Options

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TheOptions (Japanese:設定options) screen, displayed asOption prior toGeneration IV and asSettings inPokémon Legends: Arceus andPokémon Legends: Z-A, is the interface for managing 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 themenu. FromPokémon Red and Green toPokémon Emerald, it can also be accessed from themain menu, but it is not possible to do this inPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and in any game fromPokémon Diamond and Pearl onwards.

InPokémon Platinum, descriptions of the options similar to those ofitems andmoves were added. They were absent inPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver but were reinstated inPokémon Black and White and have remained in subsequent games.

In the core series games

Underlined options represent the default settings.

GamesSettingExplanationOptionsNotes
All gamesText SpeedThis setting controls the display speed of the text box.Slow
Normal
Fast
"Normal" was called "Medium" prior toGeneration VI.

"Fast" is the default inPokémon Legends: Arceus.

RB-BDSPBattle EffectsThis setting controls the appearance of certain graphical elements duringbattles, such asmove animations,status conditions, andweather.On
Off
Called Battle Scene from Generation II to IV, Animation inPokémon Yellow, and Battle Animation inPokémon Red and Blue.

InGeneration I, the battle effects are displayed during theChampion battle against therival even if this feature is turned off.

RB-BDSPBattle StyleThis setting controls whether or not the player is asked torecall theirPokémon whenever the opponent sends out their next Pokémon.Switch
Set
"Switch" was called "Shift" prior toGeneration VI.

Set is always used in aDouble,Triple,Multi, orRotation Battle, as well as in designated battle facilities (such as theBattle Frontier or theBattle Tree) or multiplayer battles.

InGeneration IV, if the choice is Set and the player's Pokémon is knocked out against awild Pokémon, the player will be forced to send out their next Pokémon without being given the option to immediatelyescape.

The player can switch Pokémon even if the player's Pokémon would normally be unable to switch out, such as by being locked into a multi-turn move likePetal Dance.

InPokémon Legends: Arceus, the Battle Style is locked to "Set". InPokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Battle Style is locked to "Shift".

Y-B2W2SoundThis setting controls the audio output of the game.DP-B2W2:
Mono
Stereo

GS-FRLG:
Mono
Stereo

Yellow:
Mono
Earphone1
Earphone2
Earphone3
This setting was removed starting inGeneration 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.

YGSCPrintThis setting controls the contrast ofprints.Normal
Darker
Darkest
Lightest
Lighter
It is absent from the Korean versions of Gold and Silver since theprint feature was removed.
GSCMenu AccountThis setting controls whether descriptions appear for themenu entries.On
Off
GS-HGSS,BDSPFrameThis setting controls the appearance of the border around text boxes.Refer to thegallery of frames.The option is named "Change Window" inPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and appears between Text Speed and Battle Effects.

Every game uses its respective "Type 1" frame as the default.

InDiamond and Pearl only, the game's name is shown inside the frame.

RS-USUM (exceptBWB2W2)Button ModeThis setting controls the behavior of the handheld's buttons used by the game.RSE:
Normal
LR
L=A

FRLG:
Help
LR
L=A

DPPt:
Normal
START=X
L=A

HGSS:
Normal
L=A

XY & ORAS:
Default
L=A
No LR Button

SMUSUM:
Default
L=A
InPokémon Ruby, Sapphire, andEmerald, "Normal" restricts the player to only the A and B buttons, while LR allows using the L and R buttons to switch between certain screens, such asBag pockets orPokémon Storage System boxes. The L=A option maps the L button to the same functions as the A button.

InPokémon Diamond, Pearl, andPlatinum, LR is replaced with START=X, wherein the player can use the START button instead of the X button to open themenu. START=X was removed inPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, while the L and R buttons by default allow players to navigate the menu.

In theGeneration VI games, "Normal" (now "Default") allows the L and R buttons to be used to switch between thePlayer Search System,Pokémon-Amie, andSuper Training screens. L=A also returns and a new third option called "No LR Button" is added, which disables the L and R buttons entirely. The latter was removed inGeneration VII.

