Of course! The Pikachu Bonus in the **Pokémon Pearl (and Diamond) slot machines** is a special, high-reward mini-game that players can trigger. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how it works and how to maximize your chances.
### **How to Trigger the Pikachu Bonus**
The bonus is triggered when you line up **three Pikachu symbols** on the center payline of any slot machine in the **Game Corner** (located in Veilstone City).
* **Symbol:** Look for the Pikachu face icon on the reels.
* **Requirement:** They must be on the **center horizontal payline**. Other lines won’t trigger it.
* **Chance:** The probability is very low, as Pikachu is a rare symbol. Using a higher bet doesn’t increase the odds of triggering it, but you must bet at least one coin to play.
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### **How the Pikachu Bonus Game Works**
Once triggered, you are taken to a separate screen with **5×3 grid of facedown cards** (like a memory game). Pikachu is in the center.
1. **Objective:** Flip over pairs of matching Pokémon cards to clear them from the board.
2. **Rules:**
* You get **9 picks** (turns to flip two cards) to clear as many pairs as possible.
* The game ends when you clear all pairs or run out of picks.
* Each cleared pair awards a **multiplier** of your original bet.
3. **Pikachu’s Role:** The center Pikachu card is wild! It can be paired with **any** other Pokémon card you reveal, making it incredibly powerful for creating matches.
### **Payouts (Multipliers)**
Your total win is calculated as: **`(Your Original Bet) x (Total Multiplier from Pairs)`**
Here are the standard multipliers for each cleared pair:
* **Cleared Pair (non-Pikachu):** **x8** your bet
* **Cleared Pair using the Wild Pikachu:** **x24** your bet (much higher!)
**Example:** If you bet 1 coin and clear 4 normal pairs, you win: `1 x (8+8+8+8) = 32 coins`.
If you cleverly use the wild Pikachu in 2 of those pairs, you could win: `1 x (24+24+8+8) = 64 coins`.
**Maximum Possible Win:** If you perfectly clear all 7 pairs using Pikachu for as many as possible, the theoretical maximum is **168 coins** (for a 1-coin bet).
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### **Strategies & Tips**
1. **Memorize Locations:** This is a classic memory game. Try to remember the positions of Pokémon as you reveal them.
2. **Use Pikachu Strategically:** Don’t waste the wild Pikachu on the first match you see. Use it to match a Pokémon that you only have one known location for, or to grab a high-value pair late in the game.
3. **Clear the Board:** The ultimate goal is to clear all cards before your 9 picks run out. Plan your turns to maximize matches.
4. **It’s About Luck First:** Remember, getting to the bonus is pure luck on the slots. There’s no known “pattern” to force a Pikachu bonus in the legitimate game.
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### **Important Notes for Pokémon Pearl**
* **Game Corner Changes:** In the original DS games (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum), the slot machines are purely luck-based. Later generations (from HeartGold/SoulSilver onward) removed traditional slots.
* **Coin Farming:** While the Pikachu bonus is lucrative, it’s not a reliable way to farm Game Corner Coins. The **Vs. Seeker** to rebattle trainers for money, then buying coins, is often faster.
* **Platinum Difference:** The slot machines and bonus game work identically in Platinum.
### **Cheat/Code Warning**
You may see references to “cheat codes” (like `94000130 FFFB0000` for Action Replay) to force the bonus. These work but can **risk corrupting your save file** if used incorrectly. It’s always safer to play legitimately.
**In summary:** The Pikachu Bonus is a fun, high-reward memory game triggered by incredible luck on the slots. Use the wild Pikachu card wisely to maximize your coin payout! Good luck
