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Proto:Pokémon Gold and Silver/Spaceworld 1997 Demo

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This is a sub-page of Proto:Pokémon Gold and Silver/Spaceworld 1997 Demo.

How about a nice leek in this trying time?
This page or section details content from the May 2018 Nintendo Leak.
Check the May 2018 Nintendo Leak category for more pages also sourced from this material.
This cactus is UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This article is a work in progress.
...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

On November 22, 1997, an early playable demo of Pokémon Gold and Silver was shown at Space World '97. Long considered lost treasures, on May 26, 2018 an anonymous user unexpectedly released ROMs of the elusive demos online. The ROMs themselves were built on November 15, 1997. A more in-depth explanation as to how these demos were first obtained can be read here.

Documentation on this prototype can be viewed in this Google spreadsheet, as well as this repository. May Game Freak have mercy on our souls.

Subpages

PKMNGoldSpaceworld-TitleDebug.png
Debug Menu
You've got the power right in your hands.
PokeGoldDemo-front 172.png
Pokémon
You would not believe your eyes.
Pokemon RGB-Falling Star.png
Movesets
Quite a lot to cover around here.
PokemonGS-BeautyProto.png
Trainers
Challenge accepted.
PKMN GS Prototype Town Map.PNG
Maps
Kanto looks a lot smaller than I remembered.
GS Demo Picross 1.png
Minigames
Pokémon Picross is alive and kicking.
Pokemon RGB-Pokeball.png
Items
Ice Bikini joke goes here.
Pokemon RGB-Pokedex.png
Text
It's a rather different story, after all.

ROMs

Download.png Download Pokémon Gold (Spaceworld 1997 Demo, Debug Version)
File: Pokémon Gold - Spaceworld 1997 Demo (Debug).7z (info)
Download.png Download Pokémon Gold (Spaceworld 1997 Demo, NonDebug Version)
File: Pokémon Gold - Spaceworld 1997 Demo (NonDebug).7z (info)
Download.png Download Pokémon Silver (Spaceworld 1997 Demo, Debug Version)
File: Pokémon Silver - Spaceworld 1997 Demo (Debug).7z (info)
Download.png Download Pokémon Silver (Spaceworld 1997 Demo, NonDebug Version)
File: Pokémon Silver - Spaceworld 1997 Demo (NonDebug).7z (info)


There are a total of four separate ROMs which consists of two Gold and two Silver, two Debug and two NonDebug. Each archive contains two ROMs: the original ROM, and a version with a fixed header that allows it to run on normal Game Boy hardware and most emulators.

The non-debug builds can be found in the following paths in the leaks:

  • Gen2.7z/mons2.zip/Document/ポケモン金銀/展示会バージョン/MONS2KN.COM
  • Gen2.7z/mons2.zip/Document/ポケモン金銀/展示会バージョン/MONS2SN.COM

The debug builds can be found in the following paths in the leaks:

  • Gen2.7z/mons2.zip/Document/ポケモン金銀/展示会バージョン/MONS2KD.COM
  • Gen2.7z/mons2.zip/Document/ポケモン金銀/展示会バージョン/MONS2SD.COM

To fix a ROM yourself, open it in a hex editor (such as HxD on Windows) and edit the following:

  • For all versions, set the byte at 0x0147 to 0x10.
  • For Debug Gold, set the bytes at 0x014D to 0xC7 0x7B 0xA2.
  • For NonDebug Gold, set the bytes at 0x014D to 0xC7 0xA2 0x84.
  • For Debug Silver, set the bytes at 0x014D to 0x18 0x54 0xEF.
  • For NonDebug Silver, set the bytes at 0x014D to 0x18 0x2C 0x58.

Or install 'rgbds' and use on the ROM 'rgbfix -fhg -m 0x10'

Main Gameplay Differences

  • The intro lacks music entirely.
  • The demo's soundtrack is almost entirely made up of re-used songs from Red and Green, and any new songs appear to be nonexistent, even in the sound test.
    • The music from Viridian City, Saffron City, and Pewter City is used for all towns and cities.
    • The music used on Routes is that of Route 1.
    • Both the Wild and Trainer battles use the Gym Leader battle music from Red and Green.
    • Several more tracks from Red and Green remain in this version's data, including jingles for inaccessible events (like healing at Pokémon Centers).
  • Pokémon descriptions from Gen I are carried over here. New Pokémon have a placeholder entry of "はっけんされた ばかりの ポケモン げんざい ちょうさちゅう。" ("Currently investigating this recently discovered Pokémon.").
  • It is possible to be ambushed twice in a row on a single grass tile.
  • Pokémon don't have to wait until gaining a level to evolve if they're past their evolution level. Gaining experience sometimes starts the evolution.
  • The Bicycle moves at walking speed.
  • Skateboard movement is completely broken unless holding B, and bypasses map boundaries.

Pokemon Spaceworld 1997 - Demo Darkness.png

Demo Lockouts

Because this is a demo, there are several restrictions in place that can't be surpassed without using the debug menu or hacks/cheats.

  • The only options normally available on the main menu are "ポケモンを あそぶ" (Play Pokémon) and "せっていを かえる" (Change Settings).
  • The player cannot save their game.
  • To fast-track the demo, you are immediately given a random Level 8 starter upon starting the game.
  • You can't use the PC or Pokémon Center without the debug menu. The player is given Potions instead. Both options complain about being "under repair" or "being adjusted".
  • You can't name your player character or rival. It chooses one of the default names randomly.
  • You cannot enter Professor Oak's lab. If the player is forced into the lab and/or its back room using debug functions while the demo mode is still active, Professor Oak says some generic lines that don't reveal anything important about the plot.
  • Ken, the older brother of the main character, is not visible in your room during demo mode.
  • The starter Pokémon, and most of those available to catch, have had their evolutions removed to prevent players from discovering them. Despite this, Caterpie and Metapod can still evolve as usual.
  • To speed up the demo, losing dialogue from the NPCs is removed.
  • The player can only visit the starting town and earliest routes, up to the route after the forest.
  • When all Pokémon have fainted, the player is booted back to the title screen, regardless of whether the game is in demo mode or story mode.

Story Mode

Although not completed yet and normally inaccessible, bits of a story mode do indeed exist within the ROM. These can be accessed by changing 0x5585 from 0x8D to 0xB9. The data change will cause serious issues with movement in some emulators, however, which tends to result in a crash.

Only the introduction up to the meet-up with the Rival appear to be fully coded and playable. However, the teams for this Rival battle are stored in an older format which the game fails to read correctly, resulting in a near-unwinnable battle.

