This feels like such an authentic video. From the shaky camera just recording an old GBSP, to just an adult craving that feeling of childhood again. No sponsors either, just pure vibes of nostalgia and a before time ♥ 10/10, can't wait to see what you come up with next [:
Same. I love that she has commentary of her play through mixed with footage of her actually playing the game (and her comments while playing the game). It’s just such a chill vibe.
I think an important thing to note is that these games were made as sequels to red/blue/yellow, with the intent of being the only sequels. They were not made to be their own standalone Pokemon games like we’re used to now. It makes things like the lack of Johto Pokemon and the reuse of team rocket make a lot more sense when you look at it like that.
I adore the shot at 14:58. Fuzzy focus on the fairy lights in the background, a dark room, the sleepy, nostalgic, playing-up-too-late in the comfy quiet vibes. Immediately inspired real feels over here. Perfect example of what I love about your video style.
The planet Earth has existed 4.543 billion years, and I am feeling absolutely BLESSED to have been born in time to witness the partyarlie Pokemon Gold version video. Incredible.
I played gen2 on launch. Finding out that Kanto and Johto are geographically connected was amazing, but finding out that you would get to play a remix Kanto on top of Johto for the post-game was and and still is the best post-game that they've done in any Pokemon game to date.
my heart felt so full when the music kicked in at 1:19. I grew up with this game. Just wanna say: I love your content. Very fun. You (and adef as well! HI ADEF) enable my shiny hunting. When I'm shiny hunting and start thinking it'll never happen, I boot up one of your videos and I'm like, "oh she's been there, too!" Thank you for you videos. I caught 3 shinies in January :)
Something I just wanna point out about these videos 🥰 love how relaxing they are for both the viewers and Arlie herself, getting to relax away from the desk, play the Pokémon while still making content out of it. Emphasizes maximum comfort for everyone as a whole and I love that vibe 🩵💙
I’ve done plenty of gen 2 playthroughs. The feeling of gen 2 is unmatched by hgss, even with all their improvements and upgrades. Even on the virtual console it feels almost magical. That generation 2 vibe of the perfect sequel can’t be replicated
gen 2 (silver) was my first pokemon game AND first gameboy game. johto is STILL my fav region! im glad you went back and experienced gen 2, this was so cool to watch arlie!!!! 😭 also shout out lemon, love that dude
I'm from Scotland so I don't ever hear American accents, but the way she says "Pow-Kah-Mahn" gives me life. "The song has restored my strength" as Lugia might say. It's genuinely the best pronunciation of Pokemon and I won't hear any arguments about it.
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness was the game I'd leave running for hours just so I could sit in Relic Forest and listen to the music. It was just so serene and peaceful, it will forever hold a special place in my heart alongside Run Away, Fugitives and Route 216 🧡
Gen 2 Pokemon and Christmas trees and snow is THE vibe. I got these games when I was 6 or 7 during Christmas and have vivid memories playing it during that time. By NYE I was at the ice puzzle trying to figure that sucker out.
Waited a long time for this and I have to say seeing your first real play through of gold is so so fun!!!! Seeing you experience og gen gen 2 was nice!!!!
I found it crazy how I struggle finding new channels to watch and this video was honestly just so relaxing and was such a vibe. It feels completely different to a lot of other Pokémon content where it feels very fast paced and I think this was a breath of fresh air. It was also great to see gen 2 getting some love. Definitely excited to watch more of your videos!
The thing that I love about Gen2 and I guess it's remakes is how there are essentially dailies and events depending on the time of day it is. While HGSS, imo, is the best way to experience the Johto region, the nostalgia that I have for the GSC era and the memories I have with the games just hits different when I play it on the virtual console on my 3DS all these years later. In fact I'm doing another run of Crystal right now, and it's been a genuine blast.
Definitely understand that feeling of wanting to detach from reality haha. Pokemon definitely hits the mark with how immersive the world feels, so that you can melt away. Glad you liked Gold though! Playing through Silver as a kid really made me appreciate the effort and the limitations of the series from the beginning considering how crazy the brand is now. You should try to shiny hunt through the time capsule, there are definitely some awesome shinies that are exclusive to trading up from Gen I.
I was a poor kid. Didn't have a ton of money and very few options for entertainment. However, I had a copy of gold and a gba both were hammy downs from people's kids my mom worked with. Had no idea what the game was even about. Tons of memories of catching and seeing new pokemon will always be with me.
Hey, partyarlie, I love the videos, I sometimes find that watching poketubers while shiny hunting just passes the time, and other then absolblogs and shinycathrine, you are one I find myself tuning in to hunt, so thanks for doing what you do
Awesome video as always, Arlie! 🎉 "National Park" really moves me, and the "Heartwood" theme in PLA is also one of my personal favourites, even though it's not from a game that I played as a kid, but the way it involves the "Eterna Forest" theme does make it nostalgic to me
I love Adef's work and was surprised to see him on this channel as your partner ! And even more surprised to see him rock a N95 in 2025, that is rarer than a 2gen era full odds shiny !! Yay for public health !!! I loved seeing your journey on Old Johto, we are roughly the same age and now I want to replay my old 2gen cartridges too 🥰 thank you for the sweet cozy nostalgia ✨
It's funny for me, because my girlfriend has only played Pokemon Silver in her childhood, so when she came over for christmas, i gave her one of my N3DS with a copy of Souls Silver for her to play and i played along in Heart Gold. It was so wholesome to see her succeed and have big trouble with the elite four. She beat the champion on her way back home and i will always remember us playing the game next to another and having fun. Thank you for your video.
