Pokémon SoulSilver (the French version, "Argent Soulsilver") is basically a love letter to Johto fans—it takes the classic Gold/Silver experience and polishes it up with DS-era charm. You start in New Bark Town like always, but now your Pokémon follows behind you in the overworld, which is way more adorable than it should be.

The graphics got a nice glow-up, and the touchscreen menus make managing your team less of a chore. Battles feel snappier, too, though some of the early-game wild Pokémon levels are still weirdly low (looking at you, Route 29). The Pokéathlon minigames are a fun distraction when you need a break from grinding, and the rematches against Gym Leaders actually make them feel like threats later on.

It’s still Johto at heart—same slow EXP curve, same weird level curve before the Elite Four—but if you’ve got nostalgia for this region, this is the best way to revisit it. Just don’t expect the physical/special split to save you from Whitney’s Miltank.