Use A to choose and B to go back. Keyboard defaults: Z or Space for A, X or Esc for B, and Enter for Start.

Choose your partner

In Oak’s lab, inspect a Poké Ball to learn about its Pokémon. Use A to read the description, then B to return to Oak’s question.

Bulbasaur’s original Pokédex portrait during the starter selection in Oak’s lab.
Inspect a Poké Ball to learn about its Pokémon before deciding.

Choose YES when you have found your partner. Choose NO if you want to look at another Poké Ball first.

Oak asking whether to choose Bulbasaur, with Yes and No choices.
Choose YES when you have found your partner, or NO to look at another Poké Ball.

Check your team

After the conversation, open the Start menu and choose POKéMON. Select your partner, then choose STATS to check its level, HP, status, and type.

The chosen Bulbasaur’s HP, level, status, type, and battle stats.
Open POKéMON, choose your partner, then STATS to check its condition.

Use B to return to your team. Visit a Pokémon Center when your team needs healing, and keep Poké Balls ready once you begin catching new partners.

Start exploring

Talk to the people you meet, look around new places, and give your Pokémon time to grow. For your next steps, read about training your team or travelling with your field tools.

Leaf and River with their first partners in Pallet Town.
Head out from Pallet Town with your first partner and meet other Trainers along the way.
Learn how to trade Pokémon