This page walks you through the steps involved in starting a new game of Pokémon X or Y.

Choosing the Language

When you first start up Pokémon X or Y, the game will write to the SD Card. Be sure not to turn off the 3DS or remove the SD card at this time.

Afterward, the game will ask which language you want to play the game in. Please note that you cannot change the language unless you delete your saved game and start over from the beginning. After selecting the language, you can choose Begin Game to play the game in that language, or choose "Select Language" to go back to the list of languages and choose a different one.

Meet the Professor

After you have chosen a language, you will be taken to the title screen. Press start or the A button to begin the game.

You meet Augustine Sycamore, the pokémon professor of the Kalos region. He tells you a little bit about the creatures known as pokémon.

Create Your Character

Next, you will be shown a boy character and a girl character. Use the Circle Pad or directional pad to choose the gender of the character that you want to create. After selecting your character's gender, you are presented with three images of character faces, each with a different skin tone. The skin tone of your character is permanent. Later in the game, you will get opportunities to customize other aspects of your character.

Next, you will be asked to name your character. Tap the keyboard on the touchscreen to enter the name. Tap the Enter key to confirm the name. You'll see your character and will be asked to confirm that the name is correct.

After this, a Fletchling will fly around and wake you up in your room in Vaniville Town.

After you create your character, a Fletchling flies through your room and wakes you up.

Walk Around

Note: When walking around in the overworld, 3D is disabled. This is normal. Walk around using the Circle Pad or the directional pad. You can run by holding the B button while walking.

Get Acquainted with the Menu

After you wake up, you can save the game and change your options using the touchscreen. Press X to bring up the menu buttons, or just tap the buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen. The bag icon on the bottom left opens your bag, which is currently empty. To the right, there is a green icon. Tap this to see your trainer information. This is where you will see the gym badges that you earn. To the right is a blue icon of a piece of paper with a pen writing on it. Tap this button and you will be prompted to save your game. To the right is a pink button that goes to the Options screen, where you can change text speed, battle animations, and so on.

The orange area in the middle of the touchscreen shows friends, acquaintances, and passersby who are playing the game.

In the top middle of the screen, there is a button that opens the Player Search System options. To the right of this button is a blue button that will connect you to the Internet. Once you are connected to the Internet, the touchscreen will show players from around the world who are currently playing the game.

Get Dressed and Go Downstairs

Check on the mirror in your room to change out of your pyjamas. Feel free to check on items in the room such as your TV, Wii U, and computer. Then go downstairs when you are ready.

Downstairs, your Mom will ask you to go out and meet the neighbors (apparently you just moved to this town.) Outside, your next-door neighbor (Calem if you're a girl, Serena if you're a guy) and Shauna will introduce themselves. They are going to take you to meet Professor Sycamore, who has a task for five kids, including the three of you. They'll be waiting for you in the next town. They will go through the gate next to your house to go to the next town.

When you're done exploring Vaniville, go north through the gate to Vaniville Pathway Route 1, which leads to Aquacorde Town.