The first games in the Pokemon series, Pokemon Red/Blue, were all the (Dragon) rage in schoolyards through the latter half of the '90s. And its inevitable successors, Pokemon Gold/Silver improved considerably on the original games.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver are high-quality Nintendo DS makeovers of the original Pokemon Gold/Silver for the Game Boy. With updated graphics, features, and the PokeWalker accessory pack-in, these titles are guaranteed to snag fans and newcomers as neatly as a Pikachu run afoul of a Pokeball.
Developer: GameFreak
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E
Genre: Role-playing
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver are high-quality Nintendo DS makeovers of the original Pokemon Gold/Silver for the Game Boy. With updated graphics, features, and the PokeWalker accessory pack-in, these titles are guaranteed to snag fans and newcomers as neatly as a Pikachu run afoul of a Pokeball.
Developer: GameFreak
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E
Genre: Role-playing
The Basics: Gotta Catch 'em All, Of Course
In Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver, you're boy or a girl who's on a quest to become the ultimate Pokemon trainer. "Pokemon" is a general term for the fantastic wildlife that populates the imaginary Johto region, which is located adjacent from the first games' Kanto region. Pokemon can be caught by confronting them in the wild and ensnaring them with "Pokeballs."
Most Pokemon specialize in an element, which determines which attacks they learn as they grow. Every element has a weakness, effectively making every installment of Pokemon akin to the game "Paper, Rock, Scissors." Some types of Pokemon are exclusive to one version of a game over another, which is why new games in the series usually have two or three releases. The idea is to trade exclusive Pokemon with friends.
On your journey, you might be called upon to stop some shenanigans being baked up by the villainous Team Rocket, a group that cares not for the welfare of its Pokemon (that's bad). You'll battle with other trainers, and take on challenges from Gym Leaders, ladies and gents who specialize in Pokemon of a particular element. At the top, you'll challenge the very best: The Elite Four.
The heart of the Pokemon series is the thrill of the fight. The first games were made famous through Pokemon battles arranged over the Game Boy's primitive wire linkup. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver continues the grand tradition by letting friends battle their Pokemon locally, as well as over a Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver can link up with and import Pokemon from Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum.
Most Pokemon specialize in an element, which determines which attacks they learn as they grow. Every element has a weakness, effectively making every installment of Pokemon akin to the game "Paper, Rock, Scissors." Some types of Pokemon are exclusive to one version of a game over another, which is why new games in the series usually have two or three releases. The idea is to trade exclusive Pokemon with friends.
On your journey, you might be called upon to stop some shenanigans being baked up by the villainous Team Rocket, a group that cares not for the welfare of its Pokemon (that's bad). You'll battle with other trainers, and take on challenges from Gym Leaders, ladies and gents who specialize in Pokemon of a particular element. At the top, you'll challenge the very best: The Elite Four.
The heart of the Pokemon series is the thrill of the fight. The first games were made famous through Pokemon battles arranged over the Game Boy's primitive wire linkup. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver continues the grand tradition by letting friends battle their Pokemon locally, as well as over a Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver can link up with and import Pokemon from Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum.
Gameplay: Reruns Aren't Always Bad
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver is not a whole new Pokemon adventure. It's a Nintendo DS remake of Pokemon Gold/Silver, and much of what transpired ten years ago happens again. But Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver doesn't feel like a dated game with a fresh coat of paint, which says a lot for the longevity of its source material.
You are still responsible for the capture, care and training of your Pokemon. You travel from Gym to Gym to take on Leaders and earn Badges, which prove your worth and open new opportunities. The formula holds up remarkably well, thanks in part to the amount of thought and depth behind each Pokemon design. Each Pokemon can only remember four battle moves; it's up to you to decide what stays and goes. Over time, you realize that the moves you keep, the Pokemon you keep close to you, and your favorite battle strategies say a lot about the kind of person you are (deep, huh?).
And Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver does include revisions that streamline gameplay. The touch screen makes menu navigation a snap compared to the tedium of shuffling through menus with a d-pad. There's also the addition of the much talked-about PokeWalker accessory, a pedometer device that lets you import a Pokemon and walk along with you. On the road, you can find items and capture Pokemon. It's a quick and novel way to add to your stable.
You are still responsible for the capture, care and training of your Pokemon. You travel from Gym to Gym to take on Leaders and earn Badges, which prove your worth and open new opportunities. The formula holds up remarkably well, thanks in part to the amount of thought and depth behind each Pokemon design. Each Pokemon can only remember four battle moves; it's up to you to decide what stays and goes. Over time, you realize that the moves you keep, the Pokemon you keep close to you, and your favorite battle strategies say a lot about the kind of person you are (deep, huh?).
And Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver does include revisions that streamline gameplay. The touch screen makes menu navigation a snap compared to the tedium of shuffling through menus with a d-pad. There's also the addition of the much talked-about PokeWalker accessory, a pedometer device that lets you import a Pokemon and walk along with you. On the road, you can find items and capture Pokemon. It's a quick and novel way to add to your stable.
Graphics and Sound: Animate, Dang It!
The Pokemon series has a very distinct look to it that relies heavily on super-deformed sprites. In other words, everyone looks kind of squashed and cute, and even the Pokemon trend towards "adorable" versus "threatening." In many ways, this style is advantageous. Not only does it give Pokemon its own charm, but it also allows for the seamless exploration of a delightfully huge overworld. Even today, few games really manage to give you a comparative sense of rambling adventure.
However, the Pokemon you encounter on the road animate minimally. Pikachu is as cute as ever, but it'd be nice if he did more than slide back and forth when launching attacks.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver also lets your lead Pokemon follow you around as you travel, and each Pokemon has its own distinct sprite. You might be surprised as to how affectionate this little addition makes you feel towards your fuzzy soldiers.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver remixes classic Pokemon tunes. There's lots of great traveling music and energetic battle noises, though maybe not anything you'll hum in weeks to come.
However, the Pokemon you encounter on the road animate minimally. Pikachu is as cute as ever, but it'd be nice if he did more than slide back and forth when launching attacks.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver also lets your lead Pokemon follow you around as you travel, and each Pokemon has its own distinct sprite. You might be surprised as to how affectionate this little addition makes you feel towards your fuzzy soldiers.
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver remixes classic Pokemon tunes. There's lots of great traveling music and energetic battle noises, though maybe not anything you'll hum in weeks to come.
Conclusion: Pikachu, I Choose You
Pokemon Gold/Silver have long stood on their own merits as the best of the Pokemon franchise, and the additions in Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver make it worthwhile to experience the classics once again.
But Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver also looks and feels quite similar to Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, also for the Nintendo DS. If you've gone through either of those games recently and feel like you've had your fill of Pokemon for a while, HeartGold/SoulSilver won't offer you anything too exciting beyond a solid RPG experience.
For everybody else, there are hundreds of Pokemon lurking in the grass who want a good home. They just don't know it yet.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
But Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver also looks and feels quite similar to Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, also for the Nintendo DS. If you've gone through either of those games recently and feel like you've had your fill of Pokemon for a while, HeartGold/SoulSilver won't offer you anything too exciting beyond a solid RPG experience.
For everybody else, there are hundreds of Pokemon lurking in the grass who want a good home. They just don't know it yet.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
