Pokémon: Crystal Version

Pokémon: Crystal Version
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Game Boy Color, 3DS Virtual Console
Release Date	Game Boy Color JP December 14, 2000 US July 29, 2001 AU September 2001 EU November 2, 2001 3DS Virtual Console All Regions: January 26, 2018
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon: Crystal Version is the third and final version of the second generation Pokémon games, following Pokémon: Gold and Silver Versions. Like Pokémon: Yellow Version, it has a somewhat altered storyline, along with new features not present in Gold or Silver.

Story

Taking place three years after the events of the original set of games, Pokémon Crystal (like Gold and Silver) follows the journey of a new trainer (Gold or Crystal). Like Red, this trainer wants to become a Pokémon master. To accomplish this, the trainer must defeat eight Pokémon gym leaders; defeat the Elite Four; compete with his rival, Silver; foil the plans of Team Rocket; and capture as many of the different species of Pokémon as he can.

Gameplay

Pokémon Crystal reprises the gameplay and connections of the previous versions, except with several new alterations shown below.

Connectivity

While Crystal's connectivity is the same as Gold and Silver in the American version, there was one feature only in the Japanese version; this was was a mobile phone link-up which could be used to link up with other players over mobile phone connections. Through this the player could also obtain the GS Ball, which was needed to obtain Celebi. However, this feature was removed from releases of the games in other countries due to Nintendo's opinion of cell phones not being as popular among children in other countries as they were in Japan.

Version Differences

As with the main difference between Gold and Silver, there are several varieties of Pokémon that cannot be found in Crystal and must be traded from one of the other games.

One of the main new features of Crystal is the option to choose your trainer's gender. In addition, there are a few storyline differences; as Gold had focused on Ho-Oh and Silver and Lugia, Crystal focuses on the legendary dog Suicune. A new subplot involves a new character, Eusine, who hunts for Suicune. Graphically, the Pokémon battle sprites were now animated. Other additions included the addition of Move Tutors and the Battle Tower.

Legacy

Most of the new features in Crystal were implemented into the later Pokémon games, most notably the option to choose the player character's gender.

Sequels

The next mainstream games to be released were Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire Versions.

Remakes and Rereleases

• The second generation games were remade for the Nintendo DS as Pokémon: HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions. These versions included some elements from Crystal, such as Eusine's storyline and a similar Suicune hunt.
• In January 2018, Crystal was released for download on the Nintendo 3DS as part of the 3DS Virtual Console. This port was only slightly modified, with the Nintendo 3DS wireless communication was used for connectivity in place of the Link Cables. The Time Capsule and Mystery Gift features could also still be used with other copies of the Virtual Console Pokémon releases. The Poké Transporter app could also be used to transfer Pokémon caught in these versions to the Poké Bank, from which they could be brought to other Pokémon games. Additionally, in this version the player could obtain the GS Ball and use it to battle Celebi after defeating the Elite Four.