Menu

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This article is about the overworld menu. For the title screen menu, see Main menu.

The menu (Japanese: メニュー menu) is the main interface in all of the core series Pokémon games that allows the player to access the game's basic features and aspects of their save file, with the entries differing throughout the various games. It is accessed by pressing the START button in Generations I to III and by pressing the X button in Generation IV and later.

In the Generation VI and Generation VII 3DS games, a menu entry's position may be swapped using the stylus.

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In the core series and side series

In general, entries are only added to the menu when the player obtains them, such as the Pokédex. Games that have entries for Save, Options, and Exit have them available from the beginning.

Two exceptions exist:

  • In Generation I, the Pokémon menu entry is available even before the player obtains their first partner Pokémon, but will do nothing when selected until then.
  • In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu on the Touch Screen is completely empty at the very beginning. The Bag, Trainer Card, Save, and Options entries appear when the player character first talks to their mother.

Generations I to IV

Prior to HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu displays in a single vertical column. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the menu displays in two columns (of four and three), and is always open on the touchscreen.

Core series

Entry Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon Displays the party.
Bag Called "Item" in Generation I and "Pack" in Generation II.
(App) This entry is reserved for the PokégearGSCHGSS or PokéNavRSE. It is absent in other games.
(Name) Displays the Trainer Card. This entry shows up as the player's name.
Save
Options Called "Option" prior to Generation IV.
Exit This entry is absent in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, being replaced by a graphical X button that displays above the menu (rather than as one of its entries) and can be tapped on to close it. As all games allow the menu to be closed by pressing the START, X, or B buttons, this function was somewhat redundant.

Note that some entries do not appear or are replaced while in a Cable Club/Union Room, Safari Zone/Bug-Catching Contest, or Battle Tower.

The Underground

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: What exactly goes in Treasures; if the Underground Trainer Card option differs in any way, however slight, from the overworld version

The Underground in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum uses an almost entirely different menu:

Entry Notes
Traps
Spheres
Goods
Treasures
(Name)
Go Up
Close

Pokémon Colosseum and XD

These games use a similar menu to the core series, but the following three entries are absent:

  • Pokédex (replaced by the Strategy Memo inside the P★DA)
  • Trainer Card (as the P★DA displays Trainer information).
  • Options (since options are instead accessed from the title screen)
Entry Notes
Pokémon
P★DA Unlike the app entry in the core series games, this entry appears above the Items entry.
Items (Named Items instead of the core series' Item/Pack/Bag.)
Save This entry is absent from Colosseum, where saving is instead done from a PC.
Exit

Generations V and VI

The menu now displays in three rows of two. It is no longer always open on the touchscreen.

Entry Notes
Pokémon The party entry is simply called "Pokémon" in the menu itself, but the Ready button shows its full name "Pokémon List". Now appears first in the menu, before Pokédex.
Pokédex Now appears second in the menu, after Pokémon.
Bag
(Name) Displays the Trainer Card and shows up as the player's name.
Save
Options

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

The menu still displays in three rows of two, but was significantly expanded and now takes up two pages, accessed by scrolling right from the first page.

In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a few items were moved or changed. Save now appears outside of the menu pages to the bottom right of the screen, and can be accessed from the menu with the Y button.

Entry Notes
Pokémon
Pokédex
Bag
SaveSM/Photo AlbumUSUM For the first time, Save appears right after Bag.SM
Festival Plaza New.
Trainer Passport Replaces the Trainer Card and no longer displays as the player's name for the first time.
Poké PelagoSM/OptionsUSUM New.SM
Pokémon Refresh New.
QR Scanner New.
Battle Video New.
OptionsSM/Poké PelagoUSUM

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

The menu displays with one entry in the top row and five entries in the bottom row.

Options are now accessed with the Y button from the menu; this instruction is displayed by the game in the footer at the bottom right of the screen. There is no longer a Trainer Card entry in the menu; Trainer information is instead displayed on the Save screen before saving.

Entry Notes
Play with (Nickname) Displays the nickname of the player's Partner Pokémon, though in all caps to match the formatting of the rest of the menu.
Pokédex
Bag Displays before the party for the first time.
Party Displays after Bag for the first time, and is named "Party" instead of "Pokémon" for the first time.
Communicate
Save

Pokémon Sword and Shield

The menu displays with two rows of five entries. After all entries are obtained, the player can now swap the order of entries with the Y button; the default order is shown here. The player can also automatically select Town Map with the + button or Save with the R button.

