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Pokemon Yellow Phase 1: Boulder Badge Walkthrough

Phase 1 of the Pokemon Yellow walkthrough covering Pallet Town through Pewter Gym, with starter Pikachu, Viridian Forest, early Rival, and Brock.

By Damodar Sharma Updated June 23, 2026 Walkthrough

Pallet Town through Pewter Gym, with starter Pikachu, Viridian Forest, early Rival, and Brock.

Phase 1

Target12-14 RewardBoulder Badge, TM34 Bide, Pokedex errand complete Sections4
Charizard Yellow sprite Blastoise Yellow sprite

Phase Sections

01
Pallet Town and Oak's Lab
02
Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22
03
Route 2 and Viridian Forest
04
Pewter City and Pewter Gym

Phase Data Rollup

Section Source maps Wild rows Trainers Items
Pallet Town and Oak's Lab6904
Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 2232003
Route 2 and Viridian Forest2857
Pewter City and Pewter Gym4022

Pallet Town and Oak's Lab

Name yourself and the Rival, receive starter Pikachu after the Rival takes Eevee, beat the lab Rival, deliver Oak's Parcel, and collect the Pokedex.

Source maps

Pallet Town, Red's House 1F, Red's House 2F, Blue's House, Oak's Lab, and Viridian Mart.

Wild rows9 Trainers0 Items4

Route plan

Leave Pallet north only after Oak stops you, receive Pikachu in the lab, finish the Rival fight, then make the Pallet -> Viridian -> Pallet errand loop.

Starter Pikachu And Gift Starters

Yellow does not start with a three-ball choice. The Rival takes Eevee, Oak gives you Pikachu at Lv. 5, and that specific starter Pikachu follows you, begins at 90 happiness, reacts to story scenes, refuses Thunder Stone evolution, and matters for Bulbasaur's gift check.

Pokemon Where Requirement Why it matters Routing note
Pikachu Yellow sprite Pikachu Lv. 5 Pallet Town / Oak's LabStory starter after Oak catches the wild Pikachu.Your required partner, Misty answer, and happiness-gated route variable.Keep it healthy, avoid boxing it, and use walking, level ups, healing items, and Gym victories to raise happiness.
Bulbasaur Yellow sprite Bulbasaur Lv. 10 Cerulean Melanie's houseStarter Pikachu happiness at least 147.Gives Grass/Poison support for Misty, Kanto Water routes, and many Rock/Ground checks.Raise Pikachu happiness before or after Nugget Bridge if Melanie does not offer it immediately.
Charmander Yellow sprite Charmander Lv. 10 Route 24Accept Damian's gift north of Nugget Bridge.Adds Fire coverage for Erika, Bug Catchers, and late Ice/Grass targets.You can grab it before Misty if you clear Nugget Bridge first.
Squirtle Yellow sprite Squirtle Lv. 10 Vermilion CityEarn Thunder Badge, then talk to Officer Jenny.Adds a reliable Water line for Rock/Ground/Fire routing.Pick it up immediately after Lt. Surge before moving into midgame cleanup.
Happiness check: Pikachu starts at 90 happiness. Bulbasaur requires 147 or higher; fainting, poison-fainting, boxing, and trading hurt happiness, while walking, level ups, healing items, TMs/HMs, and Gym Leader battles help.

Wild Pokemon

Pallet Town

Pallet Town wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Staryu Yellow sprite Staryu 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Staryu Yellow sprite Staryu 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 2025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Starter encounter
Pikachu Yellow sprite Pikachu 5StoryOak catches the wild Pikachu that appears when you try to leave Pallet Town.

Oak's Lab

Oak's Lab wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Starter gift
Pikachu Yellow sprite Pikachu 5GiftReceive Oak's caught Pikachu after the Rival takes Eevee. Starter Pikachu follows you, starts with 90 happiness, and refuses Thunder Stone evolution.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Town MapGiftAfter receiving the Pokedex, talk to Daisy in Blue's house.-After receiving the Pokedex, talk to Daisy in Blue's house.
Oak's ParcelKey itemReceive it from the Viridian Mart clerk before the Pokedex errand.-Receive it from the Viridian Mart clerk before the Pokedex errand.
PokedexKey itemReturn Oak's Parcel to Professor Oak.-Return Oak's Parcel to Professor Oak.
5 Poke BallsGiftProfessor Oak gives these after the Pokedex event.-Professor Oak gives these after the Pokedex event.

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival
Eevee Yellow sprite Eevee Lv. 5
$175Eevee is the first Rival Pokemon and can punish careless Tail Whip/Growl turns.Use Pikachu's early attacks directly, Potion if needed, and remember the result affects Eevee's later evolution branch.

Completion Checklist

  • Receive starter Pikachu and note the Rival Eevee branch trigger.
  • Deliver Oak's Parcel.
  • Collect the Pokedex, Town Map, and 5 Poke Balls.

Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22

Stock up, catch early Route 1/22 Pokemon, and optionally fight the early Rival west of Viridian.

Source maps

Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22.

