Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Also known as: Pokemon Fushigi no Danjon Aka no Kyuujotai / Ao no Kyuujotai (JP), Pokemon Bulgasaui Dungeon Parang Gujodae (KR) (Blue Rescue Team) Developer: Chunsoft Publisher: Nintendo Platforms: Game Boy Advance (Red Rescue Team), Nintendo DS (Blue Rescue Team) Released in JP: November 17, 2005 Released in US: September 18, 2006 Released in EU: November 10, 2006 Released in AU: September 28, 2006 Released in KR: August 30, 2007 (Blue Rescue Team only) This game has unused areas. This game has hidden development-related text. This game has unused graphics. This game has unused items. This game has unused abilities. This game has unused music. This game has unused sounds. This game has unused text. This game has debugging material. This game has regional differences. This game has revisional differences. This game has a notes page

Now you, too, can live out your secret desires to be a Pokémon! Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team are the first two releases of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon sub-series, released respectively for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.

Only Blue Rescue Team was ever released in South Korea, as Hyundai would not license a version of the Game Boy Advance for release in Korea: as a result, there are no first-party Korean games for Game Boy Advance at all.

To do: These: Check the Korean version for dual-slot features or leftovers, since it would result as unused. There is a lot of development-related text, which slightly differs from Red Rescue Team to Blue Rescue Team. There are many unused special characters for the dialogue font. List and rip them. There are also Japanese characters still present in the US and EUR version, rip them and explain why their colors are glitched if forced to appear non-Japanese versions. Search for all unused sounds in this Zip archive Check out the Korean PC demo Gold Rescue Team, which has an unused Japanese title. Document ROMs from the September 30, 2020 leak, especially "naphj10_debug.srl"

Sub-Pages

Notes

Debug Room Hidden area reserved for game testing.

Unused Dungeons 12 unused dungeons within the game code.

Unused Moves 58 unused and semi-unused moves.

Debug Menu

There is a Debug Menu that can be accessed by patching byte 0xE5B08 (Red Rescue Team) or 0xB7184 (Blue Rescue Team) to 0x10. This can be done by using the following cheat code:

Red Rescue Team (GameShark)	Blue Rescue Team
E5199391 437FC95F 5483DD13 B5A5B62A	Not applicable

For Blue Rescue Team, the ROM patch must be done manually with a file editor, since there aren't Nintendo DS cheat devices that support this feature.

As result, this will replace the "Delete Save Data" option; also note that after opening the main menu, the cursor will point by default to it, instead of to the "Continue" option.

The first five options make the menu disappear and the game freeze, except for the music. The "Storage" option makes the game freeze without the menu disappearing. The "h-open" option will return you to the main menu.

Provisional Map

Besides the Debug Room, there is another unused area accessible via the respective cheat codes:

Red Rescue Team (GameShark)	Blue Rescue Team (Action Replay)
820C0AB4 0007	0210FAF0 00000007

After activating the code, walk though any warp point in the overworld to access this area.

Despite the "Makuhita Dojo" area label shown in the overworld menu, this room seems more like a house than a dojo: it has a bed, a fireplace, and many flowerpots. The Japanese label "仮マップ" on the lower part of the map means "provisional map". Also, it is possible to walk on the table, but not the stairs present on the right.

There are two Pokémon NPCs in this room: a Noctowl and a Gulpin, respectively. When talked to, they will both give a red "Unregistered dialog script" line. If the room is accessed before saving Magnemite, these NPCs will be absent.

The background music is the same as the one used for Makuhita Dojo mazes. Leaving the room (after disabling the cheat code) will send the player to in front of the Makuhita Dojo entrance.

Unused Pokémon

These Pokémon graphics and dialogue are used for various game mechanics, but they can't be fought or recruited by any means, thus all their data goes unused.

They can be used as main character by using the cheat codes below, in which the "????" correspond to the relative Pokémon ID code.

Red Rescue Team (GameShark)	Blue Rescue Team (Action Replay)
820048D0 00FF 82030698 ????	021136E4 000000FF 021136A8 0000????

Note that this code should be enabled before finishing the personality test. This will force the game to select Charmander as main character, and then change it into the desired Pokémon before the first cutscene.

