The items screen has received a major redesign as well, trading the awkward Pokéball knob for a much cleaner and more intuitive interface. The basic menu options can be called at any time by hitting their icon on the touchscreen, and the player's set items (such as the Bicycle or Dowsing MCHN) can be used in a similar manner. Many of the menus in HeartGold and SoulSilver have been redesigned for improved touchscreen control. In contrast to Beauty Contests (which offered mostly superficial rewards), points earned in the Pokéathlon can be put towards items such as evolutionary stones, Rare Candies, and apricorns. The player controls his or her three-Pokémon team through the use of the touch screen, directing their movements and actions through tapping, flicks, and drawing motions of the stylus. Timing the jumps of three Pokémon at once is the major challenge in Hurdle Dash.Įach Pokémon is rated for the five Pokéathlon stats, with modifications made for the Pokémon's personality and any Aprijuice it has consumed to (legally) increase its performance. Trainers receive points for their team's performance in each game, and the trainer with the highest total at the end (including any Mario Party-style bonus points) is the winner. There are five sets of Pokéathlon competitions, each with a set of three minigames that emphasize a particular stat: the strength Pokéathlon, for instance, involves plenty of brick-smashing and sumo-style throwdowns, while the speed Pokéathlon involves Pokémon leaping hurdles and competing to see which team can complete the most laps around a track within a time limit. In the Pokéathlon, each trainer brings a team of three Pokémon to compete in a competitions of physical prowess. Johto's Pokémon contests are a major departure from the dog show-style contests in Hoenn and Sinnoh. This feature is also used by non-player characters seeking certain Pokémon, who will refuse to acknowledge that the player has brought them the Pokémon of their desire until it is out of its Pokéball and trotting along behind them. The Pokémon can be talked to in order to determine its condition, happiness, and even to take items it has found lying on the ground. Taking a cue from Pokémon Yellow, the Pokémon in the first party slot now follows the player around outside of battle. Kanto trainers have Hoenn and Sinnoh Pokémon at their disposal, and certain radio stations now play the music needed to find those Pokémon in the Kanto/Johto region as well. Cerulean Cave has likewise not collapsed in the remakes and powerful Pokémon (along with one old familiar face) are ready to face any trainer strong enough to collect all 16 gym badges. The Viridian Forest-chopped down in the original Gold and Silver-returns as a fully-featured area ready to meet all Caterpie and Weedle needs. Kanto has also undergone changes of its own. Also as in Platinum, each gym leader may be challenged to a rematch after certain conditions are met, with each leader bringing a significantly stronger team for round two. Platinum's Battle Frontier has been rebuilt brick-for-brick west of Olivine, ready to welcome any trainers who can best Johto's Elite Four. Many of the features from Pokémon Diamond/Pearl and Platinum make their appearance in HeartGold and SoulSilver: a Global Trade Station has been built in Goldenrod city, while Fuschia's famous Safari Zone has been converted into a Pal Park. New Features and Changes Fourth-gen Upgrades and Kanto Changes The character opposite the chosen character's gender will play role as a support character. A new female protagonist – different from the female protagonist introduced in Pokémon Crystal – is also available as a character choice in the very beginning of the game. New areas have introductory still images upon entrance, much like Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. There are also new mini-games added that replace Pokémon Contests, called the Pokéathlon. Team Rocket also return with new uniforms that better resemble the uniforms from FireRed and LeafGreen. All 493 Pokémon are able to follow the trainer around outside of its Pokéball. One of the most visible additions is the ability to summon out any Pokémon in the party to the field, following the player around outside of battle, much like Pikachu behaved in Pokémon Yellow. Players can return to the region of Johto with updated graphics and sound, as well as wide variety of other new features. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver, much like Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of Pokémon Red and Blue. Pokemon heartgold bios.Overview The protagonists of the games, Ethan and Lyra.