Game Link Cable: Difference between revisions

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{{Samename|item|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable}}
{{Samename|item|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable}}
{{Move|Game Link cable}}
{{Move|Game Link cable}}
{{Incomplete|needs=Pictures of official Game Link Cables for the GB, GBP, GBC, and GBA, as well as the "GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance" Game Link cable.}}
{{Incomplete|needs=Pictures of official Game Link Cables for the GB, GBP, and GBC.}}
[[File:Game Boy Game Link cable.png|thumb|Two [[Game Boy]]s connected with a Game Link cable]]
[[File:Game Boy Game Link cable.png|thumb|Two [[Game Boy]]s connected with a Game Link cable]]
A '''Game Link cable''' (Japanese: '''{{j|通信ケーブル}}''' ''link cable'') is a cable used to transfer data between two [[Nintendo]] consoles, such as the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the [[Game Boy Camera]] and [[Game Boy Printer]].  
A '''Game Link cable''' (Japanese: '''{{j|通信ケーブル}}''' ''link cable'') is a cable used to transfer data between two [[Nintendo]] consoles, such as the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the [[Game Boy Camera]] and [[Game Boy Printer]].  
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There are several types of Game Link cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy Game Link cable had much larger ends than that of the [[Game Boy Pocket]]/Game Boy Color. Also, a Game Boy Color Game Link cable is not compatible with its Game Boy Advance equivalent.
There are several types of Game Link cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy Game Link cable had much larger ends than that of the [[Game Boy Pocket]]/Game Boy Color. Also, a Game Boy Color Game Link cable is not compatible with its Game Boy Advance equivalent.


The [[Game Boy micro]] uses another sized cable, so there is some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same Game Link cable. A Game Boy Color Game Link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.
The [[Game Boy micro]] uses another sized cable, so there has been some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same Game Link cable. A Game Boy Color Game Link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.


<gallery>
GCN-GBA Cable.jpg|Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable
GBA Link Cable.jpg|Game Boy Advance link cable
</gallery>
===Pokémon special editions===
===Pokémon special editions===
A special [[Game Boy Color]] Game Link cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.
A special [[Game Boy Color]] Game Link cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.
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<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Pokémon Link Cable US boxart.jpg|Standard Game Link cable with Pokémon box
Pokémon Link Cable US boxart.jpg|Standard Game Link cable with Pokémon box
File:Pokémon link cable.jpg|Pokémon Game Link cable
Pokémon link cable.jpg|Pokémon Game Link cable
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Uses in the Pokémon games==
==Compatibility==
{{incomplete|needs=Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team}}
===In the core series games===
[[File:Gym link battles.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Players battling with Game Link cables at the [[Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour]]]]
[[File:Gym link battles.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Players battling with Game Link cables at the [[Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour]]]]
===In the core series games===
The Game Link Cable is the primary inter-game communication method in the Generation I, II, and III games. From Generation IV onward, the core series games have been released for game systems with built-in wireless communication, so this is used instead of a Game Link Cable.
In the first two generations, the Game Link cable's two main functions were established: inter-player {{pkmn|battle}}s and the [[trade|trading]] of Pokémon. These exchanges took place in the [[Cable Club]], which is included in every [[Pokémon Center]]. Up to two players can link together.
 
====Generations I and II====
In the [[Generation]] {{gen|I}} and {{gen|II}} core series games, the Game Boy Game Link Cable is primarily used for communication between games at the Cable Club in [[Pokémon Center]]s. At the Cable Club, players can [[trade]] and battle with other games.
 
Additionally, the Game Link Cable is also used to connect games to the [[Game Boy Printer]]. {{game|Yellow}}, {{3v2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}} are compatible with the Game Boy Printer.
 
In the [[Virtual Console]] releases of these games, the Cable Club uses [[Nintendo 3DS]] wireless communications to simulate the Game Link Cable's functionality. The Game Boy Printer functionality is not available in these releases.
 
====Generation III====
{{game5|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald|FireRed|LeafGreen}} use the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable for communication between games at the Pokémon Cable Club in [[Pokémon Center]]s. At the Pokémon Cable Club, players can trade and battle with other games. Two players can trade with each other or battle each other in a Single or [[Double Battle]], while four players can battle together in a [[Multi Battle]]. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, at the Pokémon Cable Club players can also [[Record mixing|mix records]] with up to three other players.
 
