Pokémon HeartGold is basically the best way to revisit Johto—it takes the classic Gold/Silver experience and polishes it up with smoother sprites, better colors, and that sweet DS touchscreen menu. You start off picking your usual starter (Cyndaquil forever, fight me), but the real magic is how alive everything feels. Pokémon follow you around like little buddies, and the Pokéwalker gimmick actually made me walk extra laps just to level up my Pidgey.

Battles feel snappier than the original, and the remixed soundtrack hits just right. It’s still the same addictive loop of grinding, gym battles, and yelling at your friend’s overleveled Alakazam, but with enough tweaks to make it feel fresh. Also, yeah, you get to go to Kanto after the Elite Four. Because of course you do.

If you’ve got a DS and even a vague nostalgia for Pokémon, this is the one to replay.