Pokemon Rainbow Gold
Pokémon Rainbow Gold expands HeartGold and SoulSilver with every Pokémon, restored events, better progression and modern conveniences.
- Huge Pokédex
- Post-game content
- Status
- Completed
- Plays on
- PC · Android · iPhone (emulator)
- Base game
- Pokémon HGSS
- Version
- 1.5
- Made by
- DARTHBR
About Pokemon Rainbow Gold
Pokémon Rainbow Gold opens HeartGold and SoulSilver with all 493 Pokémon obtainable without trading, restored Legendary and Mythical events, earlier encounter variety, and gift starters from four regions. Its redesigned Safari Zone removes the long waits, while evolution changes, infinite TMs, early Exp. Share, and a higher Shiny rate smooth out progression. DARTHBR created this completed English NDS hack from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, version 1.5. It also adds Wonder Trade, rematches, improved major battles, restored Crystal elements, a reworked Team Rocket, and custom battle music.
What's in it
- All 493 Pokémon can be caught or evolved without trading.
- More Pokémon appear earlier instead of being limited to late or post-game encounters.
- Legendary and Mythical events from multiple generations are restored, including Arceus, Celebi, the creation trio, Mew, and many others.
- Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh starters are distributed as gift Pokémon.
- The Safari Zone is redesigned around Baoba's two challenges, removes the long waits, restores a classic layout, and removes objects.
- Hoenn and Sinnoh radio channels are available from the start on their respective weekdays.
- Classic Game Boy sounds are available from the start.
- Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, Magnezone, Probopass, and Feebas use changed evolution methods.
- The Shiny rate is raised to 1/256.
- HMs can be deleted without restriction.
- TMs can be used infinitely.
- Hold L for EVs or R for IVs before opening the summary screen.
- A fossil reviver is available early in Goldenrod City after the sixth badge.
- All fossils are obtainable.
- Exp. Share is available from the start.
- Wonder Trade at the GTS station can provide Hoenn and Sinnoh Pokémon when radio channels are inactive.
- In-game trades are rebalanced, including a way to obtain Feebas in Olivine City.
- Giovanni can be battled through time travel.
- Team Rocket uses Pokémon based on TCG cards.
- Major trainers have improved teams.
- New trainers and rematches include Cynthia, Steven, Dawn, Lucas, and Riley.
- Eusine's storyline is expanded around the Suicune event.
- Three custom battle tracks are used for Eusine, Cynthia, and Steven.
- The Goldenrod Casino is restored from the Japanese version.
- The casino shop trades coins for TMs, Evolution Stones, and new Pokémon.
- The level curve is fixed for Johto and Kanto.
- A Sinnoh Stone vendor appears in the Goldenrod Casino after Team Rocket is defeated at the Radio Tower.
- Crystal Version trainers and wild spawns are restored, including several early encounters and the Crystal grass patch on Route 36.
A creator-released HeartGold/SoulSilver overhaul that keeps the Johto-and-Kanto structure while offering an optional Kris replacement for Lyra. Its stated aim is a balanced, close-to-vanilla experience rather than a difficulty hack, and the creator directs players to Discord for the current build.
Before you patch
- Start a new save. The creator says normal Gold saves are not compatible.
- Use the creator’s Discord release, not a mirror. A later reply on the official Reddit post says the current version is on Discord and warns players away from third-party sites.
- No patch-only link is listed here. The creator’s opened release page exposes a Discord invite, not a named
.ips,.bps,.upsor.xdeltafile (or a ZIP confirmed to contain one).
Who it’s for
This is for players who want a polished, balanced HGSS replay rather than a hard-mode redesign. The creator describes the difficulty as close to vanilla, while the release also offers an optional Kris character mod.
Documentation and version trail
- DARTHBR’s Ko-fi shop lists a full documentation item dated 14 January 2026, covering encounter distribution, restored events, special Pokémon, items and TMs.
- A community Reddit post dated 5 February 2026 labels an archive v1.5, but it is not a creator post and its linked RAR is not an official patch-only source.
If you liked it
- Pokémon Heart Gold Reloaded — another NDS project based on HeartGold.
- Pokémon WoofGold & MasterSilver — another HGSS-based NDS rework.
- Pokémon Legacy Edition — another HeartGold-based catalog pick.
Sources
- Official Reddit release post — DARTHBR (darthbr08)
- DARTHBR’s Ko-fi documentation listing
- Community Reddit v1.5 archive post (not an official download)
Notes researched 2026-10-16 from the sources above.
Pokemon Rainbow Gold: common questions
- Is Pokémon Rainbow Gold finished?
- Yes. In a reply on the creator's release post, DARTHBR says the game is complete and directs players to the Discord release rather than third-party sites.
- How hard is it?
- The creator describes it as not far from vanilla and balanced, explicitly saying they dislike difficult hacks. Expect revised major-trainer teams, but not a Kaizo-style challenge.
- Can I continue with a normal HeartGold save?
- No. When asked whether it was compatible with normal Gold saves, the creator answered no; begin a new save for this hack.
- Where can I find the documentation?
- DARTHBR's Ko-fi shop has a full-documentation item dated 14 January 2026. Its description says it covers Pokémon distribution, restored events, special Pokémon, items and TMs.
- Why is there no official patch link here?
- The creator's post links to Discord for downloads. A later community post labels an archive as v1.5, but it was not posted by the creator and is a RAR file, so it is not treated as a verified patch-only download.
Screenshots
Not sure how to install it?
A step-by-step walkthrough for NDS ROM hacks: emulators, patching tools and our in-browser patcher.
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