Pokémon. It’s a classic game that most if not all gamers have played at one point or another and if you are one of these people you should already have a pretty accurate idea on what this game is like. That’s not to say that this game doesn’t introduce a few new things to the classic tried and true formula however, and if your a new player, previously untainted by the Pokémon bug… You’re in for a treat.

The game stays true to the classic Gold and Silver Gameboy games from days past. This is very much the same game you played oh so many years ago but that isn’t to say these remakes don’t bring in new ideas of their own. The battle system is pretty much unchanged from platinum, each one of your 6 Pokémon knows 4 moves each which you use to duke it out with rival trainers. While the battle system seems simple and easy to grasp and the game is certainly possible to complete with limited knowledge. However, if you take the game a step further into competitive play your plunged into a world of EV’s IV’s and natures. Confused? Don’t worry about it, you don’t need to know about it unless your planning to battle ‘Pokémon Pros’.

The graphics are also similar to Platinum, a mix of 3D and sprites. Its defiantly not an eyesore but I can’t help but wish for something new. If you’ve played the original Gold and Silver you already know the storyline and if you haven’t it’s not exactly a contender with Lord of the Rings.

The control system has received a long overdue overhaul. Long gone is the Pokétech from platinum that was only there to pretend to take advantage of the DS, now the bottom screen is dedicated to the menu, item short cuts and dialogue options. It sounds like nothing special but once you’ve played around and go back to Platinum you’ll realise just how helpful it actually is. Dialogue and using the menu is so much smoother now and it shows. Along with the new control upgrades SS/HG introduces something we haven’t seen since the days of Pokémon Yellow… Pokémon outside of their pokéballs. It doesn’t sound like a big deal and thats because it really isn’t.Theres also the new Pokéthlon, which is basically a series of Olympics style mini games for you to compete in to gain some extra items like evolutionary stones.

Probably the most advertised new feature of these new games is the Pokéwalker. It’s a small pedometer in the shape of a pokéball that allows you to send your pokémon to it and it gains experience, finds items and helps you catch new pokémon as you go about your everyday business. I’ve been taking it with me pretty much everywhere since I picked the game up and even after a month or so it works pretty well and it’s always helpful to get some extra XP. One of the downfalls however is that you can only gain one level at a time, I understand that this is there as an anti cheating measure but it gets annoying.

This game isn’t something new, obviously, but it is a remake of arguably the best games in the series and the magic of the original Gold and Silver shines through. This game is a must buy if you have fond memories of playing Gold and Silver back on the Gameboy and would like to fell the thrill of exploring Johto again. I know I did and you know what?

It feels good.