Ten years after Gold and Silver, Game Freak returned to Johto on the Nintendo DS. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver retell the original adventure with fourth-generation graphics and mechanics, plus a host of new ideas. For many fans, it is the perfect remake.

The complete remake guide: review, walkthrough, Kanto and Red, Pokéathlon, Pokéwalker, legendaries and FAQ, in our Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver guide.

The essentials

  • Release: September 12, 2009 in Japan, March 26, 2010 in France, on Nintendo DS.
  • In the box: the Pokéwalker, a Poké Ball-shaped pedometer that communicates with the game card by infrared.
  • The same journey: Johto, then Kanto, sixteen Badges, and Red at the top of Mt. Silver.

The big new features

Iconic

The Pokémon that follows you

The first Pokémon in your party walks behind you, reacts to its surroundings and talks to you when you turn around.

Accessory

The Pokéwalker

Take a Pokémon for a walk in your pocket: it gains experience, and you find items and Pokémon as you walk.

New

The Pokéathlon

Stylus-based sporting events near the National Park, where your Pokémon compete on their aptitudes rather than in battle.

  • The Battle Frontier, west of Olivine City, with five battle facilities.
  • Johto’s Safari Zone, west of Cianwood City, which you can customize.
  • Gym Leaders that you can call and rebattle using the PokéGear.
  • The Kimono Girls, Suicune and Eusine take on a role close to the one in Crystal, with an enriched story around the Ecruteak City towers.
  • Professor Oak gives you one of the Kanto starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle) after you defeat Red.

What changes from the original

The mechanics are those of the fourth generation: Abilities, Natures, the physical and special split by move, and new Sinnoh Pokémon available after the main adventure. Wild encounters, trainers and some Gym Leader teams have been revamped, and several locations cut from Kanto are restored, such as Viridian Forest and Cerulean Cave.

Why we love them

HeartGold and SoulSilver are often cited among the best games in the series. They keep the generosity of the original, its two regions and its legendary finale, and add the warmth of a Pokémon that accompanies you every step of the way. If you only know Johto from the Game Boy versions, the journey is worth taking again.