I love this video so much! It gives so much absolblogs vibes, in a very good way! I hope you’ll keep it up like this queen, you’re my favorite RUclipsr at the moment!!
Arlie is my comfort RUclipsr, I started a SwSh Shiny Badgequest because of her too. Pokemon has been my decompressing tool for the past few years, and will probably continue to be.
Felt like dropping a comment to answer the question 'cause I'd forget otherwise. I feel the same way about National Park, but even more so with Cianwood in HeartGold. It's just so depressingly nostalgic somehow. When I learned it was the same song as Ecruteak in the original, that kinda surprised me, and when I much later listened to Ecruteak while playing HeartGold again, my mind was blown when I realised it was the same song in essence.
Gen 2 was transformational for me as a 10 year old. It made me realize games were more than just highscores and catching monsters. The region as a whole, the towns in specific and the music were so lovingly curated and are memorable for all the right reasons. Being told I was in Kanto was actually jaw dropping and finding yourself, Red, at the top of Mt. Silver is something I won't ever forget as a gaming memory.
agh my favorite pokemon track will always be 'at the beach at dusk' from pokemon mystery dungeon: explorers of time/darkness/sky. it brings back so many memories, curled up in bed late on a school night. meeting your partner for the first time and starting that pokemon adventure that i will never forget. it makes me cry just remembering the first time i ever played the game, wishing i could relive those moments one more time.
Oh neat, I moved to Colorado recently myself. It was actually my first time really experiencing snow. I’m from MS originally, and on the rare occasions it would snow there’d barely be much of it and it’d have all melted by the end of the day or by the next day. Also, just chilling playing Pokémon by the Christmas tree while it snows outside is just such a vibe. Btw, I’m loving the video so far! Im glad it popped up on my feed even though i had never heard of this channel before.
Gen 2 was technically my first experience with Pokémon, having played on a friend’s cartridge but gen 3 was my first full play through so I have a fair bit of nostalgia for these games. I started a play through of crystal last year and decided to shiny hunt cyndaquil. To immerse myself in the gen 2 vibes I turned the backlight all the way down. About the 2nd or 3rd reset I was looking at the sprite funny and it wasn’t until after I reset that I realized it was the shiny sprite. Still kicking myself anytime I see a gen 2 focused video.
On my 12th birthday I went to a cool indie games store near me, hoping to spend some of my birthday money on a new Game Boy title. Gold and Silver (I would only learn this many years later) had released just 3 days earlier in the US, so imagine my surprise to find multiple copies of both sitting on the shelves in this small indie store in Scotland around 6 months before they would release over here. I went for Silver after a long deliberation, and so began an adventure that to this day has solidified Johto as my favourite region. So many cherished memories. Finding and catching a shiny Zubat in Union Cave before I knew shinies existed, the additional shock of it evolving past Golbat, seeing Espeon, Umbreon and Hitmontop for the first time, the joy of being able to revisit Kanto, all the way to finding Red in Mt Silver... the whole time that thought/fear in the back of my mind that I was actually playing a really well crafted bootleg 😅 It was the perfect escape from the real world of moving to a new house for the first time in my life, struggling to settle at my new school and being bullied as a result, and facing the harsh reality that my childhood was fading faster than I'd prepared for. I think it's a big part of why these games (and the remakes) hold such a special place for me. Gen 1 had captured my imagination, but Gen 2? It captured my heart ❤
This was a great video, i loved talking through the nostalgia of visiting the old games for the first time really. It's something i've been doing myself lately and this perfectly captured that feeling.
i really love all the cellphone recorded content of this vid, its like watching a friend sending videos of their playthrough lol, 10/10 vid really took me back
What a sweet video, got a new subscriber! Nostalgia + cozy vibes and you’ve made me realize I also, despite having a ton of nostalgia looking back at gen 2 original games I neither have finished one haha.
Love this videooo thank you for bringing vibes back, i was a child with my gameboy playing this game struggling with no light and had that little gadget that you had to use to see. Subbed :3
Johto is my favorite region! I played so much Silver back in the day, and it was my first level 100 team without any Rare Candies! I remember zipping from Kanto to Johto and back on the Magnet Train. I'm doing a Badge Quest in Soul Silver (loved your Shield Badge Quest!), and I just got a shiny Chikorita today after 1621 resets!
