color|000}}-exclusive enhancements
| Concept art depicting {{colorlink|Ledyba|000}}, {{colorlink|Silver|000}}, and the introductory cutscene from {{colorlink|Gold and Silver|000}}
|}
===New Pokémon in the anime===
The {{pkmn|anime}} also provided early looks at the new Pokémon. {{p|Ho-Oh}}, the eventual [[version mascot]] of Pokémon Gold, appeared in the [[EP001|first episode]]. Later, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}} hatched from an 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 [[Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands|the second season]], Ash and Misty also encountered {{Tracey}}, who owned a {{TP|Tracey|Marill}}, and the focus of [[M02|the second movie]] was {{OBP|Lugia|movie 2}}, the version mascot of Pokémon Silver, 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 was not as varied as the one provided by the [[Game Boy Color]]. Instead, the colorscheme of these screenshots indicates that the games initially used a palette-changing feature that was present on the [[Super Game Boy]] (as well as the [[Pokémon Stadium series]] games and {{game|Yellow}}), with different areas being colored differently (such as [[Pewter City]] having a gray palette, [[Cerulean City]] having a blue palette, and so on).
At this time, the early game screenshots released generally didn't look all that much different from [[Generation I]]. The pictures clearly show the games' engine being in a more developed but still early stage. The lack of battle images would seem to indicate that a redone battle system had not been implemented yet.
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Building.png]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Silent Hills.png]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Violet City.png]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Route 35.png]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1997 GS Goldenrod City.png]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| Coming out of a building
| Silent Hills<br>(Japanese: '''{{tt|サイレントヒルズ|Sairento Hiruzu}}'''),<br>the originally planned<br>starting town
| This town was ultimately either changed into {{colorlink|Ecruteak City|000}} (perhaps with the {{colorlink|Tin Tower|000}} at right) or removed altogether
| A simplified version of {{colorlink|Johto Route 35|000}} and {{colorlink|National Park|000}}'s entrance, except with water instead of trees and fences and no open path to the right
| A possible early design for the {{colorlink|Goldenrod Radio Tower|000}} can be seen on the right-hand side of this screenshot
|}
==Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver announced==
{| align="right" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1998 Pokemon GS Logo.png|200px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| The second logo of Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver, with the number 2 being<br>dropped from the title
|}
The end of 1997 passed without a release for Pocket Monsters 2: Gold and Silver. The potential release date was removed, and things generally stayed quiet until early 1998.
It was at this time that the games were reannounced as Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver. Though the "2" was dropped, the games remained essentially a sequel to [[Generation I]]. Much of the year was quiet with regard to information about the games, as [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Pocket Monsters: Pikachu]] was on its way out in Japan, and {{game|Red and Blue|s}} and the [[Pokémon anime]] were on their way to the United States.
{{-}}
{{-}}
{{SafariNav}}<br>
==New information emerges==
{{Project Locations notice}}
{| align="right" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Pokemon Gold Logo.png]]
|
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Pokemon Silver Logo.png]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| The final logos of Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver
|}
 
Following nearly a year without press releases, the Nintendo site was finally updated with new information on Pocket Monsters Gold and 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 {{p|Slowking}}, {{p|Marill}}, {{p|Bellossom}}, and {{p|Hoothoot}} was also released, as were several screens of the new battle system featuring fully colored sprites.
 
The battle screens are very similar to the final ones; however, the absence of [[gender]] notation is apparent. Pokémon gender was a previously announced feature, and the display of gender during battle was likely added later as a convenience to players. 
 
The attack stats window, which in the final version tells players the remaining and total PP of 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 "print" functions were also missing.
 
The images released look very similar to the images that appear in the final versions of the games. The locations shown don't appear to be part of the final map, though they look similar. The colors of the locations are more washed out than they are in the final versions, though this may be due to the fact that they are pictures ''of'' a [[Game Boy Color]] screen.
 
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Slowking Artwork.png|100px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Marill Artwork.gif|100px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Bellossom Artwork.png|100px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Hoothoot Artwork.gif|100px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 shot p1.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 shot p2.png|150px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| Artwork of {{colorlink|Slowking (Pokémon)|000|Slowking}}
| Artwork of {{colorlink|Marill (Pokémon)|000|Marill}}
| Artwork of {{colorlink|Bellossom (Pokémon)|000|Bellossom}}
| Artwork of {{colorlink|Hoothoot (Pokémon)|000|Hoothoot}}
| {{colorlink|Snubbull (Pokémon)|000|Snubbull}} vs. {{colorlink|Marill (Pokémon)|000|Marill}}
| {{colorlink|Butterfree (Pokémon)|000|Butterfree}} vs. {{colorlink|Venusaur (Pokémon)|000|Venusaur}}
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 shot p3.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 shot p4.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999-GS beta title screen.jpg|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 trailer titlescr.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 trailer battle2.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:1999 Slowking Pokedex entry.png|150px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| Player vs. {{colorlink|Picnicker|000}} Kim on<br>{{colorlink|Johto Route 35|000}}
| {{colorlink|Charizard (Pokémon)|000|Charizard}} vs. {{colorlink|Donphan (Pokémon)|000|Donphan}}
| The prototype title screen of Pokémon Gold, reminiscent of those of Red, Green, and Blue
| A near final title screen for Gold
| "Ah! A wild {{colorlink|Togepi (Pokémon)|000|Togepi}} appeared!"
| "Now investigating this newly discovered Pokémon."
|}
 
