Map LocationsHeartGold&SoulSilver
"Both Johto and Kanto fit on a single map in HeartGold and SoulSilver, giving you the largest world from any 2D-era Pokemon release. The Headbutt mechanic returns, with Pokemon like Heracross and Pineco hiding in trees the original Gold and Silver buried far enough off the path that most players never bothered. The Pokewalker accessory also let you transfer Pokemon to a pedometer for solo level-grinding."
HGSS MAP
Johto and Kanto fit on a single HGSS map, with the Magnet Train line connecting Goldenrod and Saffron once you've cleared both regions. The Safari Zone west of Cianwood houses 30+ rotating habitats you customize by placing terrain blocks to attract specific Pokemon.
HEARTGOLD & SOULSILVER LOCATIONS
Two regions and 98 chapter cards: HeartGold and SoulSilver run from New Bark Town through Johto and Kanto in story order. Filter by encounter method or type. The Pokeathlon Dome in Johto adds a daily mini-game arena where you compete Pokemon in five athletic events for prizes the original Gold and Silver couldn't offer.
Main Story 46
Postgame 49
Other Locations 3
SPECIAL ENCOUNTERS
Special encounters are the one-time, fixed-location Pokemon you won't catch in random wild grass. HeartGold & SoulSilver has 7 total: 4 Legendary (story-locked, once per save) and 3 Static (gift Pokemon and route roadblocks).
Completely different from other games. You customize areas by placing block objects (Forest, Peak, Water, Plains, etc.) and waiting real-world days. After enough days pass with the right blocks, rare Pokemon start spawning. Riolu needs 70 days of Peak blocks in the Meadow area. The wait is real time. No step limit inside.
Tune your Pokegear radio to these channels on specific days (Wednesday for Hoenn Sound, Thursday for Sinnoh Sound) and wild encounters on certain routes change to include Pokemon from those regions. Absol, Makuhita, and Plusle/Minun show up during Hoenn days. Meditite, Bidoof, and Buizel during Sinnoh. Only works on outdoor routes.
Same system as Gold and Silver. Each tree has a hidden type (common or rare) based on your Trainer ID. Rare trees can drop Heracross, Pineco, Aipom, and in some areas Combee or Cherubi. The pool depends on which route the tree is on. You need HM06 Rock Smash to reach some headbutt tree areas.
Yes. After the Johto League, the S.S. Aqua takes you to Vermilion City. All of Kanto opens up with 8 more Gym Leaders, wild Pokemon in the level 20-50 range, and Mt. Silver at the end with Red's level 80+ team. Most routes have expanded encounter tables compared to the original Gold and Silver. Kanto also has different Headbutt tree species.
Rock Climb (HM08) lets you scale rocky walls on certain routes to reach areas that don't exist in the original Gold and Silver. Cliff Cave on Route 47, the upper floors of Mt. Silver, and several new item locations all require it. You get it from Professor Oak in Pallet Town after earning all 16 badges.
HeartGold & SoulSilver has 98 locations with wild Pokemon encounters, featuring 246 unique Pokemon species. The location with the most Pokemon variety is Mt. Silver with 37 unique species.
HeartGold & SoulSilver has 3 legendary encounters: Suicune (Lv. 40 at Burned Tower), Articuno (Lv. 50 at Seafoam Islands), Mewtwo (Lv. 70 at Cerulean Cave).
The top fishing locations in HeartGold & SoulSilver by Pokemon variety are: Seafoam Islands (7 species), Pallet Town (6 species), Route 47 (6 species). These locations offer the widest selection of water-type Pokemon through various rod types (Old Rod, Good Rod, Super Rod).