Code	Name	Category	Palette	Size	Type	Walkable Tiles	Friend Area	Ability	Shadow Size	Base Exp.	Recruit Chance
0000	??????????	Eruption Pokémon	0x00	1	Normal	Ground	None	Overgrown	Large	100	-999
01A4	Munchlax	Big Voice Pokémon	0x0C	1	Psychic	Ground	None	Pressure	Medium	100	0
01A5	Decoy	Slacker Pokémon	0x03	1	Steel	Ground	None	Pressure	Medium	1	0
01A6	Statue	Coal Pokémon	0x05	1	Water	Ground	None	Drizzle	Small	14	7
01A7	Rayquaza	Sky High Pokémon	0x03	4	Dragon, Flying	Ground, Magma, Water, Sky	Stratos Lookout	Air Lock	Large	230	0

(Pokémon Data Structure: Data Crystal)

Stat tables can be found on the notes page.

Below are explainations about their use by the game:

• ??????????: It seems to be a placeholder or early test. Trying to make it appear by using any kind of method makes the game to crash due to multiple invalid datas. It also has unique unused dungeon ally dialogue.
• Munchlax: Part of its animations are used for two side-story events, which occur randomly after the main story is finished. Its dungeon dialogue is used for Pokémon escorted in mission.
• Decoy: Its graphics are used for the Decoy status aliment and its dungeon dialogue is used for Gengar escorted during the relative side-story missions.
• Statue: It has a single sprite image which is used for the Kangaskan Statue, which allows to save the game before entering a dungeon during story events. In dungeon appears completely black due to a glitch.
• Rayquaza : A clone of Rayquaza which animations are used for main-story cutscenes.

"??????????" Dialogue

Usual	1/2 HP or less	1/4 HP or less	Level Up
Something...	This is getting tough...	I can’t go on...	I leveled up. I’m happy!

Munchlax Animations

To do: Access the other event and check if any of the listed animations is used.

These animations are left unused for Munchlax, as can be seen in the video.

Unused Graphics

Loaded in VRAM

These graphics are loaded in VRAM while the game is running, but remain unused.

Unused Dungeon Tilesets

This game has several dungeon tilesets that are not used during normal gameplay.

(Source: SunakazeKun)

(Preview Images: SilverDeoxys563 from The Spriters Resource)

Tileset 0x01

Early version of Pitfall Valley tileset. Used on the first floor of an unused dungeon "Autopilot". Later used on Tiny Meadow in Explorers.

Tileset 0x14

Early version of Purity Forest tileset. Later used on Final Maze B23F in Explorers.

Tileset 0x16

A palette swap of Waterfall Pond and could've been an early version of Southern Cavern tileset. This tileset is included in Explorers but remain unused.

Tileset 0x1A

An unused forest tileset (palette swap of 0x14) which is used on the third floor of an unused dungeon "Boss 3". Later used on Lush Prairle in Explorers.

Japanese Freehand Writing (Europe Red Rescue Team)

Some freehand Japanese writing and cross marks are loaded in VRAM when displaying the European language selection screen. These are the first-row characters of the Hiragana alphabet.

Title Background (US Red Rescue Team)

Full Title Screen	Title Background

The title background, which is different for the US version only, has the lower part unseen.

HUD Font

These HUD characters are loaded in VRAM after entering a dungeon. Note that the adjacent used characters were removed from the image manually.

Item Sprite

This sprite is loaded in VRAM after entering a dungeon, along with all the other item sprites. In the image above, it is represented using all 13 item sprite palettes.

"FOR HP" Indicator

This sprite is loaded in VRAM after entering a dungeon, but during gameplay is replaced by the HP damage/cure amount or the "MISS" notice. It was probably intended to indicate a placeholder during development.

Shadow-On-Water Animations

Unused	Used

These animations are loaded in VRAM after entering a dungeon, along with all the other Pokémon shadows. There are three size of shadow in the game, but when standing on water, only the big ones are used regardless of the size of the respective shadow when on ground. Also, these seems to be early design if compared to the used ones.

Found Only in ROM

These graphics are present only in the ROM, with no known use in the game, thus they are probably represented with wrong palettes.

Alternative HUD Font

Japan	US/Australia/Europe/South Korea

These HUD characters are found right after the ones loaded in VRAM. In the US, Australian, European, and Korean versions, all the Japanese characters have a different background color and don't have anti-aliasing.

