Pokémon SoulSilver: How to Get All Kanto Starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle)
Pokémon SoulSilver is packed with nostalgia, especially when you unlock the Kanto region after defeating the Johto Elite Four. One of the biggest rewards in the post-game is the chance to obtain all three original Kanto starters: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get every Kanto starter in Pokémon SoulSilver, step by step, with requirements, locations, and useful tips.
✅ Requirements Before Getting Kanto Starters
Before Professor Oak gives you access to the Kanto starters, you must complete several key objectives:
✔ Defeat the Johto Elite Four
✔ Enter the Hall of Fame
✔ Travel to the Kanto region
✔ Defeat Red at Mt. Silver (final requirement)
⚠️ Important: You will NOT receive the Kanto starters immediately after reaching Kanto. You must defeat Red first.
🗻 Step 1: Defeat Red at Mt. Silver
Red is the strongest trainer in Pokémon SoulSilver and serves as the final boss.
📍 How to Reach Red
Collect all 16 Gym Badges (8 Johto + 8 Kanto)
Go to Mt. Silver
Climb to the summit to battle Red
🧠 Red’s Team (High Level)
Pikachu
Charizard
Blastoise
Venusaur
Lapras
Snorlax
After defeating Red, your save file will unlock the final post-game content.
🧪 Step 2: Visit Professor Oak in Pallet Town
Once Red is defeated:
Fly to Pallet Town in Kanto
Enter Professor Oak’s Lab
Speak to Professor Oak
He will congratulate you and allow you to choose one Kanto starter.
🌱 Choosing Your First Kanto Starter
Professor Oak will let you pick one of the following Pokémon:
Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison)
Charmander (Fire)
Squirtle (Water)
👉 Choose wisely—but don’t worry, you can get all three.
🔁 How to Get the Remaining Kanto Starters
Unlike earlier Pokémon games, SoulSilver makes this simple.
✔ Method: Trade or Restart? ❌ Not Needed
In Pokémon SoulSilver:
After choosing your first starter,
Leave the lab and re-enter it,
Speak to Professor Oak again.
➡️ He will give you another Kanto starter.
Repeat this process to receive all three starters.
🎉 Yes — you can obtain Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle on the same save file without trading.
⭐ Best Order to Choose Kanto Starters
While the order doesn’t matter much, here’s a smart strategy:
Bulbasaur – Excellent for battles with status moves
Squirtle – Strong defensive Water-type
Charmander – Powerful attacker when evolved into Charizard
This order balances your team immediately.
🔥 Tips for Training Kanto Starters
Hatch eggs by breeding for better natures
Teach Bulbasaur Leech Seed early
Give Squirtle Surf + Ice Beam
Teach Charizard Flamethrower & Fly
Use the Battle Frontier and Elite Four rematches for fast leveling.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you get Kanto starters before beating Red?
❌ No. Defeating Red is mandatory.
Can you get all Kanto starters without trading?
✅ Yes, in Pokémon SoulSilver you can get all three.
Do HeartGold and SoulSilver differ?
❌ No difference—both versions allow you to obtain all Kanto starters the same way.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Pokémon SoulSilver rewards dedicated players with one of the best post-game experiences in the series. Getting all Kanto starters is a perfect tribute to the original Pokémon games and a must-do objective for completionists.
If you enjoy Pokémon SoulSilver guides, walkthroughs, and post-game secrets, be sure to explore more content on this blog.
Good luck, Trainer — and enjoy raising the legends of Kanto! 🌟