The menu (Japanese: メニュー menu) is the main interface in all of the core series Pokémon games that allows the player to access the game's basic features and aspects of their save file, with the entries differing throughout the various games. It is accessed by pressing the START button of the Game Boy-line handheld in Generations I to III and by pressing the X button of the Nintendo DS-family or Nintendo 3DS-family handheld in Generation IV and later. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu is always open on the touchscreen.

Starting in Generation VI, an entry's position may be swapped using the stylus. In Generation VII, the menu is expanded to two pages, with several new accessible functions.

In the core series and side series

In general, entries are only added to the menu when the player obtains them, such as the Pokédex. Games that have entries for Save, Options, and Exit have them available from the beginning.

Two exceptions exist:

In Generation I, the Pokémon menu entry is available even before the player obtains their starter Pokémon, but will do nothing when selected until then.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu on the Touch Screen is completely empty at the very beginning. The Bag, Trainer Card, Save, and Options entries appear when the player character first talks to their mother.

Generations I to IV

Prior to HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu displays in a single vertical column; in HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu displays in two columns (of four and three).

Core series

Entry	Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon	Displays the party.
Bag	Called "Item" in Generation I and "Pack" in Generation II.
(App)	This entry is reserved for the Pokégear^GSC^HGSS or PokéNav^RSE. It is absent in other games.
(Name)	Displays the Trainer Card. This entry shows up as the player's name.
Save
Options	Called "Option" prior to Generation IV.
Exit	This entry is absent in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, being replaced by a graphical X button that displays above the menu (rather than as one of its entries) and can be tapped on to close it. As all games allow the menu to be closed by pressing the START, X, or B buttons, this function was somewhat redundant.

Note that some entries do not appear or are replaced while in a Cable Club/Union Room, Safari Zone/Bug-Catching Contest, or Battle Tower.

The Underground

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: What exactly goes in Treasures; if the Underground Trainer Card option differs in any way, however slight, from the overworld version

The Underground in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum uses an almost entirely different menu:

Entry	Notes
Traps
Spheres
Goods
Treasures
(Name)
Go Up
Close

Pokémon Colosseum and XD

These games use a similar menu to the core series, but the following three entries are absent:

Pokédex (replaced by the Strategy Memo inside the P★DA)
Trainer Card (as the P★DA displays Trainer information).
Options (since options are instead accessed from the title screen)

Entry	Notes
Pokémon
P★DA	Unlike the app entry in the core series games, this entry appears above the Items entry.
Items	(Named Items instead of the core series' Item/Pack/Bag.)
Save	This entry is absent from Colosseum, where saving is instead done from a PC.
Exit

Generations V and VI

The menu now displays in three rows of two.

Entry	Notes
Pokémon	The party entry is simply called "Pokémon" in the menu itself, but the Ready button shows its full name "Pokémon List". Now appears first in the menu, before Pokédex.
Pokédex	Now appears second in the menu, after Pokémon.
Bag
(Name)	Displays the Trainer Card and shows up as the player's name.
Save
Options

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

The menu still displays in three rows of two, but was significantly expanded and now takes up two pages, accessed by scrolling right from the first page.

In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a few items were moved or changed. Save now appears outside of the menu pages to the bottom right of the screen, and can be accessed from the menu with the Y button.

Entry	Notes
Pokémon
Pokédex
Bag
Save^SM/Photo Album^USUM	For the first time, Save appears right after Bag.^SM
Quick Link	New.
Festival Plaza	New.
Trainer Passport	Replaces the Trainer Card and no longer displays as the player's name for the first time.
Poké Pelago^SM/Options^USUM	New.^SM
Pokémon Refresh	New.
QR Scanner	New.
Battle Video	New.
Options^SM/Poké Pelago^USUM

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

The menu displays with one entry in the top row and five entries in the bottom row.

Options are now accessed with the Y button from the menu; this instruction is displayed by the game in the footer at the bottom right of the screen. There is no longer a Trainer Card entry in the menu.

Entry	Notes
Play with (Nickname)	Displays the nickname of the player's Partner Pokémon, though in all caps to match the formatting of the rest of the menu.
Pokédex
Bag	Displays before the party for the first time.
Party	Displays after Bag for the first time, and is named "Party" instead of "Pokémon" for the first time.
Communicate
Save

Pokémon Sword and Shield

The menu displays with two rows of five entries. After all entries are obtained, the player can now swap the order of entries with the Y button; the default order is shown here. The player can also automatically select Town Map with the + button or Save with the R button.