Visual Comparisons

At this point in development, Pokémon Gold and Silver were still being developed for the monochrome Game Boy handheld consoles, with Super Game Boy support for colorization. Development shifted to the Game Boy Color in mid-1998.

A lot of the background layouts were already seemingly finished at this point (as judged by the planned release dates) while some had different palettes, some of which match up with the final games when played in Super Game Boy mode.

Borders

Early Borders Final Borders
Pokémon Gold - Spaceworld 1997 Demo-title.PNG Pokémon Gold - Spaceworld 1997 Demo- Final Border.PNG
Pokémon Silver - Spaceworld 1997 Demo-title.PNG Pokémon Silver - Spaceworld 1997 Demo- Final Border.PNG

Although these demo builds each feature their own drastically different borders, the final borders are also present, and the player can switch between them by pressing the Select button in the Options menu. The presence of a save file appears to interfere with this process, and so a second press may be required. Interestingly, returning to the title screen in any way, be it by fainting, talking to Silver near Old City's gate, or even by using the Reset debug option will revert the border to the default demo one.

Intro

The intro is mainly similar between the two, though the actual art is noticeably different between the two versions.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PokemonGold SpaceWorldIntro 1.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 1 SGB.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 1.png

Omanyte can be seen in the intro instead of Shellder. The detail of the ocean floor was also simplified.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PokemonGold SpaceWorldIntro 2.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 2 SGB.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 2.png

The Magikarp were redrawn to be on-model.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PokemonGold SpaceWorldIntro 3.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 3 SGB.png PokemonGold FinalIntro 3.png

The Lapras sprite in the intro was also redone, with the most notable differences being the head and shell. It was also given more animation in the final, with less of a "bob" as it paddles in the water.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Such a deceptive smile.
PokemonGold SpaceWorldIntro 5.png
PokemonGold FinalIntro 4 SGB.png
Surprise, Jigglypuff!
PokemonGold FinalIntro 4.png
Surprise, Jigglypuff!

Details on the trees and bushes were removed. Shading was removed from Pikachu and Jigglypuff. Pikachu attacking Jigglypuff does not use unique frames like the final game.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PkmnGSProto-Intro-1.png PkmnGS-Intro-1 SGB.png PkmnGS-Intro-1.png
PkmnGSProto-Intro-2.png PkmnGS-Intro-2 SGB.png PkmnGS-Intro-2.png
N/A
PkmnGS-Intro-3 SGB.png PkmnGS-Intro-3.png
PkmnGSProto-Intro-3.png PkmnGS-Intro-4 SGB.png PkmnGS-Intro-4.png

In place of the Johto starters, the final part of the intro uses Blastoise and Venusaur instead. Charizard's silhouette is also a bit different.

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PKMNGold-SW-Chari1.png
PKMNGold-SW-Chari2.png
PKMNGold-SW-Chari3.png
PKMNGold-Chari1 SGB.png
PKMNGold-Chari2 SGB.png
PKMNGold-Chari3 SGB.png
PKMNGold-Chari1.png
PKMNGold-Chari2.png
PKMNGold-Chari3.png

Finally, like the silhouette, the Charizard sprites at the very end were redrawn for the final game.

Time of Day

Time mechanics are in this build, and the lighting effects are obviously different due to it being built on Super Game Boy hardware at the time.

Morning

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PKMNGS-MorningSpaceWorld97.png PKMNGS-MorningFINAL-SGB.png PKMNGS-MorningFINAL.png

In comparison with daytime, the colors seem to be slightly darker rather than lighter, giving it more of a feeling of being very early in the morning.

Daytime

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PKMNGS-DaytimeSpaceWorld97.png PKMNGS-DaytimeFINAL-SGB.png PKMNGS-DaytimeFINAL.png

Night

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
PKMNGS-EveningSpaceWorld97.png PKMNGS-EveningFINAL-SGB.png PKMNGS-EveningFINAL.png

Time Adjuster

PKMNGoldSpaceworld-TimeAdjuster.png

A time-related menu exclusive to this build can also be accessed from the title screen by inputting Down + B + A. This one would have logically been used to change the time, with Up / Down used to change the hour, while Left / Right are used to change the minutes. However, this menu is rather unstable, as it cannot be exited, and crashes the game when the time is confirmed. Has no equivalent in the final games, though it may have inspired the clock reset function that exists in the localized versions.

Interface

Battle

Generation I SpaceWorld 1997 Proto April 1998 Corocoro Issue Final (JP)
PKMN RB Battle.png PKMN GS SpaceWorld Battle.png PKMN GS rpgamer 1999-11-08 screenshot 7.gif PKMN GS Final Battle.png

The battle HUD is almost exactly the same aside from the lack of color, since it uses original Game Boy hardware. When using a Super Game Boy, color tinting is added, just like in Red, Green, and Blue.

Party

Generation I SpaceWorld 1997 Proto 1999 Promotional Video Final (JP)
PKMN RB Party.png PKMN GS SpaceWorld Party.png PKMN GS videogames.com screenshot 3.jpg PKMN GS videogames.com screenshot 3 FINAL.png

While the party menu seems very similar to the Gen I games, the HP bar was changed and remained that way for the final game. In the 1999 promotional video, the text box on the bottom removed one line to fill the "Back" menu underneath the Pokémon party, very close to the final game. In the end, the HP bar and the HP numbers were swapped.

Inventory

Generation I SpaceWorld 1997 Video SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Mid-to-Late 1998 Final (JP, SGB) Final (JP, GBC)
Pokemon-GenIBag.png PkmnGS-Folders.jpg Poke Gold (Demo) - Bag.png PKMN GS rpgamer 1999-11-08 screenshot 14.gif Poke Gold (Final) - Bag SGB.png Poke Gold (Final) - Bag.png

The inventory was in the middle of a redesign during the demo, even though the promotional video seems to show a much earlier (and buggier) version of the menu. It was one of the interfaces that got changed most near the end of development.

Pokémon's Summary

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-SummaryScreen.png Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-SummaryScreen.png Pokemon-GS-SummaryScreen-SGB.png PokemonGold-Japan Pokemon summary.png

The summary screen for the Pokémon didn't get much of a redesign at all, and stayed almost exactly the same if not for a few menu button arrangements. Oddly enough, the English version of the summary screen takes the base from the Gen I games due to text spacing.

Pokémon Storage System

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-Storage.png Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-Storage.png Pokemon-GS-Storage-SGB.png Pokemon-GS-Storage-GBC.png

Much like the Inventory shown in the 1997 SpaceWorld promotional video, the Pokémon Storage System was in the middle of being reworked. Pokémon were arranged in a list via species, name, level, and gender. It would later be revamped in the final release, complete with the image of the caught Pokémon shown at the side and the named Pokémon replacing the species.

Trainer Card

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Poke Gold (Demo) - Trainer Card 1.png
Poke Gold (Demo) - Trainer Card 2.png
Poke Gold (Final) - Trainer Card 1 SGB.png
Poke Gold (Final) - Trainer Card 2 SGB.png
Poke Gold (Final) - Trainer Card 1.png
Poke Gold (Final) - Trainer Card 2.png

The trainer card is mostly the same, except the play time isn't tracked and the Gym Leaders were moved to another "page". The Gym Badges also had completely different designs, most likely placeholders.

Strangely, the border colors are exactly the same when the game is played on the Super Game Boy in the final version.

Pokédex

Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Poke Gold (Demo) - Pokedex 1.png Poke Gold (Final) - Pokedex 1 SGB.png Poke Gold (Final) - Pokedex 1.png

The Pokédex was in the middle of being redesigned, as the National one is enabled by default (in debug mode at least).

Pokédex Entry

Generation I SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Mid-to-Late 1998 Final (JP, SGB) Final (JP, GBC)
Pokemon-GenIPokeDexEntry.png PkmnSpaceWorld-PokeDexEntry.png PKMN GS rpgamer 1999-11-08 screenshot 11.gif PKMN GS rpgamer 1999-11-08 screenshot 11 FINAL SGB.png PKMN GS rpgamer 1999-11-08 screenshot 11 FINAL.png

The layout of Pokédex entries in this build looks a lot closer to the ones reminiscent of Gen I.

PokéGear Radio

SpaceWorld 1997 Proto 1999 Promotional Video Final (JP, SGB) Final (JP, GBC)
PKMN GS Radio Demo.png PKMN GS videogames.com screenshot 2.jpg PKMN GS videogames.com screenshot 2 FINAL SGB.png PKMN GS videogames.com screenshot 2 FINAL.png

Even though the PokéGear doesn't fully work yet, even in debug mode, the foundation for it has all been laid down.

Options

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final
Pokemon-GenI-Options.png Poke Gold (Demo) - Options.png Poke Gold (Final) - Options.png

Based on the Generation I Option panel, with an added checkered border. The "Mono" and "Stereo" options are already added, and so is the window frame changer, although its description states "わく を かえる" (Change the frame) instead of simply "タイプ" (Type). The "Print" and "Menu Account" options are not yet implemented.

Trade Screen

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-TradingScreen.png Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-TradingScreen.png Pokemon-GS-Final-TradingScreen-SGB.png Pokemon-GS-Final-TradingScreen-GBC.png

Other than the color changes, the background was touched up a bit in the final.

Battle Vs. Screen

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-BattleVS-Screen.png Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-BattleVS-Screen.png Pokemon-GS-Final-BattleVS-Screen-SGB.png Pokemon-GS-Final-BattleVS-Screen-GBC.png

As usual, the Poké Balls present on the borders were removed in this build. While virtually nothing was changed, the blank slots for Pokémon were added in the final release.

HM Moves

Hmmm...
To do:
A lot of GIFs still need to be uploaded.

The normally-unobtainable HM Moves in the demo actually have unique animations!

HM01 (Cut)

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-HM01-Cut.gif Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-HM01-Cut.gif Pokemon-GS-SGB-HM01-Cut.gif Pokemon-GS-GBC-HM01-Cut.gif

HM02 (Fly)

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-HM02-Fly.gif Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-HM02-Fly.gif Pokemon-GS-SGB-HM02-Fly.gif Pokemon-GS-GBC-HM02-Fly.gif

HM03 (Surf)

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-HM03-Surf.gif Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-HM03-Surf.gif Pokemon-GS-SGB-HM03-Surf.gif Pokemon-GS-GBC-HM03-Surf.gif

HM04 (Strength)

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-HM04-Strength.gif File:Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-HM04-Strength.gif Pokemon-GS-SGB-HM04-Strength.gif Pokemon-GS-GBC-HM04-Strength.gif

HM05 (Flash)

Generation I (JP) SpaceWorld 1997 Proto Final (SGB) Final (GBC)
Pokemon-GenI-HM05-Flash.gif File:Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-HM05-Flash.gif Pokemon-GS-SGB-HM05-Flash.gif Pokemon-GS-GBC-HM05-Flash.gif

While Whirlpool and Waterfall (aka Bounce) are visible in the menu as field moves, they're unable to be used, instead giving a message that they're still under development.

Battle Mechanics

Metal and Steel

In this build, the Steel type (はがねタイプ) is known as the Metal type (メタルタイプ).

Type Matchups

  • Normal does 2x damage to Dark-types rather than doing neutral damage.
  • Normal, Flying, Bug, Ghost, Grass, Psychic, Dragon, Ice, and Dark do 1x damage to Steel-types rather than 0.5x damage.
  • Fighting does 0.5x damage to Steel-types rather than doing 2x damage.
  • Fighting does 1x damage to Dark-types rather than doing 2x damage.
  • Poison does 0.5x damage to Steel-types rather than being completely ineffective.
  • Poison does 2x damage to Bug-types, as it did in Generation I, rather than doing 0.5x damage.
  • Fire and Ground do 1x damage to Steel-types rather than doing 2x damage.
  • Water and Electric do 2x damage to Steel-types rather than doing 1x damage.
  • Bug does 2x damage to Poison-types, as it did in Generation I, rather than doing 0.5x damage.
  • Ghost does 1x damage to Ghost-types rather than doing 2x damage.
  • Psychic does 0.5x damage to Dark-types rather than being completely ineffective.
  • Steel is completely ineffective against Steel-types rather than doing 0.5x damage.
  • Steel does 1x damage to Fire-types rather than doing 0.5x damage.
  • Steel does 1x damage to Ice-types rather than doing 2x damage.
  • Dark does 2x damage to Dark-types rather than doing 0.5x damage.
  • Dark does 0.5x damage to Normal-types rather than doing 1x damage.

Move Differences

  • Scary Face lowers Defense instead of Speed.
  • Belly Drum does not inflict any damage on the user.
  • ボーンラッシュ (Bone Rush) was originally named ホネホネロック (Bonebone Rock), using ほね instead of the katakana ボーン to refer to Cubone and Marowak's bone clubs.