DPPtConfirmDP
ClosePt
An option to save the changes to the settings.InPokémon Diamond and Pearl, pressing the B button does not save the changes but this was altered inPokémon Platinum so that the player is prompted to confirm them.
BW+ (Japanese only)Characters

In hiragana mode:
もじモード
In kanji mode:
文字モード
This setting controls whether the game displays onlykana or alsokanji.Hiragana
ひらがな

Kanji
In hiragana mode:
かんじ
In kanji mode:
漢字
This is also the first thing to be set right after starting a new game on themain menu, aside fromPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
BWB2W2Save before IRThis setting controls whether the game issaved or not beforeC-Gear enablesinfrared connectivity.Save
Don't Save
XYBattle BGThis setting controls the appearance of the background behind the choices on the touch screen duringbattles, a graphical element first introduced inGeneration IV.Refer to thegallery of battle backgrounds.The standard background is "Default".
XYORASForced SaveThis setting controls whether the game issaved or not beforePlayer Search Systembattles and "other communication features".Save
Don't Save
SVSkip Move LearningIf off, the player will automatically be prompted to teach new moves on level-up. If on, the player must manually teach new moves from the party menu.Off
On
If a Pokémon gains a level during aLet's Go! Auto Battle and it would learn a move, the player will not be interrupted with a prompt even if this setting is off, and the player must still manually teach the new move from the party menu.
SM-SV (exceptPE andLA)Send to BoxesThis setting controls whether a prompt will appear to select a destination when a Pokémon is obtained while theparty is full.Manual
Automatic
Called "Party/Box" in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
PEOpenPokémon GO SettingsAllows the player to sync their save file to a Pokémon GO accountN/A
PEOpen Controller SettingsAllows the player to change the method of control they are using.N/A
SwSh-SV (exceptLA)Give NicknamesYou can choose whether you wish to give a nickname to a Pokémon.On
Off
The options are named "Give" and "Don't give" inGeneration VIII.
SwSh-BDSPGyroscopeEnables/disables the gyroscope. InPokémon Sword and Shield, this affects camera controls inPokémon Camp. InPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, this only[citation needed] affects thecry option in the Pokédex.[1]Use
Don't use
InPokémon Legends: Arceus, the gyroscope can be enabled or disabled using the Motion Sensitivity option.
SwSh-ZA (exceptBDSP)Vertical Camera ControlsIf regular is selected, pressing up/down on the right control stick will cause the camera to look up/down (thus moving the background down/up).Regular
Inverted
SwSh-ZA (exceptBDSP)Horizontal Camera ControlsIf regular is selected, pressing left/right on the right control stick will cause the camera to look left/right (thus moving the background right/left).Regular
Inverted
LA,ZACamera SensitivityA higher sensitivity causes the camera angle to change more in response to a right control stick movement.1–5The default is 3.
LAMotion SensitivityIf 0, the gyroscope is turned off. Otherwise, affects how far the camera angles in response to controller motion when preparing to throw a Poké Ball in the overworld.0–3The default is 0.
SVCamera SupportIf on, the camera auto-rotates toward the player's direction of motion if the player does not move directly forward.On
Off
Added in v2.0.1.
SVCamera Interpolation"You can slow the interpolation speed when the camera makes sudden, large movements."Normal
Slow
Added in v2.0.1. It is unconfirmed when specifically this occurs.[citation needed]
SVCamera DistanceAffects the distance between the camera and the player character. Far-away objects are unaffected.Close
Normal
Far
Added in v2.0.1. Previously, the player could use the Right Stick on the overworld to toggle between the equivalents of Close and Normal. The Right Stick can still be used and now toggles between the three options, but it will not sync with this setting. (For example, if the player changes this setting to Close and then presses the Right Stick twice to make the camera distance the equivalent of Far, then it will revert to Close if the player returns to the Options menu and saves their settings, or if the player closes and reopens the game.)
SwSh+AutosaveThe game autosaves when leaving or entering a building or area, or at the end of a battle.[citation needed]On
Off
The options are named "Enabled" and "Disabled" inPokémon Legends: Arceus.
SwShCasual ControlsEnables one-handed controls by mapping the left stick to the right stick, mapping the ABXY face buttons to the D-Pad, and mapping R to L.On
Off
As a consequence, the camera can no longer be manually rotated (including with L) or zoomed in places that support it, and the D-Pad cannot be used to navigate in menus. Toggling this takes effect immediately, even while the player is still inside the Options menu.
SwSh-SV (exceptLA)Show NicknamesIf off, the player's Pokémon's nicknames will not be shown during Link Battles.Show
Don't show
PE-SwSh,SVSkip CutscenesIf turned on, allows the player to skip pre-rendered cutscenes.On
Off
InPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the option is named "Movie Skipping" and the player may skip certain cutscenes by pressing the + or - button on the Joy-Con.
InPokémon Sword and Shield, the option is named "Skip Movies". From Sword and Shield onward, all cutscenes affected by this option will be automatically skipped, and if this option is turned on before the player has completed the game, the game will prompt the player for an extra confirmation, stating that the player may miss parts of the story.
LAHUD TogglingIf enabled, pressing in the right control stick will hide/show the HUD on the overworld (including button prompts, objective markers, and pins).Enabled
Disabled
If the HUD is hidden and then the option is disabled, the HUD will immediately switch back to shown.
LAZR Button ConfirmationIf enabled, pressing ZR in battle will first display a confirmation message. If disabled, pressing ZR will immediately throw the selected item or switch to the selected party member.Enabled
Disabled
PE+Background MusicChanges the volume of the background music. The highest is full volume, while 0 is mute.0–5PE
0–10SwSh+
InPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the default is 5. InPokémon Sword and Shield andPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the default is 8. In Sword and Shield, these options only appear after obtaining theHi-tech Earbuds. InPokémon Legends: Arceus, the default is 7. InPokémon Scarlet and Violet andPokémon Legends: Z-A, the default is 10.
Sound EffectsChanges the volume of sound effects aside fromPokémoncries. The highest is full volume, while 0 is mute.
Pokémon CriesChanges the volume ofPokémoncries. The highest is full volume, while 0 is mute.
LADynamic RangeAdjusts the ratio between the loudest and quietest sounds.Narrow
Wide
PE,SV-ZAController RumbleTurns the HD Rumble of theNintendo Switch Joy-Con andPoké Ball PlusPE on and off.PE & SV:
On
Off

