Kanto is the first region in Pokemon history! Whether you're playing the original version of the game or one of the re-releases, you may run into problems sooner or later. Here are some simple steps that will help you progress through the world of Kanto and get all 8 medals.
Steps
Step 1. After receiving your first Pokemon, you will need to go to Pewter City to get the first medal
When you exit Pallet Town and enter Viridian City, you will notice a gymnasium. Surprisingly, this is where you will win your latest medal. You will need to proceed north of Viridian City to the Emerald Forest and pass it.
Step 2. After going through the Forest, exit and go north where you will find Pewter City
The leader of the Pewter City Gym is Brock, the Gym Leader who uses rock-type Pokemon.
Step 3. After exiting the Pewter Gym proceed to the path to the right of the city, where the man would not let you pass
Step 4. Follow the course and face all the coaches
Keep following him until you find a Pokemon Center to the north. On your right you will find the entrance to the cave that leads to Mount Luna. Enter and proceed into the cave.
Step 5. After exiting the other side of the cave, keep walking until you reach Celestopoli
This city is the home of Misty, the Water-type Gym Leader.
Step 6. After defeating Misty, go north from Celestial City and face off against your rival and all the trainers on the Nugget Bridge
Step 7. Go East and face off against all the trainers (if you want to catch Mew later, search the internet on which trainer not to challenge)
Step 8. Proceeding west, you will see a house
Come in and talk to Bill, who will give you a ticket for the S. S. Anna.
Step 9. Later return to Heavenly City and look for a house with a policeman outside the door
Enter and exit the back door, where you'll face off against a member of Team Rocket.
Step 10. After defeating him, go south (be careful not to make the jump or you'll have to make your way back) and keep going down until you see a building on the right
This is the Underground Tunnel, which will take you to Orange City.
Step 11. Enter and go down the stairs, where you will have to follow the path to the end
Climb the stairs and exit the building. Go south of the building and fight all the trainers to reach Orange City!
Step 12. You can't face all the coaches though
If you've been to the gym before, you'll notice a tree preventing you from reaching it. Before you can beat the Aranciopoli gym leader, you'll need to get on the S. S. Anna to get HM01 - Cut.
Step 13. Heal your Pokemon and proceed south into the city, then go east until you see a pier on the water
Follow the dock and you will see a sailor who will check your ticket and get you on board. On the ship you will find many trainers who want to fight you, so if you need to train your Pokemon, defeat them all! Don't worry if you need to heal your Pokemon, the ship won't sail until you get HM Slash and get off.
Step 14. You will meet your rival on the ship on the second floor, so be prepared
After dealing with him, proceed north along the path and enter the room. You will see the captain near a basket suffering from seasickness, and you will need to massage his back to make him feel better (approach and press B to do so). He will thank you and give you the HM Cut. Unless you want to face off against other trainers, you can now get out of the ship and challenge the Orangepole Gym Leader!
Step 15. The Aranciopoli gym hosts LT
Surge, the electro-type gym leader!
Step 16. After defeating Surge you will need to get the Rainbow Medal
First, you will need to get the HM Flash. Go east past the Orangepole docks where you got the Cut, and keep going east until you see a cave.
Step 17. This cave is the Diglett's Cave, and you will need to go through it to get the HM Flash
After passing the cave, go south to the large building and enter. Inside you will see Professor Oak's assistant, talk to him and he will give you the HM Flash.
Step 18. After obtaining Flash, retrace your steps, through Diglett's Cave and Orange City, until you reach Celestopolis via the Underground Tunnel
Step 19. After exiting the Underground Tunnel, go north and you will notice a path to the east with a tree blocking the passage
Use Cut to get rid of the tree and continue.
Step 20. You will soon reach a large patch of tall grass
Continue south to a Pokemon center and you'll notice a cave to the west. This is the Rock Tunnel, enter and use Flash. Proceed until you exit the other side.
Step 21. After passing the Rock Tunnel, go south until you reach Violet City
There are no gyms in this city, but it is still an important place, where you will have to return after obtaining the Rainbow medal.
Step 22. Go west from Violet City and pass all the coaches
Eventually, you will notice two buildings; you can't go past the one on the left, while the one to the north is another Underground Tunnel. Follow it to reach Celadon City, you will need to get the Rainbow Medal.
Step 23. After passing the Tunnel, you will notice that the same building that you could not go through on the other side is on your right
To gain access to these buildings in the Green, Blue, Red or Yellow versions, you will need to purchase a drink from the Celadon City Super Mart, and speak to the guard inside. The same goes for RossoFuoco and VerdeFoglia, but you'll get tea from the old lady in the Celadon Villa. Talk to the guard who will take your drink. Now you can go through these buildings without having to go through the entire Underground Tunnel.
