Generation II
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Thesecond generation (Japanese:第二世代second generation;ポケットモンスター金・銀シリーズPocket Monsters Gold and Silver Series) of Pokémon games, referred to as theGold & Silver series inPokémon Crystal's box blurb and instruction manual, and commonly referred to by fans asGeneration II, is the second set ofPokémon games released, and a sequel to the games ofGeneration I.
Thisgeneration started withPokémon Gold and Silver, which were later followed byPokémon Crystal. It also includes theside gamePokémon Stadium 2.
Terminology
The Japanese name 「ポケットモンスター金・銀シリーズ」 (Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver Series) has been used in the pokemon.co.jp website, referring to the gamesPokémon Gold and Silver,Crystal, andStadium 2.[1][2][3]
The manual of Pokémon Crystal states that this game is part of theGold & Silver series.
History
Generation II began the Pokémon series' expansion-focused nature, introducing to the world100 new Pokémon which did not exist and are unable to be obtained in the Generation I games, and the new region ofJohto. Many of these Pokémon expand theEvolution families of older Pokémon, while a majority of them are brand-new evolutionary lines.
The initial hint that Generation II was on its way came in early 1997, with the release of theanimated series'sfirst episode. A Pokémon appears toAsh Ketchum on the first day of his journey, shortly after he andPikachu become friends, that cannot be identified by thePokédex; this Pokémon, later revealed to be the Legendarymascot of Gold Version,Ho-Oh, was the first Pokémon from a future generation to debut in the animated series. The games, initially named "Pocket Monsters 2", were set for release in late 1997, but were pushed back to 1999 with the intention to redevelop the games to work with theGame Boy Color better.
Details in the games indicate that the storyline of the Generation II games occurs three years after the one inGeneration I andGeneration III, while the storyline of theSinnoh-basedGeneration IV games indicate that they occur contemporaneously to Generation II as Generation I does to Generation III.
Advances in gameplay
In addition to retaining the system from Generation I in almost every aspect, several key innovations were made to the series, most of which have been retained in every generation since.
Major additions
- The introduction of100 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 251. Several areevolved forms of orpre-Evolutions ofGeneration I Pokémon, while others are their own evolutionary lines.
- The addition of86 new moves, bringing the total to 251 as well.
- The addition of two newtypes, theDark andSteel types, which balance thePsychic andFighting types.
- A new region to explore,Johto, in addition tothe Generation I region, with the latter accessible after theElite Four have been defeated. Johto has its own set of eight newGyms andGym Leaders to defeat, while the Elite Four have changed since Generation I.
- Pokémon have determinablegenders, and two Pokémon of opposite genders maybreed if they share anEgg Group.
- ThePokémon Storage System can store more Pokémon than it could in Generation I and now includes the ability to move Pokémon directly between Boxes.
- A newplayer character,Ethan.
- Seven new types ofPoké Balls, made fromApricorns found in Johto.
- A built-in clock, allowing for in-game events to be affected by thetime of day and thedays of the week.
- Shiny Pokémon, alternate-color Pokémon which sparkle when brought into battle.
- Baby Pokémon, most of them pre-evolved forms of Generation I Pokémon.
- Friendship, introduced inPokémon Yellow, becomes a stat used by all Pokémon.
- Pokémon can nowhold items and use them in battle.
- A specialPokémon virus is introduced that boosts stats.
- Roaming Pokémon are introduced.
Major alterations from Generation I
- Critical hits now take stat stages into account when calculating damage, only ignoring the target's increased defenses and the user's lowered offenses.
- A change in the types of four moves:Gust,Sand-Attack,Karate Chop, andBite. All formerlyNormal-type, they are nowFlying,Ground,Fighting, andDark, respectively.
- The addition ofSteel as a secondary type forMagnemite andMagneton.
- An improvedstat system, with the former Special stat being split into Special Attack and Special Defense.
- In-game opponents now havePP like players.
- Although still classified as a Normal type move,Struggle now deals typeless damage.
- TheBag is no longer one 20-item container, but has four separate sections for different items: Normal items,Poké Balls,TMs andHMs, andKey Items.