Story Progress Badges

These four sprites are found right after the other Legendary Pokémon mini-portraits, which indicates the progress of the game story when loading the save.

Japanese Writing (Red Rescue Team)

This Japanese writing is found in Red Rescue Team right after the item sprites. It says "around this area".

Numbered Tags

These graphics are found in Red Rescue Team after the above writing, and in Blue Rescue Team after the item sprites.

Unused Text Icon

There are many text icons in the dialogue text font, but this is completely unused. Also, it is unclear what should represent.

Unused Floor Screen Characters

To do: List unused characters for Japanese version.

These are the unused characters for the screen showed when entering a dungeon floor. Interestingly, there is no lowercase "q".

Unused Items

These can be found in the Kangaskhan Storage after activating the respective cheat code (except for the "Nothing" item):

Red Rescue Team (GameShark)	Blue Rescue Team (Action Replay)
420389FA 0001 000000EF 0002	A213C112 000003E7 D5000000 000003E7 C0000000 000000EE D7000000 0213BF36 D2000000 00000000

Item name	Sprite	In-game description	Function
Nothing		No information available.	Item placeholder for Pokémon in friend area.
Ring D		Ring D	Unknown.
Ring E		Ring E	Unknown.
Ring F		Ring F	Unknown.
Alert Specs		A hold item that prevents the Pokémon from having its held item snatched away or swatted down.	Just as the in-game description says. Note that this is pretty useless since its effect applies on the item itself, which hasn't any other effect.
Excavate		Teaches the move Excavate. It digs through the wall the user is facing.	No Pokémon can learn it. The only way to access its move is by code cheating (see the Unused Moves sub-page).
Spin Slash		Teaches the move Spin Slash. It inflicts damage on all foes surrounding the user.	Same as above.
Observer Orb		Changes the status of the target to Paused, making it incapable of action.	Just as the in-game description says.
Possess Orb		A leader's hold item that enables the leader to possess a friend and survive. It only works for the team leader.	It makes an adjacent ally faint in place of the leader, which completely heals.
Reviver Orb		A hold item that revives the Pokémon if it faints. It does not work if the holder faints from an explosion.	Just as the in-game description says.
Toss Orb		Enables the Pokémon to throw items.	It makes the user show the item throw animation.
Beatup Orb		Synthesis item	Same effect as Beatup move.
G Machine 6		Synthesis item	Same function as Link Box item.
G Machine 7		Synthesis item	Same function as Link Box item.
G Machine 8		Synthesis item	Same function as Link Box item.
Weavile Fig		Weavile event item.	This item name appears in the descriptions for missions which offer the Weavile Statue as a reward. However, the player never obtains it in their inventory since the statue is displayed outside the base instead. This item also functions as Link Box item.
Switch Box		A curious box that enables the user to switch the rescue team's leader. Only official team members may become the team leader.	Just as the in-game description says. However, it doesn't work until the main story is finished.
Mime Jr. Fig		Mime Jr. event item.	Same as the Weavile Fig.

Unused Music

There are two unused tracks in the games. It is unknown where they would have gone, but judging by the file names they were at one point intended for a cutscene and training menu of some sort. The word "zukkoke" is also Japanese for "foolish" or "stupid."

Red Rescue Team: EVENT_ZUKKOKE
Blue Rescue Team: SND_BGM_M_EVENT_ZUKKOKE

Red Rescue Team: SYS_TRAINING
Blue Rescue Team: SND_BGM_M_SYS_TRAINING

Unused Sound Effects

An alternative sound effect for evolution goes unused:

Red Rescue Team: EVOLUTION_02
Blue Rescue Team: SND_ME_M_EVOLUTION_02

A track consisting of four consecutive sound effects, of which only the third is used. Judging by the file name ("orugoru" is Japanese for "music box"), this could have been intended for the Music Box item. In the actual game, the Music Box never makes any sounds and disappears from the inventory if the player attempts to use it.

