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Gen II

Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal

A new region, a vengeful rival, and Team Rocket's last stand — with all of Kanto waiting beyond.

The Path

The intended order — follow this and you'll stay at the right level all game.

  1. 1

    New Bark Town send-off

    Story

    Choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile from Professor Elm · recommended Lv. 5

  2. 2

    Violet Gym

    Gym

    Flying · Falkner · recommended Lv. 9–13

  3. 3

    Sprout Tower

    Story

    Train alongside the monks before Azalea · recommended Lv. 10–14

  4. 4

    Azalea Gym

    Gym

    Bug · Bugsy · recommended Lv. 14–16

  5. 5

    Slowpoke Well

    Story

    Drive Team Rocket out of Azalea's well · recommended Lv. 14–18

  6. 6

    Goldenrod Gym

    Gym

    Normal · Whitney and her infamous Miltank · recommended Lv. 17–20

  7. 7

    Ecruteak Gym

    Gym

    Ghost · Morty · recommended Lv. 21–25

  8. 8

    Lake of Rage

    Story

    Investigate the rampaging Red Gyarados · recommended Lv. 25–30

  9. 9

    Cianwood Gym

    Gym

    Fighting · Chuck · recommended Lv. 27–30

  10. 10

    Olivine Gym

    Gym

    Steel · Jasmine · the brand-new Steel type debuts here · recommended Lv. 30–35

  11. 11

    Radio Tower takeover

    Story

    Storm Team Rocket's Mahogany hideout and Goldenrod HQ · recommended Lv. 28–34

  12. 12

    Mahogany Gym

    Gym

    Ice · Pryce · recommended Lv. 28–32

  13. 13

    Blackthorn Gym

    Gym

    Dragon · Clair · pass her Dragon's Den trial after · recommended Lv. 37–42

  14. 14

    Elite Four

    Elite Four

    Will (Psychic), Koga (Poison), Bruno (Fighting), Karen (Dark) · recommended Lv. 40–46

  15. 15

    Champion Lance

    Champion

    The Dragon master defends the title · recommended Lv. 44–50

  16. 16

    S.S. Aqua to Kanto

    Milestone

    Post-game: sail east for eight more badges and a legend atop Mt. Silver · recommended Lv. 50+

The Story

Three years after the fall of Team Rocket, Professor Elm entrusts you with one of three new starter Pokémon in the Johto region. But your journey begins with a theft: a red-haired rival steals the remaining starter, and your encounters with him grow darker from there.

Team Rocket was shattered, not destroyed. Remnants of the syndicate resurface in Johto — cutting Slowpoke tails for profit, forcing Magikarp to evolve at the Lake of Rage, and ultimately seizing the Goldenrod Radio Tower to broadcast their return.

Johto's legends stir as you travel: the rainbow-winged Ho-Oh, the silver guardian Lugia, and the three legendary beasts — Raikou, Entei, and Suicune — released from the Burned Tower. In Crystal, the mythical Suicune takes center stage.

After conquering Johto's League, the adventure doesn't end: the entire Kanto region from the original games awaits across the sea, culminating in a silent battle atop Mt. Silver against the greatest trainer of all.

Good to Know

  • Whitney's Miltank is the most infamous boss in the series — bring a Fighting-type, or a Ghost-type to wall its Rollout.
  • Johto runs on a real day/night clock; some Pokémon only appear at specific times, so vary when you explore routes.
  • Kurt in Azalea Town crafts custom Poké Balls from Apricorns — Fast Balls and Heavy Balls are worth the wait.
  • Keep a Water-type with Surf, Waterfall, and Whirlpool handy; late-game travel demands all three.
  • The Red Gyarados is a guaranteed shiny encounter — save beforehand and catch it no matter what.

After the Credits

  • Sail to Kanto and earn all eight original badges, facing familiar leaders with far stronger teams.
  • Climb Mt. Silver and challenge Red — a silent Lv. 80+ team that was the hardest fight in the franchise for years.
  • Hunt the roaming beasts Raikou and Entei across Johto, and track Suicune to its final confrontation.
  • Catch Lugia in the Whirl Islands and Ho-Oh atop Tin Tower after proving yourself to the Kimono Girls.

My caught checklist

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Want the full step-by-step walkthrough? This page is the roadmap — for turn-by-turn directions, Bulbapedia and Serebii both have detailed per-route guides.