Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (NDS)

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Category: Role-Playing

Release Dates

N Amer - 03/14/2010

Pokémon HeartGold Version and SoulSilver Version (ポケットモンスター ハートゴールド・ソウルシルバーPoketto Monsutā Hātogōrudo Sōrushirubā^?, "Pocket Monsters: HeartGold & SoulSilver) are enhanced remakes of the 1999 video games, Pokémon Gold and Silver. The games are members of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. First released in Japan on September 12, 2009, the games were later released to North America, Australia, and Europe during March 2010.

HeartGold and SoulSilver were commercially successful in Japan, selling over 2 million units within the first six weeks of their release. Initial reception to the game has been positive.

Gameplay

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are role-playing video games withadventure elements. The basic mechanics of the games are largely the same as their predecessors'. As with all Pokémon games for hand-held consoles, gameplay is in 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 his party, items, or gameplay settings. The player begins the game with one Pokémon, and can capture more using Poké Balls. The player can also use his or her Pokémon to battle other Pokémon.

When the player encounters a wild Pokémon or is challenged by a trainer to a battle, the screen switches to a turn-based battle screen where the Pokémon fight. During battle, the player may fight, use an item, switch the active Pokémon, or flee (the last is not an option in battles against trainers). All Pokémon have hit points (HP); when a Pokémon's HP is reduced to zero, it faints and cannot battle unless taken to a Pokémon Center and healed or revived with a Pokémon skill or item. If the player's Pokémon defeats the opposing Pokémon (causes it to faint), it receives experience points. After accumulating enough experience points, it may level up; most Pokémon evolve into a new species of Pokémon when they reach a certain level, or when certain conditions are met (commonly, how much a Pokémon statistically 'likes' its trainer).