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Pokemon Channel Version
e-Reader/Smeargle Paint FAQ 1.2
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Welcome to the e-Reader/Smeargle Paint FAQ for the Pokemon Channel GCN game!
It is copyright Mark Raby 2004-2005 via GameFAQs. It is not to be used for
commercial use without proper permission. Please keep coming back for updates!
NOTE: This FAQ will most likely not be updated anymore. The e-Reader in the US
has died off. Any hopes for future Pokemon Channel-e expansions can now be
officially shut down.
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CONTENTS
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0) Version history
1) Background info
1.1 Pokemon Channel
1.2 e-Reader
2) e-Reader & Smeargle Paint
3) Smeargle Paint
3.1 What it is
3.2 How to get it
3.3 How to use it
3.4 Smeargle's Art Study
3.5 Auctions
3.6 Different TV's
3.7 Different Frames
4) Camp Starlight
4.1 What it is
4.2 How to get there
4.2A Viridian Bus Pass
4.2B Slowpoke's Weather Channel
4.3 Constellations
5) e-Reader Card list
6) How to scan cards
6.1 Plugging it all together
6.2 Scanning application
7) Coming Soon
8) Credits
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0) Version history
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(Dates are based on when the FAQ was submitted, not necessarily when it was
posted)
2/6/05:
Version 1.2
- Did some very minor formatting changes
- Added info about the Jirachi Line Art Card
- Added a note about the e-Reader now being officially "dead"
1/21/04:
Version 1.0
- Finished FAQ
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1) Background info
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-1.1 Pokemon Channel-
Pokemon Channel is the sequel of sorts to the game Hey You, Pikachu for the
Nintendo 64 system. Although there is no Voice Recognition in this game, it
feels very much the same. Pikachu will follow you around and you get to talk
with other wild Pokemon and visit several different places. The "Channel" part
comes in with the fact that you are chosen to be the test audience for a new
Pokemon TV station, and much watch several different shows on your TV. With a
special item, you can even get a picture from the TV to paint. The e-Reader
lets you paint some extra pictures, as well as gives you some special features
for the paint program.
-1.2 e-Reader-
Alright. A lot of the people who got this game are not big e-Reader fans like
some who bought Animal Crossing (where we knew before the e-Reader's release
about its
connectivity with AC). So let me give you some info on it. It's Nintendo's
latest GBA peripheral, which actually allows you to scan cards with specially
encoded "dot code" to play a mini-game/watch an animation/listen to music. If
you're familiar with Animal Crossing, the set-up to this game is very similar.
The e-Reader has a "communication" option from which you can either choose
Gamecube or Gameboy Advance. Pokemon Channel uses the "Communication to
Nintendo Gamecube" feature.
The e-Reader and the Smeargle Paint program go hand in hand, because the only
current e-Reader cards that interact with the game have to do with the painting
application in the game. Some cards add a new black-and-white outline to
color, and some add new patterns. If you want to save your painting, though,
you'll need to have unlocked Smeargle Paint in your game.
Smeargle 2 is the program you use to paint pictures from your TV. At first,
you will only be able to grab screenshots from the Pichu Bros cartoon, but
after it gets upgraded, you can paint any screenshot from the TV.
-3.2 How to get it-
You get Smeargle 2 on the first day of the game. You must watch all the shows
at least one time. Professor Oak will then talk to you and let you know that a
gift is coming for you, and it will be Smeargle 2. A magnemite will deliver it
to your house. The upgrade will happen on the fourth day of the game with your
new shows, as long as you complete the report every day.
-3.3 How to use it-
You have to watch your TV from the 2nd zoom view (zoom out once from the
full-screen view). If you have just the original Smeargle 2, you must do the
following while watching a Pichu Bros episode -- otherwise you can do it at
anytime:
While you're watching TV, if you see a picture you'd want to paint, click on
Smeargle 2 (to the shelf on the right). You will then get a black-and-white
outline of that picture. You're able to paint now! Here are the controls for
Smeargle Paint:
*Y Button (Hold down):
Open up the change color/pattern menu
*X Button:
Switch between a crayon and a filler tool
*Z Button:
Switch between an eraser and the crayon/filler
*Control Stick Up/Down:
Move up/down; switch between patterns and solid colors while holding the Y
button
*Control Stick Left/Right:
Move left/right; choose the color/pattern you want to use while holding the Y
button
*A Button:
Fill; Hold down to draw with the crayon
*B Button:
Finish painting
Once you click the B Button, a screen will pop up and ask if you want to keep
painting or quit painting. Choosing "keep painting" will take you back to your
painting, but choosing "quit painting" will make you choose whether you want to
keep your currently displayed painting, or replace it with the one you just
finished. If you want to replace it, you will have to give a title to your new
painting. You are only allowed to display one painting at a time.
-3.4 Smeargle's Art Study-
Once you unlock the show Smeargle's Art Study, your currently-hanging painting
will be critiqued by Smeargle. What Smeargle says will mostly be random stuff,
as you can watch the show several times and he will say different stuff about
your painting. It is cool to watch, though, because it will zoom in on your
picture, and it is still neat to hear Smeargle talk about your painting. Plus,
Pikachu will get very excited about your picture being on TV.
