Catch Missingno. in Pokémon Red and Blue: A Comprehensive Guide

Missingno., short for “Missing Number,” is perhaps the most famous glitch Pokémon in the history of the franchise. Found in the original Pokémon Red and Blue versions on the Game Boy, encountering and “catching” Missingno. can lead to various in-game effects, ranging from item duplication to graphical anomalies. While it’s not an officially sanctioned part of the game, the Missingno. glitch has fascinated players for decades. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to encounter and capture Missingno., explain the consequences, and offer some tips for managing the glitch.

Disclaimer

Before we begin, it’s important to understand that exploiting glitches can potentially corrupt your save data. While encountering Missingno. is generally considered safe, proceed with caution. Backing up your save data (if possible through emulators or other means) is highly recommended. I am not responsible for any data loss or other issues that may arise from attempting this glitch.

Understanding the Glitch

The Missingno. glitch occurs due to a programming oversight in how Pokémon Red and Blue handle encounter data. Essentially, the game temporarily stores the name of the last trainer you battled in the player’s name data buffer. When you perform specific actions involving flying to Cinnabar Island and surfing along the east coast, the game attempts to read encounter data from this buffer. If the buffer contains remnants of the old trainer name data, the game may generate a wild Pokémon based on that erroneous data, resulting in Missingno. or other glitch Pokémon.

Prerequisites

Pokémon Red or Blue Version: This glitch only works in the original Game Boy versions of Pokémon Red and Blue. It does not work in Pokémon Yellow or any subsequent remakes or sequels.
A Pokémon that knows Surf: You will need a Pokémon capable of using Surf. This Hidden Machine (HM03) can be obtained from the Secret House in Fuchsia City after obtaining the Soul Badge.
A Pokémon that knows Fly: You will also need a Pokémon that knows Fly. HM02 Fly is located in the Route 16 Secret House, requiring you to Cut down a tree.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps precisely to encounter Missingno.:

Step 1: Talk to the Old Man in Viridian City

The first step involves triggering the Old Man glitch. Head to Viridian City. You’ll find an Old Man who is blocking the path to Route 2 because he hasn’t had his coffee yet. You need to trigger his tutorial on how to catch a Weedle. It’s crucial that you watch him catch the Weedle. This step initializes the player’s name data buffer that the game later reads from.

Detailed Instructions:

Enter Viridian City.
Locate the Old Man in the northern part of the city, blocking the path to Route 2.
Speak to the Old Man. He will complain about not having had his coffee and then offer to teach you how to catch a Pokémon.
Watch the entire demonstration. Do not interrupt it. He will catch a Weedle.

Step 2: Fly to Cinnabar Island

After watching the Old Man’s tutorial, immediately fly to Cinnabar Island. Do not battle any other trainers or enter any buildings before flying. This is critical to ensuring the correct data is stored in the buffer.

Detailed Instructions:

Open your Pokémon menu.
Select a Pokémon that knows Fly.
Choose “Fly” from the menu.
Select Cinnabar Island from the map.
Confirm your destination.

Step 3: Surf Along the East Coast of Cinnabar Island

Once you arrive at Cinnabar Island, head to the east coast. This is the shoreline to the right of the Pokémon Lab and the Cinnabar Gym. You need to surf up and down along the coast. The key is to stay in the narrow strip of water where the land meets the sea. This area is where the game attempts to load wild Pokémon encounters, and this is where the glitch is triggered.

Detailed Instructions:

Walk to the eastern edge of Cinnabar Island.
Position yourself right at the edge of the water, facing the coastline.
Use Surf.
Surf up and down along the coast, constantly switching between moving up and down. Stay as close to the land as possible. Do not go too far out into the ocean.
Continue surfing for a short period of time. Eventually, you will encounter a wild Pokémon. It may take a few tries, but you should encounter Missingno. or another glitch Pokémon.

Step 4: Encountering Missingno.

