Twenty-five years after their release, Gold, Silver and Crystal can still be played in two official ways: on the original cartridges, or on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. Here is what you need to know for each, and how to bring your Pokémon all the way to the present day.
On Game Boy Color
The original cartridges work on the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP (Gold and Silver also on the original Game Boy, in black and white). It is the only way to enjoy Mystery Gift by infrared, on Game Boy Color only.
On the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Gold and Silver came out on the Virtual Console in September 2017, Crystal in January 2018. These versions replace the Link Cable with local wireless (trades and battles between two 3DS systems) and, in Crystal, enable the GS Ball and Celebi event.
The 3DS Nintendo eShop closed to purchases in March 2023: you can no longer buy these games, but those who own them can still download them again and play them.
Sending your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME
Pokémon from the Virtual Console versions can join the modern games:
- Place the Pokémon to transfer in Box 1 of Bill’s PC, in your Virtual Console game.
- Launch Poké Transporter on the 3DS: it sends the contents of Box 1 to Pokémon Bank.
- From Pokémon Bank, transfer your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME, from where they can join compatible games on Nintendo Switch.
And on Nintendo Switch?
As of now (October 2026), Gold, Silver and Crystal are not available on Nintendo Switch. The HeartGold and SoulSilver remake remains a Nintendo DS game: our page on the remake tells you everything.
