The Nuzlocke Challenge meme from Pokemon.

The Nuzlocke Challenge

Part of a series on Pokémon. [View Related Entries]

Updated Mar 08, 2021 at 06:23PM EST by Zach.

Added Nov 11, 2010 at 01:56PM EST by Trick Lobo.

PROTIP: Press 'i' to view the image gallery, 'v' to view the video gallery, or 'r' to view a random entry.

About

The Nuzlocke Challenge is an optional video game challenge performed while playing the Pokémon series of video games in which the player must permanently release a Pokémon when it faints, thus declaring it "dead," and must also catch the first Pokémon they encounter in each area. The challenge was started in late 2010, peaking in popularity in 2012.

Origin

During the winter of 2010, webcomic creator Nick Franco,[1] known as "Nuzlocke," created and posted the first of a comic series titled "Pokémon: Hard-Mode" to 4chan's /v/ board, in which he illustrates his current game of Pokémon: Ruby while following the rules of the "Nuzlocke Challenge," a method of playing Pokémon games that Nuzlocke invented himself that makes them more difficult (shown below).[2] To follow the challenge, players must set their Pokémon free if they die, encouraging the player to level their Pokémon up and play more strategically, and gain a greater appreciation for each Pokémon. They must also catch the first Pokémon they encounter in every area and nothing else.


uby more m release apokemon i have o cateh the 1s else r^ Pokemon: 0 anothec co be Cool LATER growl ok hit the forest . . びの VSC

When he posted the comics on the /v/ board, it quickly became popular, mostly due to a drawing of "Nuzlocke," a Nuzleaf which was drawn with the likeness of John Locke from "LOST" (shown below).[3]


ell I guess YouJre yo Me wstur arrears whismur arrears onook on this s all fr LATER.. . MoA het..

The comic's original thread inspired others to take the Nuzlocke Challenge, changing the rules at times to suit their tastes. It wasn't long before people also started chronicling their own run-throughs of the challenge and sharing them online.

Spread

Since the original Nuzlocke Challenge comic was shared, other comic artists started sharing their playthroughs via webcomics as well (examples shown below, left and right).


Ara's Nuzlocke Run Part 1 Welcome to the world of pokémon, my name is Rowan, but everyone calls me the pokémon prof. Now, are you a boy? Or are you a gir? Okay, so you're a girl A 9 Are you bli- Could be a lot worse. Next Morning So. Much. Hurting... Some time, and a makeover later.. Ohmigawd, adventure?! Thank god that's over For now, anyway... Take me with you!! I Now, onto Sam Redefining hyperactive since 2007 adventure! Like, five seconds later... Chimchar Falcon...PAANCH!! Eh? Ara! Sam! Come meet me in Sandgem Town, kthxbi To be continued NU2LOCKE CHALLE FIRE RE PART: 1 THE ADVENTURE BEGINwS STARTED WT YES G T THIS OAK'S PARCEL ブ CAUGTVPIDGE DELIVERE RAD CATERPIE! AIRMAN POISIONED FIVE TID TES

In 2010, Nuzlocke created a website for him to share the rest of his comics of the Nuzlocke Challenge (examples shown below). This further encouraged other people to share their experiences with the challenge.


ther p'ece oS no >出de PPe….// poison Stne C enfer... we re were-

In 2010, Nuzlocke Forums opened for players to share their playthroughs.[4] Nuzlocke Challenge playthroughs can also be found on YouTube, with the practice remaining popular over a decade after starting. For example, on November 10th, 2019, YouTuber[5] Jaiden Animations started a series where they animate their Nuzlocke playthrough, garnering over 55 million views in a year (shown below).



On January 17th, 2011, Know Your Meme interviewed the creator of the Nuzlocke Challenge.

Rules and Variations

Many variations of the original challenge have been made, but the first two rules must be intact in order for it to count as a Nuzlocke run. While not an official rule, it is agreed that all caught Pokémon must be nicknamed in order to "grow a stronger bond with them."

Rule variations include: Adjusting the first encounter rule to ban duplicate captures, considering a blackout/whiteout to be "game over," banning the use of potions and healing items, banning the use of Pokémon Centers, limiting Pokémon Center visits to a certain number per town, etc. The flowchart below provides a good example of a few of the variations on the challenge.


