Game Link cable

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The Game Link cable is an accessory to the Game Boy line of handheld video game systems allowing players to connect two games of the same type, or part of the same series, generally to unlock hidden features, such as characters, which require it to access them. It is generally associated with the Pokémon franchise as those were the games that exploited them the most.

1 Styles
2 Use in Pokémon games
3 References

[edit] Styles

The first style of Game Link cable (originally called Game Boy Video Link) had large connectors on both ends, used for the original Game Boy. The second style (associated with the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color and with 8-bit games on Game Boy Advance) on one end and both connectors on the other. Game Boy Color also used the second style. The third style (for Game Boy Advance native games) had small connectors at each end, with an extra piece to prevent insertion into 8-bit systems, and a connector in the middle used to connect optional additional cables for the third and fourth players. The second gamelink could be used in a Gameboy Advance to play Gameboy or Gameboy Color games in multiplayer, while playing them in a Gameboy Advance. Releases of the second Link Cable had an adapter allowing the first Gameboy and a gameboy that is capable of useing the second gamelink together.

A Game Link cable was planned for the Virtual Boy^[1] but never released.

[edit] Use in Pokémon games

The cable is required to access the conection center in the Pokémon Centers, where it gives players the ability to trade their Pokémon, and have battles with each other. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, players can also mix records.

[edit] First/Second Generation

In the first generation games, including Pokémon Yellow, the player must access the link cable by talking to the person to the top right of the Pokémon center. In the second generation games, the link cable club can be accessed through a set of stairs, which has been the case ever since. In the second generation, after reaching Ecruteak City, you can trade with the first generation games.

[edit] Trade Center

At the trade center, two trainers can trade their Pokémon with each other to fill out their Pokédex. Trading Pokémon is required in order for one player to get all three of the starter Pokémon and various other Pokémon that cannot appear in both (or all three for the first generation) games. Traded Pokémon have special differences than originally captured Pokémon, the most notable is on the Pokémon summary page next to OT, instead of having the players name, it marks the Trainer who the player has traded with, the same applies for the ID which is used to identify the Original Trainer, it is most likely, but not proven, that the reason is to prevent the game being confused when trading with a player with exactly the same name.

[edit] Colosseum

Colosseum allows players to test their Pokémon training skills by battling against each other to prove who is the best trainer. However, there are a few changes, players cannot use items, and their Pokémon do not grow up levels. In Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal and onward, a record is kept of the player's scores.