Entry Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon
Bag
League Card
Save
Town Map New.
Pokémon Camp New.
Mystery Gift New.
VS
Options

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

The menu displays with two rows of four entries. The Y, +, and R buttons have the same functionality as in Sword and Shield, though swapping (Y) is now possible even before all menu entries have been obtained. Save is no longer a menu entry, but displays outside the menu, below it and to the right.

Entry Notes
Pokédex
Pokémon
Bag
Trainer Card
Town Map
Ball Capsules New.
Options
Mystery Gift Reordered compared to Sword and Shield.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

The menu is accessed by pressing Up on the D-Pad/directional buttons. Unlike previous games, it appears as a horizontal row of icons at the top of the screen, and the contents of the currently highlighted menu entry automatically show up below (the player does not have to press A on a menu item to select it, including when first opening the menu). The ZL and ZR buttons are used to scroll through the menu entries.

Several entries that used to be on the menu in previous games are instead given their own dedicated button, such as the minus (-) button opening the map, and Down on the D-Pad/directional buttons opening the Pokédex.

Entry Notes
Satchel Shows the player's items on the left half, their party on the right half, and their current amount of money at the top right corner.
Save Shows the player's Trainer information (similar to a Trainer Card) alongside a prompt to save.
Communications Shows the Lost & Found and Mystery Gifts sub-entries, along with options to turn the internet connection on/off and to connect automatically or not.
Help Shows the Survey Tips, Game Controls, and Settings sub-entries.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The menu is accessed by pressing the X button. The menu is shown as a list on the right side of the screen, with the player's party listed on the left side, effectively merging the Pokémon List functionality into the menu.

Entry Notes
Bag
Boxes New.
Picnic New.
Poké Portal New.
Options
Save

In the spin-off games

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Rescue Team DX menu; verify first appearance of Medal option in Masters EX

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Outside a dungeon, the menu displays the current location, the team's rank, rank pointsRB, points to next rankTDSGtI, the day's V-Wave type, Poké, and Gold Bars.

Inside a dungeon, the menu displays entire team's names and HP, the leader's Belly, Poké, weather, and play time.

Pressing the X button in a dungeon at the menu opens up the move list.

Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

Outside a dungeon
Entry Notes
Items Opens up the Toolbox/Treasure Bag.
Team Shows the current team.
Job List Opens up a list of the accepted jobs.
Others Allows the player to open up the options, change window framesS, and check HintsRBTD/Game HintsS.
ExitTDS Closes the menu.
Inside a dungeon
Entry Notes
Moves Opens up the moves list.
Items Opens up the Toolbox/Treasure Bag.
Team Shows the current team.
Others Opens up another list of tabs (see below).
Ground Checks the tile the leader stands on.
RestTDS Gives the player the choice to Quicksave the game or give up the adventure couting as a defeat.
ExitTDS Closes the menu.
Others
Game Options Opens up the options.
Quicksave or Give upRB Gives the player the choice to Quicksave the game or Give Up the adventure couting as a defeat.
WindowS Allows the player to change window frame.
MapTDS Shows the map.
Message log Opens up the message log.
Mission objectives Shows the jobs accepted for the current dungeon. If there is no mission for the dungeon, a message saying "Just go!"RB/"Go as far as possible"TDS will be displayed instead.
Recruitment search Shows a list of all the Pokémon that can be recruited in the floor.
HintsRBTD
Dungeon HintsS
Shows hints on several subjects.

Gates to Infinity

Entry Notes
Items Opens up the bag.
Status Shows the current team.
Job Listoutside a dungeon Opens up the Job List.
Companion Modeoutside a dungeon Changes to Companion Mode where the player controls a team member instead of the leader and can not go to Post Town. Changes to <player> Mode in Companion Mode.
Local Wirelessoutside a dungeon Allows the player to connect with other players and play through dungeon together.
Materialsoutside a dungeon Opens up Gurdurr's Menu where the player can check their material needed to build things in Pokémon Paradise.
Saveoutside a dungeon Saves the game.
Noteinside a dungeon Opens up the Job List for the current dungeon.
Movesinside a dungeon Opens up the moves list.
Change the Leaderinside a dungeon Changes the leader to the Pokémon next in line, this does not count as a turn, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Look Aroundinside a dungeon Allows the player to see around the room without moving. Can only be done in a room, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Underfootinside a dungeon Checks the tile the leader stands on, outside of the grid the button is grey and can't be clicked.
Quick Saveinside a dungeon Quick Saves the game and takes the player to the Main Menu.
Others Opens up another list of tabs (see below).
Others
Options Opens up the options.
SpotPass Settings Allows the player to switch on and off SpotPass.
Pokémon who can appearinside a dungeon Shows a list of Pokémon who can appear and be befriended.
V-Wave Shows the day's V-Wave type and effects.
Message Log Opens up the Message Log.
Dungeon Statusinside a dungeon Opens up a list of floor-wide condition that are present on the floor.
Dungeon Hints Shows hints on the subjects of exploring a dungeon.
How to Play Shows hints on several subjects.
To the Entranceoutside a dungeon Takes the player to the entrance of the area their currently in.
Give Upinside a dungeon The player gives up, counting as a defeat.

Super Mystery Dungeon

Outside a dungeon
Entry Notes
Items Opens up the Bag.
Status Shows the current team.
Team Selection Allows the player to oraganize their teams.
Expedition List Opens up a list of the accepted expeditions
Connection Orb Opens up the Connection Orb
World Map Opens up the World Map
Save Saves the game.
Others Opens up another list of tabs (see below).
Others
Control Info Opens up two signs of how to get around in towns and dungeons.
Options Opens up the options
Message Log Opens up the Messag Log
How to Play Opens up several hints on how to play the game
Adventure Hints Opens up several hints on how to act in dungeons
To the Entrance Takes the player to the entrance
Resume from the Save Data Resumes the game from the last time it was saved
Inside a dungeon
Entry Notes
Items Opens up the Bag.
Status Shows the current team.
Move Settings Opens up the move setting screen.
Tactics Meeting Opens up the tactics.
Alliance Allows the player to choose which move shall be used when performing an alliance.
Look Around The player looks around the room, not usable in corridors.
Underfoot Checks the tile the leader stands on.
Change the Order Allows the player to change the order of which the turns play out.
Expedition List Opens up a list of the accepted expeditions.
Connection Orb Opens up the Connection Orb.
Others Opens up another list of tabs (see below).
Others
Control Info Opens up two signs of how to get around in towns and dungeons.
Switch the leader Allows the player to change leader
Type Icon Guide Opens up a sign which displays what different icons mean.
Options Opens up the options
Message Log Opens up the Messag Log.
Dungeon Status Opens up a list of floor-wide condition that are present on the floor.
How to Play Opens up several hints on how to play the game
Adventure Hints Opens up several hints on how to act in dungeons
Give Up The player gives up, counting as a defeat.
Resume from the Save Data Resumes the game from the last time it was saved

Pokémon Ranger series

Entry Notes
Styler Opens up the Styler Status screen displaying Styler Level, Experience points, Experience points needed for next Styler Level, Energy, Line length, Power, Charge Speed, Charge Level, all Defense Statuses, and a Power-up Data List. Only available in Shadows of Almia.
Status Opens up the status screen displaying the player's name, Styler Level, Styler Energy, Styler Power, Charge Level, and experience points needed to the next level. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Release Allows the player to release captured Pokémon.
Modification Allows the player to spend Ranger Points on modifying the styler's stats. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Sign List Opens up a list of Guardian Signs. Only available in Guardian Signs.
Quests Opens up a list of all the available, accepted, and completed quests. Only available in Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs.
Browser Opens up the regional Browser.
Missions Shows the current Mission and allows the player to restart it in Pokémon Ranger, named Mission. Opens up a map with all the Missions pointed out in Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs.
Map Opens up the map.
Options Opens up the options. Not present in Guardian Signs.
Glossary Opens up the Glossary.
Quicksave Quicksaves the game.
Exit Closes the menu in Pokémon Ranger. In Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs there's a button at the top right with an arrow on it that closes the menu.

Pokémon Rumble series

Pokémon Rumble Blast

Setting Notes
Resume Closes the menu.
Return to Town Takes the player to the latest town they've been to. Only available inside a level.
Save and Quit Allows the player to save and quit the game.

Pokémon Rumble World

In Pokémon Rumble World there are two menus; one that is on the touch screen with four buttons with must pressed with the stylus, the second is opened pressing start.

Setting Notes
Touch Screen menu
Profile Allows the player to check their Player Info, view a list of claimed and unclaimed titles as well as change their title, and change Mii Settings.
Adventurers Opens up a list of all the visitors.
Pokémon Allows the player to check their Pokémon and say good-bye to them.
Visitors Allows the player to greet visitors that have arrived either via StreetPass or SpotPass or call five random visitors once a day via the internet.
Start menu
Manual Opens up the manual of the game
L+R Take Photos Takes a photo of the top screen
Character Roles Allows the player to assign visitors the roles of characters in-game.
Passwords Allows the player to enter passwords and unlock things.
Options Opens up the options
Save and Quit Saves the game and closes it down

Pokémon Trozei series

Entry Notes
Continue Continues the game
Return to Map Takes the player back to the map

Pokémon Dash

Entry Notes
Continue Continues the game
Retry Restarts the course
Back to Cup Select Takes the player to the cup selection screen
Back to Title Takes the player back to the title screen
Settings Allows the player to switch between Normal and Reverse play style and turn the backlight on and off.