Type Changes

Several moves had their type changed between Generations I and II, but these changes have not been implemented yet in this build. Additionally, many new moves are in an unfinished state here, and seem to default to Normal-type.

Name Type (Proto) Type (Final)
Bite Normal Dark
Sand-Attack Normal Ground
Karate Chop Normal Fighting
Rain Dance Normal Water
Sunny Day Normal Fire
Crunch Normal Dark
Spikes Normal Ground
Mud-Slap Normal Ground

Removed Moves

Hmmm...
To do:
Check how each move behaves.
Hex Name (JP) Translation Type Base Power PP Description Notes
AE クギをうつ Nail Down Ghost -- 10 By attacking itself, the user damages the foe every turn. This move was the original Curse, but lowered the enemy's HP regardless of typing and had its name changed. Norowara is the only Pokémon that could learn this move by leveling up.
C4 シンクロ Synchronize Psychic -- 10 The enemy takes the same damage as the user. The described behavior has not been implemented in the game yet for some reason, though it does describe the effect of the move Endeavor introduced in Generation III; instead, it acts like Conversion. This move's name was used for an ability in Generation III.
D4 ストーカー Stalker Psychic -- 10 Prevents fleeing or switching. This move is identical to Mean Look, and even takes up the same slot, but its name was changed. Its type was also changed to Normal for the final game.
E8 いしあたま Rock Head Rock 90 10 The enemy is hit with the user's hard head. It may cause flinching. This move's name was used for an ability in Generation III. A similar move, Iron Head, was introduced in Generation IV.
F5 ひっこぬく Uproot Normal 30 10 The user flings the enemy for massive damage. Is assigned as the move taught by HM01 (Cut).
F6 かぜにのる Wind Ride Flying 40 10 The user rides the wind and rams into the enemy. This move has a high critical-hit ratio. Is assigned as the move taught by HM02 (Fly). May have gone on to become Aeroblast.
F7 みずあそび Water Sport Water 30 10 Comment under construction Is assigned as the move taught by HM03 (Surf). This move's name was used for an unrelated move in Generation III.
F8 てつわん Strong Arm Steel 30 10 Attacks using a burly arm. May raise the user's attack. Is assigned as the move taught by HM04 (Strength). May have gone on to become Meteor Mash.
F9 ひかりゴケ Bright Moss Grass -- 10 Raises the accuracy of moves by lighting up the surroundings. Is assigned as the move taught by HM05 (Flash). This move's name was used for a held item in Generation VI. It can be compared to the move "Gravity" introduced in Generation IV, given that it raises the accuracy of moves other Pokémon use by 2/3 (66%).
FB とびはねる Bounce Water 0 10 No effect whatsoever. Is assigned as the move taught by HM07 (Waterfall). This move's name was used for a unrelated move in Generation III.

Oddities

  • Poison-types can get poisoned, which does not happen in Generations I or II at all.
  • Aurora Beam is supposed to occasionally lower the opponent's Attack, but if it is used on a Pokémon with Substitute active and it breaks the substitute, the game will replay the Aurora Beam animation and state that the Pokémon's "9999" fell.
  • Sketch has a bug: if your Pokémon Sketches Sketch, the dialogue will say that it learned "ヌ" (Nu) instead (most likely reading garbage data), and your Pokémon will run out of moves and use Struggle.

Trainer Classes

In this build of the game, most if not all Trainers are unfinished in one way or another, either using an earlier design, using the sprite of other Trainers as a placeholder, or ending up not making the cut in the final games.

Among the unused trainers is a battle sprite for Kurt, which was used as a placeholder sprite for most of the Elite Four members, as well as two unused classes. This is interesting, as Kurt himself lacks a Trainer Class of his own in this build, though him getting one was considered in later builds before being scrapped entirely. The Gym leader roster is also interesting, as while it is quite different, its members already feature names based off of plants, indicating that this theme was likely there from the very start.

It is also worth noting that many Trainer designs have elements reminiscent of ones they had in Generation I, especially with returning classes. Moreover, one can't help but notice the presence of the Engineer and Guitarist classes, which are classes exclusive to Gen I.