NuzlockE RUN FlowCHART Oiginal Ruleset Let's see... If a pokemon faints you have to release t You have to catch the first pokemon in an area that isn' You have to catch the first pokemon you see in an area :-START! Nickname all your Pokemon. H's important to bond with theml Dont trade from another game, r from yourself or via WMFI No eggs No Pokewalker Turn the battle style to "set No items except HMs How much harder No healing via pokemon centers All tems are allowed Any healng must be done via a A ltle do you want theNo mercy! this run to be? That goes for status too. Actualy, this is fine. No hold items tool One pokemon center heal per town STARTI center heal after a gym battle You can use TMs. ? You want it to be even oh god no...- START! tougher? Of coursel You can buy one pokeball per pokemart Preferably, the lowest level possible Don't use the day care center more than 6 pokemorn The flowchart is nothing more than a guideline. Feel free to add or remove anything you want. However, for it to be considered 'Nuzlocke Mode' you must at least release any pokemon that faints and catch the first and only pokemon in an area. If all your party pokemon faint you will have to start over unless you have backup pokemon stored in your PC box. Area is just that. An entire cave is one area, a route is one area and a town is one area. Connected routes count as their own areas. Fossil pokemon dont necessarily count as a pokemon from an area in which you Tound the fossil, but rather they will count as the first pokemon in area in the town theyre revived in. Grass and water on one route do not count as two areas If you accidently kll the first pokemon you encounter in an area or you run out of pokeballs, youre out of luck. You don't get a second chance. Be more careful next time. If you're using the "catch the first pokemon that isn't a duplicate rule, you're alowed to ignore the "catch the first pokemon in an area" rule if you aready have it. For example, if you already have a Zigzagoon but you encounter another Zigzagoon on a new route, you can kill it and test your luck again. If a duplicate pops up more than once, you're allowed to ㎘l t again. The rule is there to promote team diversity Legendaries only count as the first pokemon in an area if you haven't faced any pokemon travelling within their home cave. Better stock up on repels. Under the "No healing via pokemon center" rule, you won't be allowed to deposit a pokemon in the box unkess they have full PP, HP and no status ailments. You also won't be able to the use the daycare because it restores PP

Various Examples


Hey hey, ready to go on a Pokémon adventure-? OH GOSH Sure. OcO 0 GOSH Well, let's go sensibly and politely ask for a starter Pokémon from- Oooh, look, tall grass WHEEEEEIY You two boys... you truly loveYes Pokémon don't>No you? Oooh, look, a turtle! I didn't quite catch that. So I'll ask again. Y-yeah... love the little b-b-buggers! Smashing. Have this then.Salutations Piplup! Wanna come with me on my adventure? I'm an institutional 'mon now. I don't think can make it on the outside. I've been in that ball most of my life... +MORGAN edTHE PIPLUP Hey Gramps, I'm fed up of waiting! Hurry up and give me your balls! Go ahead, pick one! Inside these balls are creatures called Pokemon! I used to be a hotshot trainer back in my day, I'll have you know! My dream was to collect every Pokemon in the world! But I'm too old! So you do it instead! Blah blah blah, Old age blah blah, What was his name again? Blah blah... set Tap* Sup? Ah, I see you have chosen the Fire-type Pokemon, Ch IN THAT CASE, I PICK SQURITLE! al^andunm Wau a 56 hor ad Po I HAvE IDE B RBI/ Doina \m AND SEE GoBLIN'S NUZLOCKE CHALLENGE LEAFGREEN EPISODE 8 80 What do you want, . mL )(? Do not waste any more time. Make him sleep, and keep him there. What? He is there now? You are sure? Kill anything that gets in your way. Hey. what's that? An alcove? his cave is incredibly creepy, even if there aren't any... .fairies... Hope we're near the exit. Um. Hi? That does not fill me with confidence No I'm not. Also you have a whip. Help! That man is trying to steal my fossils! right. put it this way. k Rilight. Oh hey Ain't nothin goin' on here you and your lame ass pokemon can do about That your Sandshrew? Cute. Ara's Nuzlocke Run Part 6 Caught Cascoon Capt. Jack Eterna Forest Welcome challe- wait, what? Eterna Gym Leader AHAHA I chose chimchar as my starter Ard recelved the Forest Badge Galactic HQ SAY HELLOTO MY LITTLE FRIEND Alraune My Little Friend What thef- Bulet seed Oh, uh..e-excuse me Hearthome City GO DO LE CONTESTS! Ara changed into a dress! HALP?! To be continued Finallu I have a Pok-emon thal isn't useless! Now lels 9et +he nell oo^a here. TIME TO KICk nc) WEED and BITEY8 GYMLEADER ASS Well... I4 iisnt mu rival... BUTTS.

Search Interest

External References

Recent Videos 12 total

Recent Images 126 total



+ Add a Comment

Comments (24)


Display Comments

Add a Comment


'lo! You must login or signup first!