What are the in-game trades in Pokemon Yellow?

Yellow has seven active NPC trades: Clefairy for Mr. Mime on Route 2, Lickitung for Dugtrio on Route 11, Tangela for Parasect on Route 18, Cubone for Machoke (evolves to Machamp) on the Underground Path, Kangaskhan for Muk and Golduck for Rhydon plus Growlithe for Dewgong in Cinnabar Lab.

How do you evolve Haunter in Pokemon Yellow?

Haunter evolves into Gengar only when traded to another game. There is no level or stone evolution. The same rule applies to Kadabra → Alakazam, Machoke → Machamp, and Graveler → Golem, except you can get Machamp on one cart via the Cubone NPC trade.

Can you complete the Pokedex without trading in Pokemon Yellow?

No full 151 without external trades or glitches. Single-cart play can still obtain Machamp through the Underground Path NPC and many exclusives are softened versus Red/Blue, but Alakazam, Gengar, Golem, Raichu from partner Pikachu, and several version-locked lines still need another cart.

How do you get Machamp without trading with a friend?

Catch Cubone in Pokemon Tower, trade it to the Underground Path Route 5 NPC for Machoke named RICKY, which evolves into Machamp immediately on receipt.

Where is the Mr. Mime trade in Pokemon Yellow?

In the Route 2 Trade House north of Viridian Forest / south of Pewter. Trade a Clefairy for Mr. Mime nicknamed MILES.

Pokemon Yellow Guide

Pokemon Yellow In-Game Trades and Trade Evolutions

Trade atlas

Pokemon Yellow in-game trades and trade evolutions

Every live NPC trade, the four trade evolutions, and the one solo-cart miracle: Cubone → Machamp. Use this when you are stuck on Haunter, Kadabra, or “can I finish the dex without a friend?”

7 NPC trades 4 trade evolutions Machamp: solo cart Gengar: needs link Mr. Mime: Route 2 No full 151 solo

Fast Answer

One solo trade evo; three need a link cable

Machamp is the exception: Underground Path Cubone trade returns a Machoke that evolves on the spot. Alakazam, Golem, and Gengar still need a real trade of Kadabra, Graveler, or Haunter. NPC rooms also swap Clefairy, Lickitung, Tangela, Kangaskhan, Golduck, and Growlithe for other species—with nicknames locked in.

Link cable evolutions

Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter

Solo cart

Cubone → Machamp

No friend required

Trade Cubone to the Underground Path (Route 5 entrance) NPC. You receive Machoke “RICKY”, which evolves into Machamp immediately. This is Yellow’s only full trade evolution you can finish alone.

Catch Cubone: Pokémon Tower floors
Map: Underground Path Route 5
No empty party slot required: the game removes the selected Cubone before adding the received Pokemon, so a full party can trade

Open map Cubone Machamp

Needs link

Haunter → Gengar

Trade evolution

Raise Gastly in Pokémon Tower to Haunter, then trade. Same rule for Kadabra → Alakazam and Graveler → Golem. Without a second device, keep Kadabra / Haunter / Graveler as your final form.

Kadabra: Evolve Abra (Routes 5–8 / Game Corner)
Graveler: Geodude line (Mt. Moon, caves)
Haunter: Gastly line (Pokémon Tower)

Haunter Kadabra Graveler No-trade team

Pre-evo	Final	Method	Solo cart?	Where to get pre-evo
Kadabra	Alakazam	Trade	No	Abra → Lv.16; Abra on Routes 5–8 or Game Corner
Machoke	Machamp	Trade or NPC Cubone trade	Yes via NPC	Machop in Rock Tunnel; or Cubone NPC path
Graveler	Golem	Trade	No	Geodude line in Mt. Moon / caves
Haunter	Gengar	Trade	No	Gastly line in Pokémon Tower

NPC rooms

All live in-game trades

You give	You get	Nickname	Location	How to get the give mon	Map
Clefairy	Mr. Mime NPC	MILES	Route 2 Trade House	Mt. Moon grass (uncommon)	Open
Lickitung	Dugtrio	GURIO	Route 11 Gate 2F	Cerulean Cave B1F (late) — plan ahead	Open
Tangela	Parasect	SPIKE	Route 18 Gate 2F	Safari Zone grass	Open
Cubone	Machamp Evolves	RICKY	Underground Path Route 5	Pokémon Tower (Cubone → trade → Machamp)	Open
Kangaskhan	Muk	STICKY	Cinnabar Lab Fossil Room	Safari Zone North	Open
Golduck	Rhydon	BUFFY	Cinnabar Lab Trade Room	Evolve Psyduck / Route water tables	Open
Growlithe	Dewgong	CEZANNE	Cinnabar Lab Trade Room	Pokémon Mansion (Yellow fire mon)	Open

Unused leftover trade slots exist in the data (for example Butterfree↔Beedrill) but are not available from any Yellow NPC. The seven rows above are the live ones.

Nicknames are permanent

NPC trades arrive renamed (MILES, RICKY, …). You cannot change them in Gen 1 without external tools.

OT and dex

Traded mons count for your Pokédex and gain the traded-exp bonus in battle—useful for late training.

Lickitung is late

The Dugtrio gate trade wants Lickitung from Cerulean Cave, so it is a postgame convenience more than a mid-game pickup.

Completion reality

Can you finish the dex without trading?

Single cart can still go far

Yellow softens exclusives versus Red/Blue, gifts all three starters, and hands you Machamp via NPC. Partner Pikachu covers Electric without Raichu.

Catch Planner filters Starter gifts

Still blocked without a friend

Alakazam, Gengar, Golem need link trades. Raichu needs a non-partner Pikachu or a traded Raichu (partner refuses Thunder Stone). Several lines such as Ekans, Meowth, Electabuzz, Magmar, Jynx, Weedle family are not wild here.

Pikachu evolve FAQ Version exclusives

Gap type	Examples	How players usually fill it
Trade evolutions	Alakazam, Gengar, Golem (Machamp optional NPC)	Link cable / second emulator save
Partner rule	Raichu from starter Pikachu	Trade for another Pikachu/Raichu
Missing wild lines	Ekans, Meowth, Weedle line, Electabuzz, Magmar, Jynx…	Trade from Red/Blue/Yellow friends or Gen 2 later
Event-only	Mew	Official events historically, or Mew glitch

FAQ

Trade questions

How do I evolve Haunter in Pokemon Yellow?

Trade it. There is no stone or level evolution into Gengar. Catch Gastly in Pokémon Tower, evolve to Haunter, then trade with another game.

Is there a way to get Alakazam alone?

Not through normal NPC trades. Keep Kadabra, or trade with a second cart/emulator profile and trade back.

Does the Cubone trade always evolve?

Yes. The NPC gives a Machoke that is ready to evolve into Machamp as soon as the trade finishes—watch the evolution scene.

Do in-game trades count for the Pokédex?

Yes. Seen and owned flags update when you receive the mon. That is why Mr. Mime and Machamp trades matter for completionists.

Can I complete the dex without trading at all?

Not to 151 on a clean single cart. You can still beat the Elite Four and enjoy a deep living dex with Yellow’s gifts and NPC help.

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