Hidden Items in RBY

By atsync.

Introduction

Collecting items is a fundamental part of playing Pokemon. In most cases, collecting an item is as simple as finding it on the ground and picking it up. It isn't always this easy, however, as there are many items that are hidden from view. These items will often get overlooked unless you either have prior knowledge of the item or just happen to use an item-locating device in the right location. This guide will show you where you can find every hidden item in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow.

The Itemfinder

The Itemfinder is a key item that allows you to detect nearby hidden items. If you are following this guide, then you probably won't need to use the Itemfinder to find the majority of the items, but it can still be helpful for certain areas, such as the Underground Paths and the Cycling Road, where the items tend to lack clear reference points for pinpointing them. The Itemfinder can even be used to confirm that you have already collected an item if you begin using this guide partway through the game.

To get the Itemfinder, head over to the gate east of Vermilion City and talk to Professor Oak's aide upstairs. If you have caught 30 Pokemon, he'll give you the Itemfinder as a reward. The RBY Itemfinder is not able to pinpoint hidden items; however, it will make a sound if there is a hidden item on the screen somewhere. Once the Itemfinder does its work, you'll have to search for the exact location of the item yourself.

Hidden Items

Note that the items are listed in a rough order based on when players can access them. As anyone who has played the 1st generation games will tell you, the games tend to become less linear as you progress, especially compared to the later generations. This means that some items listed further down in this guide might be obtained before items listed above them, depending on what order you prefer to complete each task. Therefore, don't feel obliged to follow the order of this guide exactly if you prefer to do things in a different order to what is presented here.

Viridian City

Potion: As you are heading north out of the city, check the Cuttable bush just to the left of the exit for a Potion. If you have not made enough progress to get past the old man, this item can be obtained by entering the narrow passage just above the western exit of Viridian City, which places you on the other side of the bush.

Viridian Forest

Antidote: As you are entering the forest from the south, you'll see a large tree in the middle of the path next to a Bug Catcher. There is an Antidote hidden in the lower-left section of the large tree.

Potion: Just before the northern exit of Viridian Forest, you'll come across one last Bug Catcher. Check the tile right in front of him for a Potion.

Mt. Moon

Ether: Go down the second ladder you come to after entering the mountain; you'll eventually reach a room with a Team Rocket Grunt and a platform with TM01. Just to the right of the platform is an isolated rock that will yield an Ether if inspected.

Moon Stone: From the fossils near the end of the cave, head down slightly to find a narrow opening to the right. In the wall at the end of this opening, you'll find a Moon Stone.

Route 4

Great Ball: After exiting Mt. Moon from the eastern side, head east slightly to find a plateau. There is a hidden Great Ball in the middle of the plateau.

Cerulean City

Rare Candy: To the northwest of the city is a house containing a man who will talk about the Kanto Gym Badges. Enter this house and then go through the door at the back to access the backyard. There is a hidden Rare Candy sitting on the right side of it.

Route 25

Elixir: When you come to the western entrance of the mini-maze of trees, head up past the Hikers to find a narrow opening between two trees and a wall. If you check the northern wall at the end of this opening, you'll get an Elixir.

Ether: When you reach Bill's house, check the part of the fence one tile right of the Lass to receive an Ether.

Underground Path (Route 5-6)

Full Restore: There is a hidden Full Restore near the top of the path in the second column from the left wall, directly to the left of the northern stairs.

X Special: There is a hidden X Special in the second column from the right wall, six steps up from the southern wall.

Route 11

Escape Rope: When you reach the gate leading to Route 12, inspect the isolated tree just above the path for an Escape Rope.

Route 12

Hyper Potion: In the narrow pathway to the left of the sleeping Snorlax, you can find a hidden Hyper Potion by checking the rightmost tree that is sticking out of the lower wall.

S.S. Anne

Hyper Potion: From the entrance of the ship, head down the right corridor and down the stairs at the end to reach the lower deck. Head to the leftmost cabin and check the pillow of the bed in this room to grab a Hyper Potion. Note that this cannot be obtained if the S.S. Anne has set sail, for obvious reasons.

