If you’re new to Pokémon or returning after years away, HeartGold is arguably the best entry point – it has the soul of classic games but with modern (circa 2010) polish. No confusing gimmicks, no excessive cutscenes, no region variants. Just 16 badges, 493 Pokémon (if you trade), and hundreds of hours of content.
No other mainline Pokémon game gives you two full regions (Johto and Kanto) with 16 gym badges, two Elite Four challenges (Kanto’s is remixed), and a final boss fight against Red on Mt. Silver. The level curve is famously janky (wild Pokémon in Kanto are level 3, trainers have level 50s), but the scope remains unmatched. 4780 pokemon heartgold uxenophobiands best
If you are grinding the 4780-step Pokéwalker route, you are trying to catch Beldum (1.5% encounter rate) or Gible (3.5%). Here is the optimal strategy: If you’re new to Pokémon or returning after