Wild rows20 Trainers0 Items3

Route plan

Use Route 1 for first catches, buy supplies in Viridian after the parcel errand, then test your team on Route 22 before the forest.

Wild Pokemon

Route 1

Route 1 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 2-770%—
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 2-430%—

Route 22

Route 22 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M 2-430%—
Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F 2-430%—
Mankey Yellow sprite Mankey 3-520%—
Spearow Yellow sprite Spearow 2-611%—
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 39.8%—
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Poliwhirl Yellow sprite Poliwhirl 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.

Viridian City

Viridian City wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
PotionHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (14, 4) in Viridian City.(14, 4)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
PotionGiftTalk to the Poke Mart clerk on Route 1.-Talk to the Poke Mart clerk on Route 1.
TM42 Dream EaterGiftRequires Cut; talk to the sleeping man in west Viridian later.-Requires Cut; talk to the sleeping man in west Viridian later.

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival
Spearow Yellow sprite Spearow Lv. 9 Eevee Yellow sprite Eevee Lv. 8
$280Spearow plus Eevee can overwhelm an underleveled team before Brock.Train Pikachu and at least one backup first. Winning this optional fight after winning Oak's Lab pushes the Rival toward the Jolteon branch.

Completion Checklist

  • Catch Pidgey/Rattata basics and Route 22 Brock support.
  • Pick up the hidden Viridian Potion.
  • Fight or skip the optional Route 22 Rival before Brock.

Route 2 and Viridian Forest

Cross Route 2, collect Viridian Forest items, and defeat every Bug Catcher before Pewter.

Source maps

Route 2 and Viridian Forest.

Wild rows8 Trainers5 Items7

Route plan

Viridian Forest is your first real Brock-prep zone. Caterpie, Metapod, Pidgey, and Pidgeotto shape the route, while Nidoran or Mankey from Route 22 can help cover Brock.

Wild Pokemon

Route 2

Route 2 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 3-435%—
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 3-735%—
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M 4-615%—
Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F 4-615%—

Viridian Forest

Viridian Forest wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie 3-650%—
Metapod Yellow sprite Metapod 4-625%—
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 4-824%—
Pidgeotto Yellow sprite Pidgeotto 91.2%—

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Viridian Forest (30, 33)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #1
Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 7 Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 7
$70One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. Viridian Forest (30, 19)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #2
Metapod Yellow sprite Metapod Lv. 6 Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 6 Metapod Yellow sprite Metapod Lv. 6
$60One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
3. Viridian Forest (2, 18)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #3
Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 10
$100One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
4. Viridian Forest (2, 41)Lass trainer spriteLassParty #19
Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F Lv. 6 Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M Lv. 6
$90One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
5. Viridian Forest (13, 17)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #15
Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 8 Metapod Yellow sprite Metapod Lv. 8
$80One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Moon StoneVisible item ballVisible item ball at (13, 54) in Route 2.(13, 54)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
HP UpVisible item ballVisible item ball at (13, 45) in Route 2.(13, 45)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
PotionVisible item ballVisible item ball at (25, 11) in Viridian Forest.(25, 11)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
PotionVisible item ballVisible item ball at (12, 29) in Viridian Forest.(12, 29)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Poke BallVisible item ballVisible item ball at (1, 31) in Viridian Forest.(1, 31)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
PotionHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (1, 18) in Viridian Forest.(1, 18)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
AntidoteHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (16, 42) in Viridian Forest.(16, 42)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.

Completion Checklist

  • Check both visible and hidden forest items.
  • Defeat all three Bug Catchers.
  • Leave with antidotes or enough Potions for Brock prep.

Pewter City and Pewter Gym

Clear Pewter Gym and earn the Boulder Badge.

Source maps

Pewter City, Museum 1F, Museum 2F, and Pewter Gym.

Wild rows0 Trainers2 Items2

Route plan

Do not rush Brock with only Pikachu. Train Butterfree for Confusion/status, bring Potions, and use Route 22 backup if Pikachu is still your only reliable attacker.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Pewter Gym (4, 1)Brock trainer spriteBrockParty #1
Geodude Yellow sprite Geodude Lv. 10 Onix Yellow sprite Onix Lv. 12
$1,188One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. Pewter Gym (3, 6)Jr. Trainer M trainer spriteJr. Trainer MParty #1
Diglett Yellow sprite Diglett Lv. 9 Sandshrew Yellow sprite Sandshrew Lv. 9
$180One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Old AmberKey itemReturn with Cut and enter the museum's side door.-Return with Cut and enter the museum's side door.
TM34 BideGym rewardDefeat Brock.-Defeat Brock.

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Brock trainer spriteBrockBrock
Geodude Yellow sprite Geodude Lv. 10 Onix Yellow sprite Onix Lv. 12
$1,188Geodude and Onix have high Defense for this point, and starter Pikachu's Electric moves do not help.Use Butterfree's Confusion/status, Nidoran Double Kick after enough levels, Mankey from Route 22, Potions, and careful Sand-Attack/Growl support.

Completion Checklist

  • Beat the Gym trainer.
  • Defeat Brock.
  • Note Old Amber for later Cut access.

Sources

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