Most Iconic Pokémon Glitches Explained

The success of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, along with discussions about their numerous glitches, might lead newcomers to the franchise to think that Generation IX is the first time Pokémon games have encountered such issues. However, this assumption couldn't be further from the truth.

In reality, glitches have long been a part of the Pokémon series since its inception, ranging from minor to game-breaking. If you're curious to explore the history of Pokémon glitches, you've landed on the right page. Let's delve into three of the most iconic glitches ever discovered in the Pokémon series.

Most Iconic Pokémon Glitches Explained

These are three of the most iconic Pokémon glitches and how you can activate them!

Missigno. Glitch (Generation I)

Missingno is the glitch that started them all. The name "Missingno" stands for "Missing Number" and is a glitch that spawns when the game doesn't know what Pokémon it should be reading from the internal data.

By surfing along the coast of Cinnabar Island, players can encounter a mess of pixels named Missingno. The glitch itself has a lot of benefits but can also be dangerous. The glitch will mess with the sprites on screen, in the overworld, and in your bag. However, you can also clone items to get as many Rare Candies or Master Balls as you want. 

Mew Glitch (Generation I)

Fans of the original Pokémon games may have been disappointed to discover that Mew, the final of the original 151 Pokémon, was nowhere to be seen. Mew was released as a promotional event Pokémon, but in the West, the only way to obtain this rare creature is via glitching.

The Mew glitch can be performed at two points in Generation I and requires teleporting away from a trainer as they initiate a battle. Then, after walking up the Nugget Bridge, Mew should appear at Level 7 for you to catch. 

Void Glitch / Tweaking (Generation IV)

Tweaking is a Diamond and Pearl glitch that involves moving incredibly fast in the bicycle, so the game is unable to read your correct location. The glitch itself is very in-depth and refers to the individual tiles on each map. However, when performed correctly, it is possible to journey into the void and head to the end of the game right away!

And these are some of the most iconic glitches in Pokémon!