Pokémon Crystal Version/Localization Changes

The localized releases of Crystal, while improving on the mechanics of, did not reprise a number of newer features that the Japanese version had received:


 * In the Japanese version, may be caught at Ilex Forest after completing a short side-mission. A special event requiring the Pokémon Mobile System GB allowed players to obtain the GS Ball. This item, given by a nurse at the Pokémon Communication Center in Goldenrod City, may be taken to Kurt in Azalea Town to investigate. After a day passes, Kurt gives back the GS Ball to the player and asks him/her to check the restless Ilex Forest. Taking the GS Ball to the shrine at Ilex Forest summons a level 30  to . Despite the fact that the GS Ball was unavailable overseas without cheating or hacking, the event was translated and adapted to the regular Pokémon Center in Goldenrod City of the Western releases of Crystal, indicating that it was intended for the localizations to include the event, but was later scrapped.
 * Goldenrod City's Pokémon Center was replaced by a much larger building, the aforementioned Pokémon Communication Center. The localizations reverted it to the Pokémon Center of while changing some of the NPCs to match those in the Pokémon Communication Center.
 * Players could link to trade or battle through the use of the Mobile Game Boy Adapter and the previously mentioned Pokémon Mobile System GB.
 * Players could leave a Pokémon and a request for the Pokémon species that it be traded for at the Pokémon Communication Center's Trade Corner. A player could also view Pokémon up for trade from other players, and trade with them. This is similar to the current Global Trade System of the Generation IV and later games.
 * The Pokémon News Machine at the Pokémon Communication Center updated over the Pokémon Mobile System GB. Pokémon News was compiled from the saved game data of players across Japan, allowing players to read about other players' adventures.
 * The Day-Care Man at the Pokémon Day Care on gave an  which, when taken to the Trade Corner at the Pokémon Communication Center, could be traded for an Odd Egg which hatched into a baby Pokémon that knows  and has a 50% chance of being . In the localizations, the Day-Care Man instead gives away the Odd Egg himself and it only has a 14% chance of being Shiny.
 * The Battle Tower does not connect to the Pokémon Mobile System GB in the localization versions and is open at all times.