Trainer# (Hex) Class (Demo) Class (Final) Demo Sprite Final Sprite Notes
01 ハヤト
Hayato
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-FalknerProto.png PokemonGS-FalknerFinal.png Falkner.
Has a rather different design. He shows up as the Leader of Old's Gym, meaning he was always planned to be the first boss. Worth noting is that in this build, the Gym Leader "classes" work just like in Generation I, with each entry only consisting of the character's name. Meanwhile, in the final games they're all just known as "Gym Leader", with the name then added after it.
02 アカネ
Akane
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-BugCatcherProto.png PokemonGS-WhitneyFinal.png Whitney.
Is listed as the second Gym Leader, instead of the third, which is still the case internally even in the final games. Here, West's gym instead holds Bugsy, which may suggest that him being the second Leader was already decided by then. There is a female Leader in High-Tech's gym, though it's unclear if this is where Whitney originally resided. Uses the Gen I Bug Catcher sprite as a placeholder, and lacks a dedicated overworld spriteset, instead reusing a copy of Bugsy's.
03 ツクシ
Tsukushi
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-BugsyProto.png PokemonGS-BugsyFinal.png Bugsy.
Has a completely different design. Appears in West's gym.
04 エノキ
Enoki
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-EnokiProto.png PokemonGS-MortyFinal.png An earlier name for Morty, as seen in early conceptual sketches. Appears to come from the Japanese name of the Chinese hackberry, which is tied to folklore, namely ones linked to kitsunebi (a kind of Will O' Wisp). It may also contain 鬼 ki (demon), suggesting that he already was a Ghost-type Gym Leader. Interestingly, while his design is more or less the same, minus the headband, Morty's early overworld sprites reveal that he once sported a ponytail. Said overworld sprite is never actually used in the demo, and thus it's unclear where Morty's gym was. Birdon is the fourth town to feature a gym, and it features pitfalls too, so it's possible the male Leader there was Morty.
05 オケラ
Okera
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-Jr.TrainerMProto.png N/A The original fifth Gym Leader. Their name seems to come from the Japanese name of the Atractylodes japonica. Uses the Gen I Jr. Trainer♂ sprite as a placeholder, and lacks a dedicated overworld spriteset, instead reusing a copy of Jasmine's. Possibly a predecessor to Pryce, who not only occupies this ID spot in the final games, but was also called Okera early in development. It's unclear where he would have been fought, though Newtype would fit with the map progression, and its gym even has a male Leader.
06 ミカン
Mikan
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-JasmineProto.png PokemonGS-JasmineFinal.png Jasmine.
Has a rather different design, with it being more elaborate. Her overworld spriteset is not used anywhere in the demo, and so it's anyone's guess where she would have been fought. Blue Forest comes after Newtype, though its gym is Ghost type, so it's possible that the later towns reflect an even earlier Leader lineup.
07 ブルー
Blue
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-PokéManiacProto.png N/A Uses the Gen I PokéManiac as a placeholder. May possibly be Red, using the default name from Japanese Blue, seeing how the overworld sprite for this Gym Leader in the Kanto Gym is Red's. The Gen I rival is officially known as Green here. Red is present in the final games, though he was repurposed as the secret "final boss", with his rival Blue ironically ending up as a Gym Leader. This ID spot was ultimately given to Chuck, with Red moved to 3F.
08 ガマ
Gama
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-SuperNerdProto.png N/A The original eighth Gym Leader. Their name appears to come from the Japanese name of the Common cattail, which is of the genus Typha, said genus being named after Typhon, a monstrous serpentine creature from Greek mythology. This, coupled with a Dragon-type specialist being the last Gym Leader in the final games, appears to suggest that this character is a really early iteration of Clair. The city of Stand does feature a gym, but it is more a placeholder than anything, so no luck there.
09 ライバル
Rival
ライバル
Rival
PokemonGS-RivalProto.png PokemonGS-RivalFinal.png Does not use his Trainer class when battling, just the name assigned to it.
010 (0A) オーキドはかせ
Prof. Oak
ポケモンはかせ
Pokémon Prof. Oak
PokemonGS-OakProto.png PokemonGS-OakFinal.png Name differs from final.
011 (0B) サカキ
Sakaki
してんのう
Elite Four
PokemonGS-ProtagonistProto.png N/A Giovanni.
Uses the Protagonist's trainer sprite as a placeholder. This character is absent from the Gen II games, though he was to make a return, as seen by him being found in the Radio Tower in the demo. This ID spot was ultimately given to Will.
012 (0C) しゅじんこう
Protagonist
ポケモントレーナー
PKMN Trainer
PokemonGS-ProtagonistProto.png PokemonGS-ProtagonistFinal.png Name differs from final. Does not use his Trainer class when battling, just the name assigned to it.
013 (0D) シバ
Shiba
してんのう
Elite Four
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png PokemonGS-BrunoFinal.png Bruno.
Uses Kurt's unused sprite as a placeholder. Like with the Gym Leaders, the Elite Four "classes" are just the characters' names.
014 (0E) カスミ
Kasumi
してんのう
Elite Four
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png PokemonGS-MistyFinal.png Misty.
Uses Kurt's unused sprite as a placeholder. Seeing how the Elite Four section seems to have shuffled around a fair bit, it's likely she wasn't actually supposed to be an Elite Four member. This ID spot was ultimately given to Karen, with Misty moved to 12.
015 (0F) カンナ
Kanna
してんのう
Elite Four
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png N/A Lorelei.
Number differs (replaces Karen). This character is absent from the Gen II games. Uses Kurt's unused sprite as a placeholder. This ID spot was ultimately given to Koga.
016 (10) ワタル
Wataru
チャンピオン
Champion
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png PokemonGS-LanceFinal.png Lance.
Uses Kurt's unused sprite as a placeholder. It's unknown if Lance was already Champion in this build, or if he still was the fourth Elite Four member.
017 (11) ゲルゲだんいん♂
Geruge Member♂
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses Kurt's sprite as a placeholder. References a popular nightly Japanese radio show, which hosts various celebrities throughout Japan. Would have likely been found in the Radio Tower. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Brock. Has a duplicate at hex 3E.
018 (12) さんにんしゅう
Trio
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses Kurt's sprite as a placeholder. Has three entries, implying that each was a separate character, which is supported by evidence within the source. Likely reworked into the Wise Trio introduced in Crystal. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Misty.
019 (13) さんにんしゅう
Trio
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses Kurt's sprite as a placeholder. Has three entries, implying that you'd have to fight all three of them instead of them being a single Trainer class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Lt.Surge.
020 (14) さんにんしゅう
Trio
はぐれけんきゅういん
Scientist
PokemonGS-KurtProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses Kurt's sprite as a placeholder. Has three entries, implying that you'd have to fight all three of them instead of them being a single Trainer class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Scientist class.
021 (15) ロケットだんいん♀
Rocket♀
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-YoungsterProto.png PokemonGS-RocketFFinal.png Uses the proto's Youngster sprite as a placeholder, with it only getting a unique sprite around early 1998. Later moved to hex 42, with its name updated to remove the gender symbol. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Erika.
022 (16) たんパンこぞう
Youngster
たんパンこぞう
Youngster
PokemonGS-YoungsterProto.png PokemonGS-YoungsterFinal.png
023 (17) じゅくがえり
Schoolboy
じゅくがえり
Schoolboy
PokemonGS-SchoolkidProto.png PokemonGS-SchoolkidFinal.png
024 (18) ひよっこ
Fledgling
とりつかい
Bird Keeper
PokemonGS-FledglingProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Judging from its name, may have been a class of young, beginner trainers, potentionally an inspiration for the Preschooler Trainer class in later games. May have had some ties with the Bird Keeper Trainer class (like a younger version of them, the same way a Lass canonically grows up into a Beauty, or a Schoolboy into a Super Nerd for example).
025 (19) ミニスカート
Lass
ミニスカート
Lass
PokemonGS-LassProto.png PokemonGS-LassFinal.png Sprite similar to final, but the outfit resembles that of the Gen I Lass.
026 (1A) てんさい
Prodigy
