Pokémon SoulSilver Version

© 2010 Nintendo of America
$40, Nintendo DS
Teaches: physical exercise, health, reading, strategy, spatial relations, logic, memory
CTR Rating: 92%
Editor's Choice

CTR Review

The Pokémon empire continues to grow, with two more titles that share a nearly identical design, but offer different collections of Pokémon to find and trade. Following the same tried-and-true formula of the original Pokémon games, SoulSilver is a spiced up version of the GBA Pokémon Silver version released ten years ago. These new titles contain 115 new Pokémon (or "pocket monsters"), some wireless game play features, plus a Pokéwalker pedometer that lets you earn game credits by moving around. As in other Pokémon games, you become a Pokémon trainer and explore using the direction keys to catch, train, battle and collect wild Pokémon. Success requires a lot of reading, decision making and exploring, making this an excellent reading enrichment activity. For the first time, you can transfer one of your Pokémon from your game cartridge to the watch-sized Pokéwalker accessory, which is included with the game and is powered by a button-cell battery. While the device can work with either SoulSilver or HeartGold versions, it must be synced with just one game cartridge. You can beam one of your Pokémon to the walker, give it some exercise or take it to school, and then beam it back using the infrared signal. As you walk, you earn credits that can help you catch wild Pokémon and advance in the game. You can also wirelessly connect two Pokéwalkers to trade items. A timekeeping feature syncs real time with game time, so now some events might happen only on some days of the week. Other noteworthy features: You can "migrate" old Pokémon into this game, going back to Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed and LeafGreen (all GBA Pokémon titles) as long a you have an older DS with both game slots. You can also communicate in the Union Room, where you can chat (using typing or constructed chat), sketch pictures to one another, battle or trade Pokémon. In the Colosseum, up to four players can dual online, using friend (security) codes. The bottom line? If you like Pokémon, you'll love both SoulSilver and HeartGold. Just remember that this is strictly a one player per cartridge game. Created by Game Freak for Nintendo. Learn more at www.pokemongoldsilver.com.