Although the original three versions of Pokemon are almost thirty years old, there is still a strong desire among many people to revisit the classic Kanto adventures. Additionally, with the multitude of Pokemon to discover and routes to explore, it can be challenging to recall the locations of everything.
In contrast to contemporary titles such as Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, a significant aspect of the original games is the inclusion of Hidden Machines, or HMs. These special items allow Trainers to teach their Pokemon moves that not only have an impact in battle, but also affect the overworld.
In the games, Cut allows players to cut down trees, Surf enables traversal of Water, and Strength is able to move boulders. These abilities are crucial for completing any of the games, and regardless of whether you’re playing Pokemon Red, Blue, or Yellow, it is necessary to acquire all of them.
With our complete guide, you can learn the exact locations of each HM and how to properly utilize them.
Where to find HM 01 – Cut
- Location: S.S. Anne – Vermilion City
- Badge needed: Cascade Badge – Cerulean City
In the video games Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, players can obtain HM 01 on the S.S. Anne, a ship located in Vermilion City. To gain access to the ship, players must first assist Bill with a teleportation issue north of Cerulean City in order to receive the S.S. Ticket.
Having the S.S. Ticket in your possession, make your way to Vermilion City and head South towards the docks. From there, embark on the S.S. Anne. During your journey, you will encounter other Trainers and have the chance to explore, leading you to eventually discover the Captain’s quarters.
In the Captain’s quarters, you will find an elderly man who frequently complains of seasickness. He requests that you give him a back rub to help ease his discomfort and, upon accepting, he will express his gratitude and give the Trainer HM 01 – Cut as a reward.
In Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, the ability to cut is crucial as it enables players to access important areas by clearing small trees that obstruct the path.
These Pokemon are able to learn Cut in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow:
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Beedrill
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Best
- Parasect
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Farfetch’d
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Lickitung
- Tangela
- Scyther
- think
- Mew
Where to find HM 02 – Fly
- Location: Route 16
- Badge needed: Thunder Badge – Vermilion City
To obtain HM 02 – Fly, Trainers must first journey to Celadon City and then head West to Route 16. Once they have exited Celadon City from the Western exit, they can use Cut to clear a path through the tree and access a hidden route.
After ascending the hidden route, continue heading West and pass through the gate until you reach a house where a young girl and a Flying-type Pokemon reside. Talk to the girl and, after promising to keep her whereabouts confidential, she will give you HM 02 – Fly as a reward.
After obtaining the Thunder Badge in Vermilion City, you will be able to teach a Flying-type Pokemon the move Fly, enabling you to revisit any previously explored location.
The following Pokemon are able to learn Fly in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow:
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Pidgeot
- Spearow
- Fearow
- Farfetch’d
- Dodu
- Lactating
- Aerodactyl
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Mew
Where to find HM 03 – Surf
- Location: Safari Zone – Fuchsia City
- Badge needed: Soul Badge – Fuchsia City
HM 03 – Surf is notoriously difficult to obtain, as it can only be found in the Safari Zone. Players must first travel to Fuchsia City in the South of the map in order to enter this exclusive area. The Safari Zone is located at the northernmost part of the town.
Upon entering the Safari Zone and exploring the initial screen, head towards the right and exit through that path. On the following screen, navigate upwards along the rocky paths until reaching the top, then exit through the path located at the top left of the screen.
In the northernmost part of the Safari Zone, there are two rocky paths you can take. Take the one on the left, not the one on the right with a sign next to it. On the left path, continue until you reach a hedge, then exit to the left. From there, continue upwards and to the right until you reach the Safari Zone Rest House.
Starting from the Rest House, head towards the top of the screen and continue moving left. Then, proceed straight down, passing by two bodies of water, until you reach the next screen. If you have followed these steps correctly, you will come across an item. Pick it up to discover the Gold Teeth. These are crucial for obtaining the next HM, and you are now in the correct location to acquire Surf.
Upon finding the Gold Teeth, head left to reach a quaint house adorned with Pokemon statues. This is the Secret House of the Safari Zone. Upon entering and conversing with the individual inside, you will receive HM 03 – Surf as a reward for discovering the location.
In the games Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, the move Surf can be taught to the following Pokemon:
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoking
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Polyurethane
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- rope
- Dewgong
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Lickitung
- Rhydon
- Kangaskhan
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Goldeen
- Seaking
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Gyarados
- Lapras
- Vaporeon
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutop
- Snorlax
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Mew
Where to find HM 04 – Strength
- Location: Warden’s House – Fuchsia City
- Badge needed: Rainbow Badge – Celadon City
If you have completed the aforementioned steps, located the Gold Teeth, and are currently in Fuchsia City, obtaining HM 04 – Strength is a relatively simple task.
Head to the South of Fuschia City from the Safari Zone, or if you are approaching from a different direction, locate the two adjacent houses in the South East corner. Behind them, you will find a small enclosed area with a small patch of water.
Enter the house on the left to find the Warden, who is struggling to speak. If you offer him the Gold Teeth, he will gratefully put them back in and thank you for your assistance by giving you HM 04 – Strength as a reward.
There is also a secret item located in the room to the immediate right, which can be discovered by utilizing Strength to move the boulder blocking its path.
Strength can be learned by the following Pokemon in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow:
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Ekans
- Workbook
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoking
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Mankey
- First
- Poliwhirl
- Polyurethane
- Machop
- Machoke
- Machamp
- Geodude
- Graveler
- Golem
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- rope
- Dewgong
- Gengar
- Onyx
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Exeggutor
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Lickitung
- Rhyhorn
- Rhydon
- Chansey
- Kangaskhan
- Electabuzz
- Magmar
- think
- Tauros
- Gyarados
- Lapras
- Snorlax
- Dragonite
- Mewtwo
- Mew
Where to Find HM 05 – Flash
- Location: Route 2 Gate
- Badge needed: Boulder Badge – Pewter City
Even though you may not use it frequently, HM 05 – Flash remains crucial for players aiming to finish Pokemon Red, Blue, or Yellow. Begin from Viridian City and head North towards the path that leads to Viridian Forest.
To progress, utilize Cut to clear the trees on the right side of the screen. Then, proceed straight ahead on the path into the large building. This is the Route 2 Gate, where one of the Professor’s assistants will reward you with HM 05 – Flash if you have captured at least 10 Pokemon.
If you are unable to access Cut or are located farther away, you can still reach the Route 2 Gate by heading right from Vermilion City and passing through the Digletts Cave on Route 11. Taking this route will lead you to the top of Route 2.
No matter how you choose to tackle it, you must have the HM Cut and any necessary badges in order to remove one of the trees obstructing this area. Therefore, do not attempt this task unless you have these requirements already.
In the games Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, the move Flash can be learned by the following Pokemon:
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Magnemite
- Magneto
- Drowzee
- Hypno
- voltorb
- Electrode
- Chansey
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Mr. Mime
- Electabuzz
- Jolteon
- Porygon
- Zapdos
- Mew
