3 Glitches for Catching Mew in Pokémon Red & Blue

PDF download Download Article
The last glitch will help you collect all 151 Pokémon
PDF download Download Article

Mew is one of the most elusive Pokémon in Pokémon Red/Blue and is normally impossible to get – unless, of course, you know the right glitch to exploit! In this guide, we'll share how to use 2 different glitches to find Mew "legally" (without cheat codes) in Pokémon Red and Blue and capture it early in the game. Plus, we'll also explain how to use a third glitch to help you collect all 151 Pokémon.

How to Catch Lvl 7 Mew in Pokémon Red/Blue

Find the trainer in the grass near Nugget Bridge (Route 24), press Start, then Teleport to Cerulean City. Next, find the Youngster in the bushes off Route 25 and defeat his Slowpoke. Teleport back to Cerulean City, step onto the Nugget Bridge, and Mew will engage you in battle. Paralyze him to make catching him easier.

Section 1 of 3:

Trainer & Youngster Glitch

PDF download Download Article
  1. This glitch requires you to find a trainer hidden in the grass near the Nugget Bridge in Cerulean City. You'll also need to battle Youngster, who's located in the bushes north of the Nugget Bridge.
  2. 2
    Visit the Training Center in Cerulean City. This is an important step for a Teleport move you'll perform later in this glitch. The Teleport move transports you to the last training center you set foot in. In this case, the one located in Cerulean City is the most convenient one to return to for you to complete the glitch and find Mew. [1]
    • Remember to save your progress after completing each step!
    Advertisement
  3. You can find it in the grass to the left of the Nugget Bridge after you cross it from Cerulean City. You can catch it by lobbing Poké Balls at it, but the easiest way to defeat it is by putting it to sleep. [2]
    • To put the Abra to sleep, catch a Caterpie and evolve it into a Metapod and then a Butterfree. Once it becomes a Butterfree, teach it the Sleep Powder move. Then, when you next encounter an Abra, choose the Butterfree and engage Sleep Powder to put the Abra in a slumber. This will make it much easier for you to catch it.
  4. You'll come across a body of water and then a hedge wall extending vertically across the screen. Between the hedges and the water is a field of tall grass. Stand in the short grass above where it borders the tall grass. [3]
  5. You'll see the head of a trainer pop up out of the tall grass and turn toward you. By pressing Start quickly, you'll avoid engaging him, since that's not the goal for this glitch. [4]
  6. This step will transport you back to the Pokémon Center in Cerulean City. From there, you can return to the Nugget Bridge for your first real battle with a trainer for this glitch. [5]
    • Finding the trainer in the tall grass and Teleporting before he can engage you activates the glitch that will ultimately help you catch a random Pokémon.
  7. Make your way from the Cerulean City Training Center to the Nugget Bridge and cross it. When you reach the other side, turn right onto Route 25 until you see large bushes blocking any further eastward progress. Go up among the bushes and then turn right to cross the field until you come across a trainer standing above two bushes growing next to each other. This is the Youngster with the Slowpoke you need to battle. [6]
    • The Youngster's Slowpoke has the same Special stat as Mew (21). Defeating the Slowpoke will complete the glitch you began by Teleporting instead of battling the first trainer and cause Mew to spawn in a specific location.
  8. As soon as the battle screen returns to the regular map, press the Start button and use your Abra's Teleport power to return to the Pokémon Center in Cerulean City. [7]
    • To engage the Youngster in a fight, leave at least one square of space between you so he'll walk up to you. If you stand directly in front of or adjacent to him, the game will freeze!
    • After you return to Cerulean City, don't enter any other buildings or engage with other trainers until you find and catch Mew.
  9. Shortly after you step onto the bridge, your Pause Menu will pop up. Exit it and you should find yourself in a battle with Mew! Fight him and catch him in a Poké Ball to add him to your roster. [8]
    • Unleash a Pokémon like Thunder Wave and use its Paralysis move on Mew to disable him so he's easier to catch with your Poké Balls.
    10. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Gambler & Youngster Glitch

PDF download Download Article
  1. This glitch requires you to battle the Gambler and the Youngster for the first time, so you'll need to start from scratch if you've already fought them. [9]
  2. 2
    Teach a Flying-type Pokémon the Hidden Machine Fly. The Fly move will help you travel from Lavender Town to Cerulean City and back again for this glitch. Pokémon that can learn Fly include the Pidgey and Spearow evolution lines, Farfetch'd, the Doduo evolution line, Aerodactyl, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Mew can also learn Fly, but you have to catch him first using this glitch! [10]
  3. Stand in front of the Underground Path Door, take one step downward, and immediately press the Start button. Your Pause Menu will appear before the Gambler can engage you in battle. [11]
  4. The gambler will see you after you press Fly and you'll hear his music, but that won't stop you from flying away. When the screen reloads, you'll find yourself in Cerulean City, the location where you'll find the Youngster. [12]
  5. He's standing above two bushes sitting adjacent to one another. Position yourself at least one square space above him and let him see you to start the battle, then defeat him and his Slowpoke. [13]
  6. Your pause menu should pop-up automatically. Press B to exit the menu, and you should instantly enter an engagement with Mew. [14]
  7. Mew will only be at level 7 and know the Pound move, but he's still formidable. Use a Master Ball to catch him instantly or weaken him with Paralysis, then throw Poké Balls at him until he succumbs. [15]
    8. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Using the Ditto Glitch to Collect Any Pokémon