on the beach at dusk from pmd explorers of sky brings me to tears every time i hear it, without fail (‘: i loved this video so much, it’s so comfy and feels so nostalgic and real. i can’t wait to see more this year!! ♥️
for the music question - the lake theme from generation four just hits me so hard in the feels, I genuinely never feel calmer than when I'm listening to it, it's gotten to the point where when I need to focus up and get something up I play it in the background so I can actually get work done and not stress myself out
Refreshing to watch someone's first gen 2 playthrough with Gold being my first pokemon game as a wee boy. love your video style looking forward to more of your videos 👍
What an adorable video with an awesome experience to share. Taking me back to getting to playthrough Crystal on the virtual console and actually having a blast shiny hunting, and feeling sad I missed out on the hey day. But man, gen 2 really is up there. Thanks to it's aesthetics, music, memorable pokemon (even if they're locked away ugh), it's just such a fun time. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck with the marathon if true! I really like the decision to take closeups of a real SP over using an emulator for the run. There’s a really interesting video called ‘How I solved Pokemon’s biggest mystery’ by BlueBoyPhin that explains the real life inspiration for the ruins of Alph and some of the shinto influence on the early games. What you’re saying about the contrast between the mysticism of Johto and the urbanization of Kanto around the 35 minute mark I’ve heard described as a reflection of the story of the expansion and modernisation of Tokyo. Gen 1 and 2 are really interesting with all that historical and religious context. Thanks for sharing this, I can’t support Twitch/Bezos in good conscience anymore but great to see a fresh video.
Loved the video and the SP shots! I just finished completing my Dex on Pokemon Silver a couple of weeks ago. My Analogue Pocket is admittedly a "Pokemon Rom Hack Machine" for me, but I loved completing my cartridge of Pokemon Silver and finally see the 251/251! Yellow was my first Pokemon game, but Silver was the first game I remember really pouring my all into, so I totally get the nostalgia trip you captured so well here!
Even though I own the games, I would play the 3DS virtual console release of these games due to the extremely scary battery situation in the physical copies 😅 when my silver stopped working after a faulty battery, it left me scarred as a kid .
This was such an amazing playthrough to watch. There is something truly wonderful about a camera pointing to a GBA or DS. Thank you for another amazing video!
this video really took me back heartgold was the one of the first video games i ever played as a kid so this really stole my heart ty for that amazing vid also the undella town theme always makes me tear up for some reason😭
It's so much fun seeing youtubers revisiting the older games. I remember playing this game an insane amount when I was 12 y.o. Since I loved pokemon Blue and Yellow so much, I was beyond exited to visit Kanto once again. This is probably why pokémon Silver/Crystal (the 2 versions I owned and played as a child) are in my top 3 Pokémon games of all time.
this was such a relaxing watch - i'm glad you enjoyed gen 2, even if you didn't play Crystal! 😹 i had kind of a weird relationship with Pokémon as a kid (aka i wasn't allowed to play, but did anyway), so Yellow was my first game, and then i played a little of Crystal on a bus ride to somewhere, and then...that was it until Ruby/Sapphire came out. seeing little glimmers of nostalgia from the bit i played of Crystal in this video was lovely. thank you for sharing! i've had to avoid watching your most recent badge quest because i haven't played that set of games yet and want to go in as spoiler free as possible so i'm happy to get to watch something else from you 🥰
I personally adore the vibe and music of Ecruteak. Its just so chill, but it evokes a sense of mystery and lore that is rare on the Gameboy. Also, nice video. I love how genuine it was!
Watching these videos make me feel so old, and makes it feel like I took being young playing these games for granted. Thank you for allowing me to experience gen 2 again with you Arlie.
12:27 Littleroot town is my song - it's just serenity. And Mom says "You can always come home if you need to." Edit: 14:58 oh and Ecruteak kills me too
I started my pokemon journey with gen 1, but gold is the game I'm the most nostalgic for. There were so many improvements and I still got to use the pokemon that I loved from gen 1. There was also a lot to discover if you went exploring after getting surf, and finding some of the hidden spots and pokemon was a lot of fun. It's just a shame that the level curve isn't that good once you hit the mid game and it's something I really wished they fixed with hgss. Regardless, it will always hold a special place in my heart. 12:02 National park always hits me with those nostalgic emotions. I would always catch a scyther there and sometimes I would just chill and listen to the music.
I grew up on Gen 3 (Emerald is still my favorite) but one of my favorite tracks is the Snowpoint City theme from Diamond/Pearl. Even after all these years I can still remember how I felt when I first heard it. The snow crunching under your feet as the music builds is still one of the coolest things. I played HeartGold again a few years ago but never did the postgame. This video made me want to go back. I also got Crystal from the eshop before it shut down so I might start fresh there.
The Ecruteak theme! I think it is the most beautiful song in the entire franchise. I still to this day will go to Ecruteak City, and just leave my Gameboy (now Analogue Pocket usually) on and listen to the music. All of the music in gen 2 is incredibly imo, but yeah, Ecruteak theme just hits so hard.
