Pokémon HeartGold vs SoulSilver: Which Version Should You Play? (Complete Guide)
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are widely considered the best games in the entire Pokémon series.
They are enhanced Nintendo DS remakes of Pokémon Gold & Silver, featuring updated graphics, new gameplay mechanics, and the return of the beloved Johto region.
But if both versions are almost the same…
Which one should you play?
This guide explains all differences so you can choose the best version for your playstyle.
⭐ 1. Main Difference: Version-Exclusive Pokémon
The biggest difference between HeartGold and SoulSilver is the Pokémon you can catch in each version.
🔥 HeartGold Exclusives
HeartGold focuses more on Fire-type and Fighting-type Pokémon.
Notable exclusives:
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Growlithe → Arcanine
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Mankey → Primeape
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Gligar → Gliscor
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Mantine
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Kyogre (post-game)
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Ho-Oh at Level 45 (easier to use in story mode)
If you like Fire-types or Ho-Oh, HeartGold is the better pick.
❄️ SoulSilver Exclusives
SoulSilver focuses more on Ice-type and defensive Pokémon.
Notable exclusives:
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Vulpix → Ninetales
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Meowth → Persian
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Tedddursa → Ursaring
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Phanpy → Donphan
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Latios (post-game event)
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Lugia at Level 45 (easier to use in story mode)
If you prefer Ice-types or Lugia, SoulSilver is the better option.
🕊️ 2. Legendary Pokémon Differences
This is what most players care about.
HeartGold
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Ho-Oh at Lv. 45
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Lugia at Lv. 70
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Kyogre (if you have SoulSilver too, you can get Rayquaza)
SoulSilver
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Lugia at Lv. 45
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Ho-Oh at Lv. 70
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Groudon (if you have HeartGold too, you can get Rayquaza)
If you want to use the cover legendary earlier in the story:
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Choose HeartGold → Ho-Oh at level 45
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Choose SoulSilver → Lugia at level 45
🔁 3. Gameplay Differences: Almost Identical
Both versions include:
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All Johto and Kanto gyms
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Battle Frontier
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Pokéathlon
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Safari Zone
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Updated sprites
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The same story
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Same difficulty
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Your Pokémon walking behind you
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The same items, quests, and mechanics
There is no difference in story or difficulty between the versions.
So your choice depends almost entirely on Pokémon exclusives and which legendary you prefer.
🧭 4. What About Pokémon Availability in Early/Mid Game?
Some important decisions:
Early-Game Fire-types
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HeartGold → Growlithe available early (great advantage)
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SoulSilver → Vulpix available, but later
HeartGold is better for early Fire coverage.
Early-Game Normal-types
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SoulSilver has Teddiursa, one of the strongest early-game Pokémon in Johto
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HeartGold has Meowth, which is weaker
SoulSilver is better for early Normal-type power.
🎮 5. Competitive Differences (Post-Game)
If you want to build competitive teams:
HeartGold
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Access to Kyogre
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Can combine Kyogre + Groudon (from SoulSilver) → unlock Rayquaza
SoulSilver
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Access to Groudon
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Can combine Groudon + Kyogre (from HeartGold) → unlock Rayquaza
Competitive players usually prefer HeartGold because Kyogre is generally more useful in competitive weather strategies.
🌈 6. Which Version Is More Popular?
Online surveys show:
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HeartGold is slightly more popular because of Ho-Oh and exclusive Pokémon
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SoulSilver is preferred by fans of Lugia or early-game Ursaring
But the gap is small — both games are excellent.
🏆 7. Final Recommendation
✔ Choose HeartGold if you want:
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Growlithe/Arcanine
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Ho-Oh early at level 45
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Kyogre
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Better early-game Fire coverage
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The more "balanced" exclusive roster
✔ Choose SoulSilver if you want:
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Vulpix/Ninetales
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Lugia early at level 45
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Groudon
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Early-game power from Teddiursa
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Ice-type exclusives
🎉 Conclusion: You Can't Go Wrong
Both games are masterpieces, and the differences are small.
Choose the version with:
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The legendary you prefer
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The exclusive Pokémon that fit your team
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The aesthetics you like
But remember — with emulators, you can also play both versions easily.
And if you use cheats or PKHeX, you can obtain all Pokémon in a single save.