Red Rescue Team: EFF_ORUGORU
Blue Rescue Team: SND_ME_M_EFF_ORUGORU

Redundant Sound Effects

There are two sound tracks consisting of almost identical data, used when leveling up:

Red Rescue Team: LEVELUP (used), FANFARE (unused)
Blue Rescue Team: SND_ME_M_LEVELUP (used), SND_ME_M_FANFARE (unused)

There is another couple of sound tracks, which in this case consist in the very same data, used when receiving a mission reward:

Red Rescue Team: REWARD (used), NEWS (unused)
Blue Rescue Team: SND_ME_M_REWARD (used), SND_ME_M_NEWS (unused)

Silent Tracks

There are two tracks which make no sound when played, which are labeled internally as DUMMY and SAVE_01 in Red Rescue Team and as SND_BGM_M_DUMMY and SND_BGM_M_SAVE_01 in Blue Rescue Team.

Unused Pokémon Settings

Various unused settings for Pokémon data.

(Pokémon Data Structure: Data Crystal)

Unused Pokémon Sizes

The Pokémon Size value is actually indicating the amount of video memory necessary for its relative overworld graphics. Valid values can go from 1 to 6, however only Pokémon with sizes of 1, 2, and 4 are present in the game.

Unused Walkable Tiles Setting

Many Pokémon are set in the game code to be able to walk on specific dungeon floor tiles, however there are no Pokémon set to be able to walk on both magma and water but not sky tiles.

Default Speed

In the main Pokémon data, there is a value that sets the default movement speed modifier, but no Pokémon have a set value different from the regular speed. Also note that the value can go from -2147483648 to 2147483647, which is overly long since the actual range of valid speed values is only six.

"None" Pokémon Type

Many Pokémon have no second type, but if the data for a Pokémon is set as such for the first type, it will be displayed as having "None" as type.

"None" Friend Area

Only some unused Pokémon have "None" set as friend area. These can still be recruited, however the game will always ask the player to release all of them after getting out of the dungeon, saying that the friend area is full.

"-------" Pokémon Ability

Like as for "None" Pokémon type, this is displayed only if set for the first ability. Also, this ability has no description text.

Munchlax evolution

Munchlax can evolve to Snorlax at level 40, but this can not be triggered in the game, because Munchlax is unobtainable.

Diglett and Dugtrio Shadow

Diglett and Dugtrio are specially programmed to not display their shadow, which are still actually set to be, respectively, medium and large.

Unused Dungeon Data

Removed Pokémon

Several floors have data for Pokémon with a zero chance to appear. This was done by setting their probability value to 0. Most of these seem to be leftovers from when presets were copy-pasted for some floors.