==Postrelease discoveries==
 
===Leftovers===
{| align="right" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Olivine beta house.png]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| "When my Pokémon got sick, the pharmacist in Ecruteak made some medicine for me."
|}
 
Since Pokémon Gold and Silver were released, other things have been uncovered that reveal interesting details about the games' development. The final games have a large number of incomplete maps that detail what most [[Johto]] towns looked like during development. One of the most complete prototype maps found in their programming is a rough version of the [[Kanto Safari Zone|Safari Zone]].  Surprisingly, it has several of its attributes defined, such as music, connections to [[Fuchsia City]] and even wild Pokémon found by fishing in a small pool in the area, which other prototype maps do not have. The Safari Zone also appears in the internal list of [[Pokégear]] map locations, along with [[Viridian Forest]], [[Cerulean Cave]], and {{ka|Pokémon Mansion}}. Another complete map is a house in [[Olivine City]], where a woman refers to a pharmacy in [[Ecruteak City]] instead of [[Cianwood City]]. It is unknown if this is a typo made by the game designers or if this means the Cianwood Pharmacy was originally meant to appear in Ecruteak.
 
Full maps (minus events) exist for the [[Cinnabar Island]] Lab, indicating Cinnabar Island was originally to make an appearance without the erupted volcano, or at least that the lab was going to remain.
Apart from maps, other uncovered elements include a mine cart image in the cave tileset, and a second card-flipping [[Game Corner]] game. There is also an unused event script, complete with text, which would allow a different event for a level 40 {{p|Entei}}, analogous to the birds in [[Generation I]].
 
In addition, the games include large amounts of unreferenced text. For example, one block of text references the fact that [[Honey|Sweet Honey]], which made its debut in [[Generation IV]], was planned as early as [[Generation II]]. Code and text remain for yet another forgotten feature, the ability to name the player's mother. Space is reserved in RAM for two other names as well, which default to RED and GREEN &mdash; the player character and rival from Red and Blue.
 
The {{t|Bird}} type from [[Generation I]] remains in [[Generation II]]. This is presumed to be a carryover from the [[Generation I]] game engine, as Gold and Silver are based on it. Also returning from leftover [[Generation I]] code are the [[Town Map]] and [[Poké Flute]] items. Both are named "[[Teru-sama]]" and are unusable, but if hacked to have a use option, the Poké Flute will still function, and the Town Map will attempt to, but fail, as the data it would access is now in a different location.
 
There is unused battle data for {{ga|Cal}}, the default opponent in the [[Trainer House]]. There are two parties - one with the basic forms of the [[Johto]] starters and one with the middle forms of the Johto starters. As [[Viridian City]] and therefore Trainer House cannot be legally accessed until late in the game, it is unknown what purpose these parties would have served.
 
Another beta remnant is an unused sprite. This sprite is that of the player, only not carrying his pack. This sprite may have been originally intended to be used by the {{ga|Cal}} event, but was later left in favor of the player's own sprite. This sprite is fully inserted in the game, containing all data of a normal overworld sprite, except it is not used by any known event in the game. It may have been intended as the sprite used at the start of the game (when naming the player character).
 
There is hidden text for an event related with the [[Burned Tower]], where someone's daughter was missing. It is possible that this event made its final debut as the missing granddaughter in the [[S.S. Aqua]].
 
===Beta maps===
Beta maps can be found existing in the final game's code. They appear to be a version between the ones presented originally, and the ones that were final.
 
