Nintendo’s latest trademark renewal is hinting of a potential re-release of Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver—likely, on the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver is a remake of the second-generation Pokemon titles in the mainline series. Arguably, two of the most beloved entries in the series, the games were remade for the Nintendo DS.
Second-Gen Titles and their Subsequent Remakes
As expansions to the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow versions, the two games highlight two legendary Pokemons, Ho-Oh (Gold) and Lugia (Silver). In addition to more than a hundred more Pokemon that roam Kanto’s neighboring region.
The original Gold and Silver’s success draws from the formula of the original entries. The sequel did not necessarily reinvent the wheel. Rather, they focused more on the core gameplay’s strengths while adding new exciting elements to it.
All of that is further in compound by the conspicuously prettier representation in the Game Boy Color platform. Not only did the series see color for the first time, the sprite animations are significantly more polished-looking, too.
The remake of Gold and Silver, in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, finally see the game turned to 3D, thanks to the DS’s hardware capability. Part also of the charm comes with the handheld platform’s dual-screen display, which gives complementary visual feedback in real-time.
Other exciting new features were also added to the game to enhance the game’s overall appeal to the fan base. Battle Revolution, Pal Bark, and berries being the noteworthy inclusions.
Plausible Meaning
If the patent which was originally revealed a week before is ever to go by, it could mean one of two things. One is the likelihood that Nintendo is in the process of remaking the game for the Nintendo Switch. Another would be simply to make a port of the two games, with a bit of improvisation considering the Switch’s substantially diverse hardware from the DS.
Nintendo has applied for trademarks for "POKÉMON HEARTGOLD" (T2020-110933) and "POKÉMON SOULSILVER" (T2020-110934), filed on September 7 pic.twitter.com/5Oz5VWe34E
— abcboy (@abcboy101) September 22, 2020
It is not just the Nintendo DS that the Switch is in comparison, too, however. Considering the Wii U’s Virtual Console capability, DS games have been running on it as if though a native platform. Although, technically, a result of emulation. This makes the Switch relatively comparable with the Wii U, but with the contrast of the former not having a native Virtual Console functionality.
Other Related Interest
As interesting as the idea of being able to re-experience Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver on the Switch, there’s a stronger fan demand for a remake over Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, however. Which, if paid attention to, could indeed satisfy an enduring interest and that could also potentially magnify the games’ brilliance, if remade for the Switch.
Image used courtesy of Johnstone/YouTube Screenshot