Pokémon Game Tips

In spite of all the false rumours about being able to find Mew in the Red/Blue game, it turns out that one method actually works. There are a number of sites on the web where you will find the same information. I've included it here for the purpose of letting more people know about it, and I've added some of my own tips.

I don't know whether this method is a bug in the game, or was designed into the game from the beginning. In any case, it definitely works—I've already done it four times on Pokémon Red. I've also had two people reply that they've tried it successfully on Pokémon Yellow. (One person said that they didn't follow all the instructions correctly and they ended up with a Cubone instead of a Mew!)

To get Mew, you have to start a new game. So if you've got a Red/Blue lying around that you don't mind restarting, use that, or keep your eye out for a second-hand copy at your local Pawn dealer or eBay. Or maybe convince your kid brother to give you his game that's gathering dust in the drawer with his socks.

OK, enough chatter, here's how to do it...

Pokémon you will need

I'd recommend starting off with a Bulbasaur. That'll make defeating the Gym Leaders easier.

You'll need a Pidgey or Spearow to teach it Fly.

Catch a Caterpie early on and train it up until it knows Sleep Powder. That'll make catching Mew much easier.

Mew is level 7 and only knows Pound. So you'll need to have a tough but not too high level Pokémon to help lower's Mew's HP when your ready to face it. A Geodude is good.

A Pikachu will help you defeat the youngster on Route 25 when it's time to do it, not to mention help you beat Misty along the way. It's worth wandering around Viridian Forest until you get one.

Trainers you must not battle

Play the game normally until you reach Cerulean City.

On the way to Bill's house (Route 25), do not fight the youngster with a level 17 Slowpoke. He is the fourth trainer after you cross the bridge, facing north (upwards) and standing directly above a female trainer. It's worth defeating the trainers around him so they don't get in your way later.

Continue playing until you reach Lavender Town. At this point, you don't need to worry about the Tower, any more gyms or solving any more puzzles.

Make your way along Route 8 (between Lavender Town and Saffron City). Do not fight the gambler with two Poliwags and a Poliwhirl. He's just east of the entrance to Saffron City, facing north toward the door of the Underground Path.

Get fly and other preparations

Once through the Underground Path and go to the hideout west of Celadon City. Get the Fly HM and teach it to a Pokémon.

Buy a good stock of Great Balls. If you can manage to get Mew to sleep, probably ten is enough. Otherwise, you'll need plenty more.

Buy a few Potions in case.

Make sure you have room either in your party or in your Box on Bill's PC. There's nothing worse than catching an elusive Pokémon only to have it nowhere to go.

Go back into the Underground Path and save your game. Don't save again until you've caught Mew. If you faint Mew or do something else wrong, you can switch off the game and restart from here.

Here's the trick!

Come out of the Underground Path onto Route 8.

Take one step forward and simultaneously press the Start button. If you did it correctly the menu will pop up but the Gambler will not challenge you. If not, reset and try again.

Go to the Pokémon list and fly to Cerulean City. The Gambler will see you just before you fly away.

At this point, your Start button will stop working. Go north across the bridge to Route 25 and head east until you find the Youngster.

Walk past him, with a blank space between you and him, allowing him to approach you. Do not walk right next to him--it's reported that your game locks up.

Defeat his Slowpoke. After this your Start menu will work again.

Fly to Lavender Town and head west into Route 8. As soon as you enter the passage, the menu will pop up by itself.

This is it folks... press B to exit and... Mew appears to battle you!

Battle Mew, catch it and save your game. If you knock it out, you'll have to switch off and repeat the whole procedure.

Enjoy your Mew

At this point, you might as well continue the game and train up Mew. It learns some good attacks and some silly ones, but bear in mind that you can teach it any TM or HM. You can also trade it to Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal.