Pokémon is a phenomenon unlike anything video games has ever seen. Pikachu is every bit as recognizable these days as Mickey Mouse or Snoopy, if not arguably more so. It feels like Pokémon is too big to ever be stopped these days, but that wasn’t always the case. Once upon a time, a little game called Pokémon Red & Blue captured the imaginations of countless people, sending them on a riveting monster-catching journey. There was nothing else like it — that is, until Pokémon Gold & Silver managed to one-up absolutely everything done in the first games, crafting what might be the greatest sequel in history.
Gold & Silver introduced the brand-new region of Johto, a massive area even bigger than the first game’s — also filled with 150 brand-new creatures to capture. Johto is a fascinating location filled with diverse cultures and locations, but what’s even more astounding is the major twist after you become the Pokémon Champion — the entire region from the first game is unlocked.
