Radio Tower HGSS · Johto Area

The Radio Tower in Goldenrod City is home to Johto’s radio broadcasts, but after you earn your seventh Badge, Team Rocket seizes it and broadcasts a call for Giovanni’s return. Taking it back means beating the fake Director (Executive Petrel) for the Basement Key, rescuing the real Director in the Goldenrod Underground for the Card Key, and then fighting your way up to Archer on the observation deck. The grateful Director rewards you with the Rainbow Wing in HeartGold or the Silver Wing in SoulSilver.
- Region
- Johto
- Wild Pokémon
- None
- Items
- 7
- Trainers
- 16
Connects to: Goldenrod City
Radio Tower on the Johto Pokégear map
Wild Pokémon
No wild Pokémon here.
Trainers


Executive Petrel Goldenrod Radio Tower 5F
Koffing 30
Koffing 30
Koffing 30
Weezing 32
Koffing 30
Koffing 30Prize ₽1,200

| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Rattata 21 Rattata 21 Rattata 23 Rattata 23 Rattata 23 | ₽920 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 2F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Arbok 26 | ₽1,040 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 2F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Zubat 26 Zubat 26 | ₽1,040 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 2F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Grimer 23 Grimer 23 Muk 25 | ₽1,000 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 2F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Koffing 23 Grimer 23 Zubat 23 Rattata 23 | ₽920 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 3F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Weezing 26 | ₽1,040 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 3F |
ScientistGarett | Magnemite 27 Magnemite 27 Magnemite 27 | ₽864 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 3F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Raticate 24 Koffing 26 | ₽1,040 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 3F |
ScientistTrenton | Porygon 30 | ₽960 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 4F |
Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Zubat 22 Golbat 24 Grimer 22 | ₽880 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 4F |
ExecutiveProton | Golbat 28 Weezing 33 | ₽1,320 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 4F |
ExecutiveAriana | Arbok 32 Vileplume 32 Murkrow 32 | ₽2,560 | Goldenrod Radio Tower 5F |
Prize money is four times the level of the trainer’s last Pokémon times the trainer class’s rate (doubled in double battles). Trainers who give you their Pokégear number call when they want a rematch, with stronger teams as you progress.
Items
| Item | How | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Card | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower 2F |
| TM11 Sunny Day | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower 3F |
| Ultra Ball | Item ball | Goldenrod Radio Tower 4F |
| BrightPowder | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower 4F |
| Basement Key | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower 5F |
| Rainbow Wing | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower Observation Deck |
| Silver Wing | Gift | Goldenrod Radio Tower Observation Deck |
Hidden items can be found with the Dowsing MCHN Pokégear app.
Tips
- The fake Director on 5F is Executive Petrel, and beating him gives you the Basement Key for the Goldenrod Underground.
- The real Director is locked in the Underground Warehouse, where he gives you the Card Key that opens the 3F shutter.
- Rival Silver ambushes you on Underground B2F on the way, so heal before going down.
- Executive Proton (Golbat Lv28, Weezing Lv33) and Executive Ariana (Arbok, Vileplume and Murkrow at Lv32) guard the upper floors.
- Archer waits on the observation deck with Houndour Lv35, Koffing Lv35 and Houndoom Lv38; Ground and Water moves help.
- After the liberation you receive TM11 Sunny Day on 3F and BrightPowder from Mary on 4F.
- Buena on 2F gives you the Blue Card for her Password show, which earns points you can trade for prizes.
Walkthrough: Part 11: Team Rocket Takes the Radio Tower
More pictures
FAQ
How do you get the Card Key in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Beat the fake Director on 5F for the Basement Key, open the Goldenrod Underground warehouse, and the real Director there gives you the Card Key.
When does Team Rocket take over the Radio Tower in HGSS?
Right after you earn your seventh Johto Badge.
How do you get the Rainbow Wing in HeartGold?
The Radio Tower Director gives it to you after you drive Team Rocket out; in SoulSilver he gives you the Silver Wing instead.
Who is the fake Director in the Radio Tower?
Team Rocket Executive Petrel in disguise.
Sources & picture credits
- Radio Tower (Bulbapedia)
- pret/pokeheartgold (decompiled game data)
- Picture: Goldenrod_Radio_Tower_HGSS.png
- Picture: Goldenrod_Radio_Tower_HGSS_floor_1.png
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances, items, trainers, rematch teams, gifts and shops come from the pret/pokeheartgold decompilation, and the Pokémon sprites and dungeon entrance pictures are drawn from the game’s own graphics in it. The position maps are the Gold/Silver wiki’s Pokégear map renders. Location pictures and trainer sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Pokémon Wiki on Fandom (listed on the image gallery).





















