For over seven years, Japanese Twitter user Suica has been carrying around the Pokéwalker pedometer that was bundled with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. And now, Suica has discovered its secret felicitations.
When Suica’s Pokéwalker hit 9,999,999 steps, a message reading “Congratulations!!” (おめでとう!!or omedetou!!) appeared on the pedometers tiny screen.
An in-game message also appeared, stating, “You finally achieved 9,999,999 steps on your Pokéwalker!”
Hardly a first! YouTuber Brian Salguero discovered this way back in 2013, spending three years to max out his Pokéwalker.
Boy, does he sound disappointed to get a Starf Berry.
What’s amazing isn’t that Suica reached this milestone after all this time, but was still using the Pokéwalker.
Japanese website Hachima Kikou points out that it’s possible to trick the Pokéwalker by gently dropping it on a table repeatedly, but Suica said the reason why it’s taken so long to reach the goal is this Twitter user’s typical method of transportation is bicycle and not by foot.
The way the Pokéwalker racks up steps while cycling, Suica believes, isn’t as accurate as actual steps, explaining why it’s taken so long to reach this goal.
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.