Pokémon SoulGold
A 2026 Johto expansion hack with 702 Pokémon across nine generations, every Mega Evolution, boss-style legendaries, an in-game Hard mode, and a redrawn region that keeps growing. Every SoulGold guide here comes from a finished Hard mode playthrough.
- Creator
- rahtak
- Platform
- Game Boy Advance
- Base game
- Pokémon Emerald (pokeemerald-expansion)
- Region
- Johto, expanded
- First release
- July 2026
- Latest version
- v1.2.1
- Our coverage
- Finished on Hard, including postgame
Start here
Every legendary in SoulGold: locations, boss battles, and requirements
Where every legendary, mythical and Paradox Pokémon is in SoulGold 1.2.1, what you need for each, which are boss fights, and the 24 you can stop looking for.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold level caps and Hard mode: every option explained
All 11 SoulGold level caps by badge, what None, Soft and Hard caps do to your EXP, what Hard mode and level scaling change, and the settings I'd pick.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Pokémon SoulGold review after a full Hard mode run
I beat Pokémon SoulGold v1.2.1 on Hard with Hard level caps, postgame included. What it does better than any Johto game, where it's rough, and who should play it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Guides
Best team for SoulGold Hard mode, built for double battles
The eight Pokémon I beat SoulGold Hard mode with: where to catch each, which gym and Elite Four fights it wins, doubles tactics, and what to do at every level cap.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
How to build a team in SoulGold: innates, doubles, and the postgame
How I build SoulGold teams for the story and the postgame, why innates change everything past 75, Hard mode doubles, the six roles, and where every item is.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold 1.2 and 1.2.1: what changed and is your save safe?
Every SoulGold change from 1.2 to the 21 October 1.2.1 patch: balance, new content, quality of life and fixes, plus how to keep your save and check your version.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Battle Factory guide: rentals, swaps, and streak strategy
When the SoulGold Battle Factory opens, what to buy with BP, how to pick and swap rentals, and how to keep a streak alive on Hard.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Hidden Grottos: every location, reset rules, and what spawns
All 10 Hidden Grottos in Pokémon SoulGold with their spawns, levels and rare items, how often they reset, your odds, and a daily route for farming them.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold level caps and Hard mode: every option explained
All 11 SoulGold level caps by badge, what None, Soft and Hard caps do to your EXP, what Hard mode and level scaling change, and the settings I'd pick.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Mega Evolution guide: stones, Mega Ring, and the three new Megas
Where to find every SoulGold Mega Stone and the Mega Ring, which Megas each type stone unlocks, the three new starter Megas, and my picks for Hard.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Pokédex completion: the Pokémon you can only get by breeding
The 16 SoulGold Pokémon you can only hatch, which parent to catch for each, which incense to hold, and how to clear all of them in one Day Care session.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Pokédex: commonly missed Pokémon and where to find them
The SoulGold Pokémon you'll miss on the way to 608: grotto-only species, the Odd Egg Goomy, one-time gifts and trades, night and fishing spawns, plus a checklist.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold postgame guide: Title Defense, rematches, innates, and what to do after Lance
What to do after the SoulGold League, in order: Title Defense's 13 challengers, Lv 85 rematches, innates, facilities, legendaries and the Arceus egg.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold starters: which of the 9 to pick for Normal and Hard
All nine SoulGold starters by final form, the three new Megas, how each one handles Falkner, Bugsy and Whitney, and my picks for Hard and Normal.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Tailwind team: Tornadus Windburst and the fastest partners
My SoulGold Tailwind team, built on Tornadus and its 4-turn Windburst Tailwind at level 85, with the best partners, a sample six and a doubles plan.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold Trick Room team: Reuniclus Showtime and the best slow partners
My SoulGold Trick Room team, built on Reuniclus and its free Showtime room at level 85, with 12 slow partners, a sample six and a turn-by-turn plan.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
The strongest innates in SoulGold and the combos that use them
My 13 best innate combos for the SoulGold postgame, the level each one needs, where it wins, and what shuts it down.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Pokémon spotlights
Breloom in SoulGold: Triage makes Drain Punch a +3 priority move
Breloom gets Triage at Lv 95, which turns Drain Punch into a +3 priority hit. The set, where to get Shroomish and TM85, and what beats it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Electivire in SoulGold: Shockwiring, No Guard and Plasma Surge
How I build Electivire in SoulGold, with a charged first hit on entry, sure-hit Thunder and Dynamic Punch, and paralysis on every hit in Electric Terrain.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Gengar in SoulGold: Prankster at 75
How to build a Prankster Gengar in SoulGold: +1 Nasty Plot and Will-O-Wisp behind Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb, where to catch Gastly, and what beats it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Heracross in SoulGold: Skill Link turns every multi-hit move into five hits
How I build Heracross in SoulGold, with five-hit Pin Missile and Rock Blast from Skill Link, Tough Claws, Mega Heracross, and the Goldenrod Shore grotto.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Jirachi in SoulGold: Wishmaker plus Serene Grace
Build Jirachi in SoulGold around a free Wish every time it switches in and Serene Grace flinches. The set I use and where the Mt. Silver egg is.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Machamp in SoulGold: No Guard plus Sheer Force
How I build Machamp in SoulGold, with sure-hit Dynamic Punch from No Guard, Sheer Force at level 75, the moveset, the Linking Cord, and what beats it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Mawile in SoulGold: Huge Power at 75, then Mega Mawile hits twice
Mawile gets Huge Power at Lv 75, and Mega Mawile adds Dual Strike for a second hit. The set, where to catch Mawile, and where the Fairytite is.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Mega Salamence in SoulGold: Aerilate plus Windcaller
Build Mega Salamence in SoulGold with Aerilate and Windcaller, which turn Double-Edge into a huge Flying hit. Set, Bagon location, Dragotite, counters.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Reuniclus in SoulGold: Showtime sets Trick Room the moment it enters
Reuniclus gets Showtime at Lv 85 and sets a 5-turn Trick Room on entry. The set, where to catch Solosis, and what beats it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Tornadus in SoulGold: Windburst gives you Tailwind for free
Tornadus gets Windburst at Lv 85 and sets a 4-turn Tailwind on entry. The set, how to get it from the Battle Café, and what beats it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Walkthroughs
Reference
All 121 SoulGold trophies and how to unlock them
Every SoulGold trophy with its requirement and tier, the six rewards from the Route 40 gentleman, and how to knock out the ones that need the postgame or a grind.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Every legendary in SoulGold: locations, boss battles, and requirements
Where every legendary, mythical and Paradox Pokémon is in SoulGold 1.2.1, what you need for each, which are boss fights, and the 24 you can stop looking for.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Every SoulGold gym leader: Normal and Hard teams, level caps, and counters
Normal and Hard teams for all eight SoulGold gym leaders, the Elite Four and Lance, with levels, items, moves, each badge's level cap and what I used to beat them.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold innate abilities explained: how the 75/85/95 system works
When each SoulGold innate turns on, how to switch them on early or off, how they stack with your normal ability, and every Pokémon's three innates.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
Comparisons
SoulGold vs Heart & Soul: which Johto remake should you play?
SoulGold and Heart & Soul share maps but they're different games. How they differ, what each one has that the other doesn't, and which one I'd pick.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026
SoulGold vs HeartGold and SoulSilver: what the hack changes
What SoulGold keeps from HeartGold and SoulSilver, what it adds (702 dex entries, Megas, boss legendaries, level caps), what it drops, and if it's worth it.
v1.2.1, updated October 24, 2026