Catching Mew, the elusive Psychic-type Pokémon, in “Pokémon Red” is a highly sought-after goal for many players. While not officially available through regular gameplay, there is a glitch that allows you to encounter and capture Mew. This method, known as the “Mew Glitch,” involves manipulating the game’s code to force an encounter with the legendary Pokémon.
To perform the Mew Glitch, you will need to have access to a specific area in the game called the SS Anne. Once you are on the ship, you will need to follow a series of steps that involve entering and exiting certain rooms in a specific order. Additionally, you will need to have an empty slot in your party and a Pokémon that knows the move “Fly” in your sixth slot. By carefully following the glitch’s instructions, you will trigger an encounter with Mew, which you can then capture using a Poké Ball.
It is important to note that the Mew Glitch can be tricky to perform, and it may take several attempts to successfully encounter Mew. However, with patience and perseverance, you can add this rare and powerful Pokémon to your team. While the Mew Glitch is not a sanctioned method of obtaining Mew, it is a well-known and widely accepted way to catch the elusive Pokémon in “Pokémon Red.” So, if you are up for a challenge and want to add Mew to your collection, give the Mew Glitch a try. With a little luck, you will be able to catch this legendary Pokémon and add it to your team.
The Basics of Mew Hunting
Catching Mew in Pokémon Red is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
1. **Understand the Glitches:** There are several glitches that can be used to obtain Mew, and each requires specific steps. The most common method is the “Old Man Glitch”, which involves using a specific sequence of actions to trick the game into thinking you have encountered Mew in the wild. Other methods include the “Mewtwo Glitch” and the “Safari Zone Glitch”.
2. **Timing is Crucial:** The glitches used to catch Mew are only effective during specific times and locations in the game. For the Old Man Glitch, you must initiate the sequence on the 5th floor of the Celadon City Hotel after performing a very specific set of actions. Strict timing is also required to use the Mewtwo Glitch and the Safari Zone Glitch.
3. **Preparation is Essential:** Before attempting to catch Mew, ensure your Pokémon party and inventory are optimally configured. You’ll need a Pokémon with the move “False Swipe” to weaken Mew without fainting it, as well as Poké Balls to capture it. Additionally, you may want to equip your party with status-inflicting moves to prevent Mew from using its more powerful attacks.
| Glitch | Description | Trigger | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Man Glitch | Initiate a specific sequence of actions on the 5th floor of the Celadon City Hotel to encounter Mew in the wild. | Timing: After performing a series of actions | Requirements: Specific sequence of actions |
| Mewtwo Glitch | Exploit a glitch during the battle with Mewtwo to encounter Mew. | Timing: During the battle with Mewtwo | Requirements: Specific sequence of actions |
| Safari Zone Glitch | Use a glitch in the Safari Zone to encounter Mew. | Timing: After entering the Safari Zone | Requirements: Specific sequence of actions |
Prereqs for Mew Hunting
Catching Mew in Pokémon Red requires a specific set of steps and preparation. Here’s a detailed guide to ensure a successful hunt:
Route 8 Glitch
This glitch is essential for accessing the area where Mew is hidden. To perform it, follow these steps:
- Enter the Old Man’s house north of Cerulean City.
- Talk to the Old Man and ask him about the SS Anne.
- Exit the house and immediately press “Start” on the controller.
- Select “Trainer Card” and then “Yes” to save the game.
- Return to the Old Man’s house and talk to him again.
- Fly to Lavender Town.
When you land in Lavender Town, you should be able to walk through the building on the left. This will take you to Route 8, where Mew can be found.
Encountering Mew
Once on Route 8, follow these steps to encounter Mew:
- Use the Surf technique to travel west into the water.
- Move around the northernmost area of the water until you see a patch of grass that you can walk on.
- Step onto the grass and you should encounter Mew.
