Douglas's game of the week: Pokemon Gold and Silver

For some of you, this might be your favourite Pokemon game for the GBC. For others, this might be your least favourite, or you just like it. Pokemon Gold and Silver is actually the reason I got a gameboy colour and stopped using my gameboy pocket (That and the fact that they were only $49.99 on sale at the time). Well, Link's Awakening DX was another reason too.

The graphics are improved from Red, Blue, and Yellow-The pokemon look alot more anime quality and are coloured almost exactly the way they'd be coloured in the show. The Trainers look alot better too-Also they even have names, so you're not just fighting "Lass", You're fighting someone like "Lass Sally" or "Boarder Douglas". Team rocket still doesn't even have names (Though I could have sworn Jessie and James show up in Mahagony town and in the Radio tower). The attack effects are also pretty well done-But do keep in mind this was one of the later GBC games.

The music is basically just improved techno stuff from the NES and other GBCs-Well, the GBC never was really known for its sound (Ruby and Sapphire however have some of the best sound on the GBA in my opinion). It's slightly improved from Red, Blue, and Yellow, Though I actually liked the boss theme in Red, Blue, and Yellow better-This one sounds almost like it was a bunch of beeps thrown together in sync.

The difficulty is at an all time low. If you thought Gold and Silver were easy, then you are right. In Red, Blue, and Yellow, the best way to win is to build up a powerful team of high-level pokemon which might take some time. Here, you can just breeze right through the game using only your starter pokemon and having almost no trouble, Even Champion Lance is easier to beat than the first boss of just about any game. For example, I'm fighting Clair with only a level 55 Ferligatr and I beat her and I took down most of her pokemon in just 1 or 2 hits with Ice Punch. Also, you can avoid trainers completley, because some just stand there and look in every direction, so you can just walk right past them. Even Beginners would find this game too easy.

Getting every pokemon would be nearly impossible without a game link, which is why some people might still be popping this game in years from now, but considering you can beat the game with just 1 level 60 pokemon, why even bother getting more except for the legendaries? You can still tear down the champions in just a few hits with your level 60 starter pokemon.

Overall, I think Pokemon Gold and Silver is the best GBC pokemon game, though it does have big drawbacks that rear their heads in almost every second of the game, it's still remotley enjoyable if you liked Red, Blue, and Yellow, but what can I say-You either like the game, love it, or you hate it and pray Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire aren't like it. 8.5/10

Pros:
-Great colour choice if played on a GBC
-In-game clock
-New world map
-Some musics are great

Cons:
-Almost no challenge is thrown at you during the game
-Somewhat bland and unoriginal boss theme