Cheating: Difference between revisions

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Cheating refers to the process of playing the Pokémon games through third-party devices to alter the game's data, usually to give the player advantages that would not be available through normal gameplay. Cheating is most frequently used to obtain or duplicate rare Pokémon or items, particularly those which would otherwise require attending a Nintendo event.

Glitches and the games' pseudorandom number generator may also be exploited to circumvent the restrictions of normal gameplay without explicitly cheating.

Overview

In the core series

The appearance of a wild Bulbasaur in Generation V, something that can only happen with the use of cheating devices

Devices such as GameShark and Action Replay can be easily used to directly alter the game's data in many ways, such as automatically making Pokémon Shiny, giving them optimal IVs and Natures, or even modifying their moves and statistics to obtain otherwise impossible values. These Pokémon are frequently known as hacked Pokémon. The devices are also frequently used to obtain Pokémon or items which would otherwise be only obtainable through a Nintendo promotional events. For example, cheating may be used to obtain the GS Ball or Old Sea Map (in generations II and III respectively), both of which were only distributed in Japan, or Azure Flute, which was never distributed.

A wild F-00, an example of using a wild Pokémon modifier code. Notice the error that causes the game to display the name using full-width rather than half-width characters as well as causing "－" to be replaced by "?" in the name

A common example of a cheat is a "Wild Pokémon Modifier" code, allowing the user to encounter and catch any Pokémon of choice in any location, allowing for example, rapid EV training or obtaining of Legendary Pokémon. More complex codes can also set the wild Pokémon's level and Nature. These codes when used properly can have little to no negative effects on the save file, although later generations keep track of the location where a Pokémon was obtained making it possible to identify illegitimate Pokémon obtained through this method. More unconventionally, a wild Pokémon modifier code can be used in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 to see Pokéstar Studios opponents, although catching them is impossible as the game will attempt to bring up a nonexistent Pokédex entry, causing a game freeze.

Older firmware versions of the Nintendo 3DS were vulnerable to the use of an exploit involving the device's built-in web browser to overwrite the RAM of a suspended game. QR codes were used to link and share these exploits. However, an update in March 2015 patched out the exploit entirely. In addition, more recent firmware versions contain exploits that enable the usage of homebrew software, which can be used to modify the save files of games. There is also external save editing hardware, such as Datel PowerSaves and Cyber Gadget.

On a more sophisticated level, many devices exist that allow players to back up their game's save file. While itself arguably legitimate, it can still be exploited to cheat in various ways, such as by restoring a backup after completing a trade. Also, some downloadable programs such as Pokésav have been created specifically for use in conjunction with these files, allowing users to freely edit or make their own Pokémon from scratch.

Not all players will use cheating devices to make the game easier. Examples of codes that can be used to make the game harder include using codes to trigger a battle with Professor Oak, or codes that prevent the user's Pokémon from gaining any experience. Additionally, ProjectPokemon.org has a software developed where players can modify the PWT in Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 by overwriting official WiFi download tournament slots with player-made custom tournaments. Some players may desire this for a bigger challenge after even the Champions' tournament is bested.

In the spin-off games

Trading Card Game series

In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, the duels are automatically saved at certain points, such as when the player draws a card at the start of their turn or places a Pokémon at the Bench. However, not everything is automatically saved, so the player is often able to reset in the middle of a duel and change their recent actions.

Examples involving saving and resetting:

• Peeking at the Prize cards

In normal play, the player is unable to know what cards exactly are their Prize cards. However, if the player picks a Prize card and then resets the game, they will have the chance to choose the Prize card again, effectively allowing the player to freely peek at the Prize cards and choose one to their liking.

• Peeking at the deck

In normal play, the decks are shuffled and the player is unable to know the order of cards in their deck. However, if the player uses a card that lets them pick a card from the deck (such as Energy Search or Poké Ball), the cards in the deck will be shown in order. Usually, the deck is shuffled after the player picks a card from the deck. The player may want to cheat instead, by memorizing the order of the cards and then resetting the game without picking a card. The game will continue as if the deck was not seen. However, if the player uses a card like Pokémon Trader where a card is placed in the deck in exchange for another, the card added to the deck will appear at the top of the list, so it won't be in the actual deck if the player resets the game.

Criticism

The primary complaint against cheating devices is that it takes no particular ability to enter a cheat code, thus detracting from the point and spirit of the game and making it less enjoyable. While this is a subjective matter, it is the primary cause of cheating offending some players, especially when players can trade illegitimate Pokémon to others in exchange for legitimate Pokémon.

Another argument against cheating is that it often hurts the stability of the game. Improperly used codes can corrupt the game's save file or even delete it altogether.

A common justification for using cheating devices is that they can be used in moderation to obtain otherwise event-exclusive Pokémon. Due to the fact that Nintendo events, the only legitimate way to obtain such Pokémon, are often time-limited and region-exclusive, they can be impossible to obtain for some players solely due to their geographic location, and become altogether impossible after a certain date. It is a matter of opinion whether or not this is a valid excuse for cheating, although when kept for personal use is often criticized less than more drastic cheats.

Cheat prevention in the Pokémon games

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Within the Pokémon games

See also: Error prevention in Pokémon games

Generation I

• One of the earliest known anti-cheat (glitch) mechanisms in Pokémon was a hidden patch to Red and Green; the first retail Pokémon game (revision A; additionally the version used for Virtual Console).
  • This revision A patch (a hidden rerelease of the game; a common practice then similar to other cartridges with revision changes such as Tetris), partially amended the select glitches (powerful glitches including sub-glitches that enable manipulating advantages in the game in an unintended way e.g. dokokashira door glitch allows one to warp to the Hall of Fame, and second-type glitch was an early glitch to obtain any Pokémon including Mew), by adding code to disable the 'is selected?' memory address if the items menu was closed in battle. However, players are still able to exploit the glitches in revision A and Pokémon Blue (Japanese) by pressing Select on an item before entering battle, and then continuing the glitch from within a battle or Pokémon menu (i.e. the Day Care menu or Name Rater menu).

Generation II

• In Japanese Pokémon Crystal, specifically pertaining to the Mobile System GB service, there is code at the Battle Tower which turns glitch Pokémon and glitch moves into Smeargle or Sketch. This code is also leftover in the localised versions but believed to be unused. Further details on other error prevention methods are unclear, and the Mobile System GB service is long defunct. There is similar code in the Battle Pike in Pokémon Emerald, which also converts illegal moves into Sketch.^[1]
• In Gold and Silver, but not Pokémon Crystal Version there is a specific event where Claire will not accept a Dragon Fang that wasn't obtained in Dragon's Den; accusing the player of cheating to get it (however, it is not in the context of using a cheating device or glitch, because the Dragon Fang can be obtained on a traded Pokémon).^[2]
• There is code to prevent a Pokémon that is over level 100, or is an unstable hybrid Pokémon, or has (internally stored) types which do not match between Generation I and II from being traded, though this may be seen as more error prevention rather than anti-cheat.

These Pokémon are referred to as "abnormal" in an error message which prevents the trade. Curiously however, not all glitch Pokémon apply; i.e. some glitch Pokémon can have this matching Pokémon by default, such as 4. . and Totodile, which are not deemed 'abnormal', or the internal types can otherwise be changed with arbitrary code execution so that the Pokémon may transfer. This is also known as the reverse Time Capsule exploit.

• There are some error prevention and anti-cheat checks in Pokémon Stadium games, such as purple text for an invalid move, or making glitch Pokémon species forbidden to enter.

