Remake

A remake is a term used to describe something that is done again, in a new and updated style, such as a video game remake. In Pokémon terms, it can refer to two pairs of games:

• Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, remakes of the Generation I games Pokémon Red and Green during Generation III.
• Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, remakes of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver during Generation IV.

Remake speculation

Before the announcement of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, many had speculated a remake of Gold and Silver since the release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in 2004. In the Generation IV games, location pointer data (for a caught Pokémon's status screen) includes a reference to Johto, much like it does for Kanto and Hoenn when a Pokémon is transferred forward from Generation III. This left programmers the opportunity to see Johto make an appearance in future games compatible with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. However, Pokémon caught in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and traded to Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum have location data set to Faraway place.

Because of the "pattern" established by remaking both Red and Green and Gold and Silver two generations after their original release, it is now being speculated that Generation III remakes may appear sometime in the future, possibly during Generation V. This theory is strengthened by the number of references to the Generation III games:

• An area in the game is said to bring disaster to those who go near it. This area features Absol, a Hoenn Pokémon known to predict disaster.
• The inclusion of a skilled family of Pokemon trainers that can be battled.
• Separate music for the Elite Four and the Gym Leaders, as in Generation III.
• The inclusion of emerald crystals in Yacon's gym, as well as in Cerulean Cave in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• An area with sandstorm that can be accessed before the Elite Four.
• The sixth Gym Leader of Isshu, Fuuro, is a Flying-type specialist and lives near a rainy area, like Winona from Hoenn.
• The inclusion of the Dive HM, which was previously exclusive to Generation III.
• The inclusion of Mail previously only available in Generation III.
• The inclusion of two rival characters, similar to Generation III.

Trivia

• Both sets of remakes are to date the only main series Pokémon games to come bundled with an accessory. FireRed and LeafGreen originally had the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter bundled with them, while HeartGold and SoulSilver are bundled with the Pokéwalker.
• Both sets of remakes are also the only main series games to have a symbol in their logos, although the symbols of FireRed and LeafGreen are only in the Japanese logos.
• Both sets of remakes also use artwork on the boxart other than the official artwork released with the game.
• A new female player character has been introduced in each set of remakes.
• Remade games are retconned to the point of including all known Pokémon as of their release generation, not just the Pokémon available in the original release.