Gaming

Pokémon HeartGold: catching ’em all, for the second time

The Pokémon series hasn't changed a whole lot over the years, and the most …

Andrew Webster – Mar 21, 2010 10:00 pm | 27

Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver may be a remake of a decade-old GameBoy Color game, but it’s pretty striking just how similar it feels when compared to the most recent entries in the series. With a few minor updates and tweaks, Nintendo has been able to update this classic and make it feel like a more modern entry in the venerable franchise as opposed to a step back. This not only gives it some added appeal for players who already played through the game 10 years ago, but it also means that it won’t feel like an archaic experience for those who were weaned on the monster catching series’ more recent Nintendo DS entries.

Like an old pair of slippers

The setup of HeartGold is exactly the same as in every other main entry in the franchise: you play as a young boy or girl who sets out on a long journey to become a Pokémon champion. And, as always, you have three main goals. You will need to fill out your pokedex by finding as many Pokémon as you can, you’ll attempt to become a league champion by earning badges and defeating gym leaders, and you’ll have to deal with an enemy to Pokémon worldwide, in this case, Team Rocket. The structure and plot of the game remains unchanged from the original.

There are, of course, a number of improvements. HeartGold sports the same vibrant, colorful, pseudo 3D graphics as Pearl/Diamond/Platinum, that make the game somehow look both modern and retro at the same time. And since the game is on the DS, it makes use of the handheld’s touchscreen. You can use it to select moves while in battle, just like in Pearl/Diamond/Platinum, as to navigate menus and organize your Pokémon. When you’re in the field, the second screen displays a menu, giving you quick access to your bag, pokedex, Pokémon, etc. It’s not quite as useful as the poketch—a digital watch-like device that was able to access a wide variety of useful apps in previous games—but it’s still a smart use of the extra screen.

There are a few other minor differences as well, such as the locations and availability of certain types of Pokémon, that will be of interest mainly to hardcore collectors. For the rest of us, these changes will be hard to notice.

Making tamagotchi cool again

There is one addition that almost makes this seemingly superfluous remake worth the price of entry by itself: the Pokéwalker. This tiny plastic peripheral comes packed with each copy of the game, and serves as a cross between a pedometer and a tamagotchi. You can transfer one of your Pokémon from the game to the Pokéwalker wirelessly, which allows you to take the little critter with you when you’re not playing. By slipping the device into your pocket, it will record the number of steps you take. The more you walk, the more experience your Pokémon will earn and the happier they will become.

Now you can take your Pokémon for walks with the included Pokéwalker

It’s slightly more complicated than that, however. While your Pokémon is walking with you, they will not only earn experience, but may also stumble across items. You can select from several different routes to take as well. And there are two diifferent mini-games on the Pokéwalker: one that lets you play a simplified battle in order to catch a few extra Pokémon, and another that has you hunting for items in the tall grass. And everything you capture or collect can be transferred back to the main game on the DS.

It’s a seemingly small addition, but one that adds a fun, yet passive, new element to the game. Let’s face it: Pokémon games require a good deal of level grinding, which requires a pretty sizable time investment. Anything that can alleviate some of that grind is definitely a welcome addition. And though you might not want to be seen in public playing with a tiny plastic Pokéball, the quick and easy mini-games are a great way of acquiring new items and finding new Pokémon.

Don’t like Pokémon? This isn’t for you

HeartGold and SoulSilver aren’t the types of games that will win over new fans: if Pokémon isn’t your thing, these games won’t convince you. But they do have some compelling features for those who do have an affinity for catching and battling adorable little creatures. The game has been updated in such a way that it looks and feels like a brand-new release, yet it does so without losing any of what made the games so great in the first place. If the idea of carrying a plastic Pokéball with you wherever you go sounds appealing rather than embarrassing, well, you’ve probably already made up your mind. Get ready to catch ’em all, yet again.

Andrew Webster

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