Pokémon Red and Blue Cheats & Secrets guide screenshot

Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets – Pokémon Red and Blue



Overview


Pokémon Red and Blue do not contain any official, developer-intended cheat codes (like entering a password to unlock items). However, the games are famous for a wealth of exploitable glitches, hidden features, and Easter eggs. Additionally, players using emulators or original hardware with cheat devices can access powerful Game Genie and GameShark codes. This guide covers all significant secrets, including:

  • Glitches and Exploits (including the Mew glitch, MissingNo., item duplication, and more)

  • Hidden Features and Developer Secrets (including debug menus in some versions, unused content, and Easter eggs)

  • Cheat Device Codes (Game Genie and GameShark) for those who want to manipulate the game directly


    • > Caution: Many glitches can corrupt save data or cause game freezes. Always save before attempting any exploit, and use cheat codes at your own risk.

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    Glitches and Exploits



    These are unintended behaviors that can be used to gain advantages, catch rare Pokémon, or duplicate items. They are reproducible on original Game Boy hardware and most emulators.

    #### 1. The Mew Glitch (Trainer-Fly Glitch)
  • What it does: Allows you to encounter a wild Mew (normally unobtainable without cheating) in Cerulean City.

  • How to perform:

    • 1. Before battling the camper on Route 25 (north of Cerulean), save your game.
    2. Defeat or catch the Slowpoke on Route 25. Do not battle the camper yet.
    3. Fly to Cerulean City. You must have the Fly HM already (obtainable after defeating Misty).
    4. Walk to the north exit of Cerulean (towards Route 24). Immediately press Start to open the menu when the screen fades.
    5. Fly back to Cerulean City. This will cause a "glitch walking" animation.
    6. Now walk to the house of the old man who teaches How to Catch Pokémon (the one in Viridian City is easiest). Talk to him and watch the demonstration (press B to skip the battle if needed). The old man will walk away.
    7. Immediately fly to Lavender Town and walk to Route 8 (or any route with a trainer that has a Slowpoke or a Pokémon that learns the same moves as Slowpoke). The glitch will cause a wild Mew to appear at level 7 (or higher if you battled stronger trainers earlier).
  • Notes: The exact Mew encounter depends on the Special stat of the last Pokémon you fought; using a Slowpoke with a specific Special value triggers Mew. Many online guides provide step-by-step for specific in-game events.


    • #### 2. MissingNo. (Missing Number) Glitch
  • What it does: Causes a glitch Pokémon named MissingNo. (or 'M) to appear in the wild. It can duplicate the 6th item in your inventory and can be fought for large amounts of experience.

  • How to perform:

    • 1. Go to Cinnabar Island.
    2. Surf along the coastline on the right side of the island (the eastern shore).
    3. Walk up and down the shore in the water; you will encounter a wild MissingNo. (appears as a scrambled tile sprite).
  • Prerequisite: You must have spoken to the old man in Viridian City who teaches you how to catch Pokémon. This sets a flag that allows the glitch to work.

  • Effects: After catching or defeating MissingNo., your inventory's 6th item (the one in slot 6 of the item bag) will be multiplied by 128 or 255 (depends on version). This is extremely useful for duplicating Rare Candies, Master Balls, or TMs.

  • Risks: MissingNo. can corrupt your Hall of Fame data and cause graphical glitches. It does not typically break your save file, but be cautious.


    • #### 3. Item Duplication (Using Pokédex and Pokémon Storage)
  • What it does: Duplicate any item that can be deposited (like TMs) or held by Pokémon.

  • Method (PC Box Duplication):

    • 1. Go to a Pokémon Center and access the PC.
    2. Move a Pokémon holding the item you want to duplicate into a box.
    3. Withdraw the Pokémon, but cancel at the last moment (depends on version; precise timing required). This is easier with an emulator’s save state.
  • Simpler method with MissingNo.: As described above, MissingNo. automatically duplicates the 6th item slot.


    • #### 4. Safari Zone Infinite Step Glitch
  • What it does: Allows you to stay in the Safari Zone indefinitely without running out of steps.

  • Method:

    • 1. Enter the Safari Zone normally.
    2. Press Start to open the menu, then press B to close it. This resets the step counter to 500 (instead of the original 500 that decreases). Actually, you can repeatedly open and close the menu to keep the step count high.
  • Better method: Use a Bike (if you have the Bike Voucher) to enter the Safari Zone; the step counter won't decrease while on the Bike. This is a known oversight.


    • #### 5. Trainer-Fly Glitch (General)
  • What it does: Forces a wild encounter with any Pokémon by manipulating memory. Used to catch Mew, but can also catch other rare species like Snorlax without using the Poké Flute.

  • Method: Similar to Mew glitch but adjusted for different target species. Requires careful calculation of the last Pokémon's Special stat.


