Pokemon HeartGold
Pokemon HeartGold – The Definitive Review
Pokemon HeartGold is a remake of Pokemon Gold, which was released for the Gameboy color in North America in 2000. A decade later, and after constant pleading by the millions of worldwide fans of the series, GameFreak released Pokemon HeartGold for the Nintendo DS.
Game Play
Pokemon is a series that tends to stay true to its roots; after all, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. The formula that the series originally employed with the original games, Red and Blue, is still largely evident in the most recent iterations of the series. But one of the key features that stands out in Pokemon HeartGold is the addition of the PokeWalker, a device which really brings your Pokemon into the real world.
The PokeWalker is a real device that you clip onto your belt and is used like a pedometer. To take one of your Pokemon for a “walk”, you simply transfer the Pokemon to the PokeWalker and then clip the PokeWalker to yourself. Go for a run, jog, or walk, and the device will keep track of your movement, rewarding your Pokemon with experience points. You can actually level up your Pokemon this way, and you’ll also gain currency credits which can be used in-game to buy items or chances at catching rare Pokemon. This tool is invaluable for those for whom it’s important to complete their entire PokeDex.
While the PokeWalker brings your Pokemon into the real world, I’ll discuss more about what the game is like outside of the real world. HeartGold boasts a return of many parts of Kanto, including the popular Seafoam Islands, and additional areas have been added to Johto and Kanto. Game Freak seems to have made a concerted effort to really individualize the two regions and make them very robust. The result is an enchanting experience within two distinct realms of the game.
There are countless minor tweaks to HeartGold since the Gold version, including the ability to hear water when your character is near it, the Magnet train has evolved to a monorail, and roads between the two regions are much more grandeur. In addition, one of the most-demanded features of all time has been the ability to allow any of your Pokemon to walk with your character. This feature was first introduced in Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu edition when Pikachu was always automatically following your character. This feature has evolved quite a bit over time, as now you are allowed to choose any of the 493 Pokemon to follow you outside its PokeBall.
The touch screen has been utilized very effectively in Pokemon HeartGold. Navigating through your pack is extremely easy, as well as toggling your running shoes and using the PC. Game Freak has succeeded in making it intuitive and pleasant to use.
The popular Pokemon contests from Hoenn and Sinnoh have been replaced by the Pokethlon which is a combination of mini-games. But while the sound of mini-games might not intrigue you, they are actually quite a lot of fun. Game Freak ensured that a considerable amount of skill is required to complete them, which is refreshing for the series.
If you’re a fan of the series and own any of the GBA Pokemon games, you can use the Pal Pak to transfer Pokemon from those games into Pokemon HeartGold. This will also cause some new and rare Pokemon to appear in the wild, allowing you to complete your PokeDex.
Audio
The soundtrack from Pokemon HeartGold might be the best of any Pokemon game to date. Many tracks from the original have been remixed or rearranged, and some are brand new orchestrations. This is and always has been the type of music that will create memories and make you really fall in love with a game. Enchanting, magical, and powerful, the music of Pokemon HeartGold is simply unparalleled. If you want a dose of nostalgia, you can activate the classic tracks by finding an item in the game which will make them available to you.
Pokemon Heartgold is a timeless classic that ranks as one of the best–if not the best–Pokemon games of all time. Whether you’re a series fan or new to the series, you will find a breathtaking world awaiting you with a magical adventure that nobody should miss. Pokemon Heartgold is a peerless addition to the Pokemon series and should be bought by anyone who owns a Nintendo DS.