Using the Mew Glitch
The Mew glitch is a well-known glitch in Pokémon Red and Blue that allows players to catch the rare Pokémon Mew, which is normally unobtainable in the game. The glitch involves using a specific sequence of steps to corrupt the game’s memory, which in turn causes Mew to appear in the game’s overworld.
To perform the Mew glitch, follow these steps:
- Start a new game of Pokémon Red or Blue.
- Name your character “FLY.” (All Caps)
- Talk to the Old Man in Viridian City. He will give you a Pokédex.
- Walk one step to the left, then back to the right.
- Press the Select button and hold it down.
- Press B until the graphics begin to glitch.
- Release the Select button.
- Walk down and enter the building to the left.
- Talk to the receptionist.
- Mew should now appear on the overworld map.
Here is a more detailed explanation of step 3:
Step 3: Corrupting the Game’s Memory
- Walk one step to the left, then back to the right.
- Press the Select button and hold it down.
- Press B until the graphics begin to glitch.
- Release the Select button.
This sequence of steps corrupts the game’s memory by causing the game to try to access an invalid memory address. This corruption allows Mew to be loaded into the game’s memory and appear in the overworld.
| Step No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Walk one step to the left, then back to the right. |
| 2. | Press the Select button and hold it down. |
| 3. | Press B until the graphics begin to glitch. |
| 4. | Release the Select button. |
Step 1: The Glitch Chamber Explained
The Glitch Chamber is a location in the Pokémon Red and Blue video games that can be accessed by using a glitch. This glitch is caused by performing a specific sequence of actions and has the effect of allowing the player to teleport to the Glitch Chamber. The Glitch Chamber is a strange and mysterious place filled with corrupted graphics and glitched characters. It is also home to a number of rare and powerful Pokémon including Mew.
Step 2: Preparing for the Glitch
Before attempting to access the Glitch Chamber, it is important to prepare accordingly. First ensure that the player has a Pokémon with the move “Fly” or has added and saved Pallet Town as a location to “Fly” to. Secondly, the player should stock and purchase as many repels as possible. Having between 30-50 repels is considered the safest amount. Lastly, it is important to save the player’s game before attempting the glitch.
Step 3: Performing the Glitch
To perform the glitch, the player must first go to the entrance of the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town. Once inside, the player must walk up to the fourth floor and enter the room with the old woman. The player should then talk to the old woman and select the option to “Inspect” her. After inspecting the old woman, the player must quickly press the “Start” button and select the “Fly” option. The player will then be teleported to the Glitch Chamber.
Step 4: Finding Mew
Once in the Glitch Chamber, the player must use their repels to avoid the glitched Pokémon. The player should then walk around the Glitch Chamber until they encounter Mew. There is no exact location to look, as it is a random encounter. Once Mew is encountered, the player must use their strongest Pokémon and throw a Pokéball at it. It may take several attempts to catch Mew, so be patient and keep throwing Pokéballs until it is caught.
Encountering the Mew Sprite
To catch Mew in Pokémon Red, you must first encounter its elusive sprite. It appears randomly at the end of the loading sequence that occurs when entering a building or cave. The chance of encountering Mew is incredibly low, so patience and persistence are key.
Here are some tips for increasing your chances of encountering Mew:
1. Use a Game Boy with a fresh battery: If your Game Boy’s battery is low, it can affect the timing of the loading sequence, making it harder to encounter Mew.
2. Enter buildings and caves repeatedly: The more times you enter and exit buildings and caves, the higher your chances of eventually encountering Mew.
3. Use a faster-loading Game Boy: Certain Game Boy models, such as the Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance, load faster than the original Game Boy. This can give you a slight advantage in encountering Mew.
4. Enter buildings and caves from the same direction: Although not confirmed, some players believe that entering buildings and caves from the same direction (e.g., always from the south) can increase your chances of encountering Mew.