Entry	Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon
Bag
League Card
Save
Town Map	New.
Pokémon Camp	New.
Mystery Gift	New.
VS
Options

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

The menu displays with two rows of four entries. The Y, +, and R buttons have the same functionality as in Sword and Shield. Save is no longer a menu entry, but displays outside the menu, below it and to the right.

Entry	Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon
Bag
Trainer Card
Town Map
Ball Capsules	New.
Options
Mystery Gift	Reordered compared to Sword and Shield.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

In this game, the menu is accessed by pressing Up on the D-Pad or directional buttons.

In the spin-off series

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Outside a dungeon the menu displays the current location, the team's rank, rank points^RB, points to next rank^TDS^GtI, the day's V-Wave type, Poké, and Gold Bars.

Inside a dungeon the menu displays entire team's names and HP, the leader's Belly, Poké, weather, and play time.

Pressing X in a dungeon at the menu opens up the move list.

Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

Outside a dungeon

Entry	Notes
Items	Opens up the Toolbox/Treasure Bag.
Team	Shows the current team.
Job List	Opens up a list of the accepted jobs.
Others	Allows the player to open up the options, change window frames^S, and check Hints^RB^TD/Game Hints^S.
Exit^TDS	Closes the menu.

Inside a dungeon

Entry	Notes
Moves	Opens up the moves list.
Items	Opens up the Toolbox/Treasure Bag.
Team	Shows the current team.
Others	Opens up another tablist.
Ground	Checks the tile the leader stands on.
Rest^TDS	Gives the player the choice to Quicksave the game or give up the adventure couting as a defeat.
Exit^TDS	Closes the menu.
Inside Others
Game Options	Opens up the options.
Quicksave or Give up^RB	Gives the player the choice to Quicksave the game or Give Up the adventure couting as a defeat.
Window^S	Allows the player to change window frame.
Map^TDS	Shows the map.
Message log	Opens up the message log.
Mission objectives	Shows the jobs accepted for the current dungeon. If there is no mission for the dungeon, a message saying "Just go!"^RB/"Go as far as possible"^TDS will be displayed instead.
Recruitment search	Shows a list of all the Pokémon that can be recruited in the floor.
Hints^RB^TD Dungeon Hints^S	Shows hints on several subjects.

Gates to Infinity

Entry	Notes
Items	Opens up the bag.
Status	Shows the current team.
Job List^{outside a dungeon}	Opens up the Job List.
Companion Mode^{outside a dungeon}	Changes to Companion Mode where the player controls a team member instead of the leader and can not go to Post Town. Changes to <player> Mode in Companion Mode.
Local Wireless^{outside a dungeon}	Allows the player to connect with other players and play through dungeon together.
Materials^{outside a dungeon}	Opens up Gurdurr's Menu where the player can check their material needed to build things in Pokémon Paradise.
Save^{outside a dungeon}	Saves the game.
Note^{inside a dungeon}	Opens up the Job List for the current dungeon.
Moves^{inside a dungeon}	Opens up the moves list.
Change the Leader^{inside a dungeon}	Changes the leader to the Pokémon next in line, this does not count as a turn, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Look Around^{inside a dungeon}	Allows the player to see around the room without moving. Can only be done in a room, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Underfoot^{inside a dungeon}	Checks the tile the leader stands on, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Quick Save^{inside a dungeon}	Quick Saves the game and takes the player to the Main Menu.
Others	Opens up another tablist.
Inside Others
Options	Opens up the options.
SpotPass Settings	Allows the player to switch on and off SpotPass.
Pokémon who can appear^{inside a dungeon}	Shows a list of Pokémon who can appear and be befriended.
V-Wave	Shows the day's V-Wave type and effects.
Message Log	Opens up the Message Log.
Dungeon Status^{inside a dungeon}	Opens up a list of floor-wide condition that are present on the floor.
Dungeon Hints	Shows hints on the subjects of exploring a dungeon.
How to Play	Shows hints on several subjects.
To the Entrance^{outside a dungeon}	Takes the player to the entrance of the area their currently in.
Give Up^{inside a dungeon}	The player gives up, counting as a defeat.