Great Ball: From the entrance of the ship, head down the left corridor and you'll eventually reach the kitchen. Take a look in the lower trash can on the right side of the kitchen to receive a Great Ball. Note that this cannot be obtained if the S.S. Anne has set sail, for obvious reasons.

Route 9

Ether: Make your way to the northwestern patch of grass on Route 9, located just to the east of Cerulean City. There is a hidden Ether in the tree to the right of the ledge, just below the patch of grass.

Route 10

Super Potion: You will need Cut to get this item. Directly to the left of the Route 10 Pokémon Center is a vertical line of Cuttable bushes. Cut the top bush, and check the wall between the Pokémon Center and the entrance of Rock Tunnel to get a Super Potion.

Max Ether: After emerging from the southern exit of Rock Tunnel, go east to find a tree with a hidden Max Ether.

Underground Path (Route 7-8)

Nugget: There is a hidden Nugget in the row second from the top, specifically located 35 tiles west of the eastern staircase.

Elixir: There is a hidden Elixir in the bottom row, specifically located 19 tiles east of the western staircase.

Celadon City

PP Up: You will need Cut to get this item. From the Game Corner, head directly east to find a Cuttable bush. Cut this bush, head up into the narrow passage, and inspect the tree at the end for a PP Up.

Celadon Game Corner

Coins: There are a number of Coins hidden all over the floor of the Game Corner.

  • Check the tile one up and one right of the lower-left corner of the building (10).
  • Check the tile right of the second-lowest seat of the left side of the left aisle (10).
  • Check the tile left of the third-highest seat of the right side of the left aisle (10).
  • Check the tile right of the second-highest seat of the left side of the left aisle (20).
  • Check the tile at the end of the gap between the main counter and the game machine, which is located on the left side of the building (10).
  • Check the tile directly left of the horizontal line of machines at the northern side of the building, to the lower-right of the poster with the secret switch (20).
  • Check the tile right of the third-highest seat of the left side of the middle aisle (20).
  • Check the tile right of the lowest seat of the left side of the middle aisle (10).
  • Check the tile one left and one down of the lowest seat of the right side of the middle aisle (10).
  • Check the tile left of the second-lowest seat of the right side of the right aisle (10).
  • Check the tile directly below the center-left machine of the horizontal line of machines, at the northern side of the building (100).

Rocket Hideout

PP Up: From the entrance of the hideout, head left and down into the main foyer. Check the lower-right pot plant for a free PP Up.

Nugget: On B3F, head down into the room on the right side of the floor containing TM10. Right next to the TM is a hidden Nugget.

Super Potion: When you reach Giovanni's room, check the machine directly behind Giovanni to get a Super Potion.

Pokemon Tower

Elixir: On 5F, head down into the small gap in the wall directly below the western staircase. Check the southern wall here for an Elixir.

Route 13

Calcium: From the eastern entrance of the maze of fences, hug the lower wall until you reach a gap in the fence and a dead end. Walk as far as you can go and look at the fence to the left. Check that particular part of the fence for a Calcium.

PP Up: From the eastern entrance of the maze of fences, hug the lower wall. Enter the final gap in the upper wall that you come across before the path you are currently on ends. Follow this new path west, ignoring the next gap in the upper wall, and continue following this path as it goes down and past the Bird Keeper until you reach a gap in the fence at the end. Inspect the tree at the end for a PP Up.

Route 17 (Cycling Road)

Rare Candy: Head to the patch of grass at the top of Cycling Road, on the right side. There is a hidden Rare Candy in the center of the grass.

Full Restore: Starting from the northernmost sign of the central bridge, check the spot specifically located six tiles up and one tile left to get a Full Restore.

Max Revive: Starting from the southernmost sign of the central bridge, check the spot specifically located five tiles left and four tiles down for a Max Revive.

PP Up: Starting from the southernmost Biker of the eastern bridge, check the spot specifically located 26 tiles up and two tiles right to get a PP Up.

Max Elixir: Starting from the tile directly below the Biker at the point where the eastern and western bridges intersect (the Biker is below the water), check the spot specifically located two tiles left and two tiles down to receive a Max Elixir.

Safari Zone

Revive: Make your way through the Safari Zone until you reach the Secret House with the Surf HM. There is a Revive hidden in the lower-right statue outside the Secret House.