After surfing along the east coast, you should eventually encounter Missingno. or another glitch Pokémon. Missingno. typically appears as a distorted, glitchy mess of pixels. Its level can vary, but it’s often quite high (over level 100).

What to Expect:

Visual Appearance: Missingno. appears as a jumbled, graphical error. It lacks a proper sprite and often resembles a series of blocks or static.
Level: The level of Missingno. can vary, but it’s often very high.
Other Glitch Pokémon: You might encounter other glitch Pokémon instead of or alongside Missingno. These have various appearances and names.

Step 5: Catching Missingno. (Optional)

While encountering Missingno. is the primary goal for many, you can also attempt to catch it. Keep in mind that capturing Missingno. can have unpredictable effects on your game.

How to Catch:

Weaken Missingno. with attacks (if necessary).
Use a Poké Ball to attempt to catch it. A Great Ball or Ultra Ball is recommended for a higher chance of success.
If successful, Missingno. will be added to your party or PC.

Consequences of Encountering and Catching Missingno.

Encountering and catching Missingno. can have both positive and negative effects on your game. It’s essential to be aware of these consequences before attempting the glitch.

Positive Effects

Item Duplication: One of the most well-known effects of the Missingno. glitch is item duplication. After encountering Missingno., the sixth item in your inventory will be multiplied. For example, if you have 1 Master Ball in the sixth slot, you will suddenly have 128 Master Balls. This can be incredibly useful for obtaining rare items like Rare Candies, TMs, and other valuable resources.

Negative Effects

Hall of Fame Corruption: Encountering Missingno. can corrupt your Hall of Fame data. This means that the records of your previous Elite Four victories might be erased or glitched.
Graphical Anomalies: Missingno. can cause graphical glitches in certain areas of the game, such as distorted sprites, incorrect text, or other visual errors. These glitches are usually temporary and can be resolved by resetting the game or visiting specific locations.
Save Data Corruption (Rare): In rare cases, encountering or catching Missingno. can lead to more severe save data corruption, potentially causing the game to become unplayable. This is why backing up your save data is recommended.
Game Instability: The game might become unstable after encountering Missingno., leading to crashes or unexpected behavior.

Managing the Missingno. Glitch

If you experience negative effects after encountering Missingno., there are a few steps you can take to try and resolve them:

Reset the Game: Simply turning off and then turning on your Game Boy can often fix minor graphical glitches or temporary instability.
Visit Specific Locations: Some graphical glitches can be resolved by visiting specific locations in the game. For example, corrupted sprites might be fixed by visiting a Pokémon Center or entering a building.
Avoid Saving: If you encounter severe glitches or instability, avoid saving the game until you have attempted to resolve the issues. Saving while the game is glitched can potentially lead to permanent save data corruption.
Release Missingno.: If you caught Missingno. and are experiencing problems, releasing it from your party or PC can sometimes alleviate the issues.

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble encountering Missingno., consider the following:

Ensure Correct Steps: Double-check that you are following each step precisely, including talking to the Old Man in Viridian City, flying directly to Cinnabar Island, and surfing along the east coast in the correct area.
Avoid Interruptions: Do not battle any trainers or enter any buildings between talking to the Old Man and flying to Cinnabar Island.
Persistence: Sometimes, it may take a few tries to encounter Missingno. Keep surfing along the east coast, and eventually, it should appear.

Variations and Alternative Methods

While the method described above is the most common and reliable way to encounter Missingno., there are a few variations and alternative methods that players have discovered over the years.

The Pokémon Tower Method

This method involves manipulating encounter data in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town. While it can be effective, it’s generally considered more complex and less reliable than the Old Man glitch method.

The Trainer Escape Glitch

This glitch involves escaping from a trainer battle using specific in-game mechanics. It can lead to various glitch Pokémon encounters, including Missingno., but it requires precise timing and execution.

Why Does Missingno. Exist?

