Pokemon Gold and Silver remakes come to DS as HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokemon Gold & Silver DS announcement

Pokemon Gold for Game Boy ColorPokemon Gold and Silver DS will be coming soon.

The Japanese Pokemon Sunday TV program had a very interesting ending in which they stated that a “world exclusive” first announcement will be made next weekend on May 10th.

Although there were no further details announced, rumors started flying when people noticed that there were two orbs hovering above the head of the host . . . and said orbs just happened to be GOLD and SILVER in color.

Pokemon Silver for Game Boy ColorNaturally this is only a guess, and the announcement could be anything. But when you consider the fact that Pokemon Gold & Silver were released WAY back on the Game Boy Color in 2000 and the fact that Nintendo remade the original games on the Game Boy Advance as Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, it stands to reason that Nintendo would want to make a little extra cash by re-releasing Gold & Silver.

Which would simultaneously please fans by giving a whole new generation of kids the chance to play the games, which are the only Pokemon games left of the original Game Boy generation that have yet to be re-released.

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver logos
Update: Nintendo of Japan has confirmed the DS remakes are titled “Pokemon Heart Gold” and “Pokemon Soul Silver.” The games will be released in Japan this fall, which means America can expect them in Q1 2010 and the rest of the world in Q2 2010. That is, if Pokemon Platinum is anything to go by, which was announced with the same launch date this time last year.

Update May 10th: The official announcement from the Japanese TV show, Pokemon Sunday, revealing the two remakes of the original GameBoy Color titles, Pokemon Gold and Silver. At 4:20 minutes into the video, you get to see the first Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver gameplay video!

Here are some more improvements in the games:
* Redesigned female lead.
* Opposite lead plays the support role.
* Pokégear, Sprout Tower and Slowpoke Well have been redesigned.
* New area cutscenes from Fire Red and Leaf Green return.
* Crossover promotion with the new movie.
* Pikachu-coloured Pichu and a notch-eared Pichu are available to those that preorder.
* Two Pichus trigger an in-game event in Ilex Forest.
* Access to Arceus, which shows you past info about Arceus and Sinnoh in Pokémon Platinum by transferring it over to the game.
* Starter Pokemon will follow you, but specifics are not known.
* New Wifi features.
* Touch-screen User Interface elements.