Options
The Options (Japanese: 設定 options) menu, or Option menu prior to Generation IV, in the core series Pokémon games provides the management of settings that the player can modify to change some behaviors of the game. The available settings differ throughout the various games.
It can be accessed by selecting the corresponding entry on the menu. From Pokémon Red and Green to Pokémon Emerald, it can also be accessed from the title screen, but it is not possible to do this in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and in any game from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl onwards.
In Pokémon Platinum, descriptions of the options similar to those of items and moves were added. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver removed the descriptions but they were reinstated in Pokémon Black and White and have remained in subsequent games.
List of options
NOTE: Underlined options represent the default settings.
| Games | Setting | Explanation | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Text Speed | This setting controls the display speed of the text box. | Slow Normal Fast |
"Normal" was called "Medium" prior to Generation VI.
In Generation I, the text speed could be set to a hidden fourth option by using cheats or glitches, disabling the delay entirely. |
| All | Battle Effects | This setting controls the appearance of certain graphical elements during battles, such as move animations, status infliction, and weather conditions. | On Off |
Called Battle Scene from Generation II to IV, Animation in Pokémon Yellow, and Battle Animation in Pokémon Red and Blue.
In Generation I, the battle effects are displayed during the Champion battle against the rival even if this feature is turned off. |
| All | Battle Style | This setting controls whether or not the player is asked to recall a fainted Pokémon whenever the opponent sends out their next Pokémon. | Switch Set |
"Switch" was called "Shift" prior to Generation VI.
Set is always used in a Double or Triple Battle. In Generation IV, if the choice is Set and the player's Pokémon is knocked out against a wild Pokémon, the player will be forced to send out his or her next Pokémon without being given the option to immediately escape. |
| - | Sound | This setting controls the audio output of the game. | Gen IV & V: Mono Stereo Gen II-III: Mono Stereo Yellow: Mono Earphone1 Earphone2 Earphone3 |
This setting was removed starting in Generation VI due to the games now using the handheld's system settings.
Yellow's Earphone1 option is the equivalent to Stereo in later games. Earphone2 and Earphone3 instead focus the audio to the left and right earphones, respectively. |
| This setting controls the contrast of prints through the Game Boy Printer. | Normal Darker Darkest Lightest Lighter |
It is absent from the Korean versions of Gold and Silver. | ||
| Gen II | Menu Account | This setting controls whether or not descriptions appear for the menu functions. | On Off |
|
| - | Frame | This setting controls the appearance of the border around text boxes. | Refer to the gallery of frames. | Every game uses its respective "Type 1" frame as the default. |
| Gen III+ (except Gen V) | Button Mode | This setting controls the behavior of the handheld's buttons used by the game. | RSE: Normal LR L=A FRLG: Help L=A DPPt: Normal START=X L=A HGSS: Normal L=A XY & ORAS: Default L=A No LR Button |
In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, "Normal" restricts the player to only the A and B buttons, while LR allows using the L and R buttons to switch between certain menus, such as Bag pockets or Pokémon Storage System boxes. The L=A option remaps the A button to the L button.
In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, "Help" replaces "Normal" since pressing the L or R buttons opens the help menu, which contains essential tips about the game for the player. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, LR is replaced with START=X, wherein the player can use the START button instead of the X button to open the menu. START=X was removed in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. All Generation IV games lack the equivalent to LR. In the Generation VI games, "Normal" (now "Default") allows the L and R buttons to be used to switch between the Player Search System, Pokémon-Amie, and Super Training menus. L=A also returns and a new third option called "No L/R Button" is added, which disables the L and R buttons entirely. |
| ConfirmDP ClosePt |
An option to save the changes to the settings. | In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, pressing the B button does not save the changes but this was altered in Pokémon Platinum so that the player is prompted to confirm them. | ||
| Gen V+ (Japanese only) | In kana-only mode: もじモード In kanji mode: 文字モード (character mode) |
This setting controls whether the game displays only kana or also kanji. | In kana-only mode: ひらがな (hiragana) かんじ (kanji) In kanji mode: ひらがな (hiragana) 漢字 (kanji) |
This is also the first thing to be set right after starting a new game on the title screen menu. |
| Gen V | Save before IR | This setting controls whether the game is saved or not before C-Gear enables infrared connectivity. | Save Don't Save |
|
| Battle BG | This setting controls the appearance of the background behind the choices on the touch screen during battles, a graphical element first introduced in Generation IV. | Refer to the gallery of battle backgrounds. | The standard background is "Default". | |
| Gen VI | Forced Save | This setting controls whether the game is saved or not before Player Search System battles and "other communication features". | Save Don't Save |
Gallery
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Pokémon X and Y |
- Pokemon RB Options.png
Red and Blue
- Pokemon Yellow Options.png
Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
- Pokémon RS Options.png
Ruby and Sapphire
Emerald
FireRed and LeafGreen
Diamond and Pearl
- Platinum options.png
Platinum
- Pokemon HGSS Options.png
HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Pokemon BW Options.png
Black and White
- Pokemon B2W2 Options.png
Black 2 and White 2
- Omega Ruby options.png
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
