Honestly, looking at a Pokémon HeartGold Pokémon list is like looking at a massive, multi-layered puzzle. You think you've seen it all after beating the Elite Four. You haven't. Not even close. HeartGold isn't just a remake of a Game Boy Color game; it’s a gargantuan beast that swallows your free time. It's got the Johto Dex, the Kanto Dex, and then this "National" thing that just keeps growing.
The Johto Pokédex itself technically stops at #251 with Celebi. But here's the kicker: the game lets you catch stuff from Sinnoh and Hoenn too. Basically, if you’re trying to check off every box, you’re looking at 493 monsters.
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The Johto Heavy Hitters
Most people start with the basics. You pick your starter—Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile—and head out. But the real meat of the Pokémon HeartGold Pokémon list starts showing up in the tall grass on Route 30. You’ve got your Pidgeys and Rattatas, sure. But then you hit the surprises.
Early game, you’re looking at stuff like:
- Mareep: The absolute goat of early-game Johto. If you don't catch one at Route 32, you're making the game way harder than it needs to be.
- Wooper: It's cute, it's derpy, and it's immune to electricity. Vital.
- Heracross: You have to headbutt trees. Seriously. It’s a 1-in-10 chance in specific locations like Azalea Town, but it's the hardest hitter you'll find before the third gym.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Version Exclusives
You can’t finish the list alone. It’s physically impossible. If you bought HeartGold, you’re locked out of some of the coolest designs in the series. I’m talking about Vulpix and Ninetales. Those are SoulSilver only.
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If you're on HeartGold, you get the Mankey line, the Growlithe line, and the Spinarak line. You also get Gligar and Mantine. If you want a Skarmory or a Donphan? Too bad. You need a friend or a second DS. It's a classic Nintendo move that still stings years later.
The National Dex Expansion
Once you step foot in Kanto, everything changes. The Pokémon HeartGold Pokémon list basically doubles. You start seeing the Kanto classics in their natural habitats. Snorlax is still blocking the road (bring your Pokégear radio), and Mewtwo is chilling in Cerulean Cave.
But the real magic happens with the Hoenn Sound and Sinnoh Sound.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can tune your radio to specific stations. Suddenly, the Johto grass is full of Zigzagoon and Shinx. It’s wild. You’ll be walking through the Ilex Forest and stumble upon a Budew. This was revolutionary at the time. It made the world feel like it was actually connected to the other regions.
Hunting the Legendaries
The legendary list in this game is frankly absurd. It's the most "generous" game in the series.
- Ho-Oh: The star of the show. You get it at level 45 in the Bell Tower.
- Lugia: In HeartGold, you can still get Lugia! You just have to wait until you get the Silver Wing in Kanto. It’ll be level 70, waiting in the Whirl Islands.
- The Dogs: Entei and Raikou are roaming. They are a nightmare to catch. Suicune, thankfully, stays still once you corner it at Route 25.
- The Birds: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are all here. No events needed. Just go to Seafoam Islands, the Power Plant, and Mt. Silver.
Wait, did I mention Kyogre? If you have HeartGold, you get Kyogre. If you manage to get a Groudon from SoulSilver and bring them both to Professor Oak, he gives you the Jade Orb. That’s how you get Rayquaza. It's a lot of legwork, but it's worth it for the flex.
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The Gift Pokémon You Missed
Check your party space. Seriously. There are so many "freebies" in this game that people just walk past.
- Eevee: Bill just gives it to you in Goldenrod City.
- Shuckle: Some guy in Cianwood is scared someone will steal his, so he gives it to you. If you keep it long enough and its happiness is high, he might let you keep it forever.
- Tyrogue: Deep in Mt. Mortar, the Karate King is waiting. Beat him, and you get this little fighter.
- ExtremeSpeed Dratini: This is the big one. In the Dragon’s Den, after you beat Clair, the Elders ask you questions. If you answer like a "compassionate trainer" (basically, don't be a jerk), the Dratini they give you knows ExtremeSpeed. It’s a top-tier move you can't get any other way.
Why the Safari Zone is a Trap
The Safari Zone in HeartGold is... complicated. It’s not like the old games where you just run and throw rocks. You have to "arrange" the zones. You have to place blocks. And then you have to wait.
Want a Larvitar? You have to wait for the Mountain zone. Want a Riolu? You might have to wait seventy days for the right blocks to "ripen." It’s a test of patience that most players fail. Honestly, most people just trade for these rather than dealing with Baoba’s convoluted system.
Completing the List: Next Steps
If you're actually serious about finishing this Pokémon HeartGold Pokémon list, you need a plan.
- Step 1: Beat Red. You can't get the Kanto starter from Oak or the Hoenn starter from Steven Stone until Red is defeated.
- Step 2: Use the Radio. Set your clock to Wednesday (Hoenn) or Thursday (Sinnoh) to fill those National Dex gaps.
- Step 3: Check the Swarms. Every day, Professor Oak’s Talk on the radio mentions a "swarm." This is the only way to get things like Chansey or Marill in certain spots.
Grab your DS, check your Pokégear, and start hunting. The list isn't going to finish itself.