In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the Game Link Cable can also be used at [[Contest Hall]]s. Up to four players can use the [[Berry Blender]] together to make [[Pokéblock]]s. Ruby and Sapphire require four human players in order to participate in a contest, Emerald allows contests to be played with 2-4 players.
 
The Game Link Cable is used to connect the games to the [[e-Reader]] to receive data from [[Pokémon Battle e]] cards. In Japanese, the e-Reader is compatible with Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen; in English, it is only compatible with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire; the e-Reader was not released in other languages.
 
Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald are also compatible with the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter|Wireless Adapter]], which is bundled with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. This adapter allows all of the games' communication features that use the Game Link Cable to be conducted wirelessly instead; some communication features, such as the [[Union Room]] and [[Berry Crush]], require the Wireless Adapter. However, because Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are not compatible with the Wireless Adapter, all communications with these games require the Game Link Cable.
 
[[Pokémon Colosseum]], [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]] and [[Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire]] can all connect with Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen via the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Game Link cable.
 
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen can receive {{pkmn2|event}} distributions via Game Link cable. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, these distributions are always sent directly to the player's party or received via [[trade]]; in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, some distributions can be received via [[Mystery Gift]]. The [[Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc]] and the PAL region (Europe and Australia) version of the GameCube game [[Pokémon Channel]] can also send gift Pokémon via Game Boy Advance to GameCube cable.
 
The Game Link Cable can also be used to send the [[Berry glitch#Fixing the glitch|Berry Program Update]] to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It can be sent from Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald, Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness, Channel (PAL region only), and Pokémon Box Ruby and Sapphire (non-Japanese versions only) as well as the Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc.
<gallery>
Pokemon Colosseum connected game.png|The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Colosseum
Pokemon XD connected game.png|The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Box RS connected game.png|The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire.
Pokemon Colosseum Detect Game.png|Pokémon Colosseum connecting to the game
Pokemon XD Detect Game.png|Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness connecting to the game
Pokemon Box RS Detect Game.png|Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire connecting to the game
</gallery>
 
===Trading Card Game series===
The trading and battling component of spin-off games is not as prevalent as it is in the core series. In {{vg|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!]], the Game Link cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the [[Game Boy Color]]'s [[infrared]] port.
 
===Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire===
{{incomplete|needs=Needs information about trading high scores.}}
In [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]], it's possible for two players to share the Pokédex to some extent by connecting their games via the Game Link Cable and then pressing Start at the Pokédex screen. This brings up a confirmation screen to finish this procedure. Once this is done, if either player has a captured Pokémon that the other player does not have, the name, image, and description of that Pokémon become visible to the latter player. However, the image of shared Pokémon is darkened and other information (category, height, weight, and description) is still not shown, indicating that the Pokémon was not captured yet. The {{pkmn|category}} of that Pokémon is shown only if the Pokémon was seen by normal means. (that is, by attempting to capture or hatch a Pokémon but ultimately failing to do so or closing the game before doing so, which causes the Pokémon to count as "seen") This procedure does not affect the number of captured and seen Pokémon of either player. A Pokémon that was just seen (that is, not captured) in normal play or that is visible in the Pokédex just because of Pokédex sharing can't be shared with other players. This procedure works normally between games from different languages.
 
<gallery>
Pinball RS Pokédex transfer.png|Share Pokédex data
Pinball RS Pokédex shared.png|Shared Pokémon
</gallery>
 
==Appearances==
Sometimes, the Link Cable itself appears or is mentioned in the games.
 
===Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire===
In [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]], during the [[Delta Episode]], the scientists at the [[Mossdeep Space Center]] intend to use a device called the Link Cable to direct the destination of the wormhole they intend to open to take [[Grand Meteor Delta|the meteor]] off of collision course with the planet.
 
===Pokémon Legends: Arceus===
In [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]], an item known as the [[Linking Cord]] can be used to evolve certain Pokémon that would otherwise require trading to evolve.
 
===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series===
[[File:MDBag Link Cable Sprite.png|thumb]]
In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]], the {{DL|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items|Link Cable}} is an [[Evolution item]] that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.
 
===Pokémon Pinball series===
In [[Pokémon Pinball]] and [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]], the Link Cable is an in-game item used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve. Like other methods of Evolution in the Pinball series, the player gets three Link Cable symbols under the time limit in order to complete the evolution. {{p|Seadra}} and {{p|Clamperl}} do not need any other items to evolve.
 
