The Pocket Pikachu, sold in the West as Pokémon Pikachu, is part virtual pet and part pedometer, made by Nintendo. There is nothing to feed and nothing to clean here: the more you walk, the more “watts” you earn to give to Pikachu and win its friendship. This instruction guide in English covers the buttons, the watts, the friendship levels, the slot machine and how the Pikachu 2 GS differs.
What is the Pocket Pikachu?
The Pocket Pikachu (ポケットピカチュウ) was released on 27 March 1998 in Japan, on 2 November 1998 in the United States and on 19 November 1999 in Europe. It was followed by the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS.
- Casing: yellow, with a monochrome screen and the same button layout as the original Game Boy.
- Battery: one CR2032 button cell.
- How you use it: clip it to your belt and it counts your steps.
What do the buttons do?
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| D-pad | Navigate the menus, set the clock and choose how many watts to give |
| A | Confirm |
| B | Return to the Pikachu screen |
| Select | Show Pikachu’s friendship level |
| Start | Open the settings: sound, time, resetting the step counter |
| Reset (on the front) | Wipe all progress |
Steps and watts
The Pocket Pikachu gives you 1 watt for every 20 steps. Watts act as currency: you can give them to Pikachu or bet them on the slot machine.
- Shaking counts too: shaking the device adds steps.
- But not at any time: shaking it while Pikachu is eating, washing or sleeping makes it angry and lowers its friendship. With the screen off there is no risk.
- Resetting the counter: clearing the step count in the settings does not delete your watts or Pikachu’s friendship.
Pikachu’s 4 friendship levels
The more Pikachu likes you, the more things it does. Friendship slowly declines over time, so give it watts regularly, and preferably in large amounts at once, which raises friendship faster.
| Level | How Pikachu behaves |
|---|---|
| It dislikes you | It mostly turns its back on you and may “shock” you when you switch the screen on. It takes several thousand watts to win it back. |
| Neutral (the starting point) | It mostly stays put and glances at you now and then. You may catch it eating, brushing its teeth, showering or reading. |
| It likes you | It appears larger, because it has moved closer. It may play with blocks or in a sandbox. |
| It loves you | It faces you and fills most of the screen. Shake the device and it waves at you. Rarely, it may even ride a bike or a motorbike. |
What to avoid: shaking the device while it plays knocks its toys over and lowers friendship. Neglect it badly enough and Pikachu sulks and stops reacting to anything.
The other features
Giving watts (Gift)
Choose how many watts to give with the d-pad. Pikachu reacts differently depending on the amount: give it very little, or nothing at all, and it is unimpressed; give it more and it unlocks new things to do on screen.
The slot machine
Bet 5 watts and stop the reels one at a time with the button. The payouts:
| Combination | Payout |
|---|---|
| Three Magikarp | 35 watts |
| Three flowers or three Pikachu | 50 watts |
| Three 7s | 500 watts |
The clock and the alarm
The device shows the time and lets you set an alarm. With the sound off, the alarm appears on screen without ringing. The time matters to Pikachu too: its activities follow the rhythm of the day. Shortly before 8 pm, for instance, you might catch it in the shower, brushing its teeth or heading to bed.
Pocket Pikachu or Pikachu 2 GS: what’s the difference?
The Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS, called Pocket Pikachu Color in Japan and Europe, was released on 21 November 1999 in Japan and in 2000 in Europe. It came in clear and silver casings.
| Pocket Pikachu (1998) | Pikachu 2 GS (1999) | |
|---|---|---|
| Casing | Yellow | Clear or silver |
| Infrared | No | Yes |
| Mini-game | Slot machine | A higher-or-lower card game |
| Care | Pikachu asks for attention | Pikachu looks after itself |
| Game Boy link | No | Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal |
The Pikachu 2 GS card game
You are shown a card and have to guess whether the one Pikachu is holding is higher or lower. It is double or nothing: every win doubles your potential payout, but a single loss wipes it out. You can stop after any round to bank your winnings.
Sending watts to Pokémon Gold, Silver or Crystal
Thanks to its infrared port, the Pikachu 2 GS talks to Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal on the Game Boy Color through the Mystery Gift feature. The watts you earn walking are converted into in-game items. It can also send watts to another Pikachu 2 GS.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to feed the Pocket Pikachu?
No. Unlike a Tamagotchi, Pikachu needs neither feeding nor cleaning. It does need attention, though: walk, and give it watts to keep its friendship up.
Can Pikachu die?
No, but if you neglect it, it sulks, turns its back and stops responding. Winning it back then takes a lot of watts.
Can my yellow Pocket Pikachu connect to Pokémon Gold and Silver?
No, the 1998 yellow model has no infrared port. Only the Pikachu 2 GS can connect to Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal.
How does it relate to the Pokéwalker?
The Pokéwalker, bundled with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver on the Nintendo DS, revives the Pocket Pikachu idea: a pedometer that rewards your steps.
Browse our Pocket Pikachu pedometers and all our vintage electronic toys. You can also read our Dragon Quest Arukundesu guide, the other great collectible pedometer, and all our guides.