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Revision as of 04:19, 26 October 2025 by HydeWing (talk | contribs)
pkDex
General
AuthorInsektaure
TypeOther Apps
Version1.5.1
LicenseGPL-2.0
Last Updated2025/10/23
Links
Download
Website
Source

pkDex is a fanmade Pokémon encyclopedia (Pokédex) that lets you explore Pokémon data, built using the Borealis UI framework.

You can browse and view detailed information about Pokémon from various regions across different generations of the Pokémon games.

Features

  • Multi-Region Support: Browse Pokémon from different regions:
    • Kanto (Gen 1 - Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee)
    • Sinnoh (Gen 4 - Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl)
    • Sinnoh Arceus (Legends: Arceus)
    • Galar (Gen 8 - Sword & Shield + Isle of Armor & Crown Tundra DLC)
    • Paldea (Gen 9 - Scarlet & Violet + The Teal Mask & The Indigo Disk DLC)
    • Kalos (Legends: Z-A)
  • Detailed Pokémon Information:
    • National and Regional Pokédex numbers.
    • Shiny Lock status.
    • Pokémon types.
    • Evolution information.
    • Game version exclusivity.
    • In-game locations.
    • Images of both standard and shiny forms.
    • Packaged low resolution images, with dynamic loading high resolution if available on the SD card.
  • Pokémon Tracker:
    • Track caught Pokémon by marking them as caught on the list.
    • Caught Pokémon are highlighted in the list.
    • Ability to reset caught status for all Pokémon from the settings menu.
    • Ability to reset caught status for specific Region from the settings menu.
    • Caught status is saved in a pkDex.tracker.{REGION}.ini file in the /switch/pkDex directory (1 file per region).
  • User-Friendly Interface:
    • Organized by regions with section headers.
    • Efficient list navigation with recycling views.
    • Detailed view for each Pokémon.
    • Dark theme support.
  • Settings / QoL:
    • Update check on startup (to ensure you have the latest version). Enable by default.
    • Disable automatic update check on startup (for those who prefer not to check for updates).
    • Download updates directly from the application (must use the included Updater to apply update).
    • If the updater application is not present, it will prompt you to download it from the settings menu when trying to launch it.
    • Can hide the bottom status bar.
    • Download & Extract the High Resolution images pack directly from the application from the settings menu (requires an internet connection).
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility:
    • Nintendo Switch (primary target).

User guide

How to use

  • Launch the application on your device.
  • Navigate through the tabs to select a Pokémon region.
  • Browse the list of Pokémon, organized by their regional Pokédex numbers.
  • Select a Pokémon to view detailed information, including:
    • Images (standard and shiny forms)
    • National Pokédex number
    • Regional Pokédex number
    • Shiny Lock status
    • Type information
    • Evolution details
    • Location information
    • Version exclusivity
  • Press the Y button to mark a Pokémon as caught or uncaught. Caught Pokémon will be highlighted in the list.
  • Marking a Pokémon as caught will create a pkDex.tracker.{REGION}.ini file in the /switch/pkDex directory.

Unmarking a Pokémon will set the corresponding line in pkDex.tracker.{REGION}.ini file accordingly.

  • Use the settings menu to enable or disable automatic new version checks & check for available updates manually.
  • Use the settings menu to download updates directly from the application (requires the pkDexUpdater application to be present to use update file).
  • Use the included updater application (pkDexUpdater.nro) to apply the downloaded update file.
  • Use the settings menu to Download & Extract the High Resolution images pack directly from the application (requires an internet connection).

How to update

To update the application, you can use the included updater application (pkDexUpdater.nro):

  • Ensure your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet.
  • Go to the settings menu and check for updates.

If an update is available, the application will prompt you to download it.

If you want to update automatically:

  • Click the Launch Updater button in the settings menu of the main application.
  • If you don't have the Updater, you will be prompted to download it directly from the application settings.
  • The updater will apply the downloaded update file to the main application, ensuring you have the latest features and bug fixes.

If you prefer to update manually:

App settings

The application includes a settings menu that allows users to:

  • Enable or disable automatic update checks on startup
  • Check for updates manually
  • Download updates directly from the application
  • Download the updater application if it is not present
  • Reset caught Pokémon status
  • Download & Extract the High Resolution images pack directly from the application (requires an internet connection)

Enabling automatic update checks will prompt the application to check for the latest version on startup, ensuring you always have the most up-to-date information.
You can download updates at any time from the settings menu ("Check for updates" button).

Changing the settings will generate a config.ini file in the /config/pkDex directory, which will be used to store user preferences.

Screenshots

pkDexSwitch-01.png pkDexSwitch-02.png pkDexSwitch-03.png pkDexSwitch-04.png pkDexSwitch-05.png pkDexSwitch-06.png pkDexSwitch-07.png pkDexSwitch-08.png

Changelog

v1.5.1

  • Update Kalos (Legends: Z-A) locations & shiny lock status.

v1.5.0

  • Add Pokemon Legends Z-A Pokedex support.

v1.4.0

  • Add option to Download & Extract the High-Resolution Images Pack directly from the main application (since v1.4.0 and up).
  • Add an option to Download the High-Resolution Images Pack directly from the application.
  • Add an option to Extract the downloaded High-Resolution Images Pack directly from the application.

v1.3.2

  • Add Changelog menu
  • Can now hide the main app bottom status bar.

v1.3.1

  • Tracker now use one file per region to save "Captured" statuses instead of a big one (faster Read / Write).
  • Can now select & reset per region "Captured" statuses instead of all regions without distinction (this cannot be undone -for now-).

v1.3.0

  • Update file can be redownloaded (prompt to force download is update file already exist).
  • Add Pokemon Tracker system.

v1.2.0

  • Can download the Updater app directly from the main application if missing (since v1.2.0 and up).
  • Add new Updater app to update to latest version available directly from the Nintendo Switch.

v1.1.1

  • Added Shiny Locked flag on pokemon view.

v1.1.0

  • Disable automatic update check on startup (for those who prefer not to check for updates on launch).
  • Manually check if an update is available (network connection needed).

v1.0

  • First Release.

Credits

  • Borealis UI Framework: A hardware-accelerated UI library for Nintendo Switch homebrew, developed by natinusala and contributors. GitHub Repository
  • Pokémon Data: All Pokémon names, images, and data are property of Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokémon Company.
  • Development: pkDex is developed by Insektaure.
  • Datasets: Pokémon data sourced from various community resources and official game data (serebii.net / pokemondb.net / bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net).
  • Switchbrew for their research and libnx which makes it possible to create homebrew
  • ReSwitched for their research, Atmosphere, and libstratosphere which is invaluable for Switch homebrew

External links

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