Dungeon	Floors	Pokémon	Level
Stormy Sea	B1F-B8F	Tentacruel	Lv. 33
Stormy Sea	B1F-B9F	Omastar	Lv. 35
Stormy Sea	B1F-B5F	Pelipper	Lv. 23
Stormy Sea	B9F-B14F	Dewgong	Lv. 35
Stormy Sea	B9F-B17F	Armaldo	Lv. 28
Stormy Sea	B11F-B14F	Slowbro	Lv. 27
Stormy Sea	B15F-B24F	Sealeo	Lv. 22
Stormy Sea	B15F-B24F	Walrein	Lv. 28
Stormy Sea	B34F-B39F	Walrein	Lv. 28
Stormy Sea	B35F-B39F	Sharpedo	Lv. 35
Meteor Cave	B20F	Deoxys (Attack)	Lv. 35
Meteor Cave	B20F	Deoxys (Defense)	Lv. 35
Meteor Cave	B20F	Deoxys (Speed)	Lv. 35
Buried Relic	B15F	Geodude	Lv. 27
Buried Relic	B15F	Ditto	Lv. 25
Buried Relic	B15F	Noctowl	Lv. 30
Buried Relic	B15F	Porygon2	Lv. 20
Buried Relic	B15F	Aron	Lv. 35
Buried Relic	B15F	Gulpin	Lv. 20
Buried Relic	B15F	Regice	Lv. 23
Buried Relic	B15F	Registeel	Lv. 25
Buried Relic	B25F	Hypno	Lv. 33
Buried Relic	B25F	Ditto	Lv. 25
Buried Relic	B25F	Hitmontop	Lv. 22
Buried Relic	B25F	Regirock	Lv. 18
Buried Relic	B25F	Registeel	Lv. 25
Buried Relic	B35F	Sandshrew	Lv. 30
Buried Relic	B35F	Shedinja	Lv. 5
Buried Relic	B35F	Regirock	Lv. 18
Buried Relic	B35F	Regice	Lv. 23
Northern Range	25F	Seviper	Lv. 25
Desert Region	1F-6F	Sandslash	Lv. 35
Desert Region	1F-11F	Vibrava	Lv. 30
Desert Region	12F-20F	Claydol	Lv. 26
Southern Cavern	B1F-B7F	Dugtrio	Lv. 30
Southern Cavern	B37F-B45F	Tyranitar	Lv. 50
Fiery Field	1F-4F	Ninetales	Lv. 50
Fiery Field	1F-4F	Camerupt	Lv. 37
Fiery Field	5F-8F	Charmeleon	Lv. 30
Fiery Field	26F-30F	Charizard	Lv. 55
Fiery Field	30F	Charmeleon	Lv. 30
Fiery Field	30F	Combusken	Lv. 26
Northwind Field	27F-30F	Feraligatr	Lv. 60
Northwind Field	30F	Croconaw	Lv. 28
Northwind Field	30F	Politoed	Lv. 28
Northwind Field	30F	Absol	Lv. 45
Lightning Field	1F-5F	Magneton	Lv. 28
Lightning Field	1F-5F	Flaaffy	Lv. 30
Lightning Field	1F-5F	Ampharos	Lv. 33
Lightning Field	6F-7F	Raichu	Lv. 25
Lightning Field	6F-7F	Magneton	Lv. 28
Lightning Field	7F	Ampharos	Lv. 33
Lightning Field	8F-9F	Raichu	Lv. 25
Lightning Field	8F-9F	Ampharos	Lv. 33
Lightning Field	10F	Raichu	Lv. 25
Lightning Field	10F-B13F	Ampharos	Lv. 33
Lightning Field	15F-22F	Electabuzz	Lv. 12
Lightning Field	30F	Raichu	Lv. 25
Lightning Field	30F	Manectric	Lv. 35
Lightning Field	30F	Tropius	Lv. 35
Wondrous Sea	B1F-B12F	Regirock	Lv. 5
Wondrous Sea	B1F-B12F	Regice	Lv. 17
Wondrous Sea	B1F-B12F	Registeel	Lv. 20
Dojo Registration	B1F-B69F	Abra	Lv. 16
Purity Forest	99F	Parasect	Lv. 30
Purity Forest	99F	Weezing	Lv. 20
Purity Forest	99F	Claydol	Lv. 26
Purity Forest	99F	Salamence	Lv. 26
Purity Forest	99F	Metagross	Lv. 28

Map Coordinates

There are 20 unused coordinates for the world map locations. Below is a graphic comparing the full screen of used ones and a mockup of unused ones:

Used Coordinates	Unused Coordinates

The unused are, approximately from left to right and from top to bottom:

• Fantasy Strait (183, 9)
• D61 (217, 8)
• D51 (250, 8)
• Sky Tower Summit (352, 12)
• Boss 4 (443, 6)
• D54 (474, 6)
• D50 (472, 25)
• Mt. Freeze Peak (427, 62)
• Mt. Freeze Peak (436, 69)
• Frosty Grotto (422, 101)
• Mt. Blaze Peak (389, 109)
• Mt. Thunder Peak (299, 142)
• Magma Cavern Pit (446, 163)
• Dojo Registration (187, 190)
• Wondrous Sea (336, 253)
• Autopilot (11, 307)
• Snow Path (206, 314)
• Rock Path (225, 314)
• Boss 3 (246, 315)
• Boss 9 (441, 310)

There are three types of unused coordinates:

Unused Data

Unused Damage Types

There are two text strings indicating unused damage types: debug damage and fainted from a debug attack.

Unused Move Ranges

To do: Analyze in the game code to document their function precisely.

Two unused moves have a unique Range: なにもの？ (Who?) has "None" (00), and Spin Slash has "Foe at side" (09), which seems to be the same as Cut's "Foes within 1-tile range" (02).

Unused Tactics

To do: Find a way to access and/or enable these tactics by code cheating or ROM hacking and analyze the game code to document their function.