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-CooltrainerMaleProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Judging from its name, may have been a class of very skilled young Trainers, potentionally an inspiration for the Rising Star Trainer class in later games. Uses the proto's Professional♂ sprite as a placeholder. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Janine.
027 (1B) プロフェッショナル♂
Professional♂
エリートトレーナー
Cooltrainer
PokemonGS-CooltrainerMaleProto.png PokemonGS-CooltrainerMFinal.png A rebrand of the Cooltrainer class, reverted back in the final games, albeit without the gender symbol.
028 (1C) プロフェッショナル♀
Professional♀
エリートトレーナー
Cooltrainer
PokemonGS-CooltrainerFemaleProto.png PokemonGS-CooltrainerFFinal.png Name differs from final. Sprite similar to final, but with a whip and an outfit resembling that of the Gen I Cooltrainer♀.
029 (1D) おとなのおねえさん
Beauty
おとなのおねえさん
Beauty
PokemonGS-BeautyProto.png Pokemon Gold and Silver (J) Beauty.png Pose is similar to final, while the design itself is closer to that of the Gen I Beauty.
030 (1E) かいじゅうマニア
PokéManiac
かいじゅうマニア
PokéManiac
PokemonGS-PokemaniacProto.png PokemonGS-PokéManiacFinal.png Sprite similar to final, but wearing a lab coat like that of the Gen I PokéManiac.
031 (1F) ロケットだんいん♂
Rocket♂
ロケットだんいん
Rocket
PokemonGS-RocketProto.png PokemonGS-RocketMFinal.png Name differs from final. Sprite similar to final, but with elements from the Gen I Rocket.
032 (20) ジェントルマン
Gentleman
ジェントルマン
Gentleman
PokemonGS-TeacherMProto.png PokemonGS-GentlemanFinal.png Uses the proto's Teacher♂ as a placeholder.
033 (21) せんせい♂
Teacher♂
スキーヤー
Skier
PokemonGS-TeacherMProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. The Teacher Trainer class is female-only in the final game (and the rest of the franchise, for that matter). We actually have an example of what a Teacher♂ team looked like, and it suggests they would have focused on "boy-ish" Pokémon, like here with Machop, likely as a contrast with the more cutesy Pokémon used by the Teacher♀ class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Skier class.
034 (22) せんせい♀
Teacher♀
せんせい
Teacher
PokemonGS-TeacherFProto.png PokemonGS-TeacherFinal.png Name differs from final, as this Trainer class is female-only.
035 (23) とっちゃんぼうや
Manchild
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-BugCatcher2Proto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. It's unclear what it was about, but if the name's anything to go by then it may have been a predecessor to the Pokéfan class. Uses the proto's Bug Catcher sprite as a placeholder. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Sabrina.
036 (24) むしとりしょうねん
Bug Catcher Boy
むしとり
Bug Catcher
PokemonGS-BugCatcher2Proto.png PokemonGS-Bug CatcherFinal.png Name differs from final.
037 (25) つりびと
Fisher
つりびと
Fisher
PokemonGS-FisherProto.png Pokemon Gold and Silver (J) Fisher.png
038 (26) かいパンやろう
Swimmer♂
かいパンやろう
Swimmer♂
PokemonGS-SwimmerMaleProto.png PokemonGS-SwimmerMFinal.png Sprite similar to final, but with a white swim cap and transparent swimming goggles similar to that of the Gen I Swimmer.
039 (27) ビキニのおねえさん
Swimmer♀
ビキニのおねえさん
Swimmer♀
PokemonGS-SwimmerFemaleProto.png Pokemon Gold and Silver (J) Swimmer F.png
040 (28) ふなのり
Sailor
ふなのり
Sailor
PokemonGS-SuperNerd2Proto.png PokemonGS-SailorFinal.png Uses the Proto's Super Nerd sprite as a placeholder.
041 (29) りかけいのおとこ
Super Nerd
りかけいのおとこ
Super Nerd
PokemonGS-SuperNerd2Proto.png PokemonGS-Super NerdFinal.png
042 (2A) でんきやのオヤジ
Engineer
ライバル
Rival
PokemonGS-EngineerProto.png N/A This Trainer class only exists in the Gen I games. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the "second" Rival class (the alternate sprite used in the Mt. Moon battle).
043 (2B) でんきグループ
Rocker
ギタリスト
Guitarist
PokemonGS-GreenProto.png N/A This Trainer class only exists in the Gen I games. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Guitarist class.
044 (2C) やまおとこ
Hiker
やまおとこ
Hiker
PokemonGS-BikerProto.png PokemonGS-HikerFinal.png Uses the proto's Biker sprite as a placeholder.
045 (2D) ぼうそうぞく
Biker
ぼうそうぞく
Biker
PokemonGS-BikerProto.png PokemonGS-BikerFinal.png
046 (2E) ロッククライマー
Rock Climber
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-BurglarProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses the proto's Burglar sprite as a placeholder. May have had some ties with the Hiker Trainer class (like a counterpart to them). In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Blaine.
047 (2F) かじばドロボウ
Burglar
かじばドロボウ
Burglar
PokemonGS-BurglarProto.png PokemonGS-BurglarFinal.png Sprite similar to final, except he has an outfit resembling that of the Gen I Burglar.
048 (30) ひふきやろう
Firebreather
ひふきやろう
Firebreather
PokemonGS-FirebreatherProto.png PokemonGS-FirebreatherFinal.png
049 (31) ジプシージャグラー
Juggler
ジプシージャグラー
Juggler
PokemonGS-JugglerProto.png PokemonGS-JugglerFinal.png
050 (32) からておう
Blackbelt
からておう
Blackbelt
PokemonGS-BlackbeltProto.png PokemonGS-Black BeltFinal.png
051 (33) スポーツマン
Sportsman
ロケットだんいん
Rocket
PokemonGS-SportsmanProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Appears to be a Marathonian, and as such may have inspired the Jogger and/or Running Triathlete Trainer class. We actually have an example of what a Sportsman team looked like, and it suggests they would have focused on speedy Pokémon, like here with Doduo. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the male Rocket Executive class.
052 (34) ちょうのうりょくしゃ
Psychic
サイキッカー
Psychic
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png PokemonGS-PsychicFinal.png Name differs from final. Uses the proto's Medium sprite as a placeholder.
053 (35) カンフーマスター
Kung Fu Master
ピクニックガール
Picnicker
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png PokemonGS-PicnickerFinal.png Unused Trainer class. May have had some ties with the Black Belt Trainer class (like a stronger version of them), or could have been related to the Karate King character who can be found in Mt. Mortar in the final games. Uses the proto's Medium sprite as a placeholder. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Picnicker class.
054 (36) うらないし
Fortune Teller
キャンプボーイ
Camper
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png PokemonGS-CamperFinal.png Unused Trainer class. Uses the proto's Medium sprite as a placeholder. Likely would have been a class of Psychic-type users. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Camper class.
055 (37) ふりょう
Hooligan
ロケットだんいん
Rocket
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Judging from a set of overworld sprites unique to this build, this class was very likely styled after classical Japanese delinquents. May have inspired the Punk Guy classes. Uses the proto's Medium sprite as a placeholder. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the female Rocket Executive class.
056 (38) ぼうず
Sage
ぼうず
Sage
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png Pokemon Gold and Silver (J) Sage.png Uses the proto's Medium sprite as a placeholder.
057 (39) イタコ
Medium
イタコ
Medium
PokemonGS-MediumProto.png Pokemon Gold and Silver (J) Medium.png
058 (3A) へいし
Soldier
ボーダー
Boarder
PokemonGS-SoldierProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the Boarder class.
059 (3B) ゲルゲだんいん♀
Geruge Member♀
だいすきクラブ
PokéFan
PokemonGS-Kimono GirlProto.png N/A Unused Trainer class. Uses the proto's Kimono Girl sprite as a placeholder. The female version of the cut Geruge Member♂ class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the male Pokéfan class.
060 (3C) まいこはん
Kimono Girl
まいこはん
Kimono Girl
PokemonGS-Kimono GirlProto.png PokemonGS-Kimono GirlFinal.png Has its sprite flipped horizontally.
061 (3D) ふたごちゃん
Twins
ふたごちゃん
Twins
PokemonGS-TwinsProto.png PokemonGS-TwinsFinal.png
062 (3E) ゲルゲだんいん♂
Geruge Member♂
だいすきクラブ
PokéFan
PokemonGS-TwinsProto.png N/A Uses the proto's Twins sprite as a placeholder. A duplicate of the Geruge Member♂ class. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by the female Pokéfan class.
063 (3F) してんのう♂
Elite Four♂
ポケモントレーナー
PKMN Trainer
PokemonGS-TwinsProto.png N/A Uses the proto's Twins sprite as a placeholder. A strange variant of the regular Elite Four (してんのう), seeing how this Trainer class normally never mentions the Trainer's gender. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Red.
064 (40) してんのう♀
Elite Four♀
ジムリーダー
Gym Leader
PokemonGS-TwinsProto.png N/A Uses the proto's Twins sprite as a placeholder. A strange variant of the regular Elite Four (してんのう), seeing how this Trainer class normally never mentions the Trainer's gender. In the final games, this entry was overwritten by Blue.
065 (41) N/A おまわりさん
Officer
N/A PokemonGS-OfficerFinal.png Absent from the proto. Was added around early 1998.
066 (42) N/A ロケットだんいん
Rocket
N/A PokemonGS-RocketFFinal.png Absent from the proto (as in the final ID spot of the female Grunt).

