Pokémon HeartGold vs SoulSilver: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Buy HeartGold if Ho-Oh's fire-and-flying design draws you in, or if you want the Pokéwalker bundle at a lower price. Buy SoulSilver if Lugia is your legendary, and budget around $100 more for a comparable complete copy.
At a glance
Both Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver launched in Japan on September 12, 2009 and in North America on March 14, 2010. Every original retail copy included the Pokéwalker, a pedometer that syncs one Pokémon via the DS infrared port. The two games are otherwise identical in region, platform, and story: the difference is which cover legendary you encounter first, and a small pool of version-exclusive wild encounters.
For more background on retro Pokémon cartridges and what to look for in a used DS game, see the Pokémon GameBoy games collector guide.
| Pokémon HeartGold | Pokémon SoulSilver | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo DS | Nintendo DS |
| Japan release | Sep 12, 2009 | Sep 12, 2009 |
| NA release | Mar 14, 2010 | Mar 14, 2010 |
| Cover legendary | Ho-Oh | Lugia |
| Pokéwalker bundled | Yes (original retail only) | Yes (original retail only) |
| Observed cart-only price | from $45 (Oct 8, 2026) | from $45 (Oct 8, 2026) |
| Observed Pokéwalker bundle price | from $350 (Oct 8, 2026) | from $450 (Oct 8, 2026) |
On this page 7 sections
Where HeartGold wins
Lower Pokéwalker bundle prices
Complete HeartGold sets with the original Pokéwalker device start around $350 on the used market, observed on DexHaul on October 8, 2026. Comparable SoulSilver Pokéwalker bundles run from $450 upward. That gap holds across multiple sellers and conditions: if the bundle format is your goal, HeartGold is the easier entry point.
Ho-Oh and the Bell Tower arc
Ho-Oh sits at the top of the Bell Tower from mid-game onward, after you collect the Rainbow Wing from the Kimono Girls. The encounter lands before the Elite Four, giving HeartGold players an earlier payoff. Its fire-and-flying typing also makes it a useful team member for the late Johto gyms.
The gold aesthetic
HeartGold's gold cartridge label and Ho-Oh artwork carry a warmer palette than SoulSilver's silver-blue scheme. For display collectors, the pair is visually complementary: neither is objectively better, but HeartGold tends to pair well with other warm-toned DS games in a case.
Where SoulSilver wins
Lugia's demand and resale strength
Lugia is searched more heavily than Ho-Oh, a pattern visible in search interest across gaming communities. That demand pushes SoulSilver used prices higher, but it also means complete copies hold their value better over time. If you are buying partly as a long-hold collectible, SoulSilver historically commands the stronger premium.
Lugia early in the story
In SoulSilver, the Kimono Girls hand over the Silver Wing before the Elite Four, making Lugia catchable in the Whirl Islands as a natural story milestone. HeartGold players who want Lugia must first defeat the Elite Four and then receive the Silver Wing from the old man in Pewter City. The version exclusive ordering matters to players who want to use the cover legendary on their first playthrough.
The deciding question
Version exclusives are a minor factor here. Both games cover the same Johto and Kanto regions, and the full 251-Pokémon Johto Pokédex is completable in either version through trading.
Both cover legendaries are available in both games: Ho-Oh in SoulSilver and Lugia in HeartGold appear after the Elite Four, obtained via wing items from the Pewter City elder, as documented on Serebii's HeartGold and SoulSilver pages. The version you pick does not permanently lock you out of the other legendary.
The practical split is this: are you buying a cartridge to play, or a complete set to display and preserve?
Cartridge-only copies of both titles start around $45, with condition varying at that price. A copy with the original case runs $150-275. The Pokéwalker bundle adds roughly $300-400 to either title's floor price, and SoulSilver Pokéwalker bundles sit $100 higher than HeartGold on average.
Watch out for reproduction cartridges
Reproduction cartridges are widespread for both titles. Authentic cartridges save to an internal battery; reproductions often show unusual save behavior, incorrect board markings under the cartridge cover, or label printing that looks slightly off under direct light.
Before buying either title, read the DexHaul guide to spotting fake Pokémon products for specific checks. The short version: ask sellers for photos of the circuit board, confirm the battery holder is present on authentic boards, and compare label fonts to verified reference images before committing at high prices.
The Pokéwalker adds another layer to verify. Reproduction games cannot sync properly with the Pokéwalker, and many cheap copies are sold without the device entirely. Ask sellers to confirm Pokéwalker function specifically and to provide photos of the sync port cap and the Pokéwalker itself.
Hardware compatibility
Both games run on any Nintendo DS, DS Lite, DSi, or DSi XL. The Pokéwalker syncs via the DS infrared port, which is present on all of those models.
The Nintendo 3DS and New 3DS also have infrared ports and will play both games in DS mode. Some later DS-family models lack the infrared port: confirm your specific hardware model supports it before buying a Pokéwalker bundle.
There is no region lock on Nintendo DS cartridges. A Japanese import plays on a North American DS without modification. Japanese complete sets are sometimes more affordable than North American equivalents, though the game text will be in Japanese.
If you are newer to the Pokémon console lineup, the Switch games buying guide covers the modern options, including remakes that bring the Johto region to newer hardware.
Frequently asked questions
Can you catch Lugia in HeartGold?
Yes. After defeating the Elite Four, the old man in Pewter City gives you the Silver Wing. Use it to access the Whirl Islands and catch Lugia at level 70.
Can you catch Ho-Oh in SoulSilver?
Yes. After defeating the Elite Four, the Pewter City elder gives you the Rainbow Wing. Ho-Oh appears at the top of the Bell Tower at level 70.
What does the Pokéwalker do?
The Pokéwalker is a pedometer that stores one Pokémon transferred from your game. Walking earns Watts, which unlock routes where you can catch Pokémon and find items. Your stored Pokémon also gains Experience Points while in the device.
Is HeartGold or SoulSilver rarer?
Both sold in comparable numbers. SoulSilver complete Pokéwalker bundles are somewhat harder to find at lower prices, which is reflected in the higher observed market prices on DexHaul as of October 8, 2026.
How do I know if my HeartGold or SoulSilver is authentic?
Check the label for even printing and correct font weight, confirm the cartridge saves correctly, and ask for photos of the circuit board. Our guide to spotting fake Pokémon products has a full checklist.
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Catch 'em all
More HeartGold and SoulSilver listings from independent shops.