D-Tector Toy


 * ''For the Japanese toy line, see D-Scanner Toy.

The D-Tector (branded as D-Tector Digivice in Bandai Asia releases) is an LCD quest game device that was released in North American, European, Asian, and Oceanic markets, as as a tie-in to the Digimon Frontier anime. It is based on the D-Scanner model of Digivice that appears in that series. The D-Tector toy line is entirely different from the D-Scanner toy line that was produced and released in Japan.

=Versions=

Each new D-Tector version expands on the Digimon roster of the previous version, but the quests and map are significantly different between each. Each version from Version 2 onward also has a different minigame to play in the Game menu (Version 1 has no minigame).

Version 3 and 4 were only released in Bandai Asia regions (south-east Asia and Oceania).

=Set-Up and Game Play= When the device is first turned on, the player is prompted to select one of the DigiDestined (Chosen Children) to play as. Next, the player names the selected child (there is a five-character length limit; by selecting "OK" without typing anything, the child's default name is filled in automatically, even if the default name is longer than five characters, e.g. "TAKUYA, KOICHI").

When the game starts, the player is given at least one Legendary Spirit and at least one Digimon ally, depending on who they selected and what version they are playing:


 * D-Tector Version 1: The player starts with the Human Spirit belonging to the child that they selected, and no other Spirits. The player is also given one Rookie (Child) Digimon as an ally.
 * D-Tector Version 2: (TBA)
 * D-Tector Version 3: (TBA)
 * D-Tector Version 4: All 20 Legendary Spirits are available for all six children from the start, including the ability to "COMBO" evolve with them (i.e. evolve into a Fusion Form Hybrid Digimon). The player is also given four Digimon who form one complete evolutionary line as allies.

The other children join the player's selected child as allies.

Progression
When the pedometer shakes (either by shaking the device, or walking with it), steps are recorded and the player character walks toward a destination Area on the map. The game measures the Distance remaining until the player reaches the Area; it is displayed when the player presses the B Button while on the home screen. Once Distance reaches 0, the player enters a boss encounter, and if the player defeats the boss, the Area is completed.

Menus
There are two sets of menu options. The first set is opened by pressing the A Button or the Motion Sensor Button.


 * Map: View the world map and the Areas that the player must clear. The player may select another Area to set as their destination, but doing so resets the Distance count, so the player loses any progress they had made toward their previous destination Area.
 * Status: View the stats of the player's selected child and any allied children who are currently present
 * Spirits: View the Legendary Spirits that are currently in the player's possession, and the stats of their Hybrid Digimon forms. The stats of Hybrid Digimon increase with the player's Level (shared with all ally children).
 * Camp: The player retreats into a tent to rest and recover. While in Camp, pedometer shaking does not count toward the player's Distance. If the player has lost a battle and been injured, they are required to spend some time in Camp before they are able to proceed again. Being in Camp also replenishes Spirits Power.
 * Connect: Play multiplayer with compatible devices. There are two options.
 * VS. Battle: Initiate a battle with another device. The player is prompted to shake the D-Tector vigorously to charge up power for the battle, then the devices are connected together. One random Digimon is selected from the player's D-Dock to fight the opponent, and its strength is determined by a) the player's Level, and b) the amount of power chaged up by shaking the device.
 * Trade: Send ("Data In") and receive ("Data Out") Digimon with another D-Tector.

While viewing the first set of menu options, the player may toggle to the second set ("Digi-Commands", according to the manual) by pressing the Motion Sensor Button. They may toggle back to the first set by pressing the Motion Sensor Button Again.


 * Digi-Database: View the stats of the Digimon that the player has collected, sorted by level (Evolution Stage), as well as boss Digimon and other miscellaneous Digimon in the Enemy/Other category (depending on device version). From here, the player can also assign Digimon (excluding those in the Enemy/Other category) into their four D-Docks so that they can be summoned into battles.
 * Digi-Digits: Input Digi-Digits to add Digimon to one's Digi-Database (see below).
 * Game: Play a minigame, or practice use of the Motion Sensor in "Scanning Action". Version 1 only has "Scanning Action" (called "Practice"), and each of the other versions has its own minigame.
 * All versions: Practice/Scanning Action (input the D-Code for the attack the game asks for to break a treasure chest; if successful, the player may earn a new Digimon or an item)
 * Version 2: Speed Runner (a racing game)
 * Version 3: Bubble Wars (a vertical shooter game)
 * Version 4: Pipe Monsters (a whack-a-mole style game)
 * Digi-Searcher: Manually trigger an event to occur using the Motion Sensor on objects in the environment, such as television screens.

While on the home screen, the player may also press the B Button to review several key stats: current Distance and steps recorded, current multiplayer win statistics, current Spirits Power stat, and the D-Docks and Digimon who are assigned to them.