Generation III

• Generation III games contain some specific cheating countermeasures.
  • Mew and Deoxys were given special programming that prevents them from ever obeying the player if they were obtained illegitimately, even if the player has the right badges. This can be bypassed if the player uses cheats to get to Faraway Island or Birth Island to catch the Pokémon that way, as the Pokémon itself becomes indistinguishably legitimate, although the event item to arrive at the location is not. This countermeasure does not exist in Generation IV.
  • Special programming (sometimes known as "DMA" (dynamic memory allocation), however it is disputed whether this term is accurate for the purpose of this subject in Pokémon) causes sensitive memory areas such as Pokémon data to dynamically move around, preventing or making it difficult for cheating devices to target it. This can be avoided through codes that disable the DMA altogether; such codes are often referred to as "anti-DMA" codes. Furthermore, Game Boy Advance games may typically require a "Master Code".
  • Pokémon data has a stored checksum. If it does not match, the Pokémon may render as or become a Bad Egg. Curiously, this behavior combined with the above point enables Glitzer Popping in Pokémon Emerald and FireRed and LeafGreen (however, these two anti-cheat mechanisms lead to a powerful glitch without the need of a cheating device, with power comparable to the older Pokémon glitches from Generation I and II as they enable obtaining any Pokémon/glitch Pokémon, and countless other glitches; ultimately arbitrary code execution).

Generation IV onward

• There are anti-cheat measures in [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and {{{2}}} Versions |Diamond and Pearl and {{{2}}}]], Pokémon Platinum Version, HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokémon Battle Revolution and the Generation V games, so some Pokémon may be forbidden from taking part in battle, or from being traded online (however it may be possible to trade the Pokémon locally instead).
  • In earlier Japanese versions of Diamond and Pearl, as documented by Orcastraw (a speedrunner) due to an oversight it is possible to transfer some of the glitch Pokémon; including those with index numbers 252-276. These do not become a Generation IV Pokémon, but the conversion ranges from Treecko to Taillow. The cause of this glitch may be an oversight related to the source code, which had reservations for these Pokémon, and this may also be relevant to the list of Pokémon by index number in Generation III for Pokémon XD; as Bonsly and Munchlax are located there.^[3][4].
  • One other known exception is a more complex variation of the glitch. Arbitrary code execution allows for one exception; transferring a glitch Pokémon into a Burmy in Pal Park; so that to some extent the Generation IV Pokémon came from Generation III, like the above reverse Time Capsule exploit. These Pokémon may also be manipulated as Shiny.^[5]

Generation VI onward

• Starting with Pokémon X and Y, Pokémon games began receiving digital patches from the Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Network. These are required to play online, and some of them patch glitches that would allow the player to cheat (for example, the patched Exp. Candy glitch in Pokémon Sword and Shield; which also allowed for illegal Pokémon such as a Persian or Eeveelution evolved from an event Gigantamax Meowth or Eevee, a female Vespiquen evolved from a male Combee, or a Shedinja Pokémon egg)
• The Pokémon Company and related parties decided not to patch old glitches in the Generation I and Generation II games, such as the old man glitch.
• Restore Points are disabled in the Virtual Console games. It is believed this measure was added so that players cannot clone Pokémon after a link trade, in order to prevent Pokémon cloning.

Discouragement by The Pokémon Company and related parties

• The Game Genie was released before Pokémon, but is compatible with Template:Nwiki games such as Red and Blue, but not international Yellow. Nintendo attempted to outlaw Game Genie in Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc. however it was specifically due to the claim that it may result in a derivative work. Other cheating devices after the release of Pokémon such as the GameShark, Monster Brain and Mega Memory Card are sold, but are not endorsed by Nintendo.
• There is an internal Pokémon anti-cheat application known as Pokémon Anti-Cheat. Knowledge of it/unauthorized use was leaked to the general public by hackers.^[6]
• There are exploits for Pokémon GO such as spoofing and using a VPN, and these are forbidden by Niantic; considered as cheating.^[7] Notably in Iran some used a VPN for a non-cheating related reason (however it is still forbidden); to play the game there even though the game had not officially launched there. However, the government banned the game, reportedly due to the use of forbidden imagery and portrayals of gambling.^[8]
• The team Mario Club is responsible for play-testing and removing glitches in the Pokémon series and many other Nintendo games. Another such team is Sarugakucho Inc. who also worked on the loosely related Japan-only Game Boy Color title Monster Tactics where Tsunekazu Ishihara was involved for the Marigul company Spiral Co., Ltd. and Nintendo, but their involvement with the Pokémon games is unclear.

Related articles

• Action Replay
• GameShark
• Monster Brain
• Pokésav

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.