The three Link Cable symbols can be used to evolve any of the Pokémon below. The Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire manual calls this method "Evolution by Transmission".


Although more link opportunities were incorporated into the [[Generation III]] games, Game Link cables had limited use. The cable remained the sole means of communication for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, but the advent of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} introduced wireless technology. The [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]] that was shipped with copies of these games plugs into the same socket as the Game Link cable, but allows for less cumbersome interactions. Up to four players can link together with the Game Boy Advance Game Link cable. In addition, the [[GameCube]]-[[Game Boy Advance]] Game Link cable allowed communication with [[Pokemon Colosseum]] and [[Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness]] for battling and trading, as well as with [[Pokemon Box Ruby and Sapphire]] for storage. Pokemon Box Ruby and Sapphire also came included with this cable.
{| class="roundtable" style="background:#{{items color light}}; border:5px solid #{{items color}}"
! Evolves from !! Evolves into !! {{color2|000|Pokémon Pinball}} !! {{color2|000|Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire|Pokémon Pinball:<br/>Ruby & Sapphire}}
|-
| {{p|Kadabra}}
| {{p|Alakazam}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{p|Machoke}}
| {{p|Machamp}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{p|Graveler}}
| {{p|Golem}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{p|Haunter}}
| {{p|Gengar}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{p|Seadra}}
| {{p|Kingdra}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | {{p|Clamperl}}
| {{p|Huntail}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{p|Gorebyss}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|}


The consoles for later generations, the [[Nintendo DS]] and [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]], have built-in wireless technology, and do not support any cables. As such, Game Link cables have become redundant.
====Gallery====
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{items color dark}}; background: #{{items color}}"
|-
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{items color dark}}; background: #{{items color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Link.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{items color dark}}; background: #{{items color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Counter Link.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{items color dark}}; background: #{{items color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Link.png]]
|- style="font-size:80%"
| Link Cable sprite<br/>from {{color2|000|Pokémon Pinball|Pinball}}
| Link Cable counter<br/>from {{color2|000|Pokémon Pinball|Pinball}}
| Link Cable sprite<br/>from {{color2|000|Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire|Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire}}
|}


===In spin-off games===
==In the manga==
The trading and battling component of spin-off games is not as prevalent as it is in the core series. In {{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} and [[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]], the Game Link cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the [[Game Boy Color]]'s [[infrared]] port.
===Pokémon Adventures===
===={{MangaArc|Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire}}====
A device called Link Cable was first mentioned in ''[[PS605|Swampert Smashes]]'', when [[Professor Cozmo]] explained that the dimensional shifter will create an entrance and an exit connected by Link Cable.


==References to the Game Link cable in the Pokémon games==
In ''[[PAORAS21|Omega Alpha Adventure 21]]'', the Link Cable was fitted on the [[Magma Suit]] and the [[Aqua Suit]] to teleport {{adv|Ruby}} and {{adv|Sapphire}} back to the ground once [[Grand Meteor Delta]] was destroyed. However, it ended up becoming nonfunctional once the life support system was destroyed by {{DL|Deoxys (Adventures)|Organism No. 1}}.
In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]], there is an [[Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|item with this name]] that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.


In [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]], during the [[Delta Episode]] the scientists at the [[Mossdeep Space Center]] intend to use a device called the Link Cable to direct the destination of the wormhole they intend to open to take the meteor off of collision course with the planet.
==In other media==
[[File:Madoka Game Link Cable.png|250px|thumb|Madoka Akagi with a Game Link Cable]]
===Pack Your Pocket With Adventure===
In [[PPA06]], [[Madoka Akagi]] and [[Kageaki Hiyama]] used a Game Link Cable to battle each other on their [[Game Boy]]. Madoka eventually managed to win the match, despite Hiyama's strategies.
{{-}}


==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{langtable
{{langtable
|pt=cabo Game Link}}
|fr=Câble Link (Game Boy)
 
|de=Linkkabel (Zubehör)
|it=Cavo Game Link
|pt=cabo Game Link
}}


{{Communication}}<br>
{{Communication}}
{{Project Games notice|game mechanic}}
{{Project Games notice|game mechanic}}


Line 53: Line 172:


[[de:Linkkabel (Zubehör)]]
[[de:Linkkabel (Zubehör)]]
[[fr:Câble Link]]
[[es:Cable link]]
[[fr:Câble Game Link]]
[[it:Cavo Game Link]]
[[it:Cavo Game Link]]
[[ja:通信ケーブル]]
[[ja:通信ケーブル]]
[[zh:游戏连接电缆]]

Revision as of 15:45, 24 September 2024

If you were looking for the item, see Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable.
018Pidgeot.png It has been suggested that this article be moved to Game Link cable.
Please discuss whether or not to move it on its talk page.
050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Pictures of official Game Link Cables for the GB, GBP, and GBC.
Two Game Boys connected with a Game Link cable

A Game Link cable (Japanese: 通信ケーブル link cable) is a cable used to transfer data between two Nintendo consoles, such as the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer.

The Game Link cable was part of Satoshi Tajiri's original concept for the Pokémon games. He said early on that he imagined his creatures crawling through the cable from one game to another. With technological developments, including wireless technology, Game Link cables have become obsolete on newer consoles.

Models

There are several types of Game Link cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy Game Link cable had much larger ends than that of the Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Color. Also, a Game Boy Color Game Link cable is not compatible with its Game Boy Advance equivalent.

The Game Boy micro uses another sized cable, so there has been some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same Game Link cable. A Game Boy Color Game Link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.

  • Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable

    Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable

  • Game Boy Advance link cable

    Game Boy Advance link cable

Pokémon special editions

A special Game Boy Color Game Link cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.

A yellow Game Link cable featuring a Pikachu on each connector has also been released.

  • Standard Game Link cable with Pokémon box

    Standard Game Link cable with Pokémon box

  • Pokémon Game Link cable

    Pokémon Game Link cable

Compatibility

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

In the core series games

Players battling with Game Link cables at the Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour

The Game Link Cable is the primary inter-game communication method in the Generation I, II, and III games. From Generation IV onward, the core series games have been released for game systems with built-in wireless communication, so this is used instead of a Game Link Cable.

Generations I and II

In the Generation I and II core series games, the Game Boy Game Link Cable is primarily used for communication between games at the Cable Club in Pokémon Centers. At the Cable Club, players can trade and battle with other games.

Additionally, the Game Link Cable is also used to connect games to the Game Boy Printer. Pokémon Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal are compatible with the Game Boy Printer.

In the Virtual Console releases of these games, the Cable Club uses Nintendo 3DS wireless communications to simulate the Game Link Cable's functionality. The Game Boy Printer functionality is not available in these releases.

Generation III

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen use the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable for communication between games at the Pokémon Cable Club in Pokémon Centers. At the Pokémon Cable Club, players can trade and battle with other games. Two players can trade with each other or battle each other in a Single or Double Battle, while four players can battle together in a Multi Battle. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, at the Pokémon Cable Club players can also mix records with up to three other players.

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the Game Link Cable can also be used at Contest Halls. Up to four players can use the Berry Blender together to make Pokéblocks. Ruby and Sapphire require four human players in order to participate in a contest, Emerald allows contests to be played with 2-4 players.

The Game Link Cable is used to connect the games to the e-Reader to receive data from Pokémon Battle e cards. In Japanese, the e-Reader is compatible with Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen; in English, it is only compatible with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire; the e-Reader was not released in other languages.

Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald are also compatible with the Wireless Adapter, which is bundled with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. This adapter allows all of the games' communication features that use the Game Link Cable to be conducted wirelessly instead; some communication features, such as the Union Room and Berry Crush, require the Wireless Adapter. However, because Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are not compatible with the Wireless Adapter, all communications with these games require the Game Link Cable.

Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire can all connect with Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen via the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Game Link cable.

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen can receive event distributions via Game Link cable. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, these distributions are always sent directly to the player's party or received via trade; in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, some distributions can be received via Mystery Gift. The Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc and the PAL region (Europe and Australia) version of the GameCube game Pokémon Channel can also send gift Pokémon via Game Boy Advance to GameCube cable.

The Game Link Cable can also be used to send the Berry Program Update to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It can be sent from Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald, Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness, Channel (PAL region only), and Pokémon Box Ruby and Sapphire (non-Japanese versions only) as well as the Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc.

  • The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Colosseum

    The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Colosseum

  • The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

    The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

  • The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire.

    The display for a game that has connected to Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire.

  • Pokémon Colosseum connecting to the game

    Pokémon Colosseum connecting to the game

  • Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness connecting to the game

    Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness connecting to the game

  • Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire connecting to the game

    Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire connecting to the game

Trading Card Game series

The trading and battling component of spin-off games is not as prevalent as it is in the core series. In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, the Game Link cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the Game Boy Color's infrared port.

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Needs information about trading high scores.

In Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, it's possible for two players to share the Pokédex to some extent by connecting their games via the Game Link Cable and then pressing Start at the Pokédex screen. This brings up a confirmation screen to finish this procedure. Once this is done, if either player has a captured Pokémon that the other player does not have, the name, image, and description of that Pokémon become visible to the latter player. However, the image of shared Pokémon is darkened and other information (category, height, weight, and description) is still not shown, indicating that the Pokémon was not captured yet. The category of that Pokémon is shown only if the Pokémon was seen by normal means. (that is, by attempting to capture or hatch a Pokémon but ultimately failing to do so or closing the game before doing so, which causes the Pokémon to count as "seen") This procedure does not affect the number of captured and seen Pokémon of either player. A Pokémon that was just seen (that is, not captured) in normal play or that is visible in the Pokédex just because of Pokédex sharing can't be shared with other players. This procedure works normally between games from different languages.

  • Share Pokédex data

    Share Pokédex data

  • Shared Pokémon

    Shared Pokémon

Appearances

Sometimes, the Link Cable itself appears or is mentioned in the games.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, during the Delta Episode, the scientists at the Mossdeep Space Center intend to use a device called the Link Cable to direct the destination of the wormhole they intend to open to take the meteor off of collision course with the planet.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, an item known as the Linking Cord can be used to evolve certain Pokémon that would otherwise require trading to evolve.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

MDBag Link Cable Sprite.png

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the Link Cable is an Evolution item that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.

Pokémon Pinball series

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the Link Cable is an in-game item used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve. Like other methods of Evolution in the Pinball series, the player gets three Link Cable symbols under the time limit in order to complete the evolution. Seadra and Clamperl do not need any other items to evolve.

The three Link Cable symbols can be used to evolve any of the Pokémon below. The Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire manual calls this method "Evolution by Transmission".

Evolves from Evolves into Pokémon Pinball Pokémon Pinball:
Ruby & Sapphire
Kadabra Alakazam ✔ ✔
Machoke Machamp ✔ ✔
Graveler Golem ✔ ✔
Haunter Gengar ✔ ✘
Seadra Kingdra ✘ ✔
Clamperl Huntail ✘ ✔
Gorebyss ✘ ✔

Gallery

Pinball Link.png Pinball Counter Link.png Pinball RS Link.png
Link Cable sprite
from Pinball 		Link Cable counter
from Pinball 		Link Cable sprite
from Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc

A device called Link Cable was first mentioned in Swampert Smashes, when Professor Cozmo explained that the dimensional shifter will create an entrance and an exit connected by Link Cable.

In Omega Alpha Adventure 21, the Link Cable was fitted on the Magma Suit and the Aqua Suit to teleport Ruby and Sapphire back to the ground once Grand Meteor Delta was destroyed. However, it ended up becoming nonfunctional once the life support system was destroyed by Organism No. 1.

In other media

Madoka Akagi with a Game Link Cable

Pack Your Pocket With Adventure

In PPA06, Madoka Akagi and Kageaki Hiyama used a Game Link Cable to battle each other on their Game Boy. Madoka eventually managed to win the match, despite Hiyama's strategies.

In other languages

Language Title
France Flag.png French Câble Link (Game Boy)
Germany Flag.png German Linkkabel (Zubehör)
Italy Flag.png Italian Cavo Game Link
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese cabo Game Link


Communications media
Gen I Game Link Cable • Transfer Pak • 3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen II  Game Link Cable • Infrared • Transfer Pak
Mobile Game Boy Adapter • 3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen III Game Link Cable • Wireless Adapter • Dual-slot mode
Gen IV DS Wireless • Wi-Fi • Dual-slot mode • Infrared
Gen V DS Wireless • Wi-Fi • Infrared
Gen VI 3DS Wireless • Nintendo Network • Infrared • StreetPass • SpotPass
Gen VII 3DS Wireless/Switch Wireless • Nintendo Network
Infrared • Nintendo Switch Online • Bluetooth
Gen VIII Switch Wireless • Nintendo Switch Online
Gen IX Switch Wireless • Nintendo Switch Online
Project Games logo.png This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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