The mythical Pokémon, Mew, has always been shrouded in mystery and intrigue within the Pokémon universe. Its elusive nature has made it a prized possession for any aspiring trainer. While Mew was initially available through special events and promotions, dedicated players have discovered glitches and exploits that allow them to encounter and capture this legendary Pokémon in the original Pokémon games. Pokémon Yellow, the enhanced version of the first generation games, is no exception. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to catch Mew in Pokémon Yellow using the infamous ‘Trainer-Fly’ glitch, along with alternative methods and troubleshooting tips.
Understanding the Glitch: The Trainer-Fly Method
The primary method for catching Mew in Pokémon Yellow relies on a glitch known as the ‘Trainer-Fly’ glitch. This exploit leverages specific game mechanics related to trainer battles and map transitions to trigger a battle with Mew. The fundamental principle behind the Trainer-Fly glitch is manipulating the game’s memory to force an encounter with a Pokémon based on the last trainer who saw you but didn’t battle you.
Prerequisites
Before embarking on this Mew-catching adventure, make sure you meet these requirements:
- Pokémon Yellow Version: This guide is specific to Pokémon Yellow. The steps may vary slightly in Pokémon Red and Blue.
- Pokémon with Cut: You will need a Pokémon that knows the Cut HM. Oddish, Gloom, Bellsprout, and Weepinbell are common choices readily available early in the game.
- Pokémon with Fly: A Pokémon knowing Fly is essential for bypassing certain areas and triggering the glitch. Pidgey or Pidgeotto are good options. Obtain Fly from a house just north of Celadon City.
- Patience and Persistence: The glitch can be tricky, and it may take several attempts to execute correctly. Do not get discouraged if you don’t succeed on your first try.
- Repels (Optional but Recommended): Repels prevent random Pokémon encounters, making it easier to navigate to specific locations without interruption.
- Poké Balls: Have a good supply of Poké Balls, Great Balls, or Ultra Balls to ensure you can catch Mew when you encounter it. Ultra Balls are recommended for a higher catch rate.
Detailed Steps to Catch Mew using the Trainer-Fly Glitch
Follow these meticulously detailed steps to maximize your chances of successfully catching Mew:
Step 1: Preparing in Cerulean City
- Head to Nugget Bridge (North of Cerulean City): Begin your journey in Cerulean City and make your way north towards Nugget Bridge (Route 24).
- Defeat the First Five Trainers: Battle and defeat the first five trainers on Nugget Bridge. This part is straightforward and required to progress.
- The Sixth Trainer (The Key Trainer): This is the trainer you will use to trigger the glitch. This trainer is standing to the right, near the patch of grass, looking down. Do NOT battle him yet.
Step 2: Executing the Glitch
- Positioning: Stand one step south of the sixth trainer (the one looking down).
- The Menu and the Step: Press the start button to open the menu JUST before the trainer spots you and walks towards you to initiate the battle. The timing is critical. If you open the menu too early or too late, the glitch will not work. The trainer must take ONE step towards you.
- Use Fly: While the menu is open and the trainer has taken one step, use Fly to teleport to Cerulean City.
- Success Check: If executed correctly, the trainer will have seen you and initiated the battle sequence, but you will have flown away before the battle started. This will trigger a glitch in the game’s memory.
Step 3: The Route 25 Encounter
- Head East from Cerulean City: After flying to Cerulean City, head east towards Route 25 (towards Bill’s house).
- Trainer Avoidance: Avoid all trainers on Route 25. Do not engage in any battles on this route.
- Approaching the Encounter: As you approach the area where you would normally battle the ‘youngster’ trainer who is standing next to the grass patch, the game will automatically initiate a battle. Instead of battling the youngster, you will encounter Mew.
Step 4: Catching Mew
- Engage the Battle: The battle will start with Mew at level 7.
- Weaken Mew (Optional): Use status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis to increase your chances of catching Mew. Avoid moves that might knock out Mew.
- Throw Poké Balls: Throw Poké Balls, Great Balls, or Ultra Balls until you successfully catch Mew. Ultra Balls are highly recommended.
- Congratulations: If successful, you will have caught Mew! You can now name it and add it to your party.
Troubleshooting the Trainer-Fly Glitch
The Trainer-Fly glitch can be finicky. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
- The Trainer Doesn’t Move: Ensure you are positioned correctly, one step south of the trainer. The trainer must take a single step towards you.
- The Game Freezes: If the game freezes, it usually means the timing was off, or you engaged another trainer. Reset the game and try again. Save often to avoid significant progress loss.
- The Game Doesn’t Trigger the Encounter: If the battle does not trigger on Route 25, it likely means you engaged in a battle after flying to Cerulean City or that the initial glitch setup was incorrect. Retrace your steps and try again, ensuring you avoid all trainers on Route 25.
- Encountering a Different Pokémon: If you encounter a different Pokémon instead of Mew, it indicates that you might have accidentally triggered a different encounter value. Make sure you follow the steps precisely. You can influence the encountered Pokemon by the special value of the last trainer you saw. Different trainers will trigger different Pokemon, including high level Pokemon and even MissingNo.