Unused Graphics

Unused Graphics (Final)

For graphics used in this build which aren't present in the final games.

Overworld Poliwrath

Sprites Animated
PokeGoldSpaceworld97 Poliwrath.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 PoliwrathAnimated.gif

Overworld sprites of Poliwrath, which were removed in the final games. They can be seen in-game, as a Poliwrath is found walking around on the 5th floor of West City's Shop. In the source code, its label is NYOROBON, the Japanese name for Poliwrath. Its sprite ID is used by Sudowoodo in the final games.

Skateboard

Sprites Animated
Protogold-1-skateboard.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 SkatingAnimated.gif

The player using the skateboard, a cut transportation mode. Its label in the source code is SKATING. Its sprite ID would be used by the Link Cable boy in the final. On the topic of transportation, the biking sprites are also different, reflecting the earlier player design. Said bicycle spriteset stuck around up to the Spaceworld '99 demos.

Giovanni

Sprites Animated
Protogold-2-giovanni.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 GiovanniAnimated.gif

Sprites of Giovanni, who's found in the Radio Tower with his Rockets in this demo. Labelled accordingly as SAKAKI in the source code. Its sprite ID was used by Janine in the final.

Player's Mother

Sprites Animated
Protogold-3-mother.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 MotherAnimated.gif

A different design for the player's mother, with a notably more traditional Japanese appearance. Its label in the source code is MAMA.

Rival's Sister

Sprites Animated
Protogold-4-silvergirl.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 RivalSisterAnimated.gif

The rival's sister, labelled simply as SISTER in the source code, who is seen in their house in Silent Hill. Its sprite ID was used by Blaine in the final.

Imposter Oak

Sprites Animated
Protogold-5-imposteroak.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 ImposterOakAnimated.gif

A character posing as Professor Oak, a plot element which was scrapped at some point during development. Labelled NISE (lit. "FAKE") in the source code. Its sprite ID was later used by Professor Elm. Despite being cut, the Imposter Oak character still made appearances in the official Pokémon TCG, as well as in the manga and anime.

Agatha

Protogold-6-agatha.png

Chilling in a small house near a cave located in Blue Forest. A generic girl runs the Ghost-type gym nearby. Agatha lacks an entry in the Trainer Class list, suggesting that she had already disbanded from the Elite Four at this stage of development. Appropriately labelled KIKUKO in the source code. This sprite ID was later used by Will. Amusingly enough, her walking sprites remain unused here, just as they were in Generation I, due to her being a stationary sprite.

Falkner

Protogold-7-falkner.png

A different design for Falkner, with him wearing a headband. Labelled accordingly as HAYATO in the source code.

Bugsy

Protogold-8-bugsy.png

In the prototype, Bugsy is a tall, well-dressed man. In the final games, he is a young kid with a different, simpler outfit. Labelled accordingly as TSUKUSHI in the source code.

Morty

Protogold-9-capeguy.png

An early design of Morty. Labelled accordingly as ENOKI in the source code.

Jasmine

Sprites Animated
Protogold-10-jasmine.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 JasmineAnimated.gif

A radically different sprite of Jasmine, which matches the more delicate design of her Trainer sprite in this demo. Labelled accordingly as MIKAN in the source code.

Female NPC

Sprites Animated
Protogold-11-genericgirl.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 BeautyAnimated.gif

A generic woman whose design was drastically changed, possibly because she looks too similar to the rival. Her sprite is labelled WOMANB in the source code, as it is in the final.

Medium

Sprites Animated
Protogold-13-nun.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 MediumAnimated.gif

Found in the traditional tower with the monks. Resembles the Medium Trainer class, who use the old woman sprite in the final. This sprite is labelled ITAKO (lit. "MEDIUM") in the source code. This sprite ID was used by the Kimono Girls in the final, who incidentally use the Teacher sprite in this demo.

Early Link Receptionist

Protogold-12-darknursejoy.png

An earlier design for the Link Receptionists (aka the nurses found on the second floor of every Pokémon Center). In the source code, its label is PCCABLE. It's known to have been used up to at least early 1999, as seen in pre-release screenshots.

