Pikachu and Pichu (Pinball)

The Pikachu Kickback (Japanese: ピカチュウ・ボールセーバー Pikachu Ball Saver) and the improved Super Pikachu Kickback (Japanese: スーパー・ピカチュウセーバー Super Pikachu Saver) from Pokémon Pinball, as well as the Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) and Pichu (Japanese: ピチュー Pichu) from Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire are game mechanics that return the ball, preventing the ball from falling into the hole at the bottom of the playing field.

Terminology

As mentioned in the English manual of Pokémon Pinball, "Pikachu Kickback" is the default Pikachu that can be controlled by the player, while "Super Pikachu Kickback" is the improved version that protects both sides at once. Their Japanese counterparts (ピカチュウ・ボールセーバー Pikachu Ball Saver and スーパー・ピカチュウセーバー Super Pikachu Saver) are found in the Japanese manual of Pokémon Pinball.

These terms from the previous game are absent from the manuals of Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, which simply use the word "Pikachu" to refer to that Pokémon. Pichu was introduced in this game, but is not mentioned in the game manuals.

Mechanics

Default version

In both games, this is the default version of Pikachu that is present since the beginning of the game. It delivers an electric shock to return a ball that has fallen through either of the Out Lanes (the outer passages at the bottom). It requires the Thunder Meter to be completely charged with electricity, which is a result of spinning the Spinner at the Right Loop. It also requires Pikachu to be in the correct place—either the Left or the Right Out Lane. If the player presses the button associated with the Left or the Right Flipper, Pikachu moves to the Out Lane of that side.

Improved version

In both games, there is an improvement to the default Pikachu. In Pokémon Pinball, the improved version is a Pikachu constantly blinking in both sides, protecting them at once. In Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the improved version is Pikachu and Pichu protecting both sides at once. When this mode is active in either game, both Out Lanes are always protected, without requiring any input from the player, and the Thunder Meter remains always charged.

In both games, this mode is one of various prizes available in the Slots. Additionally, in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, it can be bought from the Pokémon Mart for 50 Coins. If this mode is already active, then it appears as "Sold out" in the Mart.

This improved version is lost if the player loses the current ball, in which case the next ball (if any) will start with the default Pikachu that protects one side at once.

Voice actors

Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Otani in both Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire. Pichu is voiced by Satomi Koorogi in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire.

Gallery

Screenshots


Pikachu returning the ball (Red Field)	Pikachu returning the ball (Blue Field)

Failure due to lack of electricity (Red Field)	Failure due to lack of electricity (Blue Field)