Error message

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search
Error redirects here. For errors in the game's programming, see glitch.

In the Pokémon games, there are several error codes which can appear when the game is not functioning properly. These codes were probably intended to help developers by indicating the nature of the error and roughly where to look for it.

In Generation I

In Red, Blue, and Yellow, there are several unused error codes (Japanese: エラー) that are only available through glitching or hacking. Error codes normally appear when the game prints an internal '00' character code in the middle of a text string. In Pokémon Red and Blue they appear in the form of "(x) ERROR.", while in Pokémon Yellow they appear in the form of "(x) error." The error code is normally the index number of the text box that contains the '00' character. When an error code is printed on the screen, the game ignores all text that follows it.

The memory address $FF8C usually stores the identifier of the text box after the message is closed. When displaying Game Corner prizes, it is used to store the current window. Error codes can appear during Trainer escape glitches. For example, in Pokémon Red and Blue, fleeing from the long-range Trainer on Route 6, re-enabling the ability to use the start menu with a Trainer in a location other than Route 6 and returning to Route 6 after reading the PokéMart sign in Vermilion City will bring up a "9 ERROR." This is because the PokéMart sign in Vermilion City has a text identifier of 09h, stored in the memory address $CF13. Upon returning to Route 6, the game attempts to print text box 09h but the corresponding text for Route 6 doesn't exist and is presumably just a single 00 character, so the game prints a "9 ERROR."

Errors with numbers above 99

Reference for icons used with error numbers greater than 99, in the Pokémon Center tileset. On the left are the tiles, and on the right are some examples.

Due to the fact that Generation I games were never designed to use more than 99 message boxes, error codes from glitch boxes with an ID of 100 or greater will display using a tile rather than a number.

'Mixed errors'

Mixed error codes is a misnomer for false error codes that can appear to have large numbers. In glitch dialog, numbers can precede the 00 character that prints an error code, giving the impression that the error code number is larger than it actually is. For example, it is not possible to have 9991234 error; that message is either "99912" followed by 34 error, or "999123" followed by 4 error. This effect can be combined with error numbers greater than 99.

In Generation II

Template:Section Generation II games still have the original error code system from Pokémon Red and Blue, with text errors being signalized in form of (x)Df-. These error codes are commonly seen while browsing through corrupted mail, after performing the Trainer House glitch. The text Df- comes from the untranslated Japanese string "エラー", meaning "error". Just like in the previous games, error codes appear when the game prints a '00' character in the middle of a string, and the error code number is the index of the textbox containing the '00' character.

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal also feature a more detailed method of handling errors compared to Red, Blue and Yellow, although error messages are uncommon in-game without using cheating devices.

Message (English) Message (Japanese) Description or possible cause
"Object event." オブジェイベント This text will appear when trying to talk to an object which has no event set for it.[1]
"No windows available for popping." ポップできる ウィンドウが ありません! This text appears when an event attempts to bring up a message window yet the specified text/function is undefined - notably appears when HM06 is used outside of the TM/HM pocket[2]
"The window save area was exceeded." Theoretically would appear when too many overlapping popup windows are displayed.[3]
"Corrupted event!" Causes of this message are unknown, probably displays if the object the player is talking at has an invalid event set for it .[3]
"BG event." Would appear when the player triggers a hidden event (such as leaving New Bark Town without a Pokémon) which has no script defined.[3]
"The save file is corrupted!" This error message commonly appears when the player attempts to select Continue but the game has no valid data to load. For example, the game may give this message when data has been corrupted by a cross-region trade. This may also occur if the internal battery inside the game cartridge is unstable or is completely depleted.[3]
"You don't have a POKéMON!" ポケモンを もっていません! Appears whenever the player tries to use an item on a Pokémon without having any Pokémon.[3]
"Bzzzzt! You must have a POKéMON to use this!" ピーッ! ポケモンを もっていない  ひとは つかうことが できません! Appears whenever the player attempts to use a PC with access to the Pokémon Storage System without having any Pokémon. The PC in the player's room is thus unaffected.[3]

Gallery

References

Related articles



Multiple
generations
Transform glitchesGlitch TrainersCloning glitchesError messagesArbitrary code execution
Generation I GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
--0 ERRORBroken hidden itemsCable Club escape glitchDual-type damage misinformation
Experience underflow glitchFight Safari Zone Pokémon trickGlitch CityItem duplication glitchItem underflow
Mew glitchOld man glitchPewter Gym skip glitchPokémon merge glitchRhydon glitchRival twins glitch
Select glitches (dokokashira door glitch, second type glitch) • Super Glitch
Time Capsule exploitWalking through wallsZZAZZ glitch
Generation II GlitchesBattle glitches
Bug-Catching Contest glitchCelebi Egg glitchCoin Case glitchesExperience underflow glitch
Glitch dimensionGlitch EggTeru-samaTime Capsule exploitTrainer House glitchesGS Ball mail glitch
Generation III GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Berry glitchDive glitchPomeg glitchGlitzer Popping
Generation IV GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Acid rainGTS glitchesPomeg glitchRage glitch
Surf glitchTweakingPal Park Retire glitch
Generation V GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Frozen Zoroark glitchSky Drop glitch
Generation VI GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Lumiose City save glitchSymbiosis Eject Button glitchToxic sure-hit glitch
Generation VII GlitchesBattle glitchesOverworld glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Toxic sure-hit glitchRollout storage glitch
Generation VIII Glitches
Charge Beam additional effect chance glitchCharge move replacement glitchChoice item lock glitch
Toxic sure-hit glitchRollout storage glitchParty item offset glitch
Generation IX Glitches
Glitch effects Game freezeGlitch battleGlitch song
Gen I only: Glitch screenTMTRAINER effectInverted sprite
Gen II only: Glitch dimension
Lists Glitches (GOMystery DungeonTCG GBSpin-off)
Glitch Pokémon (Gen IGen IIGen IIIGen IVGen VGen VIGen VIIGen VIII)
Glitch moves (Gen I) • Glitch types (Gen IGen II)


Project GlitchDex logo.png This article is part of Project GlitchDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on glitches in the Pokémon games.