Alternative Method: Using the Long-Range Trainer Glitch (Less Reliable)
While the Trainer-Fly glitch is the most reliable method, there is another glitch, albeit less consistent, that can potentially lead to encountering Mew. This involves the Long-Range Trainer glitch. It is generally harder to pull off consistently than the Trainer-Fly method.
Steps for the Long-Range Trainer Glitch
- Find a Long-Range Trainer: Locate a trainer who can see you from a distance (e.g., a trainer on a cliff or across a gap). A suitable trainer is the one near the Underground Path entrance between Route 5 and Route 6.
- Take One Step into Their Line of Sight: Position yourself so that you are just barely within the trainer’s line of sight, triggering their battle sequence.
- Open the Menu: Immediately open the start menu before the trainer can approach you.
- Use Teleport or Dig: Use Teleport or Dig to escape the area. Teleport is preferred as Dig requires access to a cave or building.
- Return to Cerulean City: Fly to Cerulean City.
- Route 25 Encounter: Just as with the Trainer-Fly method, head east towards Route 25. A battle should automatically trigger.
- Catch Mew: The encounter should initiate a battle with Mew, which you can then attempt to catch using Poké Balls.
Reasons for Lower Reliability
- Timing Sensitivity: The timing is even more critical with this glitch. Opening the menu at precisely the right moment is essential.
- Inconsistent Trigger: The encounter trigger can be inconsistent, and you might end up triggering a different encounter or no encounter at all.
- Trainer Proximity: The distance and specific positioning relative to the trainer influence whether the glitch works as intended.
Important Considerations and Additional Tips
- Saving Your Game: Save your game frequently, especially before attempting these glitches. This prevents significant progress loss if something goes wrong.
- Battery Life: Ensure your Game Boy or emulator has sufficient battery life. A sudden power loss during a glitch can corrupt your save file.
- Emulator vs. Original Hardware: These glitches work on both original Game Boy hardware and emulators. However, slight variations in timing might be required due to differences in processing speed.
- Understanding the Glitch Mechanics: Grasping the underlying mechanics of how the glitch manipulates memory can help you troubleshoot and adapt the steps if needed. The game’s code essentially gets confused about which battle sequence to load next.
- Explore Other Glitches: Catching Mew is just one of many glitches in Pokémon Yellow. Exploring other glitches can enhance your gameplay experience and reveal hidden aspects of the game. MissingNo, item duplication, and more are possible!
- Beware of Corrupted Saves: While generally safe, glitches carry a slight risk of corrupting your save data. It’s always prudent to back up your save file if possible (especially when using emulators).
- Patience is Key: Remember that glitches often require multiple attempts to execute successfully. Do not be discouraged by initial failures. Persist and refine your technique.
Is it Ethical to Use Glitches?
Whether or not it’s “ethical” to use glitches is a matter of personal opinion and depends on the context.
- Single-Player Games: In single-player games like Pokémon Yellow, using glitches is generally considered acceptable. It doesn’t affect other players and can be seen as a way to explore the game’s hidden features and limitations.
- Competitive Play: In competitive Pokémon settings (which were not common in the original Game Boy era but exist now), using glitches to gain an unfair advantage is generally frowned upon. Official tournaments and leagues typically have rules against exploiting glitches.
- Personal Enjoyment: Ultimately, whether you choose to use glitches or not is up to you. If it enhances your enjoyment of the game and doesn’t harm anyone else’s experience, there’s no inherent reason not to. Some players enjoy the challenge of executing glitches, while others prefer a more “pure” gameplay experience.
Why Catch Mew?
Apart from the thrill of executing a complex glitch, there are several reasons why you might want to catch Mew in Pokémon Yellow.
- Completionism: For many players, catching Mew is a matter of completing their Pokédex. It’s the ultimate challenge and a symbol of dedication to the game.
- Rarity: Mew is incredibly rare and not normally obtainable in the game without using glitches or external devices. Catching it legitimately was only possible through special events.
- Unique Pokémon: Mew is a Psychic-type Pokémon with the ability to learn every TM and HM in the game. This makes it incredibly versatile and useful in battles.
- Novelty: Having Mew in your party is a novelty and a conversation starter. It’s a testament to your knowledge and skill in exploiting the game’s mechanics.
- Personal Satisfaction: Successfully executing a complex glitch and catching Mew can be a deeply satisfying experience. It’s a demonstration of your problem-solving skills and persistence.
Conclusion
Catching Mew in Pokémon Yellow using the Trainer-Fly glitch or other methods is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires patience, precision, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. By following the detailed steps in this guide, you can increase your chances of successfully adding this legendary Pokémon to your team. Remember to save frequently, be prepared for potential setbacks, and most importantly, have fun exploring the hidden depths of Pokémon Yellow! Whether you are a long-time fan revisiting a classic or a newcomer eager to experience the secrets of the first generation, the quest to catch Mew is a memorable journey into the heart of Pokémon lore.