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{gold color dark}}; background: #{{gold color}};"
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:New_bark_beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Cherrygrove_beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Violet_beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Azalea_beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Ecruteak_beta.png|150px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| {{colorlink|New Bark Town|000}}'s beta map
| {{colorlink|Cherrygrove City|000}}'s beta map
| {{colorlink|Violet City|000}}'s beta map
| A beta map of a town,<br>possibly {{colorlink|Azalea|000}}
| {{colorlink|Ecruteak City|000}}'s beta map, showing the {{colorlink|Magnet Train|000}} tracks
|- align=center
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Olivine_beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Betarage.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Blackthorn beta.png|150px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Beta Safari Zone GSC.png|75px]]
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{silver color dark}}; background: #{{silver color light}}; width:80px"|
[[File:Route_23_beta.png|35px]]
|- align=center style="font-size: 80%;"
| {{colorlink|Olivine City|000}}'s beta map
| A prototype {{colorlink|Lake of Rage|000}}, with the incorporated {{colorlink|Gym|000}}
| A possible beta map of<br>{{colorlink|Blackthorn City|000}}
| The {{colorlink|beta Safari Zone|000}}, which uses the {{colorlink|Generation II|000}} {{colorlink|evolution|000}} music as the background theme
| Beta map of {{colorlink|Kanto Route 23|000}}
|}
 
==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.me.com/celebi23/Spaceworld_97_Pokemon/Main.html Pocket Monsters 2 Alpha Release Information]
* [http://mltreq.alwaysdata.net/i/beta-song Beta Song]
* [http://mltreq.alwaysdata.net/i/ecruteak-daughter Ecruteak Daughter]
 
{{beta|gold|silver}}<br>
{{Project Games notice}}


[[Category:Kanto locations]]
[[Category:Pokémon meta]]
[[Category:Gold, Silver and Crystal locations]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Safari Zones]]
[[Category:Glitch and Beta locations]]


[[ja:ベータサファリゾーン]]
[[de:Pokémon Gold & Silber (Beta)]]
[[it:Pokémon Oro e Argento beta]]

Revision as of 16:53, 8 January 2012

1997 Pokemon2 Logo.png

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 of Pokémon games in 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 their prototype versions are proof of the over two year development period Game Freak undertook with the sequels of the Generation I games.

First mention of Pocket Monsters 2

In 1997, Nintendo announced the first details of the next generation of Pocket Monsters games, to be titled Pocket Monsters 2: Gold and Silver. The games were intended to be released at the end of the year for both Game Boy and Super Game Boy.

One of the many additions promised, notably, was a skateboard that could be used in addition to the Bicycle of the previous games and would allow users to travel to "unusual places". Though this never made the final cut, other things announced, such as the real-time clock, 100 new Pokémon, including new evolutions of old Pokémon, new TMs and HMs containing new moves were included. The trading and communication abilities of the games were also to be improved, and backward compatibility with the Generation I games was also announced.

MicroGroup Game Review Volume 14.jpg

1997 GS Pokemon.png

Rediba Silver Title Cutscene Concept.png

A 1997 edition of MicroGroup Game Review, featuring prototype Pokémon and characters that were part of the development of the first Generation II releases Four "new" Pokémon that would be included in Pocket Monsters 2: Donphan, Ampharos, Slowking, and Ho-Oh. Due to the color palette used in the sprites, these were likely released after the games' development was focused to include Game Boy Color-exclusive enhancements Concept art depicting Ledyba, Silver, and the introductory cutscene from Gold and Silver

New Pokémon in the anime

The anime also provided early looks at the new Pokémon. Ho-Oh, the eventual version 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, Ash and Misty also encountered Tracey, who owned a Marill, and the focus of the second movie was Lugia, the version mascot of Pokémon Silver, 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 was not as varied as the one provided by the Game Boy Color. Instead, the colorscheme of these screenshots indicates that the games initially used a palette-changing feature that was present on the Super Game Boy (as well as the Pokémon Stadium series games and Pokémon Yellow), with different areas being colored differently (such as Pewter City having a gray palette, Cerulean City having a blue palette, and so on).

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

1997 GS Building.png

1997 GS Silent Hills.png

1997 GS Violet City.png

1997 GS Route 35.png

1997 GS Goldenrod City.png

Coming out of a building Silent Hills
(Japanese: サイレントヒルズ),
the originally planned
starting town
This town was ultimately either changed into Ecruteak City (perhaps with the Tin Tower at right) or removed altogether A simplified version of Johto Route 35 and National Park's entrance, except with water instead of trees and fences and no open path to the right A possible early design for the Goldenrod Radio Tower can be seen on the right-hand side of this screenshot

Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver announced

1998 Pokemon GS Logo.png

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

The end of 1997 passed without a release for Pocket Monsters 2: Gold and Silver. The potential release date was removed, and things generally stayed quiet until early 1998.

It was at this time that the games were reannounced as Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver. Though the "2" was dropped, the games remained essentially a sequel to Generation I. 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.

New information emerges

1999 Pokemon Gold Logo.png

1999 Pokemon Silver Logo.png

The final logos of Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver

Following nearly a year without press releases, the Nintendo site was finally updated with new information on Pocket Monsters Gold and 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 screens of the new battle system featuring fully colored sprites.

