This guide covers all the new features and quality of life (QoL) improvements introduced in Pokémon HeartGold Generations. From streamlined mechanics and user interface enhancements to added in-game tools and training aids, these updates aim to make gameplay smoother, more accessible, and more enjoyable for both new and returning players. Dive in to discover what’s new and how these changes enhance your journey through the Johto region.
Pokemon HeartGold Generations Features and QoL Included
- ~835 Pokemon from over 400 families across all 9 generations are available
- All Trade-Evolutions and Cross-Generation evolutions are available
- Free Rare Candies to raise weaker wild pokemon
- Buyable Nature Mints and Ability Capsules
- Free Heart Scales after 7 Gyms for relearning moves
- Level-Cap in place to prevent overleveling
- Fully functional Mega Evolution
- Level curve adjusted slightly to make Gym leaders more relevant
- Gym Leaders have slightly altered teams to promote more Johto Pokemon use
- Amount of pokemon and general difficulty/moveset power are identical (Falkner’s
- Pidgey to Hoothoot for example)
- Some generic late-game trainers have had their levels boosted to be less irrelevant
- Three versions of the hack for those who prefer different features
Features that are NOT Included
All 1025 pokemon are not available
- Hg-engine is not fully complete, so a number of pokemon are not catchable.
- These are mostly legendaries, but some generic pokemon who are dependent on non-implemented abilities (Palafin or Morpeko for example) or pokemon who don’t have sprites at all (Bounsweet or Arctovish for example). This means you cannot complete the full dex, but that’s not the point of this hack.
- Secondarily, a handful of moves do not have their full effects or animations, which are mostly niche, signature moves. All new generation moves should still work by doing their type of attack and base damage.
Exp-All is not available.
While some hackers are working on implementing such a feature, it’s still highly
requested and still in the works.
Hidden abilities are not available
Again, hidden abilities are a newer feature in hg-engine which I did not implement. However, many pokemon who have really cool or essential hidden abilities have had them added as their secondary ability.
Difficulty enhancement is not the goal of this hack
I have edited some gym leaders and improved their levels, but it’s meant to make your team able to level up higher by the endgame. There should really be no additional difficulty, especially since Johto is notoriously easy with pathetic movesets and non-evolved pokemon.
Not necessarily fully QC’d and updated movesets
Pretty much all pokemon have current gen movesets, but I did not meticulously go through all 830ish pokemon to check their movesets. Though I did ensure all special move-requiring pokemon learn their evo move for example.
Kanto is UNTOUCHED
Although postgame Kanto is cool, my focus was to make a Johto game. There are a million Kanto hacks in Gen 3 if you want to experience something like that.
Closing Note
Whether you’re here for nostalgia or a modernized Pokemon experience, the features and QoL updates in Pokemon HeartGold Generations offer the best of both worlds. Use this guide to get the most out of every mechanic, system tweak, and added convenience—making your adventure more efficient, immersive, and fun from start to finish.