5. Time your button press: When the loading sequence is complete and the building’s interior appears on the screen, immediately press the A button. If you time it correctly, you will trigger the Mew encounter. It requires precise timing and multiple attempts. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the button press timing:
| Game Boy Model | Button Press Timing |
|---|---|
| Original Game Boy | Press the A button as soon as the loading screen disappears and the building interior is visible. |
| Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance | Press the A button slightly later, when the building interior is mostly visible. |
Mastering the Catch Techniques
6. Understanding Mew’s Capture Odds
Capturing Mew in Pokémon Red is notoriously challenging due to its incredibly low catch rate of 3.9%. To increase your chances of success, it’s crucial to understand the factors that influence the odds.
The following table summarizes the key elements that determine your catch rate:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Mew’s Level | Higher level increases catch difficulty |
| Status Conditions | Sleep or paralysis significantly improves catch rate |
| Poké Ball Type | Master Ball always succeeds; Ultra Ball has highest catch rate |
| Critical Capture | A randomly determined event that significantly increases catch rate |
It’s important to note that Mew is at level 100 when encountered, making it extremely difficult to capture. Using a Master Ball is the most reliable method, but if unavailable, utilizing sleep or paralysis while throwing Ultra Balls is essential. Additionally, pray for a critical capture to maximize your chances of success.
Troubleshooting the Mew Glitch
If you’re following the steps carefully but still can’t trigger the Mew glitch, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
1. Check Your Game Version
Only specific early versions of Pokemon Red allow the Mew glitch. Confirm you’re using the right game cartridge or ROM.
2. Verify Your Save File
The Mew glitch involves manipulating save file data. Ensure your save file is uncorrupted and has not been backed up recently.
3. Use the Correct Starter Pokemon
The Mew glitch requires you to choose Charmander as your starter Pokemon. Selecting Bulbasaur or Squirtle will not work.
4. Time Your Button Presses Precisely
The timing of your button presses is crucial. Practice the sequence several times to get the rhythm right.
5. Disable CRT Effects
If you’re using an emulator, disable any CRT effects that may interfere with the precise timing required for the glitch.
6. Be Patient
Triggering the Mew glitch can take several attempts. Don’t give up if you don’t succeed immediately.
7. Detailed Troubleshooting Guide
If you continue to encounter problems, consult the following table for additional troubleshooting steps:
| Issue | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| The game freezes after selecting Mew | Try pressing Start to exit the menu before selecting Mew. If it still freezes, restart the game and try again. |
| Mew does not appear in the party | Make sure you have selected the Pokemon on the Cerulean Bridge. If it’s still not there, try healing your party at the Pokemon Center. |
| The game crashes when loading the map with Mew | Reload the game and ensure you have saved before the Cerulean Bridge. If it still crashes, try using a different ROM or emulator. |
Maximizing Your Chances of Success
Catching Mew in Pokémon Red requires a combination of luck and preparation. Here are some strategies to increase your odds:
1. Get the Old Man’s Phone Number
Talk to the Old Man in the Rest House in Lavender Town to get his phone number.
2. Obtain a Pokédex
Go to Professor Oak’s lab and get the Pokédex.
3. Fly to Cerulean City
Fly to Cerulean City and go to the Pokémon Center.
4. Find the Blue Storage House
Exit the Pokémon Center and go north. Turn right at the first intersection and go up two blocks. The Blue Storage House is on the right.
5. Trigger the Glitch
Interact with the transporter in the back room of the house. When the screen flashes, press Down and Start simultaneously. Then, select “No” and press B.
6. Fly to Lavender Town
Fly to Lavender Town.
7. Go to the Poké Tower
Go to the Poké Tower and climb to the top.
8. Teleport to Cerulean City and Search for Mew
After reaching the roof of the Poké Tower, you will be teleported to Cerulean City without warning. Once you regain control, you must immediately begin searching for Mew. This is the most challenging part of the process and requires patience and persistence. Mew can appear in two locations:
| Location | Spawn Rate |
|---|---|
| Cerulean City Streets | 0.01% |
| Cerulean Cape | 0.02% |
Once Mew is encountered, a battle will begin. Prepare accordingly and be ready to use a Master Ball to capture it, as it may flee if you weaken it too much.
