Pokémon Emerald Classic
Game Boy Color · RPG
Pokémon Crystal
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy Color |
|---|---|
| Released | 2001 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Pokémon |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 32 |
Released for the Game Boy Color in 2001, Pokémon Crystal is a role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Pokemon: Crystal Version.
It landed about 3 years into the GBC's life. Other notable GBC releases from 2001 include Resident Evil Gaiden, Mega Man Xtreme and Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble. Among the 31 GBC RPGs in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Pokémon series; on the GBC you can also try Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. The series also appears on other systems with Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy) and Pokémon Emerald (GBA).
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you want to experience one of the GBC's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Pokémon Crystal is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Pokémon Crystal cheats & codes
259 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Your Starting Pokemon Will Be Level 10 (Instead of Level 5) (Only Works When You Pick The MIDDLE Pokeball) | 0AC-E6B-F7E |
|---|---|
| Your Starting Pokemon Will Be Level 20 (Instead of Level 5) (Only Works When You Pick The MIDDLE Pokeball) | 14C-E6B-F7E |
| Your Starting Pokemon Will Be Level 50 (Instead of Level 5) (Only Works When You Pick The MIDDLE Pokeball) | 32C-E6B-F7E |
| Start With Any Pokemon!! | XXC-E5B-910 |
| Start The Game With Any Pokemon You Want | 97C-E5B-910 |
| Infinite Health | 00D-94A-F77 |
Pokémon Crystal walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pokémon Crystal.
If you like Pokémon Crystal, the Matrix also picks…
Pokémon Platinum Classic
Pokémon Yellow Classic
Pokémon Blue Classic
Pokémon Red Classic
Pokémon FireRed Deep cut
Playing GBC games today
GBC games are compact and colorful, and many are available on Nintendo Switch Online. Cartridges also play on the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Crystal FAQ
When did Pokémon Crystal come out on the GBC?
Pokémon Crystal was released for the Game Boy Color in 2001.
Who made Pokémon Crystal?
It was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo.
Is Pokémon Crystal multiplayer?
No. Pokémon Crystal is a single-player game.
How long does Pokémon Crystal take to play?
As a role-playing game, Pokémon Crystal typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Pokémon Crystal on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.