- Hidden moves can now be used by interacting with the relevantobstacle (e.g. interacting with water forSurf), in addition to the previous method of selecting the move via theparty menu.
- A Key Item can be set to and then subsequently accessed with the select button, enabling its use without menu navigation.
- When an opponentPokémon Trainer encounters the player and challenges them, the player now turns to look at the Trainer.
- The held itemExp. Share replaces the Exp. All.
- In the previous generation, a Pokémon could gain enoughexperience through the defeat of a single Pokémon to increase its level by more than one, thus missing out on the opportunity to learn moves it could have learned in the levels between. From this generation onwards, if a Pokémon is currently in battle, it levels up multiple times if it gains enough experience to do so, and may learn moves at all levels at which it is eligible to do so. While other Pokémon may increase their level by more than one, the player will still be prompted to teach the Pokémon moves that it would be eligible to learn at intermediate levels.
- TheTown Map is no longer aKey Item; instead, it is available as a feature of an electronic device, thePokégear, which also has cell phone and radio capabilities.
- The way the game handles color on the world map has been improved. Overworld sprites such as thesurfing Pikachu no longer change their palettes when moving between areas.
- Thetype chart has changed from Generation I:
Attacking type Defending type Old effectiveness New effectiveness Bug Poison Super effective Not very effective Poison Bug Super effective Normal effectiveness Ghost Psychic Immune Super effective Ice Fire Normal effectiveness Not very effective
Character names
- Red,Blue, andDaisy had their definitive names revealed in Generation II.
- In Generation I games, the player (Red) and the rival (Blue) could be named by the player. In the Japanese manuals of Generation I games, they had multiple possible names referencing game titles.
- In Generation I games, Daisy was unnamed and simply referred to as the rival's sister.
- The words "Grunt" and "Executive", referring toTeam Rocket ranks, were introduced in this generation.
- In Generation I, the Team Rocket members were simply known as "Rocket". In this generation, each is them is known as a "Rocket Grunt". InGeneration III, this was expanded to "Team Rocket Grunt".
- In some later generations, "Executive" is known as "Admin" instead.
- OpponentPokémon Trainers are given individual names.
Further additions inPokémon Crystal
- A female choice for the player,Kris.
- Animations for all Pokémon when encountered or when sent from their Poké Balls.
- ABattle Tower.
- AMove Tutor, outside theGoldenrod City'sGame Corner.
- Online capabilities of battle, trade and group, through theMobile System GB.
- Anevent, with the Celebi encounter involving a subplot from theMobile System GB.
- Anevent item, with theGS Ball needed in order to catch Celebi.
- Event Pokémon caught instead of being obtained by trade.
- Special battle music when encountering theLegendary beasts in the wild.
- Incorporation ofLegendary Pokémon into the plot.
Regions
Johto
- Main article:Johto
Generation II introduced a new region to the Pokémon universe, Johto, located directly west of the Kanto region featured in Generation I. Johto's culture is notably more old-fashioned than Kanto's, especially in the more rural areas, which are more plentiful than in Kanto. Like Kanto, it has a sea to the south and mountains to the north.
First partner Pokémon
Thefirst partner Pokémon introduced in Generation II follow the sameGrass-Fire-Water alignment as those of Kanto. Despite this, they are not the same trio as in Generation I. Instead,Professor Elm offersChikorita,Cyndaquil, orTotodile to the player as protection on an errand toMr. Pokémon's house onRoute 30.
Unlike other generations, where the first Gym is strong against the Fire-type and weak to Grass and Water, in this generation, the first Gym is strong against Grass, while Fire and Water both have an opening. Also, Pokémon available can cover for the weaknesses of the first partner types very early on in the game, unlike in Generation I.