PDF download Download Article
  1. To use the Ditto glitch, Fly away from the Gambler on Route 8 (like you did in the Gambler and Youngster glitch ) to Fuchsia City. Once you arrive, battle any random trainer you want. Then travel east of Fuchsia city and battle a wild Ditto in the grassy area near Route 15. [16]
    • During the battle with the Ditto, choose a Pokémon whose Special stat matches that of a different Pokémon you want to catch for your roster. The Ditto will copy your Pokémon's appearance and abilities while you're beating it. This is essential to complete the glitch successfully, so don't skip this part! [17]
    • Finally, fly back to Route 8 and walk to the left, after which the Pokémon you're trying to catch will spawn. Toss Poké Balls at it during your battle to catch it. [18]
    • Repeat this glitch to catch any Pokémon that you haven't yet come across in the course of the game to collect all 151 creatures in Pokémon Red/Blue .
    • For example, if you engage the Ditto and fight it with a Slowpoke, the Ditto will copy all the Slowpoke's abilities and stats. Then, when you return to Route 8 and walk left, you'll stumble across a Mew, which has the exact same Special stat as the Slowpoke (21).

Video

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I do the Mew glitch if my name is different?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I went through this with the name pixel, it should work fine for you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 20
  • Question
    What level will Mew be?
    Community Answer
    Mew will be level 7.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 41
  • Question
    Can I trade between red and yellow?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you do it the exact same way as you do between red and blue.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 16
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Whenever you mess up, simply restart your device.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • Mew will be at level 7. Make sure you have a weak Pokémon to help lower it's HP without making it faint. Paralyzing it or putting it to sleep are useful strategies as well. Even at such a low level, Mew is very hard to catch.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • You don't have to restart the game if you've fought the Gambler already. Just find a trainer who sees you from the end of the screen. For example, you could use the trainer directly out of the right exit of Saffron City. He looks up to the Underground Entrance Door.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get the Three Regis in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Select the Best Pokémon to Beat the Elite Four in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
      How to
      Collect Pokémon Cards
      How to
      Catch Mew in Pokémon Yellow
      How to
      Get to Celadon City in Pokémon FireRed
      How to
      Get Bulbasaur in Pokémon Yellow
      How to
      Get Flash in Pokémon Yellow
      How to
      Get Fly on Pokémon Yellow
      How to
      Get Lugia in Pokémon Fire Red
      How to
      Evolve Gengar in Pokémon FireRed
      How to
      Find HM Cut in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow
      How to
      Get a Bike in Pokémon Red
      How to
      Duplicate Items in Pokémon Red or Blue
      How to
      Catch Missingno. in Pokémon Red and Blue
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/wm81yBLXLs8?si=uUW_4kLdMb9tAkr6&t=120
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/C9msMFs5g8Y?si=BkFezwUOcqK1P4Nj&t=23
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/wm81yBLXLs8?si=Rc_A1dLh4NxJb91Z&t=103
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/2QGILo0SZyI?si=03Nq5cfOA8gby1-4&t=37
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/2QGILo0SZyI?si=POH0t-mbGkznMR4L&t=40
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/2QGILo0SZyI?si=0qePWHYrY0ey7qx0&t=71
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/2QGILo0SZyI?si=KXpZuXy2zFPuqFaS&t=115
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/2QGILo0SZyI?si=_mUApm-yWnVLnx2G&t=132
      9. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/qY9b3MhwbDs?si=egTkrSz6Y0vJmrzk&t=10
      2. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      3. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      4. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      5. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      6. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-red-blue-yellow-version/Cheats_and_Secrets
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/O4R811d3dhc?si=HLLbp5xUDoCGPFK-&t=60
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/O4R811d3dhc?si=DZnGzqP_tHR1HMB_&t=121
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/O4R811d3dhc?si=CQJ4T3ZfVNQorajC&t=148

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Press the "Start" button while your character stands in front of the Gambler.
      2. Choose to Fly to Cerulean city.
      3. Go to the Youngster in the bush area just after Nugget Bridge.
      4. Defeat the trainer and fly back to Lavender Town.
      5. Walk to the left exit of the town.
      6. Exit the pause menu and battle Mew.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 422,200 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Court Chase

        Oct 29, 2018

        "It covered everything I needed to know, and from reading the Q&A, I found out good stuff to watch out for. ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement