- Primary Subject: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Key Update: An editorial opinion argues that HeartGold and SoulSilver remain the absolute pinnacle of the Pokémon franchise due to overworld companion sprites, dual-region exploration, and an iconic soundtrack.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- Quick Answer: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are widely considered series peaks because they feature two fully explorable regions, overworld companion Pokémon, and an incredible soundtrack.
When people talk about which is the best Pokemon game, it usually comes down to personal taste. There isn't any right or wrong answer, as each entry offers something that makes it amazing.
You could say that the best would be Pokemon Scarlet and Violet because of how much freedom it gives compared to the others, and while some will look at you with doubt in their eyes, nothing is stopping your opinion from remaining valid.
While I would like to believe there isn't really one game in the series that topples the rest, personally, I think that's not true. I have been a Pokemon fan since the first generation, and have played basically every entry in existence. I have concluded that among them, HeartGold and SoulSilver are the epitome of the series.
These games are both over 15 years old, but I still think they outshine everything that has come before and after them. But what is it that these two have that makes them better than even incredibly popular and amazing entries like Pokemon Emerald, Platinum, Black and White, and so on? Well, one would have to be the feature where you can see your Pokemon follow you in the overworld.
As you journey across the lands of Johto, you will be accompanied by the Pokemon in the first slot of your team in the overworld. You can actively see your partner run around with you, and you can even talk to them to see how they're currently feeling. The best part is that every single Pokemon you can catch has a model for its overworld sprite, and they all look incredibly detailed, with none looking out of place.
This little feature alone gives so much life to the journey, making you feel like you're never alone as you explore the entire in-game world. The only games that have even come close to replicating that feeling are the Pokemon: Let's Go games, but you could say that the overworld partners for those two were created with the 3D era in mind. Those of HeartGold and SoulSilver were designed with the limitations of the 2D generation, making them more impressive considering what they were able to accomplish.
Aside from that, another reason I think both HeartGold and SoulSilver are the epitome of the series is the fact that they're the only games that let you visit two regions. With modern entries being heavier than ever in memory space, mainly due to 3D models that need to be rendered for everything, it's no surprise they stick to one giant location that players can explore.
But back then, that limitation wasn't much of an issue, so Pokemon games of the past had the advantage of packing in more than you could ever ask for. HeartGold and SoulSilver did just that and then some, as not only did you get to enjoy the vastness of Johto, you were also able to explore all of Kanto as soon as you finished beating the Elite Four and becoming the champion.
The one region you start in already has so much content that you'll spend numerous hours going through every city, home, cave, etc. The second one has the same amount of things to look forward to or even more, which means that if you think about it, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver may be the longest games in the series.
You may think that because of the incredible length, the games may stretch themselves too thin in certain areas, leading to a drop in quality to compensate for the scope. Incredibly, that isn't the case, as both Kanto and Johto don't let up in terms of beautiful environments and entertaining NPCs. If that wasn't enough, there's even a cool endgame area if you manage to overcome all the challenges of Kanto, adding even more to the incredible journey that HeartGold and SoulSilver offer.
Now, the final reason I think these two games stand above the rest is that they have the most memorable musical pieces in the series. The original Gold and Silver already had an incredible soundtrack, but the remakes gave them new life and somehow made them even better. From the soothing theme of National Park to the jovial and playful vibe of Professor Elm's, you'd be hard-pressed to find music that isn't worth listening to, making the journey even better.
Again, all of the Pokemon games have something that makes them special and fun to play, but when it comes to which one is objectively the best, I would have to say it's both HeartGold and SoulSilver. Both have too many things going for them, and even though they're over 15 years old, they can still be played today and offer the best experience a fan of the series could ever have. If you haven't yet, try them out, and you'll understand why I believe they're the pinnacle of what a Pokemon game should be.
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