Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf by “Heart & Soul” you mean Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver, start with Pokémon Black 2 or White 2. They remain Nintendo DS games, follow a new story set two years after Black and White, and preserve the compact, traditional handheld adventure structure that makes HGSS so appealing.
Choose Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire if the remake treatment is what you loved; Pokémon Legends: Arceus if you want a genuinely different exploration-focused format; or Scarlet and Violet if you want the newest main-series route on Nintendo Switch. The right choice depends less on release order than on your hardware, tolerance for modern mechanics, preferred story pace, and plans for moving Pokémon between games.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition | $52.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! - Nintendo Switch | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
First, what comes after HeartGold and SoulSilver?
HeartGold and SoulSilver were Nintendo DS remakes of the original Johto adventure. “What comes after Heart & Soul?” can therefore mean several different things: the next game in release order, the closest game in feel, another remake, or simply the best Pokémon game you can play on the hardware you own today.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThere is no single sequel that reproduces every HGSS feature. The strongest direct follow-up is Black 2 or White 2. They stay on DS, use a traditional region-and-badges framework, and tell a new Unova story two years after the first Black and White. If your favorite part of HGSS was revisiting a classic region in an enhanced remake, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are the better match. If you want to leave the old route structure behind, Legends: Arceus is the boldest next step.
#1 Best Overall
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Historically, HGSS also stood out for its physical interaction. Nintendo described the included Pokéwalker accessory this way: “With the included Pokéwalker accessory, players could train their Pokémon just by walking in the real world.” That feature is part of why no later game is an exact substitute.
Quick recommendation by the experience you want
| If you want… | Play… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The closest traditional follow-up | Black 2 or White 2 | Same DS family, new region, sequel story and classic progression. |
| Another enhanced remake | Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire | Remakes of Ruby and Sapphire with Mega Evolutions and additional secrets. |
| The best alternative still on DS | Platinum | A distinct Sinnoh adventure with the older handheld presentation. |
| A major change in exploration | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Switch entry built around a different exploration and progression rhythm. |
| A story-led 3DS adventure | Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon | Alola setting, stronger character focus and newer mechanics. |
| The current main-series Switch path | Scarlet or Violet | Officially listed for Switch and designed around newer online and open-area features. |
1. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2: the best direct follow-up
Why they fit HGSS players
Black 2 and White 2 are the clearest recommendation when you want another substantial handheld Pokémon journey without jumping immediately to a radically different format. Nintendo lists both as Nintendo DS games and describes them as taking place two years after Black and White. They introduce a new story, a changed Unova map and more Pokémon than the original pair.
The games retain the familiar rhythm of choosing a starter, building a team, traveling between settlements, battling major opponents and earning badges. That makes them a natural continuation for someone who values HGSS’s sense of a complete road trip rather than a collection of disconnected activities.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Do you need to play Black or White first?
No, but the sequel is more rewarding if you know the original Unova story. Characters, political events and the state of the region carry over. A newcomer can still follow the central plot, yet some relationships and reveals will have less weight. If you have never played either game, start with whichever version you can find in reliable condition; if you already finished Black or White, choose the matching sequel only if version-specific Pokémon or story details matter to you.
Important trade-off
This is a sequel rather than a remake. It does not revisit Johto, include HGSS’s following-Pokémon presentation or reproduce the Pokéwalker routine. Its appeal is continuity of hardware and structure, not nostalgia for the same map.
Buying and hardware notes
- You need Nintendo DS hardware, including a DS Lite, DSi or 3DS that can read DS cartridges.
- Look specifically for “Pokémon Black Version 2” or “Pokémon White Version 2.” Verify the region, cartridge label and seller photographs.
- Used prices and availability vary substantially. Physical copies can be expensive, and counterfeit cartridges are a known risk with popular DS titles.
2. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: the best remake-to-remake choice
What makes them the closest remake successor
Nintendo describes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as enhanced remakes of Ruby and Sapphire. They preserve the Hoenn setting while rebuilding it for Nintendo 3DS, adding new Mega Evolutions and additional secrets. If your favorite HGSS quality was seeing an older region reinterpreted with newer presentation and mechanics, this pair is the most direct answer.
Hoenn feels different from Johto: routes, geography and the balance between land and water create a more exploration-heavy map, while the battle system includes modern features that were not present in HGSS. The result is familiar in concept but not a duplicate.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Which version should you choose?