Step 24. Celado is west of the Tunnel exit
Heal your Pokemon and proceed to the southern part of Celadon City. You will find a wall and a tree along the wall. Use Cut to delete the tree and proceed. Proceed west to the Celadon City Gym.
Step 25. Celadon City's Gym Leader is Erika, and she uses Grass-type Pokemon
Step 26. To reach the next gym, you will need to have the Snorlax move off the Bike Path
To do this, you will need to enter the Arcade of Celadon City, approach the member of Team Rocket (the man in black), defeat him, and click on the poster behind him when he escapes. A stairway will appear, and you will need to complete the mission inside, defeating Giovanni and obtaining the Ghost Probe.
Step 27. Once you have the Stilth Scope, return to Violet City and enter the Pokemon Tower
Complete the mission inside and save Mr. Fuji. After saving him, talk to him again in his house (you will automatically reach him after saving him) and he will give you the Flute Poké.
Step 28. Return to Celadon City, proceed west and face Snorlax
After defeating or capturing him, you'll need to cut the tree above you, proceed west through the building, enter the house, and get the HM Flight.
Step 29. Go back to where you fought Snorlax and through the building to enter the Bike Path
You will automatically reach Fuchsia City.
Step 30. Fuchsia City Gym Leader is Kouga
Koga uses poison-type Pokemon.
Step 31. After defeating Koga, you will need to obtain HM Surf and Strength before continuing your journey
Go north of Fuchsia City and enter the Safari Zone, where you will find two items: the MN Surf and the Gold Tooth.
Step 32. Complete your objective in the Safari Zone by recovering the two aforementioned items
Now that you've got HM Surf, all you need is HM Forza! To the right of the Fuchsia City Pokemon Center, you'll see a couple of houses. In one of the houses, you will find the guardian. Give the guardian the Gold Tooth and as a reward for finding his tooth, he will give you HM Strength!
Step 33. It's time to show it to Team Rocket
Go to Saffron City to defeat him. You will find this city north of Orange City. In Saffron City, you will find a tall building, enter and complete the challenge inside.
34 After defeating Team Rocket, those losers will escape and you can take on the Saffron City Gym Leader
The gym leader is Sabrina, and she uses Psychic-type Pokemon.
35 The worst part of the journey is behind you, and now you need to get the seventh medal
Fly to Pallet Town, go south and use Surf. You will have to swim up until you reach Cinnamon Island.
36 Before you can face the island gym leader, you will need to find the key that opens the door to the gym
Go to Villa Cannella and look for the key.
37 After getting the key, go out and unlock the gym doors
The island's gym leader is Blaine, and he uses fire-type Pokemon!
38 Now is the time for the final medal
Remember the Viridian Gym was blocked! That is your ultimate challenge to get all the medals. And guess. Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, is the Viridian Gym Leader! Giovanni uses Pokemon similar to the ones he used when you faced him in the past.
Advice
- Save the game before each battle. This way, if you lose, you can shut down the game and load.
- Make a good group of Pokemon of different types. Remember, Pokemon have strengths and weaknesses, and knowing them will allow you to have a great advantage on your journey. An example of a good group is: Flareon (fire), Lapras (water), Pikachu (electro), Bulbasaur (grass / poison), Geodude (rock), Dodrio (flight / normal).
- Before a fight with a gym leader, train and level up your Pokemon. This will make the battles much easier.
- Bring items with you before facing the gym leaders. You don't want your Pokemon to be limited by negative statuses. Also carry Potions or Super Potions that can help you when your Pokemon's health is in the red zone.
- Remember to read the game and console manuals.
Warnings
- This guide tells you how to get the medals and the steps you need to follow. It does not explain how to get through the caves and complete the challenges inside the buildings.
- This guide is for obtaining Kanto medals in the first generation games (Red, Blue, Green and Yellow) or in re-editions (VerdeFoglia, RossoFuoco). It does not explain how to get Kanto medals in Generation II games (Silver, Gold and Crystal).
- If you want to trade your Pokemon between different games, remember that the Pokemon you get with trades will not obey you if they are of too high a level and you do not have a specific medal. For example: The Celestial City Gym Medal allows you to command Pokemon received in trades up to level 30, and without it, higher level traded Pokemon may decide not to follow your orders.
- It will be very difficult to play the game with only one Pokemon. You will always find a gym that uses Pokemon of a strong type against yours. Vary your Pokemon team.