Oh my goodness, nostalgia bomb for Pokémon Gold and Silver. Great video, the very first time I played Gold I also chose Cyndaquil. I’m also a sucker for the DS era, you’re not alone. Take care ✌️
glad you got to feel like a kid again playing Gold. I also did the same thing a few months back but with Silver. mainly did it because I felt like I needed to remind myself why I love the franchise. I'm 33 so it definitely made me feel like a kid again too... I saved catching the dogs for last so I'm currently still hunting those roaming pokemon patiently lol 🙌
The end credits theme for Diamond and Pearl never fails to transport me back to when I first played through Sinnoh. The first section especially gives me this sort of nostalgic melancholy that’s somewhat difficult to put into words. As for Johto though, I think Azalea Towns theme is my favorite. There’s something about the song, and Azalea as a whole, that just feels so emblematic of Johto for me. “The Dance of Ecruteak” from HGSS is up there as well.
I played Pokemon Gold so much when I was young. Glad you enjoyed it in 2025. I remember playing the rom hack perfect crystal few years ago and it felt so good to catch them all and do the Celebi event.
Silver was my first Pokémon game and I’ll always cherish it fondly. When I was in first grade (2005) we had went on a field trip somewhere(I don’t remember where) and I had brought my Gameboy Advance SP and Silver as was right before the E4. By the time we got to where we were going I had gotten all the way to Red and had just beat Red as we got there with a Lv 59 Typhlosion named Cindy. I have long since deleted the save file and battery has died, but Silver and that field trip are still a core memory of my childhood that I remember even 20 years later. Plus Gen 2 music is so nostalgic, from National Park to Cianwood City, to the game corner music to vs Red.
Don't Ever Forget Lake Theme Eterna Forest Theme Pokémon Diamond and Pearl League Theme These three songs make me a bit emotional and nostalgic every time I hear them.
Seeing the SP again makes me nostalgic because I have one of my own, which still works!, and I had when I played my first pokemon game being Pokemon Yellow.
As a whole I think what a lot of people miss out on is that Gold/Sliver/Crystal while being sequels are also expansions in some ways and thus the ability to connect to Generation 1 is part of the experience, for instance the evolution stones and the Johto's lackluster TM's. If you connect to Gen 1 some of those problems are fixed. Another thing is that while yes a large amount of the cooler Generation 2 pokemon are locked to Kanto/Post-game I honest to god think that was done on purpose to encourage trading and exploration more than any other reason. As a whole I think Generation 2 gets overly hated on, because of how a large amount of people play it in today. The games are not designed to be knocked out in a weekend, your supposed to play them at a slower pace(all the daily and hidden areas), connecting to gen 1 for reasons, poke gear rematches to help with the lvl mismatch, breeding, etc. Once you realize this and also understand that these were supposed to be the final Pokemon games some of the so called "faults/problems" of gen 2 make way more sense.
I appreciated the honesty in showing the game’s best, worst, and in-between. Maybe I’ve been sleeping on Gen 2… I’ve always been so diehard Gen 3 I haven’t really given it a chance
I agree, National Park is amazing. The one that brings me to tears is Pokemon League in Diamond and Pearl (just outside of the actual building). It’s so peaceful, like a calming breath before what will be the hardest part of the game. Relaxes me every time I hear it!
Talking about super emotional Pokémon song, I get that feeling with mt coronet/sinnoh ruins. I remember vividly playing Pearl along side my sister playing Diamond, our first Pokémon games, and that song just holds so much nostalgia
Pokemon Gold was a childhood-defining game for me. So glad you enjoyed it! I also firmly believe Whitney is the hardest fight in the Pokemon franchise LMAO
This feels like such an authentic video. From the shaky camera just recording an old GBSP, to just an adult craving that feeling of childhood again. No sponsors either, just pure vibes of nostalgia and a before time ♥ 10/10, can't wait to see what you come up with next [:
100% I could not agree more. The video also reminded me of my damaged (hopefully not to death) Gold cartridge, that I still haven't fixed...
Same. I love that she has commentary of her play through mixed with footage of her actually playing the game (and her comments while playing the game). It’s just such a chill vibe.
I think an important thing to note is that these games were made as sequels to red/blue/yellow, with the intent of being the only sequels. They were not made to be their own standalone Pokemon games like we’re used to now. It makes things like the lack of Johto Pokemon and the reuse of team rocket make a lot more sense when you look at it like that.
I adore the shot at 14:58. Fuzzy focus on the fairy lights in the background, a dark room, the sleepy, nostalgic, playing-up-too-late in the comfy quiet vibes. Immediately inspired real feels over here. Perfect example of what I love about your video style.
The planet Earth has existed 4.543 billion years, and I am feeling absolutely BLESSED to have been born in time to witness the partyarlie Pokemon Gold version video. Incredible.
I played gen2 on launch. Finding out that Kanto and Johto are geographically connected was amazing, but finding out that you would get to play a remix Kanto on top of Johto for the post-game was and and still is the best post-game that they've done in any Pokemon game to date.
arlie, your videos have really been a cozy place for me over the last couple weeks. thank you so much
my heart felt so full when the music kicked in at 1:19. I grew up with this game.
Just wanna say: I love your content. Very fun. You (and adef as well! HI ADEF) enable my shiny hunting. When I'm shiny hunting and start thinking it'll never happen, I boot up one of your videos and I'm like, "oh she's been there, too!" Thank you for you videos.