Motion Sensor
The top-right corner of the D-Tector is fitted with a Motion Sensor that is used for inputting "D-Code": binary sequences made up of two instances of sensed motions (e.g. waving one's hand) that are used to decide outcomes in battle. The Motion Sensor works by detecting changes in light levels: if the light levels change, e.g. by blocking the sensor with one's hand, that triggers the sensor and registers as an input (1). The LED to the right side of the screen lights up red when the device is awaiting a Motion Sensor input.

The process of inputting "D-Code" is as follows:


 * When prompted, hold down the Motion Sensor Button on the left side of the device.
 * The LED will light up to indicate that the device is waiting to begin receiving "D-Code". Trigger the Motion Sensor (1) once to begin.
 * The LED will then pulse on and off twice. Each of the two times the LED is on is an input window, where the device interprets the state of the Motion Sensor as the "D-Code" result; for each input window, the player may either trigger the Motion Sensor (1), or not trigger it (0).
 * After the second input window, the sequence ends. The device maps each combination of two inputs (1,1; 1,0; 0,1; 0,0) to particular outcomes.

Digi-Digits
Digi-Digits are five-letter/number codes that can be input into the D-Tector's Digi-Digits menu to automatically obtain Digimon. Each Digimon is associated with at least one Digi-Digit. Digi-Digits were distributed in two major ways:


 * The D-Tector Card Game was a TCG tie-in to the D-Tector, and single cards were frequently packaged with both D-Tectors and other Digimon Frontier toys. Every card listed its Digimon's Digi-Digits.
 * Digi-Digits are listed in the D-Spirit's Database entries for each Digimon.

Digi-Digits for Digimon who were added in later versions of the D-Tector will not work at all in earlier versions.

Certain Digimon (e.g. the Warrior Ten and Susanomon (Susanoomon)) are considered off-limits to obtain using Digi-Digits before a certain point, so if the player attempts to input the respective Digi-Digits, the Digimon will be briefly displayed, but will disappear.

Events
As the player walks, random events may be triggered, and the D-Tector will call out to do the event. Random events include:
 * A battle with an enemy Digimon.
 * Finding one of four items: Distance Reduction Digi-Chip (reduces current Distance), Distance Increase Digi-Chip (increases current Distance), Spirit Power Supplement (restores Spirits Power), Level Up Seed (increases the player's Level).
 * Data Storm: A storm sweeps away either the player or one or more allies, taking them away to some other place on the map. Nothing can be done to prevent an ally from being lost, but the player can attempt to evade being swept away by rapidly mashing the A Button.
 * Reuniting with an ally, who then rejoins the player's party.

Battle
When a battle begins, the player is presented with this main menu:
 * Battle Call: Summon a Digimon from one of the four D-Docks. This consumes Call Points, a stat that starts full at the start of every battle. This is done by inputting D-Code into the Motion Sensor. If there are no Digimon assigned to the D-Docks, or there is a D-Code input error, a dud Digimon is summoned to fight instead: Numemon in Versions 1 and 2, and Bokomon in Versions 3 and 4.
 * D-Dock 1: 1,1
 * D-Dock 2: 0,1
 * D-Dock 3: 1,0
 * D-Dock 4: 0,0
 * Spirit On: Spirit Evolve one of the children in the party into a Hybrid Digimon, using a Spirit currently in the player's possession. This is only permitted if the player has enough Spirits Power to spend on that Hybrid Digimon's attacks.
 * Digi-Digits: Summon a Digimon by inputting Digi-Digits (see below). Digimon who are summoned this way otherwise behave identically to Digimon summoned via Battle Call. This consumes Spirits Power.
 * Escape: Flee the battle.

In the D-Tector, there are three types of attack with a rock-paper-scissors relationship. Both D-Dock Digimon and Hybrid Digimon use these types of attack. In each round in battle, both combatant Digimon attack at once, and the outcome is decided by which type of attack each has used:


 * Energy: A generic blast of energy. It pierces through Ability attacks, but Crush attacks tank through it without harm.
 * Crush: A full-body tackle. It tanks through Energy attacks without injury to the user, but is vulnerable to being enveloped and overwhelmed by Ability attacks.
 * Ability: A massive wave of power, personal to the user. It envelops and overwhelms Crush attacks, but Energy attacks pierce through it and dissipate it.

Energy attacks always beat Ability attacks, Ability attacks always beat Crush attacks, and Crush attacks always beat Energy attacks. If two attacks of the same type are used at the same time, whichever attack is stronger (determined by the individual Digimons' stats for that attack) wins; if they have the same strength stat, they will cancel each other out and neither Digimon will take damage.

If the player selects to summon a Digimon using Battle Call, they are presented with this menu. After every turn fought with a Battle Call Digimon, the player's Spirits Power is slightly replenished.