 Chikorita |  Cyndaquil |  Totodile | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass | Fire | Water | |||
 | Bayleef |  | Quilava |  | Croconaw |
| Grass | Fire | Water | |||
 | Meganium |  | Typhlosion |  | Feraligatr |
| Grass | Fire | Water | |||
Gym Leaders
Johto'sGym Leaders specialize in types different from Kanto's Gym Leaders, with eight of the nine types not covered by Kanto being the specialty types of these Gyms. Like Kanto, these Gym Leaders will give outBadges andTMs on their defeat.
| Johto League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation II | Region:Johto | ||
| Gym Leader Japanese | Location Japanese | Type | Badge |
 Falkner ハヤト Hayato | Violet City キキョウシティ Kikyō City | Flying |  Zephyr Badge |
 Bugsy ツクシ Tsukushi | Azalea Town ヒワダタウン Hiwada Town | Bug |  Hive Badge |
 Whitney アカネ Akane | Goldenrod City コガネシティ Kogane City | Normal |  Plain Badge |
 Morty マツバ Matsuba | Ecruteak City エンジュシティ Enju City | Ghost |  Fog Badge |
 Chuck シジマ Shijima | Cianwood City タンバシティ Tanba City | Fighting |  Storm Badge |
 Jasmine ミカン Mikan | Olivine City アサギシティ Asagi City | Steel |  Mineral Badge |
 Pryce ヤナギ Yanagi | Mahogany Town チョウジタウン Chōji Town | Ice |  Glacier Badge |
 Clair イブキ Ibuki | Blackthorn City フスベシティ Fusube City | Dragon |  Rising Badge |
Kanto
- Main article:Kanto
Unlike later games in the series, the Generation II games offer the player the chance, once Johto's Gyms are conquered and the Elite Four is defeated, to return to the Kanto region where theGeneration I games are set. Here, players will find that many things have changed over the past three years.
Gym Leaders
Unlike in Generation I, the Gym Leaders of Generation II Kanto will for the most part not give away TMs; onlyJanine andErika do this.
| Indigo League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation II | Region:Kanto | ||
| Gym Leader Japanese | Location Japanese | Type | Badge |
 Brock タケシ Takeshi | Pewter City ニビシティ Nibi City | Rock |  Boulder Badge |
 Misty カスミ Kasumi | Cerulean City ハナダシティ Hanada City | Water |  Cascade Badge |
 Lt. Surge マチス Matisse | Vermilion City クチバシティ Kuchiba City | Electric |  Thunder Badge |
 Erika エリカ Erika | Celadon City タマムシシティ Tamamushi City | Grass |  Rainbow Badge |
 Janine アンズ Anzu | Fuchsia City セキチクシティ Sekichiku City | Poison |  Soul Badge |
 Sabrina ナツメ Natsume | Saffron City ヤマブキシティ Yamabuki City | Psychic |  Marsh Badge |
 Blaine カツラ Katsura | Cinnabar Island グレンじま Guren Island | Fire |  Volcano Badge |
 Blue グリーン Green | Viridian City トキワシティ Tokiwa City | Various |  Earth Badge |
Johto thematic motif
The second generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards mythology and tradition.
This was the first installment that put emphasis onLegendary Pokémon being actual legends in-game, in contrast toMewtwo and thelegendary birds of Generation I.Ecruteak City fleshed out the legends ofHo-Oh andthe three beasts, their relationship with one another, and the story behind their departure (theBurned Tower). Lugia was also glimpsed by an elderly man in Ecruteak City, and others, who stated it looked like a dragon in the sky. Even the uncatchableCelebi was mentioned as the "Forest's Protector" at the shrine inIlex Forest.
TheKimono Girls upheld ancient tradition in both battling Pokémon and dancing. The buildings in both Ecruteak City andViolet City have an older structure to them as well. Kurt offered a more traditional means of creating Poké Balls viaApricorns which proved variably superior to manufactured Poké Balls.
Reception
Pokémon Gold and Silver were among the most-hyped games in the Pokémon franchise, with the innovations introduced in them becoming staples of the series. The later-releasedPokémon Crystal began the series' focus onLegendary Pokémon of the regions in which the games take place, first bringing them into the plot of the game. Due to these improvements, Generation II is highly acclaimed among long-time fans. Unlike future games, Generation II stood as an extension and a sequel of Generation I, and has been criticized by some for this.
Like Generation I's games, the popularity of the Generation II games proved great enough thatremakes were made duringGeneration IV as sequels toPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Another reason why remakes were made was the fact that the original versions are incompatible withGeneration III and onward.
