Pocket Monsters Kin (Japan) (Rev A)
Pocket Monsters Kin (Japan) (Rev A): GBC RPG
Pocket Monsters Kin is the Japanese release of Pokémon Gold, coming out in 1999 for the Game Boy Color. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, it kicked off the second generation of Pokémon games. This particular version carries a Rev A label, meaning it's a minor revision that likely fixed a handful of bugs present in the initial Japanese cartridges. For a long time this was the only way to play the full Gold experience in Japanese, which includes all the original text and regional differences that were later altered in international versions.
Players begin in New Bark Town where they pick a starter Pokémon from Professor Elm. The goal is to journey across the Johto region, battle eight Gym Leaders, and eventually challenge the Elite Four. Along the way you catch wild Pokémon, train them up, and trade or battle with friends using a link cable. The game also introduces a real-time clock that affects in-game events like the day/night cycle and certain Pokémon appearances. After beating the Johto league, an entire second region, Kanto from the first generation, opens up for exploration.
Today this version is interesting mainly for collectors and those who want to see the game in its original Japanese state before any localization changes. The Rev A revision might include small fixes or text edits compared to the early release, though the core experience is the same as any other Pokémon Gold cartridge. It's a solid, lengthy RPG that holds up well on the Game Boy Color, and if you're comfortable reading Japanese menus, it's a faithful way to enjoy one of the best Pokémon entries.
How to Play Pocket Monsters Kin (Japan) (Rev A) Online
When you first start Pocket Monsters Kin, you'll be greeted by a Japanese title screen. Press Start to begin a new game. The game is entirely in Japanese, so memorizing menu positions helps - for example, the top option in the main menu is usually "New Game" and the bottom is "Continue" (though a battery save is needed for that). You'll wake up in your bedroom, then head downstairs where your mom asks you a question. Select the top answer each time to move forward. Go outside and walk north into the tall grass to meet Professor Elm, who will let you pick one of three starter Pokémon: Chikorita (grass), Cyndaquil (fire), or Totodile (water).
The core loop is simple: travel from town to town, battle wild Pokémon and trainers to level up your team, and collect Gym Badges to prove your strength. When your Pokémon get weak, heal them at the Pokémon Center (the red-roofed building). You can save the game by opening the menu (press Start) and selecting the last option (save). Because it's a Japanese game, the menu order from top to bottom is: Pokédex, Pokémon, Bag, Save, Options, and Exit. Use the D-Pad to navigate and A to confirm. The day/night cycle and real-time events are tied to your system clock, so make sure your emulator's clock is set correctly if you want to encounter certain Pokémon at specific times.
If you get stuck, remember that most NPCs will give hints in Japanese, but you can often progress by talking to everyone and exploring every route. The game expects you to grind a bit between gyms, so don't be afraid to battle wild Pokémon repeatedly. Linking with the second game (Pocket Monsters Gin) requires two consoles and a link cable, which isn't available in browser emulators, but you can still enjoy the single-player campaign fully. Keep an eye on your bag's item capacity and always carry plenty of Poké Balls and Potions.
Pocket Monsters Kin (Japan) (Rev A) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
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