I caught 3 shinies in January :)
The shaky camera on the SP reminds me of taking pics/videos of my SP/DS on my flip phone back in the day 🥲
Something I just wanna point out about these videos 🥰 love how relaxing they are for both the viewers and Arlie herself, getting to relax away from the desk, play the Pokémon while still making content out of it.
Emphasizes maximum comfort for everyone as a whole and I love that vibe 🩵💙
I’ve done plenty of gen 2 playthroughs. The feeling of gen 2 is unmatched by hgss, even with all their improvements and upgrades. Even on the virtual console it feels almost magical. That generation 2 vibe of the perfect sequel can’t be replicated
i've played both. i'll stick with the remakes any day.
gen 2 (silver) was my first pokemon game AND first gameboy game. johto is STILL my fav region! im glad you went back and experienced gen 2, this was so cool to watch arlie!!!! 😭 also shout out lemon, love that dude
I'm from Scotland so I don't ever hear American accents, but the way she says "Pow-Kah-Mahn" gives me life. "The song has restored my strength" as Lugia might say.
It's genuinely the best pronunciation of Pokemon and I won't hear any arguments about it.
How Ash said it in the early dub
😂
PokeUHmOn
Some say beating Pokemon Gold 26 years later is the best way to play it
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness was the game I'd leave running for hours just so I could sit in Relic Forest and listen to the music. It was just so serene and peaceful, it will forever hold a special place in my heart alongside Run Away, Fugitives and Route 216 🧡
Gen 2 Pokemon and Christmas trees and snow is THE vibe. I got these games when I was 6 or 7 during Christmas and have vivid memories playing it during that time. By NYE I was at the ice puzzle trying to figure that sucker out.
Your talk about the National Park is the biggest W take of this year. Generation 2 has probably the most fitting soundtrack
Waited a long time for this and I have to say seeing your first real play through of gold is so so fun!!!! Seeing you experience og gen gen 2 was nice!!!!
I found it crazy how I struggle finding new channels to watch and this video was honestly just so relaxing and was such a vibe. It feels completely different to a lot of other Pokémon content where it feels very fast paced and I think this was a breath of fresh air. It was also great to see gen 2 getting some love. Definitely excited to watch more of your videos!
The thing that I love about Gen2 and I guess it's remakes is how there are essentially dailies and events depending on the time of day it is. While HGSS, imo, is the best way to experience the Johto region, the nostalgia that I have for the GSC era and the memories I have with the games just hits different when I play it on the virtual console on my 3DS all these years later. In fact I'm doing another run of Crystal right now, and it's been a genuine blast.
Definitely understand that feeling of wanting to detach from reality haha. Pokemon definitely hits the mark with how immersive the world feels, so that you can melt away.
Glad you liked Gold though! Playing through Silver as a kid really made me appreciate the effort and the limitations of the series from the beginning considering how crazy the brand is now. You should try to shiny hunt through the time capsule, there are definitely some awesome shinies that are exclusive to trading up from Gen I.
I was a poor kid. Didn't have a ton of money and very few options for entertainment. However, I had a copy of gold and a gba both were hammy downs from people's kids my mom worked with. Had no idea what the game was even about. Tons of memories of catching and seeing new pokemon will always be with me.
Hey, partyarlie, I love the videos, I sometimes find that watching poketubers while shiny hunting just passes the time, and other then absolblogs and shinycathrine, you are one I find myself tuning in to hunt, so thanks for doing what you do
Ah yes. Cozy time. I'm listineing to this while working, and your voice + these nostalgic sounds make the whole thing so relaxing.
Thank you, Arlie.
Awesome video as always, Arlie! 🎉 "National Park" really moves me, and the "Heartwood" theme in PLA is also one of my personal favourites, even though it's not from a game that I played as a kid, but the way it involves the "Eterna Forest" theme does make it nostalgic to me
The lighting is so on point in this video👀 love the cozy vibes
I love Adef's work and was surprised to see him on this channel as your partner ! And even more surprised to see him rock a N95 in 2025, that is rarer than a 2gen era full odds shiny !! Yay for public health !!!
I loved seeing your journey on Old Johto, we are roughly the same age and now I want to replay my old 2gen cartridges too 🥰 thank you for the sweet cozy nostalgia ✨
12:27 the gen 2 surfing music has my whole heart
It's funny for me, because my girlfriend has only played Pokemon Silver in her childhood, so when she came over for christmas, i gave her one of my N3DS with a copy of Souls Silver for her to play and i played along in Heart Gold. It was so wholesome to see her succeed and have big trouble with the elite four. She beat the champion on her way back home and i will always remember us playing the game next to another and having fun.
Thank you for your video.
I love this video so much! It gives so much absolblogs vibes, in a very good way! I hope you’ll keep it up like this queen, you’re my favorite RUclipsr at the moment!!
Arlie is my comfort RUclipsr, I started a SwSh Shiny Badgequest because of her too. Pokemon has been my decompressing tool for the past few years, and will probably continue to be.
Felt like dropping a comment to answer the question 'cause I'd forget otherwise. I feel the same way about National Park, but even more so with Cianwood in HeartGold. It's just so depressingly nostalgic somehow. When I learned it was the same song as Ecruteak in the original, that kinda surprised me, and when I much later listened to Ecruteak while playing HeartGold again, my mind was blown when I realised it was the same song in essence.
Gen 2 was transformational for me as a 10 year old. It made me realize games were more than just highscores and catching monsters. The region as a whole, the towns in specific and the music were so lovingly curated and are memorable for all the right reasons. Being told I was in Kanto was actually jaw dropping and finding yourself, Red, at the top of Mt. Silver is something I won't ever forget as a gaming memory.
agh my favorite pokemon track will always be 'at the beach at dusk' from pokemon mystery dungeon: explorers of time/darkness/sky. it brings back so many memories, curled up in bed late on a school night. meeting your partner for the first time and starting that pokemon adventure that i will never forget. it makes me cry just remembering the first time i ever played the game, wishing i could relive those moments one more time.
LOVE that song!!
gen 2 my BELOVED
Oh neat, I moved to Colorado recently myself. It was actually my first time really experiencing snow. I’m from MS originally, and on the rare occasions it would snow there’d barely be much of it and it’d have all melted by the end of the day or by the next day. Also, just chilling playing Pokémon by the Christmas tree while it snows outside is just such a vibe.
Btw, I’m loving the video so far! Im glad it popped up on my feed even though i had never heard of this channel before.
Gen 2 was technically my first experience with Pokémon, having played on a friend’s cartridge but gen 3 was my first full play through so I have a fair bit of nostalgia for these games. I started a play through of crystal last year and decided to shiny hunt cyndaquil. To immerse myself in the gen 2 vibes I turned the backlight all the way down. About the 2nd or 3rd reset I was looking at the sprite funny and it wasn’t until after I reset that I realized it was the shiny sprite. Still kicking myself anytime I see a gen 2 focused video.
On my 12th birthday I went to a cool indie games store near me, hoping to spend some of my birthday money on a new Game Boy title. Gold and Silver (I would only learn this many years later) had released just 3 days earlier in the US, so imagine my surprise to find multiple copies of both sitting on the shelves in this small indie store in Scotland around 6 months before they would release over here.
I went for Silver after a long deliberation, and so began an adventure that to this day has solidified Johto as my favourite region. So many cherished memories. Finding and catching a shiny Zubat in Union Cave before I knew shinies existed, the additional shock of it evolving past Golbat, seeing Espeon, Umbreon and Hitmontop for the first time, the joy of being able to revisit Kanto, all the way to finding Red in Mt Silver... the whole time that thought/fear in the back of my mind that I was actually playing a really well crafted bootleg 😅
It was the perfect escape from the real world of moving to a new house for the first time in my life, struggling to settle at my new school and being bullied as a result, and facing the harsh reality that my childhood was fading faster than I'd prepared for. I think it's a big part of why these games (and the remakes) hold such a special place for me. Gen 1 had captured my imagination, but Gen 2? It captured my heart ❤
This was a great video, i loved talking through the nostalgia of visiting the old games for the first time really. It's something i've been doing myself lately and this perfectly captured that feeling.
i really love all the cellphone recorded content of this vid, its like watching a friend sending videos of their playthrough lol, 10/10 vid really took me back
Thank you so much for motivating me to come back to Pokemon, you are simply the best
What a sweet video, got a new subscriber! Nostalgia + cozy vibes and you’ve made me realize I also, despite having a ton of nostalgia looking back at gen 2 original games I neither have finished one haha.
Love this videooo thank you for bringing vibes back, i was a child with my gameboy playing this game struggling with no light and had that little gadget that you had to use to see. Subbed :3
Johto is my favorite region! I played so much Silver back in the day, and it was my first level 100 team without any Rare Candies! I remember zipping from Kanto to Johto and back on the Magnet Train. I'm doing a Badge Quest in Soul Silver (loved your Shield Badge Quest!), and I just got a shiny Chikorita today after 1621 resets!
on the beach at dusk from pmd explorers of sky brings me to tears every time i hear it, without fail (‘: i loved this video so much, it’s so comfy and feels so nostalgic and real. i can’t wait to see more this year!! ♥️
for the music question - the lake theme from generation four just hits me so hard in the feels, I genuinely never feel calmer than when I'm listening to it, it's gotten to the point where when I need to focus up and get something up I play it in the background so I can actually get work done and not stress myself out
Refreshing to watch someone's first gen 2 playthrough with Gold being my first pokemon game as a wee boy. love your video style looking forward to more of your videos 👍
What an adorable video with an awesome experience to share. Taking me back to getting to playthrough Crystal on the virtual console and actually having a blast shiny hunting, and feeling sad I missed out on the hey day. But man, gen 2 really is up there. Thanks to it's aesthetics, music, memorable pokemon (even if they're locked away ugh), it's just such a fun time. Thanks for sharing!