The existence of Missingno. is a testament to the complexities and limitations of game development. The glitch arose from a combination of factors, including:

Memory Management: The game used temporary memory buffers to store data, such as the player’s name and the last trainer battled. When these buffers were not properly cleared or overwritten, they could lead to unexpected behavior.
Error Handling: The game’s error handling mechanisms were not robust enough to prevent the generation of invalid Pokémon data when encountering these memory errors.
Time Constraints: Game developers often face tight deadlines and limited resources, which can lead to oversights and bugs that are not discovered until after the game is released.

The Legacy of Missingno.

Despite being a glitch, Missingno. has become an iconic part of Pokémon lore. It represents the early days of video game glitches and the ingenuity of players who discovered and shared these secrets. Missingno. has been featured in numerous articles, videos, and fan theories, solidifying its place in gaming history.

Conclusion

Encountering and catching Missingno. in Pokémon Red and Blue is a fascinating and potentially rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can trigger the glitch and encounter this legendary Pokémon. However, remember to proceed with caution and be aware of the potential consequences. Happy glitch hunting!

Additional Tips and Considerations

Emulator Use: If you’re playing on an emulator, it’s much easier to back up your save data. This provides an extra layer of protection against potential data corruption.
Experimentation: Feel free to experiment with different variations of the glitch, but always be mindful of the risks involved.
Community Resources: There are numerous online forums and communities dedicated to Pokémon glitches. These resources can provide additional information, troubleshooting tips, and shared experiences.
Have Fun: Ultimately, the goal is to have fun exploring the hidden secrets of Pokémon Red and Blue. Embrace the glitches, but do so responsibly.

Further Exploration

If you’re interested in learning more about Pokémon glitches and secrets, consider exploring the following resources:

GlitchDex: A comprehensive online database of Pokémon glitches.
YouTube: Search for videos demonstrating the Missingno. glitch and other Pokémon exploits.
Pokémon Forums: Join online communities and forums to discuss glitches and share your experiences.

Final Thoughts

The Missingno. glitch is a nostalgic reminder of the early days of Pokémon and the magic of discovering hidden secrets in video games. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon veteran or a new player, encountering Missingno. is an experience that you won’t soon forget. Just remember to proceed with caution and have fun exploring the glitchy world of Pokémon Red and Blue!

Disclaimers and Warnings Revisited

Before embarking on your quest to find Missingno., let’s reiterate some critical disclaimers and warnings. While this glitch is widely known and generally considered “safe-ish,” it’s still an unintended exploit that could potentially lead to problems. Consider these points carefully:

Data Corruption is Possible

Though rare, data corruption is the biggest risk. This can range from minor graphical errors to complete save file loss. Always back up your save if possible. Emulators make this trivial, but if you’re on original hardware, the risk is higher.

Hall of Fame Issues

As mentioned, your Hall of Fame data is highly likely to be scrambled. If preserving your Elite Four records is crucial to you, think twice before pursuing this glitch.

In-Game Instability

The game might become unstable, with crashes or freezes occurring more frequently. This is usually temporary, but it can be annoying.

The Sixth Item Glitch: Use Responsibly

The item duplication effect is powerful, but don’t go overboard. Duplicating key items excessively can break the game’s intended progression and reduce the challenge.

Don’t Save During Glitches

If you see any particularly severe graphical errors or the game starts acting erratically, do NOT save. Resetting the system is much safer than saving potentially corrupted data.

Missingno. is NOT a “Real” Pokémon

Despite its quirks, Missingno. is not an officially recognized Pokémon. It won’t evolve, breed, or have a proper Pokédex entry. It’s purely a glitch.

Enjoy the Experience, But Be Prepared

Ultimately, the Missingno. glitch is a fun piece of gaming history. Approach it with a sense of adventure, but be aware of the potential pitfalls. A little caution can go a long way in preserving your Pokémon adventure.

Advanced Missingno. Techniques (Use at Your Own Risk!)

For those feeling particularly adventurous (and who have backed up their save files!), here are some more advanced Missingno.-related techniques, but proceed with EXTREME caution.

