Like Pokémon Silver--which essentially is the same story, with minor gameplay variations--Pokémon Gold casts players in the familiar role of a young Pokémon Trainer who's out to collect as many different kinds of Pokémon as possible. As in previous games, gameplay consists mostly of exploration (completing various quests in the process) and Pokémon battles, which employ a unique battle system that's like a complex twist on rock-paper-scissors.

But, despite the similarities, it's quite apparent that Pokémon Gold is a whole new ball game from the start. The game is played out in real time, with the current time and day of the week (recorded by an internal clock) having a direct impact on gameplay elements, such as what Pokémon you'll find in the wild, and when certain events occur and characters appear.

While there are too many new and improved features in Pokémon Gold to list here, among the highlights are 100 new Pokémon (including two new types), new evolution processes (including breeding), and a more streamlined game interface that has better-organized menus and button shortcuts.

Although it's easier to progress in Pokémon Gold than in the previous games, the sheer amount of fun and game time that's involved is daunting. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better value than this one. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Insanely addictive and wholly absorbing gaming experience
• Time and day of week impact gameplay directly
• Bevy of new features and hidden secrets
• Improved graphics and more streamlined game interface

• Minor compatibility issues when using Game Link with previous versions