Great video keep up the good work ❤
Good luck with the marathon if true! I really like the decision to take closeups of a real SP over using an emulator for the run. There’s a really interesting video called ‘How I solved Pokemon’s biggest mystery’ by BlueBoyPhin that explains the real life inspiration for the ruins of Alph and some of the shinto influence on the early games. What you’re saying about the contrast between the mysticism of Johto and the urbanization of Kanto around the 35 minute mark I’ve heard described as a reflection of the story of the expansion and modernisation of Tokyo. Gen 1 and 2 are really interesting with all that historical and religious context. Thanks for sharing this, I can’t support Twitch/Bezos in good conscience anymore but great to see a fresh video.
Loved the video and the SP shots! I just finished completing my Dex on Pokemon Silver a couple of weeks ago. My Analogue Pocket is admittedly a "Pokemon Rom Hack Machine" for me, but I loved completing my cartridge of Pokemon Silver and finally see the 251/251! Yellow was my first Pokemon game, but Silver was the first game I remember really pouring my all into, so I totally get the nostalgia trip you captured so well here!
Johto, plus Cleffa and Poffin appearances = Absolute cinema
Even though I own the games, I would play the 3DS virtual console release of these games due to the extremely scary battery situation in the physical copies 😅 when my silver stopped working after a faulty battery, it left me scarred as a kid .
Thank you for this nostalgic journey
This was such an amazing playthrough to watch. There is something truly wonderful about a camera pointing to a GBA or DS. Thank you for another amazing video!
this video really took me back heartgold was the one of the first video games i ever played as a kid so this really stole my heart ty for that amazing vid also the undella town theme always makes me tear up for some reason😭
It's so much fun seeing youtubers revisiting the older games. I remember playing this game an insane amount when I was 12 y.o. Since I loved pokemon Blue and Yellow so much, I was beyond exited to visit Kanto once again. This is probably why pokémon Silver/Crystal (the 2 versions I owned and played as a child) are in my top 3 Pokémon games of all time.
this was such a relaxing watch - i'm glad you enjoyed gen 2, even if you didn't play Crystal! 😹
i had kind of a weird relationship with Pokémon as a kid (aka i wasn't allowed to play, but did anyway), so Yellow was my first game, and then i played a little of Crystal on a bus ride to somewhere, and then...that was it until Ruby/Sapphire came out. seeing little glimmers of nostalgia from the bit i played of Crystal in this video was lovely. thank you for sharing!
i've had to avoid watching your most recent badge quest because i haven't played that set of games yet and want to go in as spoiler free as possible so i'm happy to get to watch something else from you 🥰
Even though I am a Gen 2 kid, the song that hits me right in the feels is Littleroot Town.
Great video!! I love how the sprites are different in each version. Wish they still did that today. It's such a neat touch!
I can’t wait to watch this at breakfast tomorrow 😍 You are the best! So proud of your work! I’m pumped!
I personally adore the vibe and music of Ecruteak. Its just so chill, but it evokes a sense of mystery and lore that is rare on the Gameboy. Also, nice video. I love how genuine it was!
Watching these videos make me feel so old, and makes it feel like I took being young playing these games for granted. Thank you for allowing me to experience gen 2 again with you Arlie.
12:27 Littleroot town is my song - it's just serenity. And Mom says "You can always come home if you need to."
Edit: 14:58 oh and Ecruteak kills me too
I started my pokemon journey with gen 1, but gold is the game I'm the most nostalgic for. There were so many improvements and I still got to use the pokemon that I loved from gen 1. There was also a lot to discover if you went exploring after getting surf, and finding some of the hidden spots and pokemon was a lot of fun. It's just a shame that the level curve isn't that good once you hit the mid game and it's something I really wished they fixed with hgss. Regardless, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
12:02 National park always hits me with those nostalgic emotions. I would always catch a scyther there and sometimes I would just chill and listen to the music.
I grew up on Gen 3 (Emerald is still my favorite) but one of my favorite tracks is the Snowpoint City theme from Diamond/Pearl. Even after all these years I can still remember how I felt when I first heard it. The snow crunching under your feet as the music builds is still one of the coolest things.
I played HeartGold again a few years ago but never did the postgame. This video made me want to go back. I also got Crystal from the eshop before it shut down so I might start fresh there.
The Ecruteak theme! I think it is the most beautiful song in the entire franchise. I still to this day will go to Ecruteak City, and just leave my Gameboy (now Analogue Pocket usually) on and listen to the music. All of the music in gen 2 is incredibly imo, but yeah, Ecruteak theme just hits so hard.
THIS WAS SOOOO LOVELY
Oh my goodness, nostalgia bomb for Pokémon Gold and Silver. Great video, the very first time I played Gold I also chose Cyndaquil. I’m also a sucker for the DS era, you’re not alone. Take care ✌️
Great video! I LOVE Johto! Brought so much happiness and nostalgia 🥲
"to Feel Something" is an INSANE way to word it.