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

The attack stats window, which in the final version tells players the remaining and total PP of 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 "print" functions were also missing.

The images released look very similar to the images that appear in the final versions of the games. The locations shown don't appear to be part of the final map, though they look similar. The colors of the locations are more washed out than they are in the final versions, though this may be due to the fact that they are pictures of a Game Boy Color screen.

1999 Slowking Artwork.png

File:1999 Marill Artwork.gif

1999 Bellossom Artwork.png

File:1999 Hoothoot Artwork.gif

1999 shot p1.png

1999 shot p2.png

Artwork of Slowking Artwork of Marill Artwork of Bellossom Artwork of Hoothoot Snubbull vs. Marill Butterfree vs. Venusaur

1999 shot p3.png

1999 shot p4.png

File:1999-GS beta title screen.jpg

1999 trailer titlescr.png

1999 trailer battle2.png

File:1999 Slowking Pokedex entry.png

Player vs. Picnicker Kim on
Johto Route 35
Charizard vs. Donphan The prototype title screen of Pokémon Gold, reminiscent of those of Red, Green, and Blue A near final title screen for Gold "Ah! A wild Togepi appeared!" "Now investigating this newly discovered Pokémon."

Postrelease discoveries

Leftovers

Olivine beta house.png

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

Since Pokémon Gold and Silver were released, other things have been uncovered that reveal interesting details about the games' development. The final games have a large number of incomplete maps that detail what most Johto towns looked like during development. One of the most complete prototype maps found in their programming is a rough version of the Safari Zone. Surprisingly, it has several of its attributes defined, such as music, connections to Fuchsia City and even wild Pokémon found by fishing in a small pool in the area, which other prototype maps do not have. The Safari Zone also appears in the internal list of Pokégear map locations, along with Viridian Forest, Cerulean Cave, and Pokémon Mansion. Another complete map is a house in Olivine City, where a woman refers to a pharmacy in Ecruteak City instead of Cianwood City. It is unknown if this is a typo made by the game designers or if this means the Cianwood Pharmacy was originally meant to appear in Ecruteak.

Full maps (minus events) exist for the Cinnabar Island Lab, indicating Cinnabar Island was originally to make an appearance without the erupted volcano, or at least that the lab was going to remain. Apart from maps, other uncovered elements include a mine cart image in the cave tileset, and a second card-flipping Game Corner game. There is also an unused event script, complete with text, which would allow a different event for a level 40 Entei, analogous to the birds in Generation I.

In addition, the games include large amounts of unreferenced text. For example, one block of text references the fact that Sweet Honey, which made its debut in Generation IV, was planned as early as Generation II. Code and text remain for yet another forgotten feature, the ability to name the player's mother. Space is reserved in RAM for two other names as well, which default to RED and GREEN — the player character and rival from Red and Blue.

The Bird type from Generation I remains in Generation II. This is presumed to be a carryover from the Generation I game engine, as Gold and Silver are based on it. Also returning from leftover Generation I code are the Town Map and Poké Flute items. Both are named "Teru-sama" and are unusable, but if hacked to have a use option, the Poké Flute will still function, and the Town Map will attempt to, but fail, as the data it would access is now in a different location.

There is unused battle data for Cal, the default opponent in the Trainer House. There are two parties - one with the basic forms of the Johto starters and one with the middle forms of the Johto starters. As Viridian City and therefore Trainer House cannot be legally accessed until late in the game, it is unknown what purpose these parties would have served.

Another beta remnant is an unused sprite. This sprite is that of the player, only not carrying his pack. This sprite may have been originally intended to be used by the Cal event, but was later left in favor of the player's own sprite. This sprite is fully inserted in the game, containing all data of a normal overworld sprite, except it is not used by any known event in the game. It may have been intended as the sprite used at the start of the game (when naming the player character).

There is hidden text for an event related with the Burned Tower, where someone's daughter was missing. It is possible that this event made its final debut as the missing granddaughter in the S.S. Aqua.

Beta maps

Beta maps can be found existing in the final game's code. They appear to be a version between the ones presented originally, and the ones that were final.

File:New bark beta.png

File:Cherrygrove beta.png

File:Violet beta.png

File:Azalea beta.png

File:Ecruteak beta.png

New Bark Town's beta map Cherrygrove City's beta map Violet City's beta map A beta map of a town,
possibly Azalea
Ecruteak City's beta map, showing the Magnet Train tracks

File:Olivine beta.png

File:Betarage.png

File:Blackthorn beta.png

File:Beta Safari Zone GSC.png

Route 23 beta.png

Olivine City's beta map A prototype Lake of Rage, with the incorporated Gym A possible beta map of
Blackthorn City
The beta Safari Zone, which uses the Generation II evolution music as the background theme Beta map of Kanto Route 23

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


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.