Pokemon Gold & Silver are frequently found to be among fan's favorite generation of Pokemon games. Generation II is nothing if not the perfect sequel to the Red & Blue games before it, offering one of the largest amounts of content we've ever seen in a Pokemon title alongside for its time arguably being the franchise's most ambitious game to date.
When Generation II then got a remaster on the Nintendo DS with HeartGold & SoulSilver, it was unexpected to be delivered a game that managed to go back and build even further on what was already an outstanding addition to the franchise.
The Nuzlocke challenge has become one of the most popular ways for players to revisit their favorite titles, designed to get you using different Pokemon and not relying solely on one Pokemon to see you through, lest it faint and be lost forever. What was unanticipated at the time of Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver's release was that they would soon become what fans would argue to be the best Pokemon game to Nuzlocke of all time.
10 The Only Game With Two Regions
Generation II and its remakes are to date the only Pokemon game to feature two regions in one, something that seems unlikely to happen again as it was supposed to be the series conclusion upon release.
After breathing a sigh of relief for beating Lance and becoming the new Pokemon Champion of the Johto region, you can now hop on the subway or S.S. Aqua and head on over to the original Kanto region with your surviving team. Kanto allows you to test your mettle against all of Red & Blue's Gym Leaders with their level-appropriate Pokemon as well as take on the ultimate challenge in the formidable Red on Mt. Silver's peak.
9 It's The Right Level Of Mean
That's right, Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver are harder than their predecessors and still tougher today than some of the future games that follow.
The original level curve in Gold, Silver, and Crystal was arguably one of the lowest the games have seen and didn't require you to put in much time grinding away for levels. Luckily HeartGold & SoulSilver have been given the necessary bump to make sure you still need to be putting in a bit of work when raising your team, especially when you hop across the border to take on the Kanto leaders.
8 All The Nostalgia With All Of The Beauty
If you're going to be spending a long time with a game, you want that game to look great. Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver are arguably some of the best-looking games to date, especially if you love those old-school graphics.
There's nothing quite like revisiting the past with a classic game that's had a much-needed revamp. It also doesn't hurt that it allows you to have your favorite Pokemon follow you around while you play! (Unless you lose them to the Nuzlocke, that is.)
7 Challenge Trainers And Gym Leaders To A Rematch
Similar to Generation IV's Pokemon Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver allowed you to go back and challenge Gym Leaders in both Kanto and Johto to a rematch.
You can meet them at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City after getting their Pokegear numbers. You're then able to fight them against their new and improved full team for an extra challenge and that all-important extra battle experience.
6 Your Game Can End To A Miltank
The Gym Leaders in HeartGold & SoulSilver are actually fairly tough, featuring a progressive difficulty curve that sits just right for Nuzlocke players.
These Trainers are renowned for being fairly battle-savvy, utilizing moves such as Sucker Punch and Attract to fight in an intelligent and competitive manner. These all-important tougher gym battles give you the impending sense of doom you look for in a Nuzlocke run. HeartGold & SoulSilver also feature some of the most memorable battles from the franchise, with Whitney's Milktank and Clair's Kingdra still providing some of the hardest fights for a Nuzlocke to date.
5 Expanded Move Sets
HeartGold & SoulSilver utilized a plethora of Pokemon moves from Generation III and IV, giving us a larger pool of TM's and battle strategies to implement into Nuzlocke runs.
The vast variety of moves able to be utilized by you and your opponents mean Gym Leaders and the Elite Four employ tougher battle strategies for you to overcome, and have the real capability to end your run for good. It's the perfect blend of the newer elements we received in later generations, coupled with the nostalgia of the games from the past.
4 Balanced Difficulty
The story progression of Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver perfectly balances its difficulty with your Pokemon's levels.
It's in no way the hardest Pokemon game to Nuzlocke, but it's by far the most pleasant, with just the right amount of challenge that will see you nervously waiting to see if your Pokemon survives the hit, but not having to grind levels in the grass for hours on unsuspecting Pidgey.
3 Huge Variety
Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver went above and beyond in implementing some of the best elements and Pokemon of the generations to precede it.
With the use of new evolutionary items, moves, and new additions to the games, there's an abundance of Pokemon for you to utilize in your team, whether from the region itself or others.
2 You Can Find Evolution Items Earlier
The addition of new Pokemon from generations III and IV saw even more items added into the game, including evolutionary items that you were able to obtain earlier in the game than you once would have been able to.
With these evolutionary items come new Pokemon for you to utilize, and earlier evolutions to help you tackle those irksome Gym Leader and rival battles.
1 Beating Red
For those wanting to take their successful Nuzlocke team even further than the Elite Four, HeartGold & SoulSilver offer up one of the toughest Nuzlocke challenges to date with Red.
Red's team in these games is not to be underestimated, ranging from a level 80 Lapras to a level 88 Pikachu. He's seen as the real final boss of the game, and can quickly reveal just how good that beloved Nuzlocke team of yours is, whilst effortlessly sending some of your oldest and best Pokemon friends careening toward a battle loss.