Yeah, "To feel something" often means "Because I feel nothing anymore." 💀
Your content came across my algorithm and now I want to play old school gen 2
These videos are such a vibe , love the content
glad you got to feel like a kid again playing Gold. I also did the same thing a few months back but with Silver. mainly did it because I felt like I needed to remind myself why I love the franchise. I'm 33 so it definitely made me feel like a kid again too... I saved catching the dogs for last so I'm currently still hunting those roaming pokemon patiently lol 🙌
26:41 "you must have ice in your veins to dis team rocket" is an absolute hidden gem of dialogue.
this video was so refreshing & nostalgic :)
january month 1 of 2025 is already over and i still feel dead inside
I just love how every one of your videos gives me an intense necessity to play any Pokémon game and just have fun, pls never stop uploading ❤
The end credits theme for Diamond and Pearl never fails to transport me back to when I first played through Sinnoh. The first section especially gives me this sort of nostalgic melancholy that’s somewhat difficult to put into words.
As for Johto though, I think Azalea Towns theme is my favorite. There’s something about the song, and Azalea as a whole, that just feels so emblematic of Johto for me. “The Dance of Ecruteak” from HGSS is up there as well.
I played Pokemon Gold so much when I was young. Glad you enjoyed it in 2025. I remember playing the rom hack perfect crystal few years ago and it felt so good to catch them all and do the Celebi event.
Been replaying GSC lately for the first time in many years and it’s just so cozy. It brings me back to my younger days. I love gen 2
The music in this games is something special. Now I want to play it hahaha
Amazing video Arlie! (Btw Sriracha is the goat)
I thought the Sword and Shield review would be next but this is a very welcome surprise! Love generation 2 ~
i need a little bit of a break from gen 8 before i start that project, but i did start the script LOL :D
@partyarlie can't blame you lol take your time we can wait
@@partyarlie I haven’t played Gen 8 since it released and even I need a break from it
Silver was my first Pokémon game and I’ll always cherish it fondly. When I was in first grade (2005) we had went on a field trip somewhere(I don’t remember where) and I had brought my Gameboy Advance SP and Silver as was right before the E4. By the time we got to where we were going I had gotten all the way to Red and had just beat Red as we got there with a Lv 59 Typhlosion named Cindy. I have long since deleted the save file and battery has died, but Silver and that field trip are still a core memory of my childhood that I remember even 20 years later.
Plus Gen 2 music is so nostalgic, from National Park to Cianwood City, to the game corner music to vs Red.
Great video Arlie! Gen 2 is my favorite generation and Pokemon Crystal was one of the first Pokemon games I played
Don't Ever Forget
Lake Theme
Eterna Forest Theme
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl League Theme
These three songs make me a bit emotional and nostalgic every time I hear them.
*four lol
Seeing the SP again makes me nostalgic because I have one of my own, which still works!, and I had when I played my first pokemon game being Pokemon Yellow.
1:14 Is this why Clay got out of jury duty? It would have been a major conflict of interest.
As a whole I think what a lot of people miss out on is that Gold/Sliver/Crystal while being sequels are also expansions in some ways and thus the ability to connect to Generation 1 is part of the experience, for instance the evolution stones and the Johto's lackluster TM's. If you connect to Gen 1 some of those problems are fixed. Another thing is that while yes a large amount of the cooler Generation 2 pokemon are locked to Kanto/Post-game I honest to god think that was done on purpose to encourage trading and exploration more than any other reason. As a whole I think Generation 2 gets overly hated on, because of how a large amount of people play it in today. The games are not designed to be knocked out in a weekend, your supposed to play them at a slower pace(all the daily and hidden areas), connecting to gen 1 for reasons, poke gear rematches to help with the lvl mismatch, breeding, etc. Once you realize this and also understand that these were supposed to be the final Pokemon games some of the so called "faults/problems" of gen 2 make way more sense.
I appreciated the honesty in showing the game’s best, worst, and in-between. Maybe I’ve been sleeping on Gen 2… I’ve always been so diehard Gen 3 I haven’t really given it a chance
Daaaaaaaaaamn that park music hit the nostalgia so hard
I agree, National Park is amazing. The one that brings me to tears is Pokemon League in Diamond and Pearl (just outside of the actual building). It’s so peaceful, like a calming breath before what will be the hardest part of the game. Relaxes me every time I hear it!
12:27 i feel exactly this way with Littleroot Town theme in Hoenn. i just get kind of teary eyed whenever i hear it today, very especial 🤧
I love your videos, keep up the W videos! ☺️👍
Btw pokemon silver was my first ever pokemon game
Talking about super emotional Pokémon song, I get that feeling with mt coronet/sinnoh ruins. I remember vividly playing Pearl along side my sister playing Diamond, our first Pokémon games, and that song just holds so much nostalgia
Sooooo happy someone other than me used a Girafarig!!! It’s amazing!!! Great video!!!
Great channel it’s very refreshing.
When you pointed out the national park song I finally could figure out what I've been whistling the last 6 months, top 5 song from any game frfr
Pokemon Gold was a childhood-defining game for me. So glad you enjoyed it!
I also firmly believe Whitney is the hardest fight in the Pokemon franchise LMAO
Idk man. Cynthia is a beast. But that Miltank would give her Garchomp a run for its money. Now I wanna see that fight🤔🤓😅
I dunno. I threw a geodude pretty hard at it and it died 😂
That Shiny Cyndaquil is gorgeous!
Female Quagsire with Mud Slap ist my startegy to beat that Miltank.