Pokémon X & Y vs. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver: Full Comparison

The hardest part about choosing which Pokemon game to play next is knowing their subtle differences. These changes can range from large deviations in the formula to next to no mechanical alterations at all. This article will compare two of the most iconic titles in the franchise, X/Y and HeartGold/SoulSilver. By the end, you’ll understand which Pokemon game is right for you and know how they differ from one another.

Games

Pokemon X/Y were the first games in the franchise to be featured on the 3DS. Released in 2013, the combined sales totaled over 16 million copies worldwide. It became the second best-selling game on the 3DS, right behind Mario Kart 7. The first Pokemon game on the most advanced system at the time allowed the games to introduce new mechanics and upgrade graphics.

HeartGold/SoulSilver remade Gold/Silver, originally released in 2000. The remakes were featured on the Nintendo DS and are seen as some of the greatest games in the franchise. After their release in 2010, the games sold over 12 million copies worldwide, almost half of what the originals sold.

Regions 

The second region created and introduced into the Pokemon series was Johto. The area is a neighbor to Kanto, the previous region in Red/Blue/Green. Johto is more rural and has more water than Kanto. It is one of the smallest regions in the franchise but offers a unique mechanic.

Due to its location, players can travel to Kanto post-game and battle Trainers while exploring the region. The changes and alterations in some areas help create the feeling of a growing and dynamic world.

X/Y introduces players to the Kalos region for the first time, an area inspired by France. The devs chose the country due to its association with beauty, which fit the theme for the two games. A large network of rivers snakes throughout the area and cities. 

To the east, a large mountain range exists with extreme temperatures. West, players can find a large ocean and Shalour City. Population-wise, Kalos is the largest region in the series, with over 1,200 residents.  

Features

Pokemon X/Y introduced many new features while also including some popular older ones. Its release on the 3DS meant that the games could implement bigger mechanics. 

• The game features 3D models for characters, creatures, and buildings. This is unlike past titles that were 2D or 2.5D and used character sprites for Pokemon.
• They implemented eight-directional walking, adding more movement to the typically four-dimensional grid.
• 72 new Pokemon were added, bringing the total number of Pokemon to 721. Kalos has the largest regional Pokedex with 457 catchable Pokemon. 
• The Player Search System (PSS) allows players to battle, trade, and connect through the internet. Players can find other Trainers locally or around the world.
• Trainers can interact with their Pokemon more through Pokemon-Amie. Feeding or petting your Pokemon builds a strong bond. 
• Flying Pokemon that use Levitate can compete in Sky Battles.
• In Horde Battles, players can fight several wild Pokemon simultaneously, which offers more challenge and experience.
• Fairy-Type Pokemon were created to balance out strong Dragon-Types. 
• Mega Evolutions allow Pokemon to gain an increase in stats and power during battle. 
• Players can change their appearance in-game instead of having a pre-selected character. 

The overall plot and story in HeartGold/SoulSilver are basically the same as the original titles. However, the remakes made some key differences and updates due to how far the series had come by release time. 

• All 493 Pokemon are capable of following players. Shininess and form differences are visible when a Pokemon is following the player.
• The five Kimono Girls from the Dance Theater in Ecruteak City have key roles in the story and will battle the player after receiving the Master Ball. 
• Apricorns make a return along with their respective Poke Balls.
• Players can catch Legendary Pokemon from other regions.
• The male character received a redesign and is now called Ethan. A new female character, Lyra, replaces Kris.
• New puzzles and animated battle sprites were included. 
• The move itself, rather than Type, now determines physical and special moves.
• The Regional Pokemon, which previously required transfer from Generation I, are now available in-game.

Gym Battles

Each game has the standard eight Gym Leader Battles, Elite Four, and the final battle with the Pokemon Champion. The most notable difference is that in X/Y, players can battle the Elite Four in any order, a feature first introduced in Black/White. X/Y also includes Exp. Share that is obtained after the first Gym Battle. Players can toggle this feature on and off, depending on whether they want to grind levels.

Pokemon

Every Pokemon from the original Gold/Silver returns in HG/SS with updated visuals and animations. Gold/Silver introduced 100 new Pokemon to the series. X/Y has the largest regional Pokedex in the franchise and added over 70 new Pokemon. 

We only included the new Pokemon added to these games for this list, as some Pokemon from previous Generations appear in-game. You can also get previous Pokemon from trading.

HeartGold/SoulSilver Pokemon

X/Y Pokemon