You just beat Misty. Your Starmie-induced headache is finally fading, and you’re heading north out of Cerulean City. Suddenly, your rival jumps out. This is where most people start autopilot mode. They crush the rival, blitz through the bridge, and sprint toward Bill’s house because they want that S.S. Ticket.
But honestly? Route 24 Pokemon Fire Red is way more than just a hallway to the next plot point. It is a massive resource hub that can basically set your entire mid-game economy and team composition if you know what you’re looking at.
Most players call it the Nugget Bridge route. It’s iconic. But if you're just there for the gold, you’re leaving some of the best early-game encounters and hidden mechanics on the table.
The Nugget Bridge Scam (and How to Benefit)
The centerpiece of Route 24 is the bridge. Five trainers, one gauntlet. It’s presented as a prestigious challenge, but as soon as you hit the top, the "organizer" reveals he’s a Team Rocket grunt. He tries to recruit you. You say no. He gets mad. You fight.
Here is the thing: the Nugget he gives you is worth 5,000 Poke Dollars. That is a lot of money in the early game.
Back in the original Red and Blue, there was a famous glitch where you could farm these Nuggets by losing to the grunt intentionally. In Fire Red, Game Freak "fixed" the sequence, but the bridge still serves a massive purpose. It's the ultimate XP farm for a newly evolved Ivysaur or a Geodude you’re trying to level up before the Surge gym.
The Gauntlet Lineup:
👉 See also: Little Big Planet Still Feels Like a Fever Dream 18 Years Later
- Bug Catcher Cale: Venonat (Level 10)
- Lass Ali: Oddish/Bellsprout (Level 12)
- Youngster Timmy: Sandshrew (Level 14)
- Lass Reli: Nidoran (Level 14)
- Camper Kevin: Mankey (Level 14)
- The Rocket Grunt: Ekans and Zubat (Level 15)
Basically, if you can’t get past this bridge, you aren't ready for the rest of the game. It’s a literal and metaphorical gatekeeper.
Why the Grass on Route 24 is Actually Elite
Most people ignore the patch of grass to the left of the bridge. Huge mistake. This isn't just "more Pidgeys." This is where you find the heavy hitters for the Cerulean/Vermilion stretch.
First, let’s talk about Abra. It has a 15% encounter rate here. It is annoying to catch because it will Teleport on turn one, but Alakazam is arguably the best non-legendary in the entire Kanto region. If you have a Great Ball or a Sleep-inducing move, do not leave this route without an Abra.
Then there are the version exclusives. If you’re playing Fire Red, this is your first chance to snag Oddish. If you’re on LeafGreen, it’s Bellsprout. Both are essential for the upcoming Surge gym in Vermilion. You need a Grass type to resist those Electric moves, and Route 24 is the delivery service.
- Caterpie/Weedle: 20% (Fast XP if you need a Butterfree/Beedrill)
- Pidgey: 15% (Standard flyer)
- Abra: 15% (The real prize)
- Oddish (Fire Red only): 25% (Vital for Surge)
The Mew Glitch Myth in Fire Red
We have to address the elephant in the room. If you grew up playing the 1998 originals, you know Route 24 as the place where you catch Mew. You’d stand in front of the "Jr. Trainer" in the grass, hit Start, and Teleport away just as he spotted you.
I see people asking about this all the time: Does the Mew Glitch work in Route 24 Pokemon Fire Red?
✨ Don't miss: Why the 20 Questions Card Game Still Wins in a World of Screens
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Absolutely not.
Nintendo and Game Freak knew about the Teleport glitch and scrubbed it for the GBA remakes. If you try to do the "Trainer Fly" or "Trainer Teleport" trick on the Nugget Bridge in Fire Red, the game simply won't let you open the menu in time. They also moved the trainer sightlines specifically to prevent this.
If you want a Mew in Fire Red in 2026, you're looking at using an Action Replay or a very specific save-file injection. The "Old Man" and "Nugget Bridge" glitches are dead and buried in the remakes. It sucks, I know. But don't waste three hours trying to frame-perfect a menu that doesn't exist.
Hidden Items and Secret Power
Once you clear the bridge and the grunt, don't just bolt right to Route 25. There is a plateau area on the left. If you explore the northwest corner, you’ll find TM45 (Attract). It’s not the most powerful move, but in a Nuzlocke run, Attract can literally save your life by forcing a 50% fail rate on the opponent's moves.
Also, keep an eye out for berries. There is a hidden Pecha Berry in the northeast area, near the transition to Route 25. Just mash the A button near the corners.
The Water Route
Once you get the HM for Surf much later in the game, you should actually come back here. You can surf down the water on the left side of the bridge to reach a secret area of the Cerulean Cape. Most people forget this exists because by the time they have Surf, they are focused on the Cinnabar Islands. Coming back here allows you to find more rare items and high-level Water types like Slowbro or Golduck (depending on your version).
🔗 Read more: FC 26 Web App: How to Master the Market Before the Game Even Launches
How to Prepare for the Route 24 Gauntlet
If you’re struggling, you probably rushed. Route 24 isn't hard, but it punishes players who only leveled up their starter.
- Level Check: Your team should be at least Level 14-16. If your Charmander is Level 20 but your Rattata is Level 4, the Camper’s Mankey is going to ruin your day.
- Status Heals: Bring Parlyz Heals and Antidotes. The trainers here love Poison Sting and Stun Spore.
- The Abra Strategy: If you want that Abra, put a Pokemon with Sleep Powder or Spore at the front of your party. If you don't have one, throw a Great Ball immediately. Don't try to weaken it; it will just leave.
Route 24 is the bridge between the "tutorial" phase of the game and the "real" Kanto adventure. It’s where you get your first major influx of cash, your first high-tier Psychic type, and your first taste of Team Rocket’s recruitment tactics.
Treat it like a resource run, not a race. Grab the Nugget, catch the Abra, and maybe actually listen to what that Rocket grunt says—it’s some of the only character development you get before Saffron City.
Next time you're standing on that golden bridge, take a second to look at the water. There is a lot more under the surface than just Magikarp.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your bag for the Nugget and sell it immediately at the Cerulean Mart to buy Great Balls.
- Catch an Oddish or Bellsprout to evolve into Gloom/Weepinbell before heading to Vermilion.
- Equip TM45 to a high-speed female Pokemon to cheese difficult male-dominated rival battles later on.