Name	Description
All for one	The Pokémon will try to avoid being alone. It will try to stay with the team.
Group safety	The Pokémon will try to avoid being alone. It will try to stay with friends of the same species.
unused	None.

These tactic names and descriptions are found in the ROM along with the used ones.

Unused Text Placeholders

"Unregistered dialog script" Dialogue

This is found in the Debug Room.

Japan version	International
かいわスクリプトみとうろく	Unregistered dialog script

This red text line is displayed in the textbox when talking to an overworld Pokémon which has no dialog script set. It can be found in the unused overworld areas.

"invalidity" String

Effect of cheat code below. Note that this works even if there is no game saved.

Japan version	International
むこう	invalidity

This red word is displayed in place of undefined string variables in textboxes. The following cheat code forces to show it in the main menu:

Red Rescue Team (GameShark)	Blue Rescue Team
D4A8D728 9CCAB80C 5ECB57AF CA29737F A3B8FC60 432D52C4 2713B05D 566003E0	Not applicable

This code will change the "Adventure Log" text menu in "$m0", which is a text macro for pointing a string variable. Note that there aren't equivalent cheat codes applicable for Blue Rescue Team, for which this change can only be done by editing the ROM file.

"undefine" String

To do: Find a way to trigger it.

Japan version	International
みていぎ	undefine

This red word is present in the ROM after the "invalidity" one. It is probably a placeholder for undefined string variables.

"ななし" Friend Area Name

Used as name placeholder. Means "Nameless".

Build Dates

The following ASCII strings are found in the specified versions at the specified addresses.

Red Rescue Team

Japan 0xB6D10	pkd ver 1.0 [Oct 7 2005] 21:59:14	US/Australia 0xB69BC	PKDi ver 1.0 [Apr 28 2006] 16:37:54
US Kiosk Demo 0xB5EE8	PKDi ver 1.0 [May 29 2006] 14:11:36	Europe 0xBCEF8	PKDi ver 1.0 [Sep 13 2006] 14:17:17

Blue Rescue Team

Japan v1.0 0x8FE84	pkd ver 1.0 [Oct 7 2005] 21:56:50	Japan v1.1 0x8FE9A	pkd ver 1.0 [Nov 24 2005] 15:05:08
US/Australia 0x8A94C	PKDi ver 1.0 [May 29 2006] 17:05:20	Europe 0x5B936	PxKDi ��1.0� [Sep 13 2006] 1 4:13:31
South Korea 0x89400	PKDi ver 1.0 [May 17 2007] 19:16:08

Notes:

• The Japan v1.1 string claims to be another v1.0.
• The Europe string seems to be damaged.

Regional Differences

Red Rescue Team Title Screen

Japan

US/Australia

Europe (English)

Europe (German)

Europe (French)

Europe (Spanish)

Europe (Italian)

• The logo in the Japanese version has a different style compared to the other versions;
• As in several other games, "PUSH START" in the Japanese version is changed to "PRESS START" in the English language versions;
• The subtitle in the European version has a different and smaller font than the US and Australian ones;
• The logo is slightly redone in the European version to make the trademark sign more noticeable and make it easier to change it for the different languages available;
• The sky in the US and Australian versions is actually the same from Blue Rescue Team:

Red Rescue Team (US/Australia)	Blue Rescue Team (all versions)

Also note that the lower part of the sea has a unique graphic that is normally unseen.

Blue Rescue Team Title Screen

Japan

South Korea

US/Australia

Europe (English)

Europe (German)

Europe (French)

Europe (Spanish)

Europe (Italian)

The differences are the same as for Red Rescue Team, except for these facts:

• The logo in the Korean version, which was released only as Blue Rescue Team, is the only one having a similar style compared to the Japanese one.
• All the title screens have the same background.

Recruited Pokémon List

Japan/Korea	International

The list of recruited Pokémon shows the relative species in brackets in Japan and Korean versions only.

Friend Area Overworld Map

Friend Areas in the game are sorted in regions that can be traversed on this alternate overworld map; in Japanese version only there is word エリア (area) after name of the each region; additionally for player's team base is, there is word きち (base) after the team's name. Similar thing happens in the Korean version.

Revisional Differences

Early Japanese copies have a glitch that may erase saved data in any Game Boy Advance games inserted into the DS's second slot other than Red Rescue Team.