Ever play through countless hours of a cherished Pokemon Save File, getting that perfect Pokemon Team, with the perfect Nicknames (if you use them), or that perfect way of doing things in a File (using all caps or capitalizing 1st letter of names), only to find out that a few generations later, it's all switched up and you may have to start all over? Hardcore players of the franchise know exactly what I'm talking about. This all began in Generation 1 in Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow versions in the United States. The 2nd Generation came in sequels titled Gold, Silver and Crystal. Nintendo and Pokemon had an early "style" of naming prominent things or people in the story in 'ALL CAPITAL' letters as to alert the Player of their status. It was also for kids to be able to read small font on a small (Gameboy) screen. For example, Professor Oak whom is your main guide is spelled 'PROF. OAK' in 'ALL CAPS'. Wild Pokemon when encountered and caught, their names display in 'ALL CAPS', such as 'A wild PIDGEY appeared!' Even when naming yourself in the beginning of the story, you are (sort of) influenced to follow suit and type your name in all caps, so that it makes sense and fits the theme. I didn't know for years that there was a lower-case option! Even the MENU Options are in 'ALL CAPS' where your NAME would display also. What's the big deal about the capitalization being consistent? In the real world it poses no problem, of course! They're just letters! In the Pokemon World however, it can drive a Trainer absolutely insane over something that really is out of our control and not our fault. The reason being, from Generation 5 going forward, Nintendo changed the Font Style to a standard 'Capitalization'. That means if you followed the trend of keeping the theme of 'ALL CAPS' for the sake of consistency and neatness, now you were at a conundrum, for if you planned on trading your past Pokemon to future titles (Pokemon's best novelty), it would look out of whack, having Pokemon both in 'ALL CAPS' and 'Capitalized' on your team. It just looks awful and drives me crazy! With one of the weirdest O.C.D.'s ever unintentionally developed by Pokemon fans and Nintendo alike, here is a guide on helping you keep those Pokemon and Trainer Names as consistent as possible throughout the Generations for your sanity and leisure. It can get messy remembering all of the rules of nicknames and trading restrictions throughout the many gaming titles, so I took the time to compile it for any and all to utilize. Disclaimer: Everyone has different preferences when playing. For some, the names don't matter at all, they may not even Nickname their Pokemon. But, what of the capitalization of even Standard Pokemon Species names, such as a Gen. 1 CHARIZARD being transferred to Pokemon Sun, where the 'ALL CAPS' font has been done away with? What do you do then? I've put together a guide that attempts to answer as many questions as it can on the subject. I truly hope this has helped, as I know the feeling of wanting that personable Pokemon File without any unwanted nuances that may degrade the experience of your Pokemon Journey. O.C.D. in Pokemon... I know. I know. Damn, I must really love this Franchise to even be writing this article. Good grief, Pokemon nicknames...
Generations 1 - 4:
(Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Fire Red, Leaf Green, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Heart Gold, Soul Silver)
Pokemon (Species) Names are 'ALL CAPITAL'
(ex: CHARIZARD)
Generations 5 & on:
(Black, White, Black2, White2, X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go Pikachu, Let's Go Eevee, Sword, Shield)
Pokemon (Species) Names are 'Capitalized'
(ex: Charizard)
Capitalization in Pokemon Bank vs. Traditional Trading:
Pokemon Species Name Capitalization automatically updates between Generations when you Transfer or Deposit via Pokemon Bank.
(ex: CHARIZARD -> Charizard, via Pokemon Bank)
(ex: CHARIZARD -> X Charizard, via Traditional Trading)
How are Pokemon Nicknames Affected?
Will a Nicknamed Pokemon in 'ALL CAPITAL' letters from Generations 1 - 4 keep its Nickname in 'ALL CAPITAL' when transferred to later Generations via Pokemon Bank? Or will the Nickname 'Capitalize' automatically as does the Species Name?
(ex: BLAZE -> Blaze ?) ...not sure yet, working on it.
