However, after months of training, I decided to put the game down. No doubt most of these were traded in and hatched from eggs, but all of them were strong additions to my team. Ryu, Quilava, Chinchou, Larvitar, Murkrow, and Leafeon.
He was my friend, my partner.Īfter a while, I finally had a full party. I knew it was just a default greeting, but I felt attached to Ryu. I raised all my Pokémon equally, but being a Dragon-type had its advantages.Įvery time I would turn around to talk to him, he would smile and greet me happily. He was so strong, and always rescued my other Pokémon in battle if they needed help. Though I never admitted it, Ryu was becoming my favorite. I named him Ryu, after the Japanese word for dragon. So, I caught a Dratini in the Dragon's Den on my SoulSilver version, and traded it in. Though I've been playing these games since Red and Blue days, I've always experienced a thrill when each game starts.įor this game, I had already planned about half of my party. My rival was named Silver.Īfter wishing my in-game mom goodbye, I began my virtual adventure with Cyndaquil as my starter. Original I know, but as a reader of the Pokémon Adventures manga, I wanted to name the game characters after their comic counterparts. Though I had already played SoulSilver a few months earlier, I was eager to start fresh and play as a different character with new Pokémon to control.īeing used to a dark, underwater atmosphere, I smiled a bit when I saw the pixelated Ho-oh flying across the HeartGold title screen, its wings sparkling in the sunlight. I plucked the shining game package from the torn wrapping paper.