9. Capture Mew
Use the Master Ball to catch Mew.
Advanced Tips for Mew Hunting
1. Use a Master Ball to guarantee capture
The Master Ball is the only Poké Ball that can instantly capture any wild Pokémon, Mew included. If you have one, use it on Mew without hesitation. This is the safest and most efficient way to catch it.
2. Use a Pokémon with Mean Look
Mean Look is a move that prevents the target Pokémon from fleeing or switching out. If you have a Pokémon that knows this move, use it against Mew as soon as possible. This will prevent Mew from teleporting away.
3. Use a Pokémon with False Swipe
False Swipe is a move that does not have a set damage value. Instead, it always leaves the target Pokémon with 1 HP. If you have a Pokémon that knows this move, use it against Mew to bring it close to fainting.
4. Use a Pokémon with Thunder Wave
Thunder Wave is a move that paralyzes the target Pokémon. If you have a Pokémon that knows this move, use it against Mew to slow down its movement and make it less likely to teleport away.
5. Use a Pokémon with Sleep Powder
Sleep Powder is a move that puts the target Pokémon to sleep. If you have a Pokémon that knows this move, use it against Mew to put it to sleep and make it easier to catch.
6. Use a Pokémon with Mean Look, False Swipe, and Thunder Wave
This is the ultimate Mew hunting strategy. If you have a Pokémon that knows all three of these moves, you can prevent Mew from fleeing, bring it close to fainting, and slow down its movement all at once. This will make capturing it much easier.
7. Save regularly
It is important to save regularly while Mew hunting. If you accidentally KO Mew, you will need to reset the game and start over. By saving regularly, you can avoid losing all of your progress.
8. Be patient
Mew hunting can take patience. It may take several attempts before you are successful. Don’t get discouraged, and keep trying. You will eventually catch Mew.
9. Have fun
Mew hunting should be fun. Don’t get too stressed out about it. If you are not having fun, take a break and come back to it later.
10. Additional tips
- Mew can be found in the Cerulean Cave. It is a large cave with multiple levels. Mew can be found on any of the levels, but it is most commonly found on the lowest level.
- Mew is a very rare Pokémon. It is estimated that the chance of encountering Mew is about 1 in 5000.
- Mew is a very powerful Pokémon. It has high stats and a wide variety of moves. It can be a valuable addition to any team.
| Moveset | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dream Eater | Restores Mew’s HP by feeding on sleeping opponents. |
| Psychic | A powerful psychic-type move that deals damage to opponents. |
| Shadow Claw | A powerful ghost-type move that deals damage to opponents. |
| Dark Pulse | A powerful dark-type move that deals damage to opponents. |
How to Catch Mew in Pokémon Red
Mew is one of the most elusive Pokémon in the entire Pokémon franchise, and catching it in Pokémon Red is a difficult but rewarding task. However, with a little patience and preparation, it’s possible to add this rare Pokémon to your team. Here’s how to do it.
1. **Find the Old Man.** The first step is to find the Old Man who will give you the Flute Key Item. He is located in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. Talk to him, and he will give you the Flute.
2. **Go to the Unknown Dungeon.** With the Flute in your inventory, head to the Unknown Dungeon. It’s located on the northernmost island in the Sevii Islands. You can get to the Sevii Islands by taking a ferry from Vermillion City.
3. **Play the Flute.** Once you’re in the Unknown Dungeon, use the Flute Key Item. This will cause Mew to appear.
4. **Catch Mew.** Mew is a very high-leveled Pokémon, so it’s important to be prepared for a tough battle. Use your strongest attacks and make sure to have plenty of Poké Balls on hand. With a little luck, you’ll be able to catch Mew.
