Original vs remake vs hack
Should You Play Pokémon Gold or HeartGold?
Pokémon Gold is the 1999 Game Boy Color original. HeartGold is Nintendo’s DS remake. SoulGold is a separate fan GBA hack.
If you mean official games
Play Gold if you want the original Game Boy Color release. Play HeartGold (or SoulSilver) if you want Nintendo’s DS remake with following Pokémon, the Pokéathlon, and the updated Johto/Kanto structure described on Bulbapedia.
If you meant this hack
Pokémon SoulGold does not replace Gold or HeartGold. It is an Emerald-based Johto expansion with its own FAQ, nine starters, and no Kanto. Start at the download page only after you know you want the hack, not the official cartridge.
Quick choice guide
| Game | Platform | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Gold | Game Boy Color | The original Johto adventure and its period-era mechanics |
| Pokémon HeartGold | Nintendo DS | A first-party remake with updated systems and the Johto/Kanto journey |
| Pokémon SoulGold | GBA emulator or hardware | A fan-made, Emerald-based Johto expansion with nine starters and Mega Evolutions |
What to compare before downloading
Gold and HeartGold are official Nintendo releases; SoulGold is an unofficial patch distributed through Hackdex. They are not interchangeable ROMs, saves, or platforms. If your search is about the official remake pair, use the HeartGold vs SoulSilver comparison. If you specifically want the fan hack, read the SoulGold FAQ and patch instructions first.