Features/What's New:
Crystal is much like how Pokemon Yellow (Pikachu Edition) was for Red and Blue. Pokemon Crystal is an upgraded version of Gold & Silver, with some nice improvements. There won't be any new Pokémon because that would mess up the ability to play Crystal on Pokémon Stadium Gold, Silver & Crystal.
What is new however is pretty neat. For one, instead of playing as a male character, players will have the choice of playing as a male or a female character. Many female players will definitely like this addition that has been neglected to be put in any of the games.
In addition to the new trainer, there have been a lot of graphical improvements. Nothing to be amazed about, but it does add a little more improvement to an already great game. When you go into a battle, the opposing Pokemon will animate when it appears. Nothing that fancy, but it improves the previously still battle screens. Since the addition of these animations, you can expect to see Crystal as a Game Boy Color game only. Check out our PictureDex for Crystal animations. Also improved are the towns and houses. They look a lot better since Nintendo made this an Color ONLY game.
Now what exactly is this Mobile Adapter GB going to do for the game? Well the Mobile Adapter will let players link up their Game Boy through the game link port with a cellular phone. With this link up, players can now battle friends while being several houses if not cities away. This is the perfect addition since about everyone in Japan has a cell phone, and unlike here in the US, can afford it since it is a lot cheaper. However, since the cell phone craze hasn't hit the US as big as it has in Japan, Nintendo of American will most likely not release this feature in the US. Nintendo of America could possibly design a modem like add-on which would virtually do the same thing as a cell phone could, just not as mobile.
Other possibilities with the Mobile Adapter will let players to possibly access hard to get Pokémon characters through trading with friends, or possibly Nintendo officials. Perhaps those Shiny Pokémon won't be as hard to get now ;)
The Mobile Adapter is expected to come out in Japan in January 2001, and Pokémon Crystal has already been released in Japan on December 14, 2000. No other release dates have been set outside of Japan.
Pokémon Gold & Silver was released November 21, 1999 in Japan and has finally made it to North America and Australia on October 15, 2000. It has become a very popular game, because of its new features and additions.
So, what is new you ask? Well here is a list of some of the new features and additions:
Pokémon - 100 new Pokémon have been added to the lineup, and you can catch up to 221 Pokémon in each version by yourself!
Backpack - Your Backpack is divided into 4 different pockets separating your Pokéballs, Pokémon healing items, TMs & HMs, and important items.
Pokégear - Uses 'cards' to display information throughout the game. You start out with your Watch and Cell Phone. Then you can get a Map card, Radio Card, and Radio Upgrade (to listen to Kanto stations).
Types - Two new types, "Dark" and "Steel"
Evolutions - Pokémon from Red/Blue/Yellow (RBY) that have thought to stop evolution may evolve into something new. For example, Chansey evolves into Blissey. Also some Pokémon from RBY have pre-evolutions, like Pikachu and Jigglypuff.
Pokédex - The Pokédex has changed slightly, it is now black like the Pinball Pokédex, with Pokémon Area, Cry, and Print options. There's also 3 different ways you can sort the Pokédex, by the new Gold/Silver way, Numeric, or Alphabetical. Also, during wild battles you are to be sure you already have the Pokémon you are battling, because a Pokéball will appear above the wild Pokémon's health bar.
Stat Screens - When you view your Pokémon's stats you will get to look at three screens instead of two like in RBY. The first screen has your Pokémon's HP and EXP Points needed to gain a level. The second screen has your Pokémon's Attacks and Abilities and how much PP each one has. The third screen has your Pokémon's ID No., original Trainer, and its Attack, Defense, Hit Points, Speed, and Special totals.
Rival - Your Rival is even more evil than Gary ever was. Your Rival steals one of Professor Elm's remaining two Pokémon. You'll see him later in the game.
Eternal Clock - At the beginning, when you first start your game you have to set the clock according to what time it is in Real Life. Now when it is day-time in Real Life it will be day-time in your Game. So what? Well only certain Pokémon will appear in the morning, during the day, and during the night. So you'll have to play your game in the morning, during the day, and at night.
New Towns - You start in New Bark Town. All of the Gold & Silver towns are located West of the original RBY towns, which you can explore later in the game after beating it.
New Gym Leaders - The first Gym Leader you encounter is a bird trainer. His name is Falkner. The following Leaders are: Bugsy, Whitney, Morty, Chuck, Jasmine, Pryce and Clair. Also Koga has joined the Elite Four leaving his gym to his daughter.
Trading - This aspect of the game is even more important to get all of the Pokémon in Gold & Silver. Then instead of having Pokémon that evolve when traded like RBY, G&S has added a new twist where you must attach an item to the Pokémon to get it to evolve when traded. Not only must you trade between Gold & Silver to get some of the Pokémon, most rare Pokémon from Pokémon RBY are not in G&S so you must specially transfer them...
Time Capsule - At the top of all the PokéCenters you'll find the Time Capsule all the way to the right against the far right wall. The Time Capsule lets you trade Pokémon from RBY to G&S.
Eggs - You can take your Pokémon to a Breeding and Daycare center south of Goldenrod City. If you put in a male and female Pokémon that are compatible at breeding and walk around for a bit, when you return and see the Owner of the center outside with the Pokémon it means they laid an egg.
Equip Items - Another new feature to G&S. Equipping items is essential to evolve some Pokémon when traded. Other items help strengthen the Pokémon in battle, or heal it when it gets too weak.