ZA:
Enable
Disable
InPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the option is named "Vibration" and appears after Open Controller Settings.
SVHelping FunctionsIf on and the player falls from a height, the game will display a background prompt at the bottom of the screen. If the player presses Y while this prompt is up, they will be returned to where they fell from.On
Off
ZAMinimap RotationThis setting controls whether the minimap will rotate to match the player's camera's direction. Fixed will lock north to be always oriented at the top of the minimap.Fixed
Rotate

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team

Outside a dungeon
SettingOptionsNotes
WindowsBlue
Red
Green
Changes the color of the body of the window.
ControlsBGBA
DS
Changes what buttons do, in GBA mode it will operate exactly like in Red Rescue Team, in DS mode X can be used to open the menu instead of just B, and Y can be used to change direction without moving instead of Start.
Touch ScreenBOff
On
Enabling this activates the touch screen.
Top screenBMap
Team
Changes what will be displayed on the top screen, choosing Map makes a map show on the top screen, choosing Team makes the top screen show the name (species), level, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense of each member in the team.
Inside a dungeon
SettingOptionsNotes
DungeonSpeedSlow
Fast
Changes how fast turns pass, in Slow mode it takes about one second to move one tile, in Fast mode it takes a half second.
Far-off palsSelf
Look
Changes whether the camera will change focus from the leader to a far-off team member when they're being attacked or not.
Damage turnNo
Yes
Enabling this makes the leader face towards the first attacking enemy each turn.
GridsNo
Yes
Enabling this makes the grid show holding YB/pressing RR.
MapROff
Clear
Shade
Changes whether a clear or a shaded map or no map at all shall be displayed on the screen.
Display modeBA: Top screen: Team data Bottom screen: No map
B: Top screen: Team data Bottom screen: Clear map
C: Top screen: Team data Bottom screen: Shaded map
D: Top screen: Message log Bottom screen: No map
E: Top screen: Message log Bottom screen: Clear map
F: Top screen: Message log Bottom screen: Shaded map
G: Top screen: Map and team Bottom screen: No map
Changes whether team data, the message log, or a map and team data will be displayed on the top screen, and a clear or a shaded map or no map at all on the bottom screen.
OthersWindowsBlue
Red
Green
Changes the color of the body of the window.
ControlsBGBA
DS
Changes what buttons do, for instance, X and fastpressing B opens up the menu in DS mode, in GBA mode only fastpressing B opens up the menu. Inside of dungeons holding Y show the grid in DS mode whereas in GBA mode this function is replaced by pressing R.
Touch ScreenBOff
On
Activates the touch screen.
DefaultSets the settings to default.

Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

SettingOptionsNotes
Touch ScreenOff
Menu only
Use anywhere
Changes whether the Touch Screen will be used or not and where.
Top screenControls
Team stats
Text log
Map and team
JobS
Changes what will be displayed on the top screen.
Controls will display a sign describing what the different buttons do.
Team stats will display the team, each member's portrait, name, gender, level, and HP.
Text log will display the message log.
Map and team will display the wonder map outside of a dungeon and the map of the dungeon as well as the team member's name, level, and HP.
Job will display the Job List.
Bottom screenNo map
Clear map
Shaded map
Changes whether a clear or a shaded map or no map at all shall be displayed on the bottom screen.
GridsOff
On
Enabling this makes the grid show when pressing Y.
SpeedRegular
Fast
Changes how fast turns pass, in Regular mode it takes about one second to move one tile, in Fast mode it takes a half second.
Far-off palsSelf
Look
Changes whether the camera will change focus from the leader to a far-off team member when they're being attacked or not.
Damage turnNo
Yes
Enabling this makes the leader face towards the first attacking enemy each turn.
D-Pad attackOff
On
Enabling this makes the player attack enemies/interact with their team members by standing next to them and pressing the D-Pad in their direction.
Check directionOff
On
Enabling this makes the game ask the player each time they choose to attack or throw an item which direction they wish to attack/throw (pressing A results in the direction the leader is facing).

Gates to Infinity

SettingOptionsDescriptionNotes
WindowType 1 - 6It changes the window appearance.Changes the windows.
BGM Volume0 - 5It changes the music volume.Changes the volume of the background music.
SE Volume0 - 5It changes the volume of sound effects.Changes the volume of sound effects.
GridsOff
On
It changes when the grids are shown.Enabling this makes the grid show.
SpeedRegular
Fast
It changes your walking speed.Changes how fast turns pass. In Fast mode one can walk five tiles in one second, in regular one can walk two tiles in one second.
Far-Off AlliesSelf
Look
It changes whether or not you'll see far-off teammates when something happens to them.Changes whether the camera will change focus from the leader to a far-off team member when they're being attacked or not.
Damage TurnNo
Yes
It changes whether or not you turn around when attacked.Enabling this makes the leader face towards the first attacking enemy each turn.
Top Screen MapNo
Yes
It changes whether or not you see the map on the top screen.Enabling this makes a map show on the top screen.
Y Skip Move EffectsNo
Yes
Visual effects of moves are skipped whileY is held down.Enabling this makes battle animations not show while Y is held down.

Super Mystery Dungeon

SettingOptionsDescriptionNotes
WindowType 1 - 6It changes the window appearance.Changes the windows.
BGM Volume0 - 5It changes the music volume.Changes the volume of the background music.
SE Volume0 - 5It changes the volume of sound effects.Changes the volume of sound effects.
GridsOff
On
It changes when the grids are shownEnabling this makes the grid show.
SpeedRegular
Fast
It changes your walking speed.Changes how fast turns pass. In Fast mode one can walk five tiles in one second, in regular one can walk two tiles in one second.
Use Recovery ItemsNo
Yes
It changes whether Pokémon use recovery items by themselves when their HP is low.Enabling this makes Pokémon use recovery items by themselves when their HP is low.
Damage TurnNo
Yes
It changes whether or not you turn around when attacked.Enabling this makes the leader face towards the first attacking enemy each turn.
Top Screen MapNo
Yes
It changes whether or not you see the map on the top screen.Enabling this makes a map show on the top screen.
Camera effectOff
On
It change whether the camera zooms when a move results in a critical hit and focuses on faraway teammates.Enabling this makes the camera zoom in on the leader when they strike a critical hit and on team members when they are hit by moves or attacks another Pokémon.

Pokémon Ranger series

There are no options in Guardian Signs.

SettingOptionsNotes
Text SpeedSlow
Mid
Fast
Changes how fast the text is displayed. In Shadows of Almia the options are one, two, and three arrows instead.
WindowsType01 - Type10Changes between ten window frames. In Shadows of Almia the options are pictures of the frames instead and are only eight.

Pokémon Rumble series

There are no options in Pokémon Rumble Blast.

Pokémon Rumble World

SettingOptionsNotes
Attack ControlAutomatic Attack
Manual Attack
Changes whether the player attacks automatically or manually.
Communication SettingsStreetPass
SpotPass
Activates or deactivates StreetPass and SpotPass.
CreditsPlays thecredits.