Vermilion City

Max Ether: You will need Surf to get this item. Surf to the left side of the house north of the Gym and to the right of the Fan Club. Check the left side of the building for a Max Ether.

Power Plant

Max Elixir: From the entrance, follow the path and head right at the first intersection you come across. Continue past the stationary Voltorb and Electrode and inspect the rock at the end for a Max Elixir.

PP Up: Follow the path until you reach the second to last room before Zapdos. In this room, enter the narrow opening in the rocks on the right side and check the rock above you for a PP Up.

Silph Co. Building

Elixir: From the stairs of L5, head left until you reach a set of pot plants. Look in the right pot plant for an Elixir.

Max Potion: When you find the nurse in the lower-left room on L9, inspect the bed just to her left for a free Max Potion.

Saffron City

Nugget: Enter the Copycat's house located to the northwest of the city and head up the stairs to her bedroom. Check the empty spot of her desk for a Nugget.

Seafoam Islands

Nugget: On B2F, head to the ladder on the lower-right of the floor. Look to the left of this ladder to spot a rock sticking out of the lower wall; check this rock for a Nugget.

Max Elixir: On B3F, head to the lower-left of the floor where the boulder puzzle is located. There is a rock directly to the right of the rightmost hole that yields a Max Elixir when inspected.

Ultra Ball: On B4F, head to the right side of the floor and Surf down across the water here. At the bottom is a small gap in the wall with a platform that you can stand on. Check the rock directly below the platform to grab an Ultra Ball.

Pokémon Mansion

Moon Stone: When you enter the main foyer of the building, inspect the 5th block from the bottom wall on the right side of the foyer to get a Moon Stone.

Max Revive: From the entrance, head straight up and then go up the two sets of stairs to reach a small room with a Burglar and a diary. To the lower-left of this room are two narrow openings. Take the upper opening and check the rock at the end for a Max Revive.

Rare Candy: When you reach the final room of the basement containing the Secret Key, check the tile at the upper-left corner for a Rare Candy.

Route 23

Max Ether: When you reach the water segment of the route, Surf up and you'll come across a small island. There is a hidden Max Ether on the upper-left tile of this island.

Ultra Ball: When you reach the northern shore of the water segment, head east through the patch of grass and check the tree on the right side to get an Ultra Ball.

Full Restore: Just before you reach the final guard, head towards the final patch of grass to the right. There are a pile of rocks to the left of this patch of grass, and if you inspect the upper-right rock, you'll get a Full Restore.

Victory Road

Ultra Ball: Follow the path through Victory Road and enter Moltres's room. Check the isolated rock to the upper left of Moltres and next to the PokéManiac to receive an Ultra Ball.

Full Restore: When you reach the final room before the exit, inspect the rock sticking out of the upper wall to the left of the ladder to get a Full Restore.

Cerulean Cave (Red and Blue only)

Rare Candy: From the entrance, follow the path around and Surf to the end of the water segment, ignoring the ladders that you pass on the way. Make land at the platform at the end and you'll see a pile of rocks to the right. One of the rocks looks different from the others; check this rock for a Rare Candy.

Ultra Ball: Make your way down to the lowest floor of the dungeon. Follow the path and Surf across the first water segment you come across. On the platform after this water segment, head up past the first set of four rocks and have a look at the second set of four rocks. One of the rocks in this set stands out compared to the others; this rock contains an Ultra Ball.

Cerulean Cave (Yellow Only)

PP Up: From the entrance, head west and up the ladder to 2F. Head down and right along the passageway, hugging the southern wall, until you reach a fork in the road. Take the upper path and follow this for a short distance until you reach an isolated rock with a visible item nearby. This rock contains a PP Up.

PP Up: From the last PP Up, continue making your way east until you reach the next ladder. Head down the ladder and look just to the left to find a rock sticking out of the lower wall of the path. This rock also contains a PP Up.

PP Up: Follow the path until you reach the final floor. Just before you reach the first section of water, look to the right of the opening and you'll see a rock that stands out compared to the other rocks next to it. There are two visible items on a platform just to the west of this rock. Inspect the rock to receive a third PP Up.