 * Attack: Initiate an attack by inputting D-Code into the Motion Sensor when prompted. Each attack type is mapped to a D-Code input, as well as an option to let the device randomly select an attack type. However, it is possible for the Digimon to disobey and refuse to attack at all, if the player's Level is not high enough compared to the Digimon's own; if this happens, the Digimon takes damage from the enemy regardless. The attack can also fail if there is a D-Code input error.
 * Energy Attack: 1, 1
 * Crush Attack: 0, 1
 * Ability Attack: 1, 0
 * Random Attack: 0, 0
 * Digivolve: Consume 1-2 Call Points to attempt to digivolve (evolve) the Digimon. To do this, the player must have the evolved form registered in their Digi-Database as well. There is a chance that digivolution will fail, and the player may only attempt to digivolve their Digimon once per turn (attempting to digivolve, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, leaves Attack as the only option for the rest of that turn). Digivolution strictly follows pre-set, "canon" family lines (such as those seen in Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure 02, and Digimon Tamers); not all Digimon are given digivolution lines, and those who don't have any are unable to digivolve at all. Digivolution acts as a way to get around the Level restriction on obedience in battle; for example, if the player's Level is too low compared to Dinobeemon's, then a Dinobeemon who is evolved from a Stingmon is more likely to obey and attack than if the player had summoned Dinobeemon in the first place.
 * Deport: Have the Digimon exit the battle and return to the D-Dock. The player is then returned to the battle main menu, and can choose from Battle Call, Spirit On, Digi-Digits, and Escape again.

If the player selects to fight as a Hybrid Digimon using Spirit On, they are presented with this menu:
 * Attack: Initiate an attack. Unlike Battle Call Digimon, a Hybrid Digimon may freely select whichever of the three attack types they choose at any time. Attacking consumes Spirits Power, and once the amount of Spirits Power is too low to use that Digimon's attacks, they automatically devolve and return the player to the main battle menu.
 * Digi-Power: Using D-Code input into the Motion Sensor, select a Digimon from the D-Docks to share their power with the Hybrid Digimon in battle, boosting their attack power for one turn. This consumes Spirits Power.
 * Spirit Off: End the Spirit Evolved state and return to the main battle menu.
 * Escape: Flee the battle.

Press the C Button at any time while in the battle menus (except when going into a sub-menu like Digi-Digits, or attacking with a Hybrid) to check how much Spirits Power the player currently has.

If the player wins a battle against a generic enemy, there is a chance that the defeated enemy will be added to their Digi-Database and become playable. In Versions 1 and 2, if this chance is triggered, the process is automatic, but in Versions 3 and 4, the player is required to use the Motion Sensor Button to manually scan the enemy. When the player defeats a boss, they are added to the Enemy (Version 1)/Other (Versions 2-4) gallery in the Digi-Database; their stats can be viewed, but they cannot be used in battle. The player's Level may also increase when they win a battle.

If the player loses or escapes from a battle, their Distance toward their destination Area will always increase, and their Level may decrease. If they called a D-Dock Digimon via Battle Call, there is also a chance that the Digimon will be destroyed and removed from their Digi-Database (it can be returned by defeating and collecting it again, or by re-inputting its Digi-Digits). There is also a chance that the player will sustain an injury that stops any further steps from being counted until the player rests in the Camp.

Debug Menu
All D-Tector models can be rebooted into a hidden debug menu by holding down the A and B Buttons while pressing the Reset button. After doing this, the device will eventually boot to a black screen, which can open different functions depending on what buttons are pressed next:


 * A and B Buttons together: Enters a sprite and sound test mode, in which the player may a) scroll through all the Digimon neutral sprites in the game, b) scroll through all the unique Ability attack effects for each Digimon in the game, and c) play the device's sound effects and jingles. The controls for these test modes differ between versions.
 * C Button: Fades to a cross-shaded screen, then with a repeated press, a screen that lists the device's region and version number is displayed. Subsequent button presses cycle the device through a series of functionality tests: pedometer step count, Motion Sensor input, and connectivity with other devices. Pressing the C Button at the connectivity test screen starts a regular game from the beginning.

=Obtainable Digimon= As with other Bandai America/Asia merchandise and devices like the D-Terminal and D-Spirit, all Digimon in the D-Tector series list a three-digit ID number, roughly in chronological order of introduction from the English airing of Digimon Adventure onward; however, the way that the Digi-Database orders Digimon does not match this numerical order at all. All Digimon (except Bokomon and Susanomon (Susanoomon)) are also assigned one of the elements of the Warrior Ten.

The terminology used in the list of obtainable Digimon is the terminology known to be used on the D-Tector devices themselves (this includes the element of Steel, which the devices call "Gold"). Where they have been changed from the original Japanese, the original names for Digimon are listed in parentheses.

    

=Image Gallery=

=External Links=
 * File Island: The Complete Digimon Electronics Resource
 * Digital New Gate
 * Digimon D-Tector and D-Scanner Shells
 * Bandai Digimon D-Tector Digivice Gameplay Guide
 * Bandai Digimon D-Tector Ver.4 All Digimon