Should I get HeartGold or SoulSilver?

[TrainerOreo]

I have recently beat Pokemon White and I've decided that my next adventure would be in the Johto region. The thing is, I can't decide on whether I want HeartGold or SoulSilver. I like both Ho-oh and Lugia (Even though I don't normally use Legendaries.) And I just have some questions to get my mind made up

1. What are the pros and cons of each?

2. What are the differences?

3. Are there 3rd and 4th generation Pokemon? Are they available before post-game?

4. What are some of the version exclusives?

5. Any other details I should know about before buying the game?

Hope these questions aren't too much, I just want to get my money's worth when buying this game

[Wind Heart]

HeartGold and SoulSilver are both different at which Legendary is showcased first. If you choose HeartGold, Ho-Oh gets showcased first, and Lugia the second. And vice versa in SoulSilver. And I think version exclusives are different too, it depends on what Pokemon you will catch. Caterpie will be in HeartGold, but you could catch it too in Bug-Catching Contest in SoulSilver. Weedle will be in SoulSilver, and also available in HeartGold via Bug-Catching Contest.

Mankey, Primeape, Growlithe, Arcanine, Omanyte, Omastar, Spinarak, Ariados, Gligar, Mantine, Phanpy, Donphan, Sableye, Baltoy, Claydol, Anorith, Armaldo, Kyogre, Mantyke and Gliscor are the version exclusives in HeartGold.

Vulpix, Ninetales, Meowth, Persian, Kabuto, Kabutops, Ledyba, Ledian, Delibird, Skarmory, Teddiursa, Ursaring, Mawile, Gulpin, Swalot, Lileep, Cradily and Groudon are the version exclusives in SoulSilver.

And HGSS are different because it mixes GS storyline with Crystal storyline, and a new customized Safari Zone is in there, too. If you buy the game, you could get a Pokewalker which help you to catch more Pokemon than just in the DS Cartridge! And I soooo loved the Walking Pokemon feature there.

[Hikari10]

Wind Heart basically nailed everything you need to know, but I'll add a bit to this too.

HG/SS are much better than their G/S/C originals, since it has all the 4th Gen mechanics implemented, such as moves being no longer physical/special depending on type and also 5 new Pokemon were added to the Johto Dex (Mamoswine, Tangrowth, Yanmega, Lickilicky and Ambipom). The Safari Zone allows you catch various Pokemon, with some 3rd and 4th Gen Pokemon available after getting the National Dex. There's also the Battle Frontier, which is basically identical to the one in Platinum.

The Bug Catching Contest is also back, where you can catch various Bug-type Pokemon. There's also trees you can use Headbutt on to find a Pokemon (you can find Heracross among them, which is very strong and a good team addition).

You can catch various Legendary Pokemon too, and you can catch both Ho-Oh and Lugia. One is encountered in the main story (Ho-Oh for HG, Lugia for SS) while the other can be caught in the post-game.

There's not much differences, aside from the version exclusives Wind Heart mentioned. It's your choice which version you want, I mainly decide based on which version exclusives I like better.

[bobandbill]

And going to close as it seems to be pretty well answered.

Try asking in the Help thread at the top of the section next time, please.