Pokemon Silver Version (Game Boy Color) review "Sometimes when beating a trainer, they will ask to give you their number. If you agree, they will call you from time to time with hints of where to catch wild Pokémon. I just found this an annoyance, but it can also be an advantage."

Author's Note: This review is based on Pokémon Silver specifically, though Pokémon Gold is nearly identical to Pokémon Silver, and the opinions expressed in this review should be relevant to that game also. I will refer to both as, ''Pokémon GS,'' so, try to stay with me.

It all started with an idea. An idea then became a project. A project then became a craze. A craze then became a legend. When someone says the word 'Pokémon,' what do you think of? A lame trading card game? A cheap animé television program? Or do you think of something else--a series of spectacular videogames that represent the finest entertainment the Game Boy has to offer? Err, uh... yeah.

If you at all remember what started the Pokémon craze, Nintendo's Pokémon Red and Blue games, you'll understand how underrated the series actually is, and that all the bashing really has no point. This franchise isn't popular just because the Pocket Monsters are cute. No, sir. This franchise is popular because the games are fun.

Now, Nintendo has released a sequel to Pokémon Red and Blue (and Pokémon Yellow, although that was more of a special edition), in the form of Pokémon Gold and Silver.

Pokémon Gold and Silver take place roughly three years after the events in Pokémon Red and Blue, even though, in one point in the game, Lt. Surge--whom you fought (and beat) in Red and Blue--says, ''I have never been beaten in battle.'' Note the irony. The story in Pokémon GS takes place mainly in Johto, which is west of Kanto, the setting of the original games. However, during your adventure, you will also travel to Kanto to collect all of its gym badges, in additon to travelling through Johto collecting the badges there.

The most drastic change in Pokémon GS comes in the addition of 100 brand-new Pokémon, making a whopping total of 250 monsters to collect! Of course, each version has Pokémon exclusive to itself, meaning you'll have to trade with a player with Gold to catch them all, if you have Silver.

As with almost every game on the Game Boy Color, the graphics in Pokémon GS are simply sprites and text. Now the games are in full color, though, so it actually looks about ten times better! Also, the Pokémon themselves look better in their still poses during battles, and in the Pokédex.

Music sounds better overall in Pokémon GS, though sometimes it can become a real annoyance. The MIDI's actually have about 5 layers to them, and they aren't exactly what I'd call excellent composition. Nonetheless, I'd rather have decent music than crappy music.

The battle system is exactly the same as in Red and Blue, and really isn't very innovative. When fighting wild Pokémon, you can either defeat them for experience, or catch them using a Poké Ball. As for trainers--well--it's basically the same exact thing, except you must defeat the Pokémon, and you cannot run from battle.

Pokémon GS also includes a new feature called the Poké Gear, a watch-type instrument that your character uses to tell the time (more on that later), view the world map, make phone calls, and listen to the radio. Sometimes when beating a trainer, they will ask to give you their number. If you agree, they will call you from time to time with hints of where to catch wild Pokémon. I just found this an annoyance, but it can also be an advantage. The radio helps you somewhat, but is mostly for when you're bored. However, it does serve one specific purpose when you reach Kanto...

I mentioned before the inclusion of time in Pokémon GS. When starting the game, you input the time of day, and the day of the week. Throughout the game, certain events will only take place on a certain day, and many Pokémon can only be found during the day, or at night. The amount of daylight will also vary depending on the time. For instance, at 5 AM (during Daylight Savings Time), it will become light out, but at 5 PM, it will become dark. A very interesting feature, indeed.

You can also hook up with a buddy who has Pokémon Gold or Silver and battle him, or you can trade Pokémon. You can also trade with a Yellow, Red, or Blue player, as long as the Pokémon you are trading--and their moves--correspond with those titles.

Overall, Pokémon Gold and Silver are two titles well worth your money, and are great improvements over the original titles. Now excuse me, I must go back to raising my Tyranitar.

Staff review by Zack M (Date unavailable) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.