Pokémon Art Academy

Pressing start or select while drawing opens the menu, choosing an image in the album opens up the Image options.

Options

Entry Notes
Review Step Plays the lesson once more. Only available in Lesson.
Restart Lesson Restarts the lesson. Only available in Quick Draw.
Add Background Allows the player to add a flat color, images from the SD card, or images from the game as background. Only available in Free Paint.
Save Saves the image.
Clear Canvas Allows the player to clear the canvas. Unavailable unless something has been drawn.
Settings Allows the player to change the Sound Settings and Button Controls. Only available in Free Paint.
Sound Settings Allows the player turn on and off the music, interface sounds, and tool sounds. Only available in Lesson and Quick Draw.
Quit Allows the player to quit the current lesson.

Image options

Setting Notes
Edit Image Takes the player to edit mode for the image.
Share Allows the player to share the image by Miiverse or Local Play.
Delete Allows the player to delete the image.
Export Allows the player to export the image to the Nintendo 3DS as a JPEG.
Name*
Rename*
Allows the player to (re)name the image.

Pokémon GO

Setting Notes
Pokédex Opens up the Pokédex.
Shop Opens up the shop.
Pokémon Opens up a list of the player's Pokémon.
Items Opens up the bag.
Settings Opens up the settings.
Tips Plays a series of tips on PokéStops and Gyms.
News Opens up the latest news. Available when news is available.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Setting Notes
More Opens a card that says "Try to beat the next [the league the player is currently at]", and lists the rewards for beating that league.
Decorate Allows the player to decorate their pond with Decorations and set different themes for their pond.
Items Opens up the bag.
Achievements Opens up the achievements.
Purchase Takes the player to the Exchange Office.
Settings Takes the player to the settings.

Pokémon Masters EX

The menu is labeled as the Poryphone Menu.

Entry Notes
Missions Opens up the Missions menu.
Friends Opens up the Friend List.
Bag Opens up the Bag.
Dex Opens up the Dex menu where the player can check the list of sync pairs.
Settings Allows the player to adjust sound, language, text, and battle settings.
Other Opens up another list of tabs (see below).
Game Center/Google Play* Opens Game CenteriOS/Google PlayAndroid on the user's device.
Account Allows the player to link their save data to a Nintendo account or delete account data.
Invitations Allows the player to invite or join friends in a Co-Op party.
Available since Version ???
Medals Opens up the Medals menu.
Available since Version 2.42.0
Title Opens up the Titles menu.
Photo Creator Opens up the Photo Creator.
Adventure Log Allows the player to view their Player Information and Player Records.
Other
Trista's Guide Allows the player to view various informational blurbs about gameplay mechanics.
FAQ Opens a list of frequently asked questions regarding the game.
Tips Opens a list of various details about different gameplay mechanics.
Customer Support Allows the player to provide inquiries or feedback about the game.
EULA Allows the player to view the End User License Agreement of their respective region.
Privacy Policy Allows the player to view the Privacy Policy of their respective region.
About This App Allows the player to view Copyright Information and the credits.
Data Usage Allows the player to control the distribution of their usage data.
Return to Title Screen Restarts the app to the title screen.

Gallery

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Cable Club (FRLG if different from normal menu), and EFRLG Union Room menus. Any other alternate menus (did the Wi-Fi Plaza have its own menu?) Also needs Let's Go Eevee.

Variants

Trivia

The menu in a dark cave
  • In the Generation I games, the menu is affected by the darkness of caves (meaning that Flash has not yet been used). This was corrected in the Game Boy Color mode of the Generation II games; in Game Boy and Super Game Boy modes, it behaves like in Generation I and Flash will not make it lighter due to the darkness being dependent on the time-based palette defined in the maps of caves, which are set to use the nighttime palette.
  • In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team when choosing Moves on the menu a red square appears on the tile the leader stands on. However, the red square does not disappear when closing the window but does so when closing the menu or opening and closing the Toolbox.
  • In Generation I, if the player holds A while saving, the menu won't disappear until the player releases A.


In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 選單 Syúndāan
Mandarin 選單 / 菜单 Xuǎndān
France Flag.png French Menu
Germany Flag.png German Menü
Italy Flag.png Italian Menu
South Korea Flag.png Korean 메뉴 Menu
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Menu
Spain Flag.png Spanish Menú
Project Games logo.png This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.