    • #### 6. Brock Through Walls Glitch
  • What it does: Walk through walls by using the Pokémon menu glitch.

  • Method: Requires a Pokémon with a certain move (like Fly) and specific steps. This is a more advanced glitch and can lead to areas like the back of the SS Anne or the truck where Mew was rumored (only a rumor; no Mew there).


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    Hidden Features and Developer Secrets



    These are intentional or unintentional extras that are not obvious to normal players.

    #### 1. Debug Mode (Japanese Blue Version Only)
  • What it is: The Japanese Pokémon Blue contains a debug menu that can be accessed by holding specific buttons at the title screen. In the international versions, this was removed.

  • How to access (Japanese Blue): Press and hold A + B + Select + Start on the title screen, then press Left. A debug menu appears allowing you to set flags, warp to any map, and spawn Pokémon.


    • #### 2. Unused Pokémon and Items
  • Pokémon: The game data contains entries for unreleased Pokémon like the other Starter's evolutions in the wild (e.g., Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise) but they are not normally encountered. Using glitches, you can encounter them.

  • Items: The item list includes an unused "Pokédex upgrade" (the Poké Flute upgrade that never was), and the "Silph Scope" has no special power outside the Lavender Tower.


    • #### 3. The MissingNo. as a Developer Easter Egg
  • MissingNo. is a glitch, but its name (Missing Number) and its behavior are a consequence of the game's memory handling. Some consider it a humorous oversight.


    • #### 4. The Old Man's Demonstration
  • The old man in Viridian City who shows you how to catch a Pokémon actually gives you a free chance to catch a wild Rattata (or Pidgey). This is the only way to encounter Pokémon in Viridian City before getting Poké Balls.


    • #### 5. SS Anne Ticket Glitch
  • What it does: You can board the SS Anne without the ticket by using the Surf glitch. If you use a Pokémon with Surf to approach the ship from the east side, you can enter the ship's interior through a glitched door. However, this is not recommended as it can cause severe glitches.


    • #### 6. The Pokédex Completion Reward
  • If you catch all 150 Pokémon (including Mew? Actually Mew is #151 but not required), Professor Oak will reward you with a Diploma. This is a small Easter egg on the second floor of his lab.


    • #### 7. The Bike Shop Freebie
  • If you do not have the Bike Voucher, you can still get a Bike by glitching your trainer name or using the item duplication to get the voucher without completing the quest.


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    Cheat Device Codes (Game Genie / GameShark)



    These codes allow you to modify the game directly. They work on original Game Boy with a cheating device, or through emulator built-in cheat systems.

    #### Game Genie Codes (Some Common Examples)
  • Infinite Money: 0106D3CF (Press Select for $999999)

  • Walk Through Walls: 0100F2D0

  • Catch Any Pokémon (First slot): Change the encounter code. For example, to encounter Mew (Pokémon index 151) you can use code 01FF6ED3 (but this is complex).

  • Rare Candies in Item Slot 1: Use 01758EDF (then use item to level up

  • Master Ball x99: Use 0106C3CF to get 99 Master Balls in item slot 1

  • Note: Game Genie codes are region and version specific. Codes for Red are often different from Blue. Always check code lists for your exact version.


    • #### GameShark Codes (For Emulators)
  • Wild Pokemon Modifier (Red/Blue): Use code 01FF6ED7 (or similar) to change the next wild encounter to Mew.

  • Infinite PP of first move: 01FFC0CF

  • Unlimited Item Uses: 0106D3CF (also affects money)

  • Many code databases exist online; be sure to use ones verified for your ROM dump.


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    Easter Eggs and Trivia



  • The Bills House in Cerulean: The telephone on the wall rings if you press A repeatedly; it's just a sound effect.

  • Prof. Oak's Reaction: If you try to leave Pallet Town without a starter, Oak will stop you and make you choose.

  • Lavender Town Music: The eerie music in Lavender Town was meant to evoke a haunted atmosphere; some fans claim it causes headaches (a myth).

  • Fossil Revival: The Cinnabar Island lab revives fossils only one at a time; you can manipulate the game clock to revive multiple by glitching.

  • Rival's Name: If you name your rival "ASH" (Red's default name in the anime), the game will not prevent it. Similarly, naming the player "GARY" (rival's default) is allowed.

  • The Legend of the Truck:** Rumors say that using Strength on a truck near the SS Anne docks with a level 100 Pokémon will reveal Mew. This is false – no such trigger exists.


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Final Notes



Pokémon Red and Blue are beloved for their hidden depths. While not designed with cheat codes, the community has uncovered countless exploits that became legendary. Use these secrets to enhance your experience, but be aware of the risks. For any glitch, always save manually before trying. Happy exploiting!