Pokemon SoulSilver Version

Pokémon HeartGold Version^[b] and Pokémon SoulSilver Version^[c] are 2009 remakes of the 1999 Game Boy Color role-playing video games Pokémon Gold and Silver, also including features from Pokémon Crystal. The games are part of the fourth generation of the Pokémon video game series and were developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Gold and Silver, the games were released in Japan on September 12, 2009, and were later released in other regions during March 2010.

HeartGold and SoulSilver take place in the Johto and Kanto region of the franchise’s fictional universe, which features special creatures called Pokémon. The basic goal of the game is to become the best Pokémon trainer in both the Johto and Kanto regions, which is done by raising and cataloging Pokémon and defeating other trainers.

Gameplay – Pokemon SoulSilver Version

See also: Gameplay of Pokémon and Pokémon Gold and Silver § Gameplay

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are role-playing video games with adventure elements. The basic mechanics of the games are largely the same as their predecessors’. As with all Pokémon games for handheld consoles, gameplay is viewed from a third-person overhead perspective, and consists of three basic screens: a field map, in which the player navigates the main character; a battle screen; and the menu, in which the player configures their party, items, or gameplay settings. The player begins the game with one Pokémon and can capture more using Poké Balls.^[2]

New features – Pokemon SoulSilver Version

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the first Pokémon in the player’s party can follow them in the overworld, echoing a mechanic in Pokémon Yellow where Pikachu follows the player. This mechanic was also used in a limited fashion in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum when the player is in Amity Park with a “cute” Pokémon. The player may talk to the Pokémon to see or check on how that Pokémon is feeling, and occasionally it may pick up items.^[3]

Setting and story – Pokemon SoulSilver Version

See also: Pokémon Gold and Silver § Plot

Similar to Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver take place in the Johto and Kanto regions of the franchise’s fictional universe. The universe centers on the existence of creatures, called Pokémon, with special abilities. The silent protagonist is a young Pokémon trainer who lives in a small town referred to as New Bark Town. At the beginning of the games, the player chooses either a Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile as their starter Pokémon from Professor Elm. After performing a delivery for the professor and obtaining a Pokédex from Professor Oak, he decides to let the player keep the Pokémon and start them on a journey.

Development – Pokemon SoulSilver Version

HeartGold and SoulSilver were released in 2009, ten years after Gold and Silver‘s initial release for the Game Boy Color. Shigeki Morimoto, the games’ director, commented on the development of the remakes: “The first thing that I knew I needed to bear in mind was to respect the feelings of those people who’d played Gold and Silver ten years before. I think that players have very strong memories of the game, so they’d think things like ‘Ah, this trainer is still strong’ and ‘If I do this here, this is going to happen’.

Critical response – Pokemon SoulSilver Version

Publication	Score
1Up.com	A−[26]
Eurogamer	9/10[27]
Famitsu	37/40[28]
Game Informer	8.5/10[29]
GamePro	(HeartGold)[30]
GameSpot	8.0/10 (HeartGold)[31]
GameZone	9/10 (HeartGold)[32]
IGN	8.5/10 (HeartGold)[33]
Nintendo Power	9.5/10
Official Nintendo Magazine	94%[34]
VideoGamer.com	9/10 (HeartGold)[35]

The games’ reception has been positive, holding an aggregate score of 87 on Metacritic. The titles are among the top 20 rated DS games on the site.^[36]