Pokémon Gold, along with Pokémon Silver both came out in the year 2000 and was the last of the Pokémon games to be for the Game Boy. Not that many people know that both Gold and Silver were not meant to be labeled as Game Boy Color games and that Pokémon Crystal had actually been the first Pokémon game for the Game Boy Color.

Why would I do a review of Pokémon Gold, a game that came out 13 years ago, when there are many more games that are newer for me to review? The answer is very simple, the second Generation of Pokémon features some of the best game play in the game’s history, and personally it is my favorite Pokémon title.

I could also go ahead and pick Heart Gold because it is the same game, with new graphics and better game play, but I will not because that game would have never been released if it had not been for the original game, that had taken the world of video games by storm.

The game, just off its success of the previous generation significantly proved that the Pokémon franchise is a force to be reckoned with, and one that will leave a great impression for future generations of gamers to enjoy. That is one of the many reasons as to why this great game needs to receive the great amount of credit that it deserves.

Just like Red and Blue a few years earlier, Gold and Silver are nearly identical aside for just a few minor differences. I personally have never played either Silver or Crystal, therefore I will not compare the differences between Gold and Silver to Crystal, because due to the fact that Crystal is an update to Gold and Silver, Crystal would be better that both, but again, I prefer Gold.

GRAPHICS- New Graphics improve the overall game play and enhance the feel of the game. 9

There have been many upgrades to the game from the first Generation. The first of these changes is the way that the game looks. The games of this generation have just a bit more color than the ones of the previous Generation and because of the added color, the game looks a bit nicer. The color looks nothing like it does today, but again, at the time, the color had been seen as “State of the Art” and had been a stepping stone for all of the future games to be based off of.

The actual images that you see in the game are also more detailed, each tile is a bit sharper, and the detail combined with the color, makes for a brand new way to play the game. The maps look better, the battles and Pokémon look livelier. Every now and then, it may seem as though the colors blend together, but this one issue alone can’t push you away from admitting that the graphics are better than the games of the first Generation.

SOUND- Roughly the same as all the Pokémon games, which means it is awesome. 9

I am willing to bet, that if you were to play the Pokémon video game theme song from any game, at least 23 out of 25 people who listen to it will right away be able to tell that the music comes from Pokémon. That is what the music does to us, once we hear it for the first time; it has a lasting effect on us that will cause us to remember the music for many more years.

My favorite Pokémon music has to be from Emerald, but the music for this game easily takes a close second place and captivates me. All you have to do is listen to the music, you don’t even have to play the game, and you will be transported years back to that time when you first bought a copy of Pokémon Gold and turned it on. That is the kind of effect the music has, the music will bring back all those wonderful memories of your childhood.

On top of all this, let’s not forget that the music has been upgraded since the first Generation. There are more songs, there are different songs depending on where you are and what you are doing, and because of the new capabilities of the Game Boy Color, the music even sounds just a bit clearer and sharper.

This is a Pokémon game, so what more do I need to say? Users of the first generation amassed well over a hundred hours battling through the games, and then Gold came out and but in basically twice as much stuff into the game to keep you glued to your Game Boy Color for many, many hours. Not only, is it just a Pokémon game, but it is two Pokémon games rolled into one because now you can also venture through the region of Pokémon red and Blue after you beat the games main story. Therefore, there is no reason to put the game down, even once you get the 8 badges and are ready to fight the Elite 4.

STORY. Twice the story. 10

The story is the same as always, you start off in your home town and you go off to meet the professor and then you are given your first Pokémon. Everything after that is just awesome fun. You go and battle, catch Pokémon, and get all 8 gym badges. Gold also allows you to venture into the kanto region once you become the Johto league champion.

DEPTH.   10

There is a ton of depth throughout this game, there is just so much to do with all the new features, and mixed in with the new graphics, the game will be one to remember.

DIFFICULTY 6

Overall, the game is not that difficult, all you have to do is follow all the clues that will randomly be dispersed throughout the game.

OVERALL 9.8

The game is great and deserves a full 9.8/10.