Pokémon Egg

PKMNGold Spaceworld Overworld Egg.png

An overworld sprite which lacks an equivalent in the final games. It can be seen inside the building besides the Old City pagoda. This sprite is labelled EGG in the source code.

Hole

PKMN Gold Unused Hole 1.png PKMN Gold Unused Hole 2.png

A cut overworld obstacle, taking the form of a hole in the ground. When stepping on it, the player is pushed back one tile to the left. Found on the route west of High-Tech, and in Blue Forest. These holes aren't used in the final games, but the upper tiles were ultimately repurposed in the overworld for shore corners, and in caves as rock wall corners.

Unused Graphics (Demo)

Graphics which are completely unused in the demo and, as expected, aren't present in the final games.

Intro Aerodactyl

PokemonGS-SpaceWorld-Aerodactyl-intro.png

These graphics are loaded in the first part of the intro, but don't appear at all. Omanyte already appears in this demo instead of Shellder, so this is fitting, if not a bit weird since both of these Pokémon are supposed to be extinct. This was meant to go along with the segment where Lapras is swimming on the ocean.

Item Icons

PokeGS-ProtoItemIcons.png

Found alongside the Pack pocket icons are a series of rather odd graphics. These include a two-way arrow, what looks like the corner of a frame, a rough Poké Ball sprite, a Potion, a nondescript object, and a series of number tiles not unlike the ones from the Badge Case. These are likely remnants of an earlier iteration of the Pack. Namely, the Potion sprite can actually be seen within the demo, being assigned to a garbage item. As such, it's possible that items originally had icons next to them to sort them out, such as health items using the Potion icon. This concept was likely dropped with the introduction of dedicated Pack pockets. In the source code, this file's label is ITEMICON.DAT.

Old Man Back Sprite

PKMNGold Spaceworld oldman.png

The back sprite that's used for the Gen I Pokémon-catching tutorial was also included in the prototype but unused. In the source code, its label is JI_BACK.DAT.

Overworld Snorlax

PKMNGold Spaceworld SnorlaxOverworld.png

A very tiny Snorlax. Reused sprite from Generation I. In the source code, its label is KABIGON, the Japanese name for Snorlax.

Surfing

Sprites Animated
PKMNGold Spaceworld UMIMON.png PKMNGold Spaceworld UMIMON Animated.gif

A surfing sprite which resembles the ones from Generation I, aside from additional water ripples around the Pokémon. Despite this sprite existing in the data, a Lapras is used for Surfing in this prototype, just like how it is in the final games. In the source code, its label is UMIMON (lit. "SEAMON").

Delinquent

Sprites Animated
Protogold-14-notlance.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 PunkAnimated.gif

Resembles a stereotypical Japanese high school delinquent, complete with pompadour and school uniform. The sprite is labelled BADMAN in the source code. Might be linked to the unused Hooligan Trainer class. This sprite ID would be used for an unused old man sprite in the final games.

Biker

Sprites Animated
Protogold-15-powerranger.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 BikerAnimated.gif

Labelled as DRIVER in the source code, this early version of the Biker sprite looks nothing like the final sprite. The battle sprites for the Biker Trainer class found in this demo or the final don't look anything like this overworld sprite. In the final games, Bikers use the same sprite they used in generation 1 with no changes.

Rocker

Sprites Animated
PokeGoldSpaceworld97 MohawkPhilip.png PokeGoldSpaceworld97 MohawkPhilipAnimated.gif

Labelled as YANKEE (lit. "RUFFIAN") in the source code, this sprite was previously used in generation 1, most notably for Rockers, as well as Lt. Surge. Fully present in the demo, but never assigned to any sprite on any map. In the final games, Lt. Surge would be given an all-new sprite, along with the other Kanto Gym Leaders, and Guitarists, which effectively replaced Rockers, would use a different sprite (one that already happens to be present in this demo). This sprite ID would used for the large Lapras doll in the final games.

Port Tileset

PKMNGold Spaceworld UnusedPortTileset.png

Three-fourths of the S.S. Anne graphics are located at 0x4E900. This tileset was possibly planned for a loading dock similar to the S.S. Anne from Gen I that was meant to ferry you to High-Tech and Font. There are some slight changes (aside from the removal of some tiles like the truck and flag), such as an altered stone block.

Corrupted Graphics

Each version of the ROM contains corrupted data to pad out unused bytes in each bank, some of which being leftover data from Generation I.

From 0xC3E40 (these graphics are corrupted beyond recognition in the Silver demo):

Pokémon Gold 97 Demo - Corrupted sprite1.png

What can be made out here seems to be the sprites of one of the male Silph Co. workers. If there were any other sprites from other NPCs here, however, they've been corrupted beyond recognition.

From 0xC6640:

Proto Recreation
Pokémon Gold 97 Demo - Corrupted sprite2.png
PokemonGS-CorruptedSpritesRestoration.png

The NPCs shown here, in order: the female Silph Co. Worker, the middle aged woman NPC, Lass, Lance, Red's Mother, another Silph Co. NPC, Bug Catcher, Game Boy Child, Clefairy, Agatha (which strangely is actually used in the prototype, albeit under a different offset), Bruno, Lorelei, the surfing sprite, and the Gen I Protagonist's bike sprites.

Unused Audio

Red and Green Space World '97 demo
Red and Green Space World '97 demo

These fanfares are rearranged from the equivalent versions found in some of the leaked source files. These new renditions were carried over to the final Generation II games.

(Source: nensondubois 1 2, SatoMew)

Send-Out Animations

Pokemon Gold proto Pikachu send-out.gif

  • In the demo, Pikachu and Sunflora are hard-coded to display the "Shiny" sparkle animation when sent out by the player. Shiny Pokémon do exist in an early form in this build, but there is no special animation attached to shininess.

Pokemon Gold proto Hoothoot send-out.gif


  • Send-out animation type 3, a wave effect, is used in neither the prototype nor the final games.

Unused Battle Transition

Pokemon-GS-SpaceWorld1997-UnusedBattleTransition.gif

In addition to the four used battle transition types (wavy, scanline, clockwise wipe and speckle) is an additional horizontal wipe transition which goes completely unused in the demo. To see this animation on every encounter, replace 4 bytes starting at address 0x8C5C6 (23:45C6) with 08 08 08 08. Alternatively, these Game Genie codes can also be used:

  • 085-C6B-E6E
  • 085-C7B-91E
  • 085-C8B-D56
  • 085-C9B-B32
(Source: Pokémon Gold Spaceworld Disassembly.)