Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver Walkthrough Part 1
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Choose a Starter Pokemon
When you start your new Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver game for the first time, you’ll have to choose a name and gender for your character as well as set the local time, since different parts of the game are time dependent with some Pokemon being diurnal and others nocturnal. You’ll start off in your hero’s bedroom. Head downstairs to talk to your mom and learn about how your friend has already got her Pokemon.
Outside you’ll run into the friend and her Pokemon, and they direct you to the neighboring laboratory. Enter to meet Professor Elm. He has an errand for you to run, but of course it’s far too dangerous to send you out on your own. Fortunately, Professor Elm has three Pokemon to spare and one of them is yours for the taking.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver let you choose from the grass-type Chikorita, water-type Totodile, and fire-type Cyndaquil. In the long run, it doesn’t matter which Pokemon you choose. No matter which you choose, your rival character will take the one that’s strong against it (for example, if you choose the fire-type Cyndaquil your rival will take the water-type Totodile). For the sake of beating the first two gym leaders, Cyndaquil makes the easiest choice. For this guide, we’re going with Chikorita.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Off to Cherrygrove City
Professor Elm’s assistant will give you five life-restoring potions–good for 20 hit points each. Go visit your mom to get PokeGear, which includes a clock, telephone, and other nifty gadgets. As you leave the town you may notice a red-haired boy skulking around outside Professor Elm’s lab, but you’ll deal with him later. Now you’re ready to head to Cherrygrove City. The path is a straight shot to the west. Along the way you’ll encounter wild Pokemon in the tall grass. Be sure to keep an eye on your starter Pokemon’s health, since fainting will cause you to black out and lose half your money.
When you reach Cherrygrove City, an old man will show you around the town and highlight important sites like the Poke Mart and Pokemon Center. For listening to his advice, he’ll reward you with a pair of running shoes that let you move more quickly.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Get the Mysterious Egg
Your errand for Professor Elm is almost complete. Head north out of Cherrygrove City until you come to a small house. Inside a man will give you an Apricorn Box, which lets you collect brightly-colored fruits called Apricorns off trees. Hold on to these, since you’ll later use them to make rare Poke Balls.
Further north from this house, you’ll find Mr. Pokemon’s house and your final destination. Inside Mr. Pokemon is awaiting your arrival with Professor Oak from Kanto. They’ll hand you a Mysterious Egg, which must be returned to Professor Elm. As in any RPG, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver have their fair share of backtracking, so head on back to New Bark Town to deliver the egg to Professor Elm.
As you pass through Cherrygrove City and back to Route 29, you’ll encounter Rival for the first time. This character–the red-haired boy you spied earlier–will challenge you to a Pokemon battle. He’ll have the starter Pokemon with the type advantage over yours. So, in our case, he whipped out a Cyndaquil. Beat him in battle to send him packing, and then continue along to New Bark Town. At Professor Elm’s lab you’ll learn that Rival is a thief and stole the Pokemon in question. There’s nothing you can do about it for now, so hand over the Mysterious Egg and get ready to start your real Pokemon adventure in the next part of our Pokemon HeartGold walkthrough.
