There’s no denying that the Pokémon franchise is an absolute phenomenon. Not only are the games some of the best-selling titles of their generations, but the games have spun off in surprising areas that have helped turn Pokémon into far more than just a popular video game series.

Related: 10 Things Everyone Completely Missed In Pokémon Ruby And Sapphire

It’s been fascinating to watch the series grow and change over the years, especially in terms of the spin-off and ancillary titles that have been released. Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire is a particularly unusual example since it’s more of a storage system than an actual game. However, the utility title still contains some surprises.

10 It Connects With More Than Just Pokémon Ruby And Sapphire

Everything with Pokémon Box only advertises the fact that the game allows players the ability to transfer over Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. It's of course in the title of the game, but even the fine print on the box doesn't elaborate on the issue.

However, Pokémon Box also allows storage from Pokémon Emerald, the other complimentary title from Generation III, but it will also work with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, which is a welcome bonus. That being said, certain other perks in the game, like the emulation, only work with the advertised Ruby & Sapphire.

9 The Pokémon Box System Is Created By The Sister Of Bill's PC Creator

Bill is somewhat of a legend in the Pokémon universe and while some of the titles in the series are heavier on the lore than others, the original games provide some context on some individuals who are important because of their technological advancements. Bill and Lanette create the PC transfer system that becomes a fundamental concept of every title.

Brigette is the audience's helper throughout Pokémon Box, but she's also the creator of this new storage system. It's very fitting that she's connected to the other famous means of Pokémon transfer and storage.

8 There Are Special Pokémon Eggs Available As Prizes

The whole point of Pokémon Box is to use the system as a means of storage. Some people may not have enough Pokémon where that seems necessary, but Pokémon Box tries to reward those that value the practice with some free Pokémon.

There are some limited rewards available when milestone numbers of Pokémon are deposited into the box. When 100, 500, and 1499 Pokémon are deposited, exclusive Pokémon Eggs for Zigzagoon, Skitty, and Pichu will respectively be gained. A Swablu Egg is earned upon the initial deposit.

7 Players Can Change Their Wallpapers

Pokémon Box has a lot to do with bragging rights and someone being able to keep tabs on all of their Pokémon at once. Pokémon Box allows players to preserve and celebrate this to some extent with an option to take pictures.

These pictures can then be registered to be used as a wallpaper in Memory Boxes, which can be found hidden away in the Special category. Only one picture is allowed to be save at once for a wallpaper, but it's still a nice perk to change things up and add some customization to the experience.

6 Shiny Versions Of Its Exclusive Pokémon Are Possible

A nice perk that's offered in Pokémon Box is a handful of Pokémon Eggs. Sometimes Pokémon Eggs can feel like more of an obligation than anything else, but these hatch quickly and contain Pokémon with unique movesets who act a little different.

Related: Pokémon: 5 Reasons Why Emerald Is The Definitive Hoenn Game (& 5 Why Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire Are)

However, it's possible to make these Pokémon even more special by making them Shiny. The trick to turn any of these Pokémon is to make sure that their Eggs hatch in any Pokémon title that's not the one that they received it in. So some Pokémon management pays off here.

5 It Briefly Operated Under The Name Pokémon Memory Magic In Europe

The translation of titles out of Japan can be a difficult procedure for various reasons, some of which involve extraneous circumstances that are specific to certain regions. Sometimes pre-existing copyrights mean a game has to be released under a different name (like how Star Fox is titled Lylat Wars in Europe).

This was nearly the case in Europe and as a result it was briefly using the name Pokémon Memory Magic instead. It's a confusing pivot and although the name Pokémon Box is ultimately used, a bit of that Memory Magic DNA is still in the Europe release.

4 It Introduces A Surfing Pichu

Surfing Pikachu is a bit of a legend in the Pokémon community. It's a rare version of the mascot Pokémon that's been featured through promotional means or spin-off games, like Pokémon Stadium, as a prize.

Related: Pokémon: Ranking The 10 Most Adorable Pokémon From Ruby & Sapphire

Pokémon Box features a fun twist on that with a Pichu Egg that will hatch into a Pichu that has the move Surf. It's actually a rare creature, although the requirement to receive it involves depositing 1499 Pokémon into the game, which honestly is more of a punishment than an incentive.

3 There's An Adorable Showcase Mode

One feature in Pokémon Box that's very easy to overlook is the Showcase option that's available through Brigette. This allows players to turn their Pokémon into figures and create surprisingly detailed stages where a set amount of Pokémon can be featured with a number of unique backgrounds, platforms, music, and means of display.

There's not much else that can be done with this option, but for those that like to reflect upon their achievements it's a fun and visually appealing way to admire Pokémon catches.

2 It Contains An Alternate Border For Ruby And Sapphire

Pokémon Box really isn't much of a game and it's likely why the release was so exclusive or included in package deals. Pokémon Box is really just a place to store and observe some Pokémon, but it's comforting to see that there are still some unlockable details to add a sense of achievement and completion to the experience.

If players fill up their Hoenn Pokédex then they'll get a different border that's present while playing Ruby & Sapphire within the game's emulator. It’s not much but the Hoenn Pokémon are so fun that it’s still a pleasant sight.

1 The Music In The Game Is Remixed Ruby And Sapphire Tracks

The Showcase mode that's available in Pokémon Box allows players to put their Pokémon on display in a number of different and attractive environments. One of the areas of customization here is that there are eight different music tracks that can be chosen.

All of these musical numbers are actually remixed tracks from the Game Boy Advance's Ruby & Sapphire. It's not immediately noticeable for all of the songs, but they're amazing reinterpretations that can be easy to miss, especially if Showcase mode is never explored.

Next: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire: 5 Reasons Groudon Is The Better Cover Legendary (& 5 It's Kyogre)