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Gen IV

Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver

Two regions, sixteen badges, and one silent legend waiting atop Mt. Silver.

The Path

The intended order — follow this and you'll stay at the right level all game.

  1. 1

    Violet Gym

    Gym

    Flying · Falkner · recommended Lv. 9–11

  2. 2

    Azalea Gym

    Gym

    Bug · Bugsy · recommended Lv. 14–16

  3. 3

    Goldenrod Gym

    Gym

    Normal · Whitney · recommended Lv. 18–20

  4. 4

    Ecruteak Gym

    Gym

    Ghost · Morty · recommended Lv. 23–25

  5. 5

    Cianwood Gym

    Gym

    Fighting · Chuck · recommended Lv. 28–30

  6. 6

    Olivine Gym

    Gym

    Steel · Jasmine · recommended Lv. 32–34

  7. 7

    Mahogany Gym

    Gym

    Ice · Pryce · recommended Lv. 34–36

  8. 8

    Blackthorn Gym

    Gym

    Dragon · Clair · recommended Lv. 37–40

  9. 9

    Team Rocket's Radio Tower takeover

    Story

    Storm Goldenrod's Radio Tower to crush Rocket's revival · recommended Lv. 34–38

  10. 10

    Johto Elite Four

    Elite Four

    Psychic/Poison/Fighting/Dark · Will, Koga, Bruno, Karen · recommended Lv. 40–44

  11. 11

    Champion Lance

    Champion

    Dragon · recommended Lv. 46–50

  12. 12

    Pewter Gym

    Gym

    Rock · Brock · recommended Lv. 48–52

  13. 13

    Cerulean Gym

    Gym

    Water · Misty · recommended Lv. 50–54

  14. 14

    Vermilion Gym

    Gym

    Electric · Lt. Surge · recommended Lv. 52–56

  15. 15

    Celadon Gym

    Gym

    Grass · Erika · recommended Lv. 54–58

  16. 16

    Fuchsia Gym

    Gym

    Poison · Janine · recommended Lv. 56–60

  17. 17

    Saffron Gym

    Gym

    Psychic · Sabrina · recommended Lv. 58–62

  18. 18

    Cinnabar Gym

    Gym

    Fire · Blaine · recommended Lv. 60–64

  19. 19

    Viridian Gym

    Gym

    Ground · Blue · recommended Lv. 62–66

  20. 20

    Red atop Mt. Silver

    Champion

    The silent legend himself · the ultimate final battle · recommended Lv. 70–75

The Story

Three years after the events of Red and Blue, Johto awaits: a region of old traditions, burned towers, and dancing Kimono Girls. Starting in New Bark Town with a choice of Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile, your journey winds through some of the series' most atmospheric towns.

Team Rocket never truly died — its scattered remnants are desperate to bring back Giovanni, and their scheme culminates in the armed takeover of Goldenrod's Radio Tower.

Johto's legends are deeply personal: the Kimono Girls' dance, the Tin Tower's trial, and Ho-Oh's rainbow (HeartGold) or Lugia's storm (SoulSilver) waiting at the journey's spiritual peak.

And then the map opens up: the entire Kanto region, three years older, with eight more gyms — and at the very top of Mt. Silver, a silent trainer who needs no introduction. Sixteen badges. One mountain. Red.

Good to Know

  • Johto's level curve is famously low — register trainers in your Pokégear phone and rematch them regularly for EXP.
  • Whitney's Miltank is the classic run-ender: bring a Fighting-type, or a Ghost-type to blunt Rollout.
  • The physical/special split applies here, so recheck movesets on returning favorites like Gyarados and Gengar.
  • Give Kurt Apricorns in Azalea Town — his custom Poké Balls (Fast, Heavy, Love, and more) are worth the wait.
  • Use Headbutt on trees to find rare Pokémon like Heracross, Pineco, and Aipom.
  • Save Kanto for a well-trained team: its gyms scale up quickly, and Mt. Silver demands your absolute best.

After the Credits

  • Challenge Kanto's eight gyms, then climb Mt. Silver to face Red.
  • Take on the Battle Frontier west of Olivine City for five more battle facilities.
  • Compete in the Pokéathlon for mini-game medals and rare prizes.
  • Hunt the roaming beasts Raikou, Entei, and Latios/Latias across the regions.

My caught checklist

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Want the full step-by-step walkthrough? This page is the roadmap — for turn-by-turn directions, Bulbapedia and Serebii both have detailed per-route guides.