Manipulating Encounter Data

The core of the Missingno. glitch lies in manipulating the game’s encounter data. By carefully controlling the trainers you battle and the areas you visit, you can influence the types of glitch Pokémon you encounter.

Trainer ID Manipulation: The specific trainer IDs you encounter affect the hexadecimal values loaded into the encounter data buffer. Experiment with battling different trainers before flying to Cinnabar to see what results you get.

Area Codes: The area code the game uses also influences the Pokémon encountered. Exploring different routes and cities immediately before surfing can yield surprising results.

Glitch City

By performing a series of specific steps involving trainer battles, Fly, and Surf, it’s possible to access a glitched area known as “Glitch City.” This area is filled with bizarre graphical anomalies and unpredictable behavior. Navigating Glitch City is extremely difficult, and it’s very easy to get stuck or crash the game. This is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Item Underflow

The item duplication glitch can be further exploited to cause an “item underflow.” If you have a quantity of 1 of an item and then trigger the Missingno. glitch, the quantity will wrap around to a very high number (typically 255, as the game uses an 8-bit integer to store item quantities). This can be useful for acquiring large quantities of rare or expensive items.

Name Manipulation

Some glitches allow you to manipulate the player’s name data, which in turn affects various aspects of the game. This can lead to interesting results, such as changing the text displayed in dialogues or altering the behavior of certain NPCs. However, name manipulation can also be unstable and potentially lead to save data corruption.

Disclaimer: These Advanced Techniques are Highly Risky

It cannot be stressed enough: these advanced techniques are significantly more likely to cause problems than simply encountering Missingno. using the standard method. Only attempt them if you are comfortable with the risks and have a recent backup of your save data.

Alternatives to the Missingno. Glitch

If you’re intrigued by the world of Pokémon glitches but are hesitant to risk corrupting your save data, consider exploring some alternative glitches that are generally considered safer.

The Mew Glitch

Using the long-range trainer glitch, players can encounter Mew early in the game without having to trade. This glitch relies on trainer line of sight and allows the player to manipulate which Pokémon is encountered. While it requires specific steps, it is widely used and relatively safe.

Item Duplication Without Missingno. (Requires specific conditions)

Some specific trainers, due to the way their battle is coded, can lead to item duplication when defeated under certain criteria. This can sometimes be performed without requiring the full Missingno. process, though this is rarer to pull off.

Using Gameshark Codes (or equivalent)

If you’re playing on an emulator or have access to a cheating device, you can use Gameshark codes to obtain rare items, encounter specific Pokémon, or modify various aspects of the game. This eliminates the need to exploit glitches, but it’s still important to use caution and avoid using codes that could potentially corrupt your save data.

The Enduring Appeal of Glitches

Why do glitches like the Missingno. glitch continue to fascinate players decades after their discovery? There are several reasons:

Unveiling the Inner Workings of the Game

Glitches offer a glimpse into the hidden workings of the game’s code and algorithms. They reveal the underlying logic and limitations of the system, providing a unique perspective on the game’s design.

A Sense of Discovery and Rebellion

Discovering and exploiting glitches feels like uncovering a secret that the developers didn’t intend for players to find. It’s a form of rebellion against the game’s rules and constraints, allowing players to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

A Shared Experience

Glitches are often shared and discussed within online communities, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared discovery. Players collaborate to find new glitches, document their effects, and develop strategies for exploiting them.

Nostalgia and Gaming History

For many players, glitches are associated with fond memories of playing classic games on older consoles. They evoke a sense of nostalgia and remind us of a time when video games were less polished but perhaps more full of surprises.

Final Words of Caution (Seriously!)

I know I’ve said it many times, but I want to reiterate one last time: proceed with extreme caution when attempting the Missingno. glitch or any other Pokémon glitch. Back up your save data, understand the risks, and be prepared for the possibility of data corruption. If you’re not comfortable with the risks, it’s best to avoid glitches altogether.

With that said, if you’re feeling adventurous and are willing to take the plunge, the Missingno. glitch can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. Just remember to have fun and explore responsibly!