Offensive Pokemon Nicknames or OT (Original Trainer) Names are Deleted by Nintendo via Pokemon Bank:
(ex: 'BLAZE420' the CHARIZARD from OT 'BUTT HAT' will be flagged and defaulted)
Be weary, as Nintendo has Deleted many cherished Pokemon Nicknames from Trainers over silly, technical reasons:
(ex: an Abomasnow named 'Avalanche' was flagged and defaulted)
Trading Compatibility (Traditional):
Generation 1 (Red/Blue/Green/Yellow)
↑↓ Both directions
Generation 2 (Gold/Silver/Crystal)
X Trade impossible
Generation 3 (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/FireRed/LeafGreen)
↓ One-way only, allows held items
Generation 4 (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/HeartGold/SoulSilver)
↓ One-way only, no items
Generation 5 (Black/White/Black 2/White 2)
↓ One-way only, no items
Generation 6 (X/Y/Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire)
↓? (Unreleased, backwards trading yet to be confirmed, Pokémon Bank currently forbids items)
Generation 7 (Sun/Moon)
↓
Genration 8 (Sword/ Shield)
Once a Pokemon is traded, it can no longer be Nicknamed, even if traded back to the OT.
My Suggestions & Tips:
1. (if you prefer Nicknames): Nickname your Pokemon immediately upon capture (to avoid forgetting before Trading). Once you Trade it, you cannot change its Nickname.
2. (if you prefer consistency): Decide ahead of time whether you are going to honor each Generation's Font Style, or use a universal Capitalization method throughout. (ex: 'CHARIZARD' in Gen. 1 - 4 only, then 'Charizard' in Gen. 5 & on)... or (ex: a CHARIZARD Nicknamed 'Charizard' in Gen. 1 - 4, doesn't need a Font change in Gen. 5 & on) Generations 5 & on do not use 'ALL CAPITAL' Letter Names.
3. (if you do not bother with Nicknames): You do not need to worry about the Capitalization of Pokemon Species Names, if you transfer via Pokemon Bank. It will automate it for you!
4. (if you are trading traditionally): Remember the trading compatibility between Generations and plan ahead whom you want to trade and whom you can and cannot trade back. Not all Generations allow tradebacks. Your Pokemon will remain permanently in that later Generation.
5. (if you are using Pokemon Bank): I strongly advise to perform a Transfer Test first when trading older Generation Pokemon to newer ones, for the reason that Nintendo may delete any Pokemon Nickname or Trainer Name they find offensive. Be cautious as many harmless Names have been defaulted to their original Species and Trainer Name. On top of losing your beloved Nickname, you can no longer trade that Pokemon back into the prior generation, so be careful! Some Pokemon may be best off remaining in their respective Game File and Story. After all, each Generation has its charm!
6. (if you need advice on OT Names): I feel that what you name yourself, the Trainer Name is not as bothersome to most as is the Pokemon Name Capitalization issue. I always name myself in 'ALL CAPS' in Gen's 1 - 4 as I like fitting the style and theme. When I move to Generations where the Trainer Name is Capitalized, I simply Capitalize my name to fit the theme once more. The OT Name reading in 'ALL CAPS' in later Generations doesn't bother me, as it shows the charm of the first four Generations and that you're "old school", so to speak with the All Caps. If you want complete consistency, just Capitalize your Name from the beginning, going forward.
Why Nickname Pokemon, Anyways?
Ironically, I used to never even consider Nicknaming my Pokemon. I thought the concept was so stupid as it retracted attention away from the inventive species names the Pokemon were already given. However, as I grew older I began to notice a lot of other players starting to name their Pokemon. It's weird, but I kind of started to like the trend. This is a time when I first started watching Youtube in the early 2000's and I discovered Video Game "Let's Play" and Pokemon "Nuzlocke" videos, where the rules were you had to Nickname your Pokemon to forge more of a personal bond with them. Adding a Nickname is a psychological factor which surprisingly works. I now understood that Nicknaming them was much like how you wouldn't necessarily call your own pet cat, 'Cat'. Some do, but when you have two or more you tend to name them. I loved this now, as it was a new layer of enjoying Pokemon that I had not seen before. Some Nicknames were hilarious reading, some boring and plain, some downright offensive and the rare creme de la creme of great Nicknames...simply, a work of Art. From 'Leonardo' the Blastoise, to 'Nicki Minaj' the Jynx, to 'Bruce Leaf' the Venusaur, naming Pokemon has taken on a new level of meaning and has added much to the 25+ years (and still going), of this crazy thing called Pocket Monsters.
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| Nicki Minaj, the JYNX |
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