Super Mystery Dungeon

Outside a dungeon

Entry	Notes
Items	Opens up the Bag.
Status	Shows the current team.
Team Selection	Allows the player to oraganize their teams.
Expedition List	Opens up a list of the accepted expeditions
Connection Orb	Opens up the Connection Orb
World Map	Opens up the World Map
Save	Saves the game.
Others	Opens up another list of tabs
Inside Others
Control Info	Opens up two signs of how to get around in towns and dungeons.
Options	Opens up the options
Message Log	Opens up the Messag Log
How to Play	Opens up several hints on how to play the game
Adventure Hints	Opens up several hints on how to act in dungeons
To the Entrance	Takes the player to the entrance
Resume from the Save Data	Resumes the game from the last time it was saved

Inside a dungeon

Entry	Notes
Items	Opens up the Bag.
Status	Shows the current team.
Move Settings	Opens up the move setting screen.
Tactics Meeting	Opens up the tactics.
Alliance	Allows the player to choose which move shall be used when performing an alliance.
Look Around	the player looks around the room, not usable in corridors.
Underfoot	Checks the tile the leader stands on.
Change the Order	Allows the player to change the order of which the turns play out.
Expedition List	Opens up a list of the accepted expeditions.
Connection Orb	Opens up the Connection Orb.
Others	Opens up another list of tabs.
Inside Others.
Control Info	Opens up two signs of how to get around in towns and dungeons.
Switch the leader	Allows the player to change leader
Type Icon Guide	Opens up a sign which displays what different icons mean.
Options	Opens up the options
Message Log	Opens up the Messag Log.
Dungeon Status	Opens up a list of floor-wide condition that are present on the floor.
How to Play	Opens up several hints on how to play the game
Adventure Hints	Opens up several hints on how to act in dungeons
Give Up	The player gives up, counting as a defeat.
Resume from the Save Data	Resumes the game from the last time it was saved

Pokémon Ranger series

Entry	Notes
Styler	Opens up the Styler Status screen displaying Styler Level, Experience points, Experience points needed for next Styler Level, Energy, Line length, Power, Charge Speed, Charge Level, all Defense Statuses, and a Power-up Data List. Only available in Shadows of Almia.
Status	Opens up the status screen displaying the player's name, Styler Level, Styler Energy, Styler Power, Charge Level, and experience points needed to the next level. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Release	Allows the player to release captured Pokémon.
Modification	Allows the player to spend Ranger Points on modifying the styler's stats. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Sign List	Opens up a list of Guardian Signs. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Quests	Opens up a list of all the available, accepted, and completed quests. Only available in Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs.
Browser	Opens up the regional Browser.
Missions	Shows the current Mission and allows the player to restart it in Pokémon Ranger, named Mission. Opens up a map with all the Missions pointed out in Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs.
Map	Opens up the map.
Options	Opens up the options. Not present in Guardian Signs.
Glossary	Opens up the Glossary.
Quicksave	Quicksaves the game.
Exit	Closes the menu in Pokémon Ranger. In Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs there's a button at the top right with an arrow on it that closes the menu.

Pokémon Rumble series

Pokémon Rumble Blast

Setting	Notes
Resume	Closes the menu.
Return to Town	Takes the player to the latest town they've been to. Only available inside a level.
Save and Quit	Allows the player to save and quit the game.

Pokémon Rumble World

In Pokémon Rumble World there are two menus; one that is on the touch screen with four buttons with must pressed with the stylus, the second is opened pressing start.

Setting	Notes
The Touch Screen menu
Profile	Allows the player to check their Player Info, view a list of claimed and unclaimed titles as well as change their title, and change Mii Settings.
Adventurers	Opens up a list of all the visitors.
Pokémon	Allows the player to check their Pokémon and say good-bye to them.
Visitors	Allows the player to greet visitors that have arrived either via StreetPass or SpotPass or call five random visitors once a day via the internet.
The menu opened pressing start
Manual	Opens up the manual of the game
L+R Take Photos	Takes a photo of the top screen
Character Roles	Allows the player to assign visitors the roles of characters in-game.
Passwords	Allows the player to enter passwords and unlock things.
Options	Opens up the options
Save and Quit	Saves the game and closes it down

Pokémon Trozei series

Entry	Notes
Continue	Continues the game
Return to Map	Takes the player back to the map

Pokémon Dash

Entry	Notes
Continue	Continues the game
Retry	Restarts the course
Back to Cup Select	Takes the player to the cup selection screen
Back to Title	Takes the player back to the title screen
Settings	Allows the player to switch between Normal and Reverse play style and turn the backlight on and off.

Pokémon Art Academy

Pressing start or select while drawing opens the menu, choosing an image in the album opens up the Image options.

