Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver (Nintendo DS) Preview

The first thing you will notice, aside from the shininess of the cover box, is its bulk. HeartGold and SoulSilver both arrive with Pokewalker Pedometers packed in at retail. The word ‘gimmick’ will probably jump to mind when you take out the tiny Poke-Ball/Dreamcast VMU replica, but it becomes a novel addition to your level-grinding when you do transfer a Pokemon via infrared signals to there, as with exclusive creatures to catch and items to gain, it's worth a walk around the block for.

Needless to say, like Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen before them, anyone who has played the originals will know exactly what to expect from HeartGold and SoulSilver story- and locations-wise. Not to say there is little new of note though - far from it. Everything has been given a fresh lick of paint, surpassing even Pokemon Platinum to become the best-looking addition to the Pocket Monsters legacy yet. The classic music has also been given a spruce-up with sheer aural pleasure that makes use of earphones definitely worthwhile. The monster at the top of your list, be it any of the sub-500 available to you, will throw a Pikachu-style tantrum and follow you around on the field, where you can talk to it, and take any items it picks up. The game can be entirely touch-screen and D-Pad controlled now, and Item/Pokemon/Pokedex navigation is now easier than ever because of it; and even though it sounds like a minor deal, long-time fans will be blessing the addition of a second slot for item assigning.

Making a return to the series is the Pokegear, a device that displays a handy Map, a built-in Radio used to coax monsters out of hiding or to give them a wake-up call, and the VS Seeker of the game; the Phone. By agreeing to exchange numbers with opponents once you've beaten seven shades out of them, they can give you a call later on to give useful information, or to arrange rematches.

Travelling through Johto follows the classic and established formula of Gyms, Battles, Pokemon Centres and Tm/Hm usage, that even after all these years remains as fun as ever. Battles are sped up a considerable amount from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, and Double Battles make their debut in Gold and Silver's universe too. What awaits players after the Elite Four at the end of this game single-handedly makes it the longest entry in the series, plus combined with the sheer number of Pokemon to collect in general, Game Freak has ensured the lifespan of Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver will stretch to at least until the 5th generation of games that are reportedly already in the works.