Gameplay of Pokémon Facts for Kids

In a battle scene in Pokémon FireRed Version, the Pokémon at the top right of the screen is the opponent's; the Pokémon at the bottom left is the player's. The player's options are shown at the bottom right.

The world of Pokémon video games is all about catching and training amazing creatures called "Pokémon." You use them to battle other trainers and become the best! Each new game brings exciting new Pokémon, cool items, and fresh ways to play. Some ideas, like double battles, appeared in the Pokémon TV show before they were added to the games.

Pokémon Battles

Battles are a huge part of the Pokémon games. You'll find wild Pokémon in many places like tall grass, caves, forests, and even underwater! You'll also battle other trainers you meet on your journey. There are hundreds of trainers to challenge in each main Pokémon game.

Understanding Pokémon Stats

Every Pokémon has six main stats: HP (Health Points), Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. These stats decide how well your Pokémon performs in a fight. You can make your Pokémon stronger by training them and using special items.

Before the Pokémon Gold and Silver games, Special Attack and Special Defense were just one stat called "Special." It became too complex, so they were split into two separate stats.

Special Pokémon Abilities

Starting with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon gained special abilities. These abilities can help them in battles or even when you're just exploring. For example, the "Overgrow" ability makes Grass-type moves stronger when a Pokémon's health is low.

Pokémon Types and Weaknesses

Each Pokémon has one or two types. These types are super important because they affect how well your Pokémon battles against others. For instance, a Fire-type Pokémon is weak against Water-type attacks but strong against Grass-type Pokémon. Think of it like a more complex game of rock, paper, scissors!

Here is a list of the Pokémon types:

"Normal"
"Grass"
"Fire"
"Water"
"Electric"
"Ground"
"Rock"
"Flying"
"Ice"
"Poison"
"Psychic"
"Ghost"
"Dragon"
"Bug"
"Fighting"

Two more types were added when Pokémon Gold and Silver came out:

"Steel"
"Dark"

Another type, "Fairy", was added in Pokémon X and Y.

Challenging Pokémon Gyms

Pokémon Gyms are special buildings where you battle a Gym Leader. Each Gym Leader focuses on one of the 18 Pokémon types. Inside the Gym, you'll also find other trainers who use mostly that type. When you defeat a Gym Leader, you earn a Badge, which helps your Pokémon become even stronger.

Pokémon Evolution

Pokémon can evolve, which means they transform into different, stronger Pokémon from the same family. When they evolve, they usually become more powerful and can learn stronger moves.

Evolving by Leveling Up

This is the most common way Pokémon evolve. Many Pokémon transform when they reach a certain level.

Example: Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at level 16, and then into Venusaur at level 32.
Example: Gastly evolves into Haunter at level 25.

Some Pokémon only evolve by level in a special place.

Example: Eevee can evolve into Leafeon if it levels up near a Moss Rock. It can become Glaceon if it levels up near an Ice Rock.

Some Pokémon evolve by level if they are holding a specific item.

Example: Happiny can evolve into Chansey if it levels up while holding an Oval Stone during the day.

Some Pokémon only evolve by level if there's a certain weather condition on the route.

Example: Sliggoo evolves into Goodra at level 50, but only if it's raining on the route.

Evolving with Stones

Another way Pokémon evolve is by using special evolution stones.

Example: Pikachu evolves into Raichu when you give it a Thunderstone.

Evolving by Trading

Some Pokémon only evolve if you trade them with a friend.

Example: Haunter only evolves into Gengar if you trade it with a friend.

Some Pokémon need to be traded while holding a specific item.

Example: Scyther evolves into Scizor if it's traded while holding a Metal Coat.
Example: Clamperl will evolve into Huntail or Gorebyss if traded while holding a Deepseatooth or Deepseascale, respectively.

Some Pokémon evolve if they're traded with another specific Pokémon.

Example: Karrablast and Shelmet will both evolve into Escavalier and Accelgor (respectively) when traded with each other.

Evolving by Happiness

Pokémon can also evolve if they are very happy. Your Pokémon gains happiness points when you walk with it, give it vitamins, or train it. The Soothe Bell item helps them get happy faster. Once a Pokémon is super happy, it will evolve after it gains a level. Sometimes, the time of day matters:

Example: Eevee can evolve into Espeon or Umbreon if its happiness is maxed out. It becomes Espeon during the day and Umbreon at night.

Evolving by Learning Moves

Some Pokémon evolve after they learn certain moves and then level up.

Example: Bonsly can evolve into Sudowoodo after learning the move Mimic.

Evolving by Gender

Some Pokémon can only evolve if they are a certain gender.

Example: Only female Combee can evolve into Vespiquen.

Mega Evolution in Battle

Some Pokémon can change into a super-powerful "Mega" form during a battle. This special evolution only lasts for that battle. To do this, the Pokémon needs to be holding a special Mega Stone.

Example: Venusaur can evolve into Mega Venusaur if it is holding the Venusaurite item.

Helpful Items

There are many different items in the Pokémon world. They are used to help you or your Pokémon on your journey.

A Poké Ball is a red-and-white sphere used to catch wild Pokémon. There are many types of Poké Balls, like the Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and the Master Ball. The Master Ball can catch any Pokémon without fail! Each type of Poké Ball has different colors and can help you catch certain Pokémon more easily.

The Pokédex

The Pokédex is a special tool used by Pokémon trainers everywhere. It records information about all the different Pokémon you find. There are over 720 different kinds of Pokémon in the world! Some Pokémon can only be found in specific regions, like Xerneas in the Kalos Region.

Rare Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon are super rare, and usually, there's only one of each in a game. Famous Legendaries include Articuno, Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Groudon, and Dialga. They are very hard to catch and are much stronger than most other Pokémon. Some roam around, while others stay in one spot until you catch them or they faint. Players often save their game before trying to catch a Legendary Pokémon.

Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokémon are special because they are a different color than their normal species. For example, a Bulbasaur is usually greenish-blue, but a Shiny Bulbasaur would be yellow! They are extremely rare; there's only a 1 in 4,096 chance of finding one, but there are ways to increase your chances.

Images for kids

A series of screenshots depicting an Abra evolving into a Kadabra in Pokémon Emerald.
The standard Poké Ball is a well-known icon of the Pokémon franchise.
The player finds a green Zubat in Pokémon FireRed Version.
The game link port is located above the volume control on the original Game Boy handheld system.