Pokémon SoulGold (also searched as Pokémon Soul Gold) is a Johto-focused Game Boy Advance ROM hack byrahtak. The official Hackdex listing describes it as an “expanded and purely Johto focused experience.” It is distributed as a patch, not a ready-made ROM.
The project’s GitHub README and Hackdex about text say SoulGold is based on an unofficial expansion port of Heart & Soul and is not affiliated with official Heart and Soul 2.0. The current Hackdex version isv1.2, released 2026-10-03 (checked 2026-10-14).
What’s new in v1.2
Version 1.2 rolls up the v1.1.x builds released through September and adds a few new systems. The author notes that most of these changes already shipped in v1.1.4, so a recent patch may already include them. Highlights from theofficial release notes:
New Fast HM animation and Battle Music options, plus an optional dark-mode party menu.
Shiny parents in the Day Care boost the shiny odds of eggs; two shiny parents boost them further.
Follower sprites for most starter Mega forms (Mega Primarina and Mega Meowscarada are still pending).
Battle Pyramid rework: Full Heal in the starting bag, wider flash range, a guaranteed recovery item per floor, Lum Berries, and lower encounter rates.
Paradox “legendaries” respawn after a title defense and no longer count toward Pokédex completion.
Elite Four rematch and title-defense teams adjusted; Pokémon Centers have night music.
New moves for Kabutops, Sceptile, Ambipom, Pawmot, and Pidgeot, and updated innates for 20 species.
Saves carry forward, so you can patch v1.2 over an older playthrough. You cannot go back to an older version afterwards. The full list, with every earlier release, is on the SoulGold changelog.
This site is a documentation and download-path hub. The hero player is a reservedEmulatorJS frame. Import a patched ROM once; later visits start the browser-local copy directly. We do not host Nintendo ROMs.
Official feature list
The following points are copied from the official README / Hackdex feature list, not invented:
Explore expanded Johto with new areas and biomes, and a fresh tileset for the region.
Traditional Pokémon adventure in the main game; multiple abilities unlock in the postgame.
Battle facilities in the main game and postgame; the Factory is accessible after Gym 3.
Hidden Grottos with rare items and Pokémon, resetting daily.
Some legendary boss fights have multiple health bars; after defeat, the catch is guaranteed with any ball.
Achievement system with over 100 trophies and milestone rewards.
9 starters, plus new Mega Evolutions for Typhlosion, Meowscarada, and Primarina.
Title Defense so the Champion fight is not always the same trainer.
All Mega Evolutions available; Mega Stones are type-generic stones.
Rocket Arcade awards money instead of Battle Points.
HGSS features such as Cameron the Cameraman, Buena’s password, Pokégear, and rock-smashing fossils.
Unique battle frame color for shiny Pokémon; music resumes after battles instead of restarting.
Guides and comparisons
Each page answers one search intent. Start with the guides hub, then compare this hack withHeartGold / SoulSilverif that is the game you meant.
