Pushbutton traffic signals are installed at crosswalks around town. Using them, or not using them, can trigger special events. You can earn a reward if you regularly cross the street when the light is green, as you’re supposed to. But if you consistently ignore the signal (and Whisper’s warnings) and cross when the light is red, you will be punished. The punishment is a battle with a very powerful Yo-kai. You can also avoid crosswalks altogether to avoid their effects.
The “Good Kid Count”
The crosswalk system has a hidden counter built into it. Your “good kid count” starts at zero and increases by one every time a crossing is done correctly—that is, you push the crosswalk button and wait until the light turns green. The count decreases by one if the “Wait” signal is ignored and you cross the street against the red light. A reward event is triggered if the count reaches plus five, while a punishment event is triggered if it reaches minus five.
Count Reaches Plus Five
When you cross correctly, a bell sounds and a musical note appears overhead. Again, this increases your count by one. When the good kid counter hits five, a sparkle appears at your feet. Pick it up to get a random item reward.
A musical note appears overhead and you hear a “ding” when you use the crosswalk correctly.
Count Reaches Minus Five
When you cross incorrectly, you hear a “buzz.” This decreases your count by one. When the good kid counter reaches minus five, Snartle appears, ready to punish the little brat who refuses to follow the rules. Snartle has an A-level Strength rating and overwhelmingly high attack power, so early on you stand a small chance to win…and he gains strength as the story progresses! If you do manage to beat him, there’s a chance that he’ll join you.
Snartle strikes with a 3-hit normal attack called Lightning Slash. He also has a nasty 10-hit Soultimate Move called For Naughty Brats. Snartle’s skill drastically raises his STR when he downs a Yo-kai.