User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1081 Ratings

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  1. Sep 8, 2023
    8
    A proper remake of one of the better entries in the series, adding the extra complexity of the DS Era and building on an already solid foundation. HeartGold and its sister game SoulSilver, released on the 10th anniversary of their predecessors, Gold and Silver, marking the golden age of Game Freak and the Pokémon main series as a whole. The scope of the originals is very expansive and theA proper remake of one of the better entries in the series, adding the extra complexity of the DS Era and building on an already solid foundation. HeartGold and its sister game SoulSilver, released on the 10th anniversary of their predecessors, Gold and Silver, marking the golden age of Game Freak and the Pokémon main series as a whole. The scope of the originals is very expansive and the dedication put into this remake should be the standard for the industry.

    The game takes everything good about the old entries and furthers it with some fourth generation enhancements. The Johto and later Kanto regions feel refreshed with updated graphics, making them feel more akin to the prior fourth gen games, Diamond and Pearl. The addition of a safari zone is welcome considering the original versions of Gold and Silver severely lacked a variety of Pokémon to catch, especially in the early stages of the game. While the soundtrack is considerably better than anything modern Pokémon has to offer, it remains quite forgettable in comparison to some of the more popular entries. The battles received a solid overhaul with the addition of the Physical/Special split, and, although panned for the steep level curve later in the Kanto region, a solid challenge makes succeeding in battle feel all the more satisfying. This is topped off by some quality of life features, the most notable of which being the first Pokémon in your party following alongside you, making you feel as though you are playing a character straight out of the anime. Paired with the Pokéwalker, Game Freaks iteration of the tamagotchi craze, this feature proves to be an excellent extension of the Pokémon I.P. that would have been a solid foundation for Pokémon Go to build off of.

    Designs received a major update, and some of the more prominent Pokémon in the series belong to the ancestor games. Fan favourites like Typhlosion and Tyranitar, introduced in the 2nd generation line-up, and additional Pokémon from the 4th generation are present as well. The legendaries are some of the better designs in the series, and the box legendaries Ho-Oh and Lugia are truly iconic.

    Overall, the decision to remake some of the most expansive games in the series and Game Freaks ability to add to it while keeping the original feeling of it’s ancestors makes this an experience worth taking your time to dive into. It’s minor grievances, mostly being the level curve of the games second region, actually benefit it in the form of providing an extra challenge to an otherwise easy endeavour. The game is far from the best of Pokémon’s offerings, but has more than enough going for it already.
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  2. Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  3. Sep 8, 2023
    8
    This is exactly what people want from Pokémon.
  4. Sep 5, 2023
    10
    Jeu tout simplement colossal après un pokemon platine on reprend toute les bonne idée et on en rajoute, la difficulté est très bien mesuré et les fonctionnalité dopé l'ajout du pokéwalker donne un prolongement du jeu en effet même quand on n'a pas de ds a la main on reste quand même attaché a l'univers en se baladant avec son pokemon façon tamagotchi
  5. Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! phv
  6. Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Es muy buen remake por no decir el mejor pero tiene fallos como por ejemplo la pokedex o el tener que usar caramelos para que la experiencia sea mas disfrutable
  7. May 30, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. HeartGold is the G.O.A.T. of every Pokémon game (originals and remakes)
    Maybe not flawless (due to certain opponents who have Pokémon with annoying movesets) but a great game that everyone should try.
    Expand
  8. May 5, 2023
    9
    Greatest remake of the franchise, i still feel Johto uncomplete and Kanto so empty but both together are great, technically the best post-game out of any Pokémon game.
  9. Apr 29, 2023
    9
    It is undoubtedly the best pokemon game that has been created, it is simply fun with the 2 generations and it is fun after finishing the game since it has a very good postgame since the game knows how to perfectly introduce the adventure sensation and of new challenges making the game very replayable and feeling like a very complete game that is worth trying
  10. Apr 20, 2023
    10
    Best pokemon game with last battle and musics the only thing, game is very easy except postgame
  11. Jan 7, 2023
    8
    I have never loved Pokemon games, but I enjoyed this game a good amount. I think the game is still bogged down by some frustrating mechanics (I have always hated the random encounters), but generally the moment to moment gameplay is pretty fun. The map is pretty solid and the visuals are also pleasant to look at. I don’t think I would replay the game again unless I did a nuzlocke or someI have never loved Pokemon games, but I enjoyed this game a good amount. I think the game is still bogged down by some frustrating mechanics (I have always hated the random encounters), but generally the moment to moment gameplay is pretty fun. The map is pretty solid and the visuals are also pleasant to look at. I don’t think I would replay the game again unless I did a nuzlocke or some other challenge like that, but overall I enjoyed the game. Expand
  12. Dec 28, 2022
    10
    One of the best pokemon games of all time. The graphics are great, the gameplay is really good. This remaster is so good that a remaster of this remaster seems like a really good idea.
  13. Nov 21, 2022
    10
    The best video game remake of all time.

    Everything about the already phenomenal Johto games is cranked up to 11 with lots of new content and QoL from gens 3 and 4. The visuals aged beautifully and the Pokemon sprites, both in battle and on the overworld, have lots of soul. HGSS added 2 new starter choices, Hoenn legendaries, events with mythical Pokemon, and a Safari Zone unlike
    The best video game remake of all time.

    Everything about the already phenomenal Johto games is cranked up to 11 with lots of new content and QoL from gens 3 and 4. The visuals aged beautifully and the Pokemon sprites, both in battle and on the overworld, have lots of soul.

