New Bark Town, the first partner and Violet Gym
Set up the original Gold/Silver adventure, complete Elm's errand and prepare for Johto's first badge.
Original Gold and Silver cartridges: Japan in 1999, Australia and North America in 2000, Europe in 2001. These releases run on Game Boy with enhanced color on Game Boy Color; the Korean editions require Game Boy Color. Crystal and the DS HeartGold/SoulSilver remakes have different events and encounters. The 3DS Virtual Console releases change the link method to local wireless.
Set the clock and take Elm's errand
The opening asks for the current time, and your mother helps set the weekday through the Pokégear. Choose these carefully because encounters and recurring events use the in-game clock. Elm offers Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile before sending you to Mr. Pokémon. Visit Cherrygrove on the way, use the Pokémon Center and talk to the guide for the Map Card. This first journey teaches the route before catching becomes the main goal.
Return with the Egg, then build the party
Mr. Pokémon gives you the Mystery Egg, and Oak supplies the Pokédex. Elm's call brings you back to New Bark, with a rival battle on the return route. Deliver the Egg, name the rival when questioned and collect Poké Balls from Elm's aide before leaving again. We recommend a second teammate with a different attack type. Chikorita's Grass typing, for example, makes Falkner's Flying-type Gym a reason to prepare support instead of relying entirely on the starter.
Use Violet City as the first preparation stop
Routes 30 and 31 lead to Violet City. Sprout Tower gives additional Trainer battles and the Flash HM, while Falkner awards the Zephyr Badge. Save after productive training and heal before the Gym. Gold/Silver separates Special Attack and Special Defense, and held items can help a Pokémon automatically recover or improve an attack. Check what an item does before giving it away; some disappear after use. Your mother can save part of battle winnings if you choose that option.
Treat the first badge as a team check: add a useful teammate or held item when the starter's matchup is difficult, then try again.
Picture details
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