PokeBonk Beginner Guide: First Run, Controls & Saves

A beginner guide detailing the game's entry options, default controls, upgrade selection, account preservation policies, and starter recommendations.

Evidence: 2 community-reported · Last verified: 2026-11-10 · Sources: 1

Welcome to the PokeBonk Beginner Guide: First Run, Controls & Saves. This practical guide details the game's entry options, default controls, upgrade selection, account preservation policies, and starter recommendations to help you begin your journey. The information spans version boundaries from v0.8.55 for the original game down to v0.8.27 for third-party Play sources [src-394632768c].

How to Complete

Getting started in PokéBonk requires navigating the initial entry screen, understanding how your progress is saved, picking your starter partner, and familiarizing yourself with default inputs.

1. Access the Game: Go to pokebonk.com for the original game [src-394632768c].
2. Choose Your Entry Method: The entry screen provides three options: Guest, Enter, and Create account [src-394632768c]. Use Enter if you are logging into an existing named account [src-394632768c]. If you are a new player, select Guest and click "Play as a guest!" [src-394632768c].
3. Handle Account Preservation: Note that Guest progress is saved on the server and tied specifically to your current device [src-394632768c]. If you already have established progress, make sure to use that same browser profile first [src-394632768c].
4. Select Your Starter: On a fresh profile, you will follow the starter selection phase [src-394632768c]. The available starters to choose from are Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. On an existing profile, you will instead continue straight into the League through Play [src-394632768c].
5. Review Partner Details: Read through your chosen partner's passive abilities and move kit carefully [src-394632768c]. Confirm your partner selection, then inspect the available region, game mode, and difficulty parameters before officially starting [src-394632768c].

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Once you have cleared the initial setup and selected your starter, your first run proceeds through active navigation and combat preparation.

1. Verify Your Keybinds: Review the default controls, which are based on the v0.8.48 client [src-394632768c]. Keep in mind that any saved rebindings will take priority over defaults [src-394632768c]. If an action feels unfamiliar, open the Settings menu and check the Keys section [src-394632768c].
2. Execute Movement and Actions: Use W A S D to move while checking your camera direction, and utilize Space for jumping or Left Shift for sliding depending on the terrain and your readiness [src-394632768c]. Press E to interact whenever a prompt appears beside a nearby object [src-394632768c].
3. Engage in Combat: Use Q or the right mouse button to aim and toggle target lock [src-394632768c]. Press R to activate your Ultimate ability when it is ready, or press Y if you wish to toggle auto Ultimate [src-394632768c].
4. Manage Level-Up Upgrades: When leveling up, use contextual upgrade tools instead of ordinary attack keys [src-394632768c]. Press F to reroll options, X to skip an upgrade, or Z to banish an unwanted choice [src-394632768c].
5. Monitor Your Run: Press M to inspect the map or P to pause the game whenever you need a moment before reading interface elements [src-394632768c].

Tips

• Browser Profiles: Always maintain your primary browser profile if you play as a Guest, because losing access to that specific device or profile can disrupt your server-saved, device-linked progress [src-394632768c].
• Partner Synergy: Always take the extra moment to read your starter's passive traits and move kit before confirming, as this dictates your early-game strategy [src-394632768c].
• Contextual Tools: Remember that upgrade tool shortcuts (F, X, and Z) are strictly contextual to the level-up interface and will not function as standard combat keys [src-394632768c].

Community-Reported Details

These facts come from community guides, videos or wikis. They are not official statements; verify in-game before relying on them.

versionBoundary

v0.8.55 (original game), v0.8.27 (third-party Play source)

starters

Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander

Sources

• PokeBonk Beginner Guide: First Run, Controls & Saves