Pallet Town

Start at home

Pallet Town is small, warm, and easy to learn. Your house sits on the west side, your rival's house is across the path, and Oak's Lab waits near the south edge. Before you go, check the PC in your room for a Potion. Then go downstairs. Mom says Professor Oak is looking for you.

• Take the Potion before you try Route 1.
• After you have a Pokémon, Mom can heal your team at home.

Let Oak stop you

Walk north toward the grass and Oak rushes in. He warns you that wild Pokémon live in tall grass, then leads you into Oak's Lab. In Red and Blue, choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Your rival takes another Pokémon and battles you right away.

• Talk to Oak after choosing to hear how your Pokémon can fight wild Pokémon.
• The first rival battle happens before you leave the lab.
• The lab also has the Pokédexes that start the main quest.

Bring back Oak's Parcel

After the lab battle, go north through Route 1 to Viridian City. The Viridian Mart clerk gives you Oak's Parcel. Bring it back to Oak's Lab. Oak thanks you, gives you the Pokédex, and hands over 5 Poké Balls so catching can begin.

• Do this errand before you worry about filling the Pokédex.
• Stop by your rival's house after you get the Pokédex.
• Daisy gives you the Town Map if your bag has room.

Look around before you leave

Take one last lap through town. The girl talks about raising Pokémon, the fisher explains PC storage, and the signs point out your house, your rival's house, Oak's Lab, and Pallet's famous journey line. Route 21 is south, but that path matters much later.

• Best early path: home, north grass scene, Oak's Lab, Route 1, Viridian Mart, then back to Oak.
• Useful people: Mom, Oak, your rival, Daisy, the girl outside, and the fisher.
• Why return: Mom heals your team, and Pallet links back to Route 21 late in the adventure.