When in the core series games do the left/right bumpers do anything?

Question

The only things I know they can do is soft reset on some systems and maybe show hints when looking at summary screens in FRLG.

Comments

In Virtual Console Red/Blue, if you hold L and R, a thing that will let you switch between monochromatic colors and the yellowish-green color will pop up.

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there is a button mode in options that makes L act as A.

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also, they switch boxes in pc (you might need to be on box name)

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my answer... has been turned into a question!    coolio

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I know that in generation 7, when battling, you can select a move while holding down the L bumper to view the effect/description of the move (power, accuracy, etc).

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Converted to a comment because it has useful information but isn't a complete answer.

Answer 1

I'm not positive that I got all of them, but I'm sure that this is most of them. The only game that I personally tested was Ultra Sun, but I can test any of the other games if someone requests me to do more.

R/B (Virtual Console):
If you hold L + R, a little icon will pop up that will, when showing, allow you to switch between a monochromatic colored screen and a yellowish-green colored screen by pressing Y. (not positive that Y is the button you press, but I'm fairly certain.)

R/S/E:
If the button mode is set to LR, pressing L and R allows you to switch bag pockets and storage boxes. Not sure if it allows you to switch between any other screens.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.

FR/LG:
Holding L + R (both in and outside of battle) displays the help menu if the button mode is set to help.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.

D/P/Pt:
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.
Pressing L in the PC will cause you to go left one box, while pressing R will cause you to go right one box.

HG/SS:
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.

B/W:
If L is held while selecting a move, the move's info will be brought up.

B2/W2:
While using the Pokedex, pressing L will jump to the top, while pressing R will jump to the bottom.
While using the bag, pressing L will jump up six items, while pressing R will jump down six items.
Pressing L while using the PC will cause you to go left one box, while pressing R will cause you to go right one box.

X/Y:
You can block shots during Super Training by pressing L.
Pressing L will cycle left the Player Search System, Pokémon-Amie, and Super Training, while pressing R will cycle right.
Pressing L while using the PC will cause you to go left one box, while pressing R will cause you to go right one box.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.

OR/AS:
You can block shots during Super Training by pressing L.
Pressing L will cycle left the Player Search System, Pokémon-Amie, and Super Training, while pressing R will cycle right.
Pressing L while using the PC will cause you to go left one box, while pressing R will cause you to go right one box.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.

S/M:
In spots where you can use the PokeFinder, pressing R will activate it.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.
If L is held while selecting a move, the move's info will be brought up.
While using the bag, pressing L will jump up six items, while pressing R will jump down six items.
Pressing L while using the PC will cause you to go left one box, while pressing R will cause you to go right one box.
While viewing a Pokemon in the Pokedex, in the "Appearance/Cry" section, pressing L zooms in on the Pokemon and pressing R zooms out.
Pressing and holding R while the QR scanner is open will cause the cameras to start searching for QR codes.
Pressing R will go to the next page of something, and pressing L will go to the previous page of something. These things include:

• Your trainer passport
• PC boxes
• The instructions, directions, or anything of that sort of something. (for example, when first opening the photo album)
• The location of a Pokemon in the Pokedex (pressing R will go to the next registered Pokemon, pressing L will go to the previous registered Pokemon)
• The menu that is opened with X.
• A Pokemon's summary
  (I only tested the last four in Ultra Sun, but I'm nearly certain that this is also true for Sun and Moon. If anybody wants me to test in Sun just to make sure, I'd be happy to.)

US/UM:
In spots where you can use the PokeFinder, pressing R will activate it.
If the button mode is set to L=A, then pressing the L button has the same function as pressing the A button.
If L is held while selecting a move, the move's info will be brought up.
While using the bag, pressing L will jump up six items, while pressing R will jump down six items.
While viewing a Pokemon in the Pokedex, in the "Appearance/Cry" section, pressing L zooms in on the Pokemon and pressing R zooms out.
Pressing and holding R while the QR scanner is open will cause the cameras to start searching for QR codes.
Pressing R will go to the next page of something, and pressing L will go to the previous page of something. These things include:

• Your trainer passport
• PC boxes
• The instructions, directions, or anything of that sort of something. (for example, when first opening the photo album)
• The location of a Pokemon in the Pokedex (pressing R will go to the next registered Pokemon, pressing L will go to the previous registered Pokemon)
• The menu that is opened with X.
• A Pokemon's summary

Sources: This, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, and this.