The broad story and progression are shared. Version-exclusive Pokémon, certain encounters and some character details differ. Choose based on the version-exclusive team you want, the box art you prefer or which complete copy you can verify. There is no universal gameplay advantage that makes one the correct choice for every player.
Rank #2
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
Why Mega Evolution matters
Mega Evolution gives selected Pokémon temporary alternate forms during battle. It adds a strategic layer that HGSS lacks and changes how you plan a team around key fights. If you prefer a simpler, older battle identity, that extra system may feel busy; if you enjoy experimenting with battle transformations, it is a major reason to choose Hoenn.
Sales context
Nintendo UK reported more than 3 million combined copies of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in Europe in its 2016 historical feature. That figure is a regional combined-sales report from that publication, not a current worldwide sales total.
Requirements and caveats
- You need Nintendo 3DS-family hardware. The games do not run on a standard Nintendo DS.
- They are physical 3DS releases, so current stock, prices and cartridge condition depend on the used market.
- Online and transfer features can depend on Nintendo’s current service status and the software accounts available to you.
3. Pokémon Platinum: the strongest DS-era alternative
Why choose Platinum after HGSS
Pokémon Platinum is the third Sinnoh adventure and remains a strong choice when you want to stay on DS while moving to a completely different region. It uses the older visual style, route-based progression and battle pacing that many HGSS players prefer.
Platinum is not a sequel to HGSS and does not continue Johto’s characters. Its value is consistency of era: the same broad hardware generation, a focused single-player journey and a region with its own mythology and team-building possibilities.
How it compares with later Sinnoh options
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are listed in the official Pokémon catalog for Nintendo Switch, but they are remakes of the original Sinnoh pair rather than replacements for every feature in Platinum. If you specifically want the DS-era Sinnoh experience, choose Platinum; if you need a Switch game, consider the Switch remakes or another modern entry.
Used-copy warning
Complete, authentic copies of Platinum can be costly because demand remains high. Ask for clear cartridge photographs, compare the label and shell with known authentic examples, and use a seller with a return policy. A low price is not proof of a bargain.
4. Pokémon Legends: Arceus: the best format change
What changes
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a Nintendo Switch entry built around exploration, field research and a different progression rhythm. Instead of following the standard gym-and-route sequence as its primary structure, you spend more time surveying areas, observing Pokémon, completing research tasks and expanding access to new zones.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
That makes it ideal if HGSS left you wanting to roam, investigate and interact with the world more directly. It is a poor choice only if what you want is an almost identical badge road trip.
Rank #3
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Who should play it next
- Choose it after HGSS if exploration, regional history and a less conventional campaign sound more appealing than traditional gym order.
- Choose something else first if your priority is a familiar eight-badge structure, a large competitive-style roster or the compact presentation of DS games.
Hardware and continuity
The official Pokémon catalog lists Legends: Arceus for Nintendo Switch. It is a standalone experience in its own historical setting, not a direct continuation of the HGSS plot. Your interest in Johto does not require playing another game first.
5. Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: the story-led 3DS route
Why Alola feels different
Nintendo describes Sun and Moon as adventures in Alola, a Hawaii-inspired setting with new Pokémon and gameplay features. The island setting, recurring characters and extended opening chapters give these games a stronger character and story emphasis than HGSS.
They still involve team building, exploration and major battles, but the route through the story is more guided. Trials and island challenges replace a simple gym-to-gym pattern, so the pacing can feel slower at the start if you are expecting HGSS to begin immediately with open travel.
Sun and Moon versus Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are later 3DS titles that expand and alter the Alola adventure. They add story material, encounters and features, but they are not merely an optional difficulty setting for the originals. For a first Alola playthrough, choose the pair whose story presentation you prefer and whose used copy is authentic and affordable; returning players may appreciate the added content in the Ultra versions.
Best fit and limitations
Choose Alola if you want a more guided, character-focused campaign and enjoy newer battle mechanics. Avoid it as your first post-HGSS game if you specifically want traditional routes, gyms and a fast opening.
Nintendo 3DS hardware is required. The 3DS ecosystem has been discontinued for new digital purchases, so plan around physical copies and the services still available on your hardware.
6. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: the current main-series Switch route
Why they are the modern default
The official Pokémon catalog lists Scarlet and Violet for Nintendo Switch. They are the practical choice if you want a currently supported platform, newer online features and a main-series adventure designed for contemporary hardware.