    HGSS added 2 new starter choices, Hoenn legendaries, events with mythical Pokemon, and a Safari Zone unlike anything else in Pokemon. Beyond that, there are gym leader rematches, revamped elite 4 rematches, and much more.

    Play these games if you have the chance.
    Expand
  14. Nov 7, 2022
    8
    Me sigo quedando con los originales, de la misma forma que me pasó con los remake de la 3a generación. Soy un nostálgico.
  15. Oct 6, 2022
    10
    (10/10) - It was the first Pokemon game I've ever played and is easily the best Pokemon game to ever release. It also has one of the greatest soundtracks ever.
  16. Sep 3, 2022
    8
    Johto has one of the worst level scaling in pokemon and most of the best pokemon are trade evolutions and the whirl islands suck

    Still one of my favorite pokemon games, amazing experience.
  17. Jul 8, 2022
    9
    Excellent remake and improves in almost every way off the original. Pokemon Heartgold is a whole game and then a whole new game right after.
  18. Mar 18, 2022
    10
    This game is a great remake! You get extra Pokemon, easier way to obtain them and the gyms were hard. I love post game, you get the entirety generation 1, and extra content. Shiny hunting is easier to obtain and safari zone makes it easy to catch the hard Pokemon to catch.
  19. Mar 1, 2022
    10
    Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver are the definitions of the perfect Pokemon game. Having a massive national dex, two regions to explore, fixes to physical/special attacks, new typings and a story you can’t get attached too. This was all followed up by the Generation 4’s mesmerising soundtrack which can be played in the 8-bit tone of a Gameboy Colour. These games are truely masterpieces!
  20. Mar 1, 2022
    10
    Best pkm game ever best pkm game ever
    Best pkm game ever best pkm game ever
    Best pkm game ever best pkm game ever
  21. Feb 27, 2022
    10
    The best Pokemon game ever created. Graphics, innovative game systems, incredible events and full of history never seen before. The only flaw: it ends
  22. Feb 15, 2022
    9
    The beautiful, fun, definitive experience of the back then definitive pokemon game. It is just a little slow in battle.
  23. Jan 30, 2022
    10
    to this day the best and most feature complete games in the entire franchise.
  24. Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are objectively the best games in the series, and anyone who disagrees is wrong, plain and simple. People can nitpick these games and tear them apart over their few miniscule flaws, but at the end of the day, it's just that- nitpicking. The positives far outweigh the negatives here, from the gorgeous 2.5D graphics, to the sheer amount of content packed intoPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are objectively the best games in the series, and anyone who disagrees is wrong, plain and simple. People can nitpick these games and tear them apart over their few miniscule flaws, but at the end of the day, it's just that- nitpicking. The positives far outweigh the negatives here, from the gorgeous 2.5D graphics, to the sheer amount of content packed into the cartridges. There's no argument to be had. Everything that came before and after HeartGold and SoulSilver pales in comparison. Expand
  25. Dec 4, 2021
    10
    perfect game. easily one the best pokemon games of all time, and is definitely the best remake. they actually did more than the bare minimum, unlike some really bad gen 4 remakes that came out recently.
  26. Nov 21, 2021
    9
    Simply put ,this game is a masterpiece for Pokemon. The original content was left intact as well as elements from Crystal version - and a ton of new features brought to the table. The towns are lovingly remade and made more distinct, the remixes are interesting new takes on the songs, and the game is jam packed; With 16 gyms, rematches, battle frontier, and side activities like theSimply put ,this game is a masterpiece for Pokemon. The original content was left intact as well as elements from Crystal version - and a ton of new features brought to the table. The towns are lovingly remade and made more distinct, the remixes are interesting new takes on the songs, and the game is jam packed; With 16 gyms, rematches, battle frontier, and side activities like the pokeathlon which has a surprising amount of effort put into it.
    The game also comes with a pokewalker accesory to give you something to do even when not playing. There's just so much to do, and it's hard to fault the games outside of the weirdly low level curve which was a flaw of the originals. The postgame and side content more than makes up for that in my opinion though. So much better than the remakes we get today.
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  27. Oct 9, 2021
    10
    Despues de muchos años logre jugar a este clasico en mi 3ds y la verdad es el mejor remake de un juego de pokemon, muchisimo detalle y agregados, una obra maestra.
  28. Jun 8, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is my personal favorite Pokémon game. That final battle with the Elite Four though. One time I stayed up until six in the morning trying to beat them. My battle with the final boss, Lance, lasted almost 30 min before I eventually lost. That aside, this game is a true gem. Expand
  29. May 29, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. un JUEGAZO increíble primero de todo es el juego mejor ambientado su ambientación japonesa es increíble aparte de eso tiene una muy buena historia ya que nos dan a un team rocket al borde de la disolución están tan perdidos que no respetan las intenciones originales del team rocket tenemos al mejor personaje de pokemon junto a N silver un personaje con un desarrollo excelente y la pelea final contra red uffffff increíble después la dificultad es bastante buena aunque tiene una subida de niveles muy brusca en fin es un juegazo Expand
  30. May 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O melhor jogo de Pokémon que eu já joguei, a batalha contra o Red é épica!!! Expand

Awards & Rankings

3
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
3
#3 Most Shared DS Game of 2010
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. It may not be too revolutionary but this is by far the biggest, most packed Pokemon yet. [Mar 2010, p.67]
  2. Games Master UK
    88
    It's still the Pokemon you know and love - and handheld entertainment of the highest order. [Apr 2010, p.78]
  3. Nintendo Gamer
    88
    The Pokemon formula stays unchanged, but Gold and Silver remain our favourites. Essential for Johto newcomers and veterans. [Mar 2010, p.94]