-3.5 Auctions-
You are only allowed to have one painting up at a time. If you ever decide to
put a new painting up, your old one will be auctioned. You don't get to see
the auction or anything like that. Up to 24 hours after you give it up,
Professor Oak will greet you (after you turn on the game) and say how much it
sold for. There are different levels of money you can make, and it actually is
determined by the effort you put in to the painting (for example, if you use a
lot of different colors and use the marker instead of just the filler tool,
you'll make more from it). Professor Oak will also say what he thinks of the
price (i.e. "I thought the painting would have sold for more than this").
-3.6 Different TV's-
While watching "Shop N Squirtle" you may come across a new TV. Some TV's, like
the Hoothoot TV, will distort the picture by inverting the colors, having
clouds in the background, etc. None of this will interfere with when you click
on Smeargle 2. In other words, the clouds or whatever in the background will
NOT appear on the black-and-white outline.
-3.7 Different Frames-
When you finish coloring a painting, it will be hung up by the door to the
yard. At first, it will be in a Pokeblock frame. However, if you watch "Shop
N Squirtle" enough times, a new frame may come up. Most of them are based on
Pokemon (i.e. The Shroomish frame or Smoochum frame). Be warned, though, that
you may only have one frame up at a time, and if you buy a new one, your old
one will be gone. The frames always circulate on "Shop N Squirtle" though,
including the Pokeblock frame, so don't get too discouraged if you miss your
old frame.
Camp Starlight is a place you can visit at Viridian Forest, but only at night.
It relates to the e-Reader because the pictures available on the Pokemon
Channel-e cards come directly from Camp Starlight.
-4.2 How to get there-
To get the Camp Starlight, you need a Viridian Bus Pass. To view the
constellations, it needs to be a clear evening. Here's how to get both:
*4.2A Viridian Buss Pass*
You have to wait until the second day to get the Viridian Bus Pass. Just tune
to Shop & Squirtle and the first item should be the pass. Now, turn off the
TV, click on your front door, and click on the bus when it comes by.
*4.2B Slowpoke's Weather Channel*
To make sure it is a clear evening, you should watch Slowpoke's Weather
Channel on your TV. If Slowpoke is reporting live from Viridian, watch it.
Otherwise, it won't help. Watch his forecast (which, as you probably
already know, can be very boring). If it becomes clear, you may now go to
Camp Starlight and gaze at the stars.
-4.3 Constellations-
If you're lucky, you will see either the Kyogre or Pikachu constellation in the
sky. If you've looked at the Pokemon Channel-e cards that come in the game,
you'll see the similarities. The pictures from those cards are inspired from
the constellations you see at Camp Starlight. The descriptions for the
constellations are also the same on the cards as they are in the game. It's
kind of cool knowing that you get to paint a picture of it, which is only
available with the e-Reader!
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5) Card list
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There are two kinds of cards: Line Art Cards and Paint Pattern Cards.
Line art cards unlock a new outline sketch for you to color. Paint pattern
cards give you new patterns that can be used whenever you use Smeargle 2.
-5.1 Line Art Cards-
*The Pikachu Star
"The Pikachu Star is the one that glitters brightly in the skies on summer
nights. The Pikachu Star is always smiling near the Gardevoir Constellation."
Reccomended colors: Yellow, orange, red, brown, black
-This card comes packaged with the U.S. version of the game
*The Kyogre Constellation
"This star constellation crosses the Milky Way as if it were Kyogre moving
across the starry sky. It is an impressive summertime sight."
Reccomended colors: Light blue, blue, red, fuschia, white, gray, yellow, black
-This card comes packages with the game
*Jirachi Line Art Card
-This card comes packaged with the Australian version of the game
-5.2 Paint Pattern Cards-
*Poke A La Card
Contains two "footprint" patterns, two "pika faces" patterns, two "Poke Balls"
patterns, two "Silhouettes" patterns, and two "TVs" patterns.
-This card comes packaged with the game
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6) How to scan cards
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-6.1 Plugging it all together-
Okay! Here's the fun part. This is what you need to do scan a Pokemon
Channel-e card:
*One Gamecube System
*One Gameboy Advance System
*One e-Reader
*One Pokemon Channel Disc
*One GBA/GCN link cable
Now, first thing's first: Make sure your e-Reader is in your GBA. If you have
a regular GBA, plug the GBA/GCN cable into the COMM port of the e-Reader. If
you have a GBA SP, plug it into the COMM port of your GBA SP. Also make sure
your Pokemon Channel game is in your Gamecube. That's all you have to do in
terms of plugging stuff together. See section (6) for info on how to scan the
cards.
-6.2 Scanning the cards-
Step 1:
-Turn your GBA and Gamecube on
Step 2:
-Choose "Options" on the main menu of Pokemon Channel
Step 3:
-Choose "e-Reader"
Step 4:
-Follow the instructions on the Pokemon Channel game
Thanks so much to CJayC for publishing this FAQ (if he does). I understand
his unimaginably busy schedule, so the effort spent in putting up this FAQ is
greatly appreciated!
A big kudos also goes to Nintendo for making such a terrific game!!!