Title screens
 | The picture used in this section is unsatisfactory. Please feel free to replace it so it conforms to Bulbapedia conventions. Reason: Replace with APNGs if and when appropriate |
This section excludes the unusedSuper Game Boy mode ofPokémon Crystal and the Korean versions ofPokémon Gold and Silver since proper support forGame Boy mode is absent.
On theNintendo 3DSVirtual Console releases of the Japanese and Western versions of Pokémon Gold and Silver,Game Boy Color mode is enforced.
English title screens
Game Boy andGame Boy Color
| Pokémon Gold Game Boy | Pokémon Silver Game Boy | Pokémon Gold Game Boy Color | Pokémon Silver Game Boy Color | Pokémon Crystal Game Boy Color |
 |  |  |  |  |
Super Game Boy,Super Game Boy 2, andGame Boy Tower
On the Game Boy Tower, the games are displayed similarly to how they appear on the Game Boy Color, but with an added border.
| Pokémon Gold Super Game Boy & Super Game Boy 2 | Pokémon Silver Super Game Boy & Super Game Boy 2 | Pokémon Gold Game Boy Tower | Pokémon Silver Game Boy Tower |
 |  |  |  |
Japanese title screens
Game Boy and Game Boy Color
| Pocket Monsters Gold Game Boy | Pocket Monsters Silver Game Boy | Pocket Monsters Gold Game Boy Color | Pocket Monsters Silver Game Boy Color | Pocket Monsters Crystal Game Boy Color |
 |  |  |  |  |
Super Game Boy, Super Game Boy 2, and Game Boy Tower
On the Game Boy Tower, the games are displayed similarly to how they appear on the Game Boy Color, but with an added border.
| Pocket Monsters Gold Super Game Boy & Super Game Boy 2 | Pocket Monsters Silver Super Game Boy & Super Game Boy 2 | Pocket Monsters Gold Game Boy Tower | Pocket Monsters Silver Game Boy Tower |
 |  |  |  |
Korean title screens
| Pocket Monsters Gold Game Boy Color | Pocket Monsters Silver Game Boy Color |
 |  |
Trivia
- Very few Pokémon in Generation II have the same front sprite across all three games.
- This is the smallest completedgeneration so far, with only sevengames and threecore series games, if thePokémon mini and arcade games aren't taken into consideration.
- This is the first generation to:
- Introduce anew named location andnew items in itsupper version.
- Introduce a pureGhost-type and a pureRock-type Pokémon.
- Not introduce any newFossils.
- Not feature aSafari Zone in any capacity.
- Not introduce a newmove with a charging turn.
- This is the only generation:
- To not introduce aDragon-typepseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Where all of itsfirst partner Pokémon are initially holding an item (in this case, aBerry).
- To not introduce aFire-type orWater-typetype expert.
- To feature a total number of moves equal to the total number of Pokémon at the time (251).
- To not introduce a newvillainous team.
- Where Pokémon cannot be transferred to thefollowing generation.
- To not introduce a newPokémon League.
- To allowtrading Pokémon with aprevious generation.
- This generation leaves the least extra space for Pokémon in theStorage System ifone of every species is caught. Only 280 Pokémon (270 in the Japanese versions due to differences in storage) may be obtained at once; there are 251 different Pokémon species available in this generation.
- This generation features the first core series game, Crystal, whose Japanese title is in katakana onlyand that uses an English word, rather than using the Japanese counterpart word in kanji. No game since has been named in kanji.
- Unlike in other generations, should the player use a glitch or cheat in a Generation II game to initiate a battle without a Pokémon, the fight will instantly end (and be treated as a victory in case of Trainer battles), instead of the player sending out aglitch Pokémon.
- This generation started the trend of featuring Legendary Pokémonon the boxart of the core series games, rather than first partner Pokémon or their final Evolutions.
- Because of the introduction of a completely new stat due to the special split, this generation had the most base stat changes between generations, as all 151Generation I Pokémon had their base stat total increased.
- Additionally, this generation arguably had the most base stat increases and decreases between generations, as the majority of Pokémon received a different value for their Special Attack and Special Defense, while some had both Special stats remain the same.
- This generation introduced the fewestPoison-type moves of all generations, with onlyone.
References
Related articles
 | This game-related article is part ofProject Games, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on thePokémon games. |