Compared with HGSS, the presentation is larger, the structure is less compact and the region offers more freedom in how you approach objectives. That freedom is the attraction for players who want to choose their own order and spend more time exploring. It can feel less deliberate than Johto’s carefully staged route progression.
Rank #4
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
Who should choose Scarlet or Violet
- Players who own only a Switch and want a current main-series title.
- Players interested in newer Pokémon, online interaction and a more open-ended regional design.
- Players willing to trade the DS-era visual style and tightly controlled route sequence for scale and flexibility.
Who should choose another game
If your priority is a self-contained retro-style adventure, Black 2, White 2 or Platinum will feel closer. If your priority is a remake, choose Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire. If you want exploration without the standard formula, choose Legends: Arceus.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by hardware first
| Hardware you have | Best options | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo DS or DS Lite | Black 2, White 2, Platinum | These are the safest matches for the older handheld structure. |
| Nintendo 3DS family | Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon | 3DS games require 3DS hardware; DS cartridges can also be played on compatible 3DS models. |
| Nintendo Switch | Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, Violet, Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl | The official catalog lists these Switch paths; each has a different balance of exploration and traditional progression. |
| More than one system | Pick by structure, then plan transfers | Do not assume a direct HGSS-to-Switch route; intermediary software and compatible hardware matter. |
Transfer planning: move Pokémon only after checking the chain
Transfer goals can change which game is sensible. Nintendo Support lists Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 as sources for Poké Transporter. It also lists X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon and Pokémon HOME as destinations within the Pokémon Bank transfer system, subject to the requirements on that support page.
The practical sequence may involve more than one application, compatible 3DS hardware and accounts that are no longer sold or newly activated in the same way as modern Switch services. Before starting, check:
- Which game currently holds the Pokémon.
- Whether the source cartridge and console support the required transfer application.
- Whether Pokémon Bank, Poké Transporter and Pokémon HOME are available and configured on your systems.
- Whether the target game accepts each species and form you intend to move.
- Whether the transfer is one-way. Many Pokémon transfers cannot be reversed.
Do not promise yourself a direct HeartGold or SoulSilver-to-Switch transfer without checking the exact intermediary path available to you. Hardware, software availability and account status determine what is possible.
How to choose in five decisions
- Identify your console. DS points you toward Black 2, White 2 or Platinum; 3DS opens Hoenn and Alola; Switch opens the current catalog.
- Decide whether you want the classic formula. For routes, badges and a compact campaign, choose Black 2, White 2 or Platinum.
- Decide whether remake nostalgia matters. Choose Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire for another enhanced interpretation of an older region.
- Choose story pace or exploration. Alola emphasizes characters and guided progression; Legends: Arceus emphasizes field exploration; Scarlet and Violet emphasize modern freedom.
- Check transfer requirements before investing. If your long-term goal is Pokémon HOME, verify the complete route and service requirements first.
Common pitfalls when buying older Pokémon games
Confusing a sequel with the original
Black 2 and White 2 are separate cartridges from Black and White. Read the title carefully before paying.
Buying the wrong platform version
Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon and the Ultra games require 3DS hardware. Legends: Arceus, Scarlet and Violet require Switch. A DS cartridge will not run on Switch.
Assuming every used cartridge is genuine
Popular DS and 3DS games attract counterfeit copies. Ask for detailed photographs, inspect the cartridge and label, check seller feedback and use a returnable purchase whenever possible.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Assuming online features are permanent
Online connectivity, account services and transfer tools can change after a console generation ends. Treat current support as a condition to verify, not a lifetime guarantee.
Final ranking
- Black 2 or White 2: best overall follow-up for HGSS fans who want another traditional handheld adventure.
- Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire: best if the remake concept and updated presentation are the main attraction.
- Platinum: best DS-era alternative for a new region and classic pacing.
- Legends: Arceus: best when exploration matters more than gyms.
- Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon: best story-led 3DS option.
- Scarlet or Violet: best current main-series Switch route.
Nintendo UK reported more than 3.5 million combined copies of Pokémon X and Y in Europe in its 2016 historical feature, illustrating the scale of the 3DS transition that introduced the series’ first 3D Pokémon presentation and Mega Evolution. Those games are also worth considering if you want a shorter bridge from DS-era design to 3DS mechanics, but the choices above match the specific post-HGSS question more closely.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
