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Pokmon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version Review for Nintendo DS

Pokmon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version Review for Nintendo DS

This Rerelease is… Super-Effective!

Though Pokémon Blue, Red, and Yellow are the titles that introduced the world to Pokémon, the second generation of games, Gold and Silver for the GameBoy Color (GBC), are generally credited with making the series the blockbuster it is today. With expanded gameplay options and more Pokémon than ever, the original Gold and Silver really turned the game franchise into a phenomenon. Capitalizing on both the success of the recent Diamond and Pearl titles, as well as the nostalgia associated with the Silver and Gold series, Nintendo has remade these iconic entries in the series and optimized them for the DS as Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version screenshot

At its base level, the gameplay in HeartGold and SoulSilver is exactly the same as it was in its original GBC form. You can play as either a female or male Pokémon trainer who sets out on a journey to conquer the gyms of the Johto region. The story is paper-thin, but then again plotlines never were the strong suit of the Pokémon franchise, were they? No, the real fun in both the original titles and the remakes comes from the wide world to explore and the addictive battle system. Oh, and those cute little Pokémon. Naturally, HeartGold and SoulSilver have all of these elements in spades.

What makes these titles worth the re-purchase? First of all, the game looks much better on the DS. Although you may have fond memories of the original Gold/Silver on the GameBoy Color, much has changed in the ten years since the game’s original release, and a visual overhaul was necessary to bring the game up to par with what we’ve come to expect from the Nintendo DS. Although the game still uses a sprite-based system, the pixels are much smaller and there is much more detail in the remade versions. The slide animations have also been made a lot smoother. The game’s look is on par with Diamond/Pearl, and though Johto may look a little different as a result, it is nice to have such a classic title brought into the modern age so well.

Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version screenshot

In addition to the look of the game, there have also been some new modes added to the game. As you might expect, the most substantial of these is an online component. Although you have to complete a substantial portion of the game before you gain access to it, the Wi-Fi plaza that first debuted in the Diamond/Pearl titles is part of HeartGold/SoulSilver. Of course, you will need those pesky friend codes to use the Wi-Fi connection, but as long as you know a few friends, you can battle and trade Pokémon with friends online. This feature is a great addition, and gives the HeartGold and SoulSilver titles a huge advantage over their GBC predecessors.

If you aren’t exactly exhilarated by online play, however, HeartGold/SoulSilver also have some extra offline content in the form of mini-games. Though more mini-games included on a game for a Nintendo console may elicit a groan or two, these mini-games are actually fun and recall the old Battle Stadium series on the Nintendo 64.

Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version screenshot

Of course, the one component of the game that fans are probably most excited for is the Poké-Walker accessory. This accessory is a pedometer that is like the old Pokémon Pikachu pedometer. However, instead of just playing mini-games and training just one Pokémon, the Poké-Walker allows you to transfer any Pokémon you want from HeartGold or SoulSilver and level it up, just by walking. This is a great accessory, and gives you a whole new way to interact with the game.

Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver Version screenshot

Getting outside and walking around is also a great alternative to grinding low-level areas with new Pokémon, and low-level Pokémon can easily gain three or four levels just after a half-hour walk. Of course, using the Poké-Walker isn’t very practical at high levels, but it is still fun to use early-on. It is important to note, however, that the Poké-Walker is in no way essential to the game. If you are planning to buy the game used or rent it and are worried about losing out on some of the experience, don’t be. Although it is a nice leveling shortcut, the game never forces you to use it, and the in-game experience will be exactly the same whether you use the Poké-Walker or not.

In addition to all these features, HeartGold and SoulSilver also help those who are still working on their Pokédex in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Pokémon that are exclusive to Gold/Silver can now be transferred to other DS-based Pokémon games, and you can also transfer Pokémon from the LeafGreen and FireRed GBA titles (as long as you have a DS Phat or DS Lite). This makes HeartGold and SoulSilver a “missing link” and help completionists fill in any holes in their collection. However, like the original Gold/Silver, there are some differences between the Pokémon available in each version. For instance, Mantine, Phanphy, and Claydol are only available in HeartGold, while Meowth, Persian, and Teddiursa are exclusive to SoulSilver.

It’s easy to balk at these rereleases as a “cash-in” attempt by Nintendo, but before you give in to your cynicism, know that HeartGold and SoulSilver have been completely redone. Everything from the look of the game to the addition of new gameplay modes make HeartGold and SoulSilver a must-buy for Nintendo fans. Although the Poké-walker accessory isn’t absolutely essential to the game, it is a nice addition and gives players a whole new way to interact with Pokémon. If you have never played a Pokémon game before, HeartGold/SoulSiver is a great place to start, as it represents (arguably) the best in the series. However, if you are a longtime fan, there is enough new content in this rerelease to merit a repurchase. Between the updated graphics and the bonus mini-games (not to mention the new online features), there are plenty of new things to experience in HeartGold and SoulSilver; it is a must-buy for fans.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.0 Graphics
The sprite-based graphics and slide-style animations aren’t the most technically advanced, but they look clean and polished and bring the Gold/Silver series up to date visually with Pearl/Diamond 4.0 Control
You can control this title with buttons only or via the touch-screen. Either way is simple and effective. 3.3 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Simple tunes and sound effects certainly have retro value, but they can be grating if listened to for too long. 3.7

Play Value
Although the gyms and Johto region remain unaltered, the game has plenty of new features to make the experience feel fresh for even the most seasoned Pokémon trainer.

3.9 Overall Rating – Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Letting players return to the beloved Johto region first introduced in Pokémon Gold Version and Silver Version for the portable Game Boy system, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions introduce several new enhancements for the series that enrich these timeless adventures.
  • Created exclusively for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems, the games feature detailed graphics that spotlight the unique environments and hundreds of Pokémon that players can encounter and catch.
  • Players can even see and interact with their favorite Pokémon outside of battle, selecting one from their team to follow behind their Trainer as they travel through the Johto region.
  • The games also include robust touch-screen functionality, allowing for smoother control and seamless navigation by the player.

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