Options

Entry	Notes
Review Step	Plays the lesson once more. Only available in Lesson.
Restart Lesson	Restarts the lesson. Only available in Quick Draw.
Add Background	Allows the player to add a flat color, images from the SD card, or images from the game as background. Only available in Free Paint.
Save	Saves the image.
Clear Canvas	Allows the player to clear the canvas. Unavailable unless something has been drawn.
Settings	Allows the player to change the Sound Settings and Button Controls. Only available in Free Paint.
Sound Settings	Allows the player turn on and off the music, interface sounds, and tool sounds. Only available in Lesson and Quick Draw.
Quit	Allows the player to quit the current lesson.

Image options

Setting	Notes
Edit Image	Takes the player to edit mode for the image.
Share	Allows the player to share the image by Miiverse or Local Play.
Delete	Allows the player to delete the image.
Export	Allows the player to export the image to the Nintendo 3DS as a JPEG.
Name* Rename*	Allows the player to (re)name the image

Pokémon GO

Setting	Notes
Pokédex	Opens up the Pokédex.
Shop	Opens up the shop.
Pokémon	Opens up a list of the player's Pokémon.
Items	Opens up the bag.
Settings	Opens up the settings
Tips	Plays a series of tips on PokéStops and Gyms.
News	Opens up the latest news. Available when there's news available.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Setting	Notes
More	Opens a card that says "Try to beat the next [the league the player is currently at]", and lists the rewards for beating that league.
Decorate	Allows the player to decorate their pond with Decorations and set different themes for their pond.
Items	Opens up the bag.
Achievements	Opens up the achievements.
Purchase	Takes the player to the Exchange Office.
Settings	Takes the player to the settings.

Gallery

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Cable Club (FRLG if different from normal menu), and EFRLG Union Room menus. Any other alternate menus (did the Wi-Fi Plaza have its own menu?)

Red, Blue, and Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Ruby and Sapphire
Emerald
FireRed and LeafGreen
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Black and White
Black 2
White 2
X and Y
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Sun and Moon (page 1)
Sun and Moon (page 2)
Colosseum
XD

Variants

Red, Blue, and Yellow (Cable Club)
Gold, Silver, and Crystal (Bug-Catching Contest)
Gold, Silver, and Crystal (Cable Club)
Ruby and Sapphire (Cable Club)
Ruby and Sapphire (Safari Zone)
Emerald (Safari Zone)
FireRed and LeafGreen (Safari Zone)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (Great Marsh)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (Union Room)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (The Underground)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (Battle Tower)
HeartGold and SoulSilver (Safari Zone)
HeartGold and SoulSilver (Bug-Catching Contest)
HeartGold and SoulSilver (Union Room)
HeartGold and SoulSilver (Battle Tower)
Black 2 (Black Tower/White Treehollow)
White 2 (Black Tower/White Treehollow)

Trivia

The menu in a dark cave

In the Generation I games, the menu is affected by the darkness of caves (meaning that Flash has not yet been used). This was corrected in the Game Boy Color mode of the Generation II games; in Game Boy and Super Game Boy modes, it behaves like in Generation I and Flash will not make it lighter due to the darkness being dependent on the time-based palette defined in the maps of caves, which are set to use the nighttime palette.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team when choosing Moves on the menu a red square appears on the tile the leader stands on. However, the red square does not disappear when closing the window but does so when closing the menu or opening and closing the Toolbox.
In Generation I, if the player holds A while saving, the menu won't disappear until the player releases A.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	選單 Syúndāan
Chinese	Mandarin	選單 / 菜单 Xuǎndān
French		Menu
German		Menü
Italian		Menu
Korean		메뉴 Menu
Portuguese		Menu
Spanish		Menú

Menu

Apps:
Pokémon List • Pokédex • Bag/Satchel • Trainer Card/League Card • Save • Options
Town Map • Rotom Pokédex • Rotom Phone Pokégear • PokéNav • PokéNav Plus • Pokétch C-Gear • Player Search System • Festival Plaza • Communicate • Y-Comm • Poké Portal Pokémon-Amie • Pokémon Refresh • Partner Play • Pokémon Camp • Picnic Mystery Gift • Super Training • QR Scanner • Poké Pelago • VS • P★DA

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

Menu

In the core series and side series

Generations I to IV

Core series

The Underground

Pokémon Colosseum and XD

Generations V and VI

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

In the spin-off series

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

Outside a dungeon

Inside a dungeon

Gates to Infinity

Super Mystery Dungeon

Outside a dungeon

Inside a dungeon

Pokémon Ranger series

Pokémon Rumble series

Pokémon Rumble Blast

Pokémon Rumble World

Pokémon Trozei series

Pokémon Dash

Pokémon Art Academy

Options

Image options

Pokémon GO

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Gallery

Variants

Trivia

In other languages

Navigation menu

Search