Pokémon Trozei series

SettingOptionsDescriptionNotes
NicknameEditYour nickname in PokémonTrozei! may be edited.
The DS system's user name will not change.
Allows the player to change their in-game nickname.
Gender

Secret
What is your gender?
If you don't want to reveal it, select secret.
Allows the player to change their in-game gender.
MessageEditYou may edit the message that appears on your Agent Card. The DS system's user message won't change.Changes the message displayed on the Agent Card.
Writing HandLeft
Right
With which hand do you write?
The game screen's layout will be changed to suit you.
Changes on which side on the screen the layout will be. Left makes right and Right makes left.
PicoChast SearchYes
No
While you are playing the game, do you want to use Wireless Communication to search for friends using PictoChat?Changes whether the game will search for other players using wireless communication while playing using PictoChat or not.
Resetting the AdventureResetThe Link Adventure can be reset to play the story from the start. Your Prize Coins, Link List, and Ranking Stats data will be retained.Restarts the adventure.
Delete Ranking StatsDelete Selected Data
Reset Records
The Ranking Stats data can be deleted individually or reset entirely. Your current personal records will not be deleted.Deletes the Ranking Stats data individually or all together.

Pokémon Trading Card Game series

InPokémon Trading Card Game andPokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, all options are automaticallysaved, even if the player did not save the game as usual by using the "Diary" command.

TCG GB1TCG GB2SettingOptionsNotes
Message speed1 23 4 5This value goes from 1 (slow) to 5 (fast).
Duel animationShow all
Skip some
None
Coin toss animationShow all
Skip some
The options "Coin toss animation" and "Window color" are only shown in a Japanese-only game,
so the English text shown here is a fan translation.
Window colorRed
Blue
Green
Gray
LanguageEnglish
Deutsch (German)
Français (French)
Español (Spanish)
Italiano (Italian)
This is shown in the European versions only: one version has English, German, and French, and the other has English, Spanish, and Italian.
The languages are not translated in the menu, so for instance just "Deutsch" is shown, not "German".

Pokémon Dash

SettingNotes
SlideSwitches between Normal and Reverse play style.
Save DataAllows the player to delete their saved data.

Pokémon Art Academy

SettingOptionsNotes
Sound SettingsMusic
Interface Sound
Tool Sounds
Turns on or off the in-game music, interface sounds, or tool sounds.
Button ControlsLeft
Right
Changes the interface to fit left or righthanded respectively.
SpotPass SettingsNotificationsChanges whether the player will receive SpotPass notification for this game or not.
Clear User DataDon't Clear
Clear Data
Deletes the game data.
View CreditsPlays thecredits.

Pokémon GO

This section contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while.
Please check the content of this section and update it as required.
Reason: info on new settings; many have been added in addition to the ones below.
SettingOptionsNotes
Music0 - 10Adjusts the volume of the music in the game. 10 is full volume, while 0 is mute.
Sound Effects0 - 10Adjusts the volume of the sound effects in the game. 10 is full volume, while 0 is mute.
VibrationOn/offTurns on or off the vibrations in the game.
Battery SaverOn/offEnables the Battery Saver, which blackens and disables the screen when the user's device is turned upside down.
Email me events, offers, and updates.On/offEnabling this allows Niantic to send Pokémon GO-related events, promotions, offers, and news updates to the e-mail address connected to the account.
Pokémon's ReturnOn/offEnables push notifications for when Pokémon return fromGyms.

Gallery

Game Boy and Game Boy Color

RBYGSC

Game Boy Advance

RSEFRLG

Nintendo DS

DPPtHGSS
BWB2W2

Nintendo 3DS

XYORASSMUSUM

Nintendo Switch

LGPESwSh
BDSPLA

SVZA

Trivia

  • Data exists in the Japanese versions of theGeneration V games for an additional option calledWireless (Japanese:無線) with the description "You can choose to turn constant wireless communication either ON or OFF." (Japanese:常時 無線で 通信するか ONOFFが べます); it was apparently removed in favor of the power button in theC-Gear.
  • In the English localization ofPokémon Sword and Shield andPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, changing any setting and pressing B to exit displays the erroneous message "Would like to save these settings?". The correct message, "Wouldyou like to save these settings?", is displayed when pressing A instead.

In other languages

LanguageTitle
ChineseCantonese設定Chitdihng
Mandarin設定Shèdìng*
设置Shèzhì*
DanishIndstillinger
DutchInstellinge
FinnishAsetukset
FrenchOptions
GermanEinstellungen
ItalianOpzioni
Korean설정Seoljeong
NorwegianInnstillinger
PortugueseBrazilConfigurações
PortugalOpções
RussianНастройкиNastroyki
SpanishOpciones
SwedishInställningar

References

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This game mechanic article is part ofProject Games, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on thePokémon games.