Many of us have been busy trying to catch ’em all.
Here’s something that will take your experience to the next level and make Pokémon fans very happy: Pokémon Research Exhibition.
For the first time outside of Japan, not only can you catch Pikachu in the flesh (or rather lab coat), you can also become a scientific researcher for a day by using machines to decode which mystery Pokémon is hidden in a Poké Ball.
Before the exhibition opens to the public tomorrow (22 Oct 2016), let me take you around the exhibition grounds and share some tips to help you ace your Pokémon research when you come down.
Once you enter, pick a ball from one of the three ball stations: red Poké Ball (easy), blue Great Ball (medium difficulty), or black Ultra Ball (extra difficult). Choose wisely as each admission ticket entitles you to one ball which you will use throughout your Pokémon research journey. Good news if you’re an RWS Invites S.E.A. Aquarium Annual/Season Pass member. You get unlimited entry to the exhibition which also means UNLIMITED tries. So once you’re done with your first ball, go ahead and pick a second and a third.
I recommend the red Poké Ball for younger kids and the black Ultra Ball for hardcore Pokémon fans. If you want something challenging but not too difficult, pick the blue Great Ball like I did. Questions? Feel free to approach any lab assistant dressed in white coat and Pikachu cap.
Remember to pick up a copy of the corresponding Observation Notebook where you can jot down your observations as you use the machines. It also lists Pokémons that can be found in your Poké Ball. I’m hoping that mine is a Snorlax.
This is the correct way to place your Poké Ball on the machine – with the white side down, or the machine will not be able to detect it
There are 8 different types of machines, each to help you decipher a certain characteristic of your mystery Pokémon.
Here is where it gets a tad tricky. You can only pick 4 types of machines to complete your research, and you can’t use the same type of machine twice. Hence all the more important to jot down your observations. Here are my recommendations (in order of usefulness) to help you pick the most suitable machines.
Outline Shooter
I’d make this my first stop because it reveals the Pokémon’s outline and it’s pretty telling. This is also the most interactive and fun machine. Step/run as fast as you can on the stepping boards to generate as much ‘power’ as possible. The more power generated, the clearer the outline.
Tip: Speed wins the day. Don’t stomp or lift your feet too high. Take small quick steps.
Appearance Analyzer
This reveals two of your Pokémon’s distinguishing features, such as colour and shape.
Tip: Don’t take your own sweet time to select the features as there is a time limit. Just pick any two.
Silhouette Shooter
Capture an overhead silhouette of your Pokémon with this machine. Pretty useful especially if your Pokémon has a unique shape or prominent features like wings.
Cry Gauge
This machine plays your Pokémon’s cry. It is very useful if you have been watching Pokémon animes and are familiar with their different sounds. Otherwise I suggest you skip this.
Height Gauge
Self explanatory. Pretty useful if your Pokémon is particularly tall or short.
Footprint Collector
This captures your Pokémon’s footprints. Good if you are a Pokémon fanatic or if your Pokémon has a very unique set of footprints.
Facial Enlarger
Seemingly useful as it reveals a selected close-up shot of your Pokémon in full colour. But it’s so close-up that you can’t really see very much.
Weight Gauge
Displays the weight of your Pokémon. Not all that useful in my opinion.
When you have a clear idea which Pokémon is hiding in your Poké Ball, go to the Answer Checker located near the exit.
Based on the weight, overhead silhouette and physical features (blue on top, beige at the bottom), I’m quite sure my Pokémon wasn’t Snorlax. Looking at all the Pokémons on my Observation Notebook, I guessed it’s Spheal. I was right.
Once done, head to the Multi-Purpose Hall and see if you can find your Pokémon among the more than 700 Pokémons on the Pokédex wall.
While you’re there, see if you can identify these three larger-than-life ones.
And this one just outside the Multi-Purpose Hall.
Say hi to Giratina, #487 on the Pokedex
Your experience won’t be complete without a picture with Professor Pikachu.
Professor Pikachu will be making his daily appearance at these times:
· 11:30AM, 5:30PM at the exhibition grounds
· 2:30PM at S.E.A Aquarium B1 Entrance Atrium
In case you missed him or can’t get enough of him, there’s an inflatable version just outside the exit of the exhibition.
Pokémon Research Exhibition will be held from 22 Oct 2016 – 2 Jan 2017 at Basement 1 of S.E.A. Aquarium. Ticketing details as follows:
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (4-12 yrs old) |
Senior (60 yrs old & above) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Research Exhibition Admission1 | From S$5 2 |
 |
||
| Free for S.E.A. Aquarium Annual/Season Pass Holders | ||||
| Online Exclusive Promotion Includes:
|
S$35 (U.P. S$42) |
S$23 (U.P. S$32) |
S$23 (U.P. S$32) |
|
| Terms and Conditions | |
| 1 | A S.E.A. Aquarium One-Day Pass is required for admission to Pokémon Research Exhibition. |
| 2 | Only valid for: S$5 – Genting Rewards Member/ RWS Invites/ Invites Attractions Membership Holders/ Invites Season Pass Holders Rate S$6 – Online Standalone Purchase/Onsite Bundle S$8 – Onsite Standalone Purchase |
| 3 | Only valid with a minimum spend of S$30. |
RWS Invites S.E.A. Aquarium Annual Pass Promotion
Enjoy unlimited entry to Pokémon Research Exhibition and S.E.A. Aquarium all year round with an RWS Invites S.E.A. Aquarium Annual Pass from S$40*! Sign up today at the S.E.A. Aquarium ticket booth.
| Terms and Conditions | |
| ▸ | Promotion is valid from 22 October 2016 to 2 January 2017. |
| ▸ | Offer is available to holders of S.E.A. Aquarium Adult One-Day Pass with Pokémon Research Exhibition admission on the day of visit only. |
| ▸ | Promotional rate is not valid for guests with S.E.A. Aquarium Adult After 5pm Passes. |
| ▸ | Promotional rate is only applicable one time per guest for upgrade to RWS Invites S.E.A. Aquarium Annual Pass. |
| ▸ | Not valid in conjunction with other promotion offers and discounts. |
| ▸ | Resorts World Sentosa reserves the right to amend or add to the Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. |
| ▸ | Other terms and conditions apply. |