The Gen2Recomped 0.8.25, released on October 14, 2026, expanded the development of support for Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The project is now working on new Johto region systems, including partner Pokémon, the Voltorb Flip minigame, and three-dimensional environments extracted from Nintendo DS cartridges.
For now, however, HeartGold and SoulSilver continue to be indicated Coming Soon. Official documentation still blocks the normal import of these games. Thus, the update does not represent the release of a full and playable version of the remakes on PC or mobile.
Gen2Recomped: HeartGold and SoulSilver in 3D
According to the version 0.8.25 release notes and the technical documentation of the project, the program is already able to interpret Johto maps, cameras, and terrain models. In addition, the creator describes imported scenes from New Bark Town, Professor Elm's laboratory, and Route 29.
At the same time, the most recent updates advance the logic for Pokémon following the trainer and the recreation of Voltorb Flip. Furthermore, the code incorporates elements from the Bug-Catching Contest and custom battle interfaces for those games.
Scene from the Pokémon HeartGold original for Nintendo DS. Credit: Nintendojo. Illustrative image, not a capture from Gen2Recomped 0.8.25.
In practice, these features are part of a technical work that is still incomplete. Therefore, the presence of files and systems in the code does not prove a fully functional campaign nor validated performance on different devices.
What is still missing in the Johto remakes?
For example, the documentation itself records importable = false for both cartridges. Despite the existence of an experimental environment variable unlock for testing, the feature does not equate to normal public support in the launcher.
Furthermore, the implementation still has gaps in introductory screens, menus, move animations, and sound effects. Therefore, the Gen2Recomped 0.8.25 must be seen as a development milestone for HeartGold and SoulSilver, and not as a release announcement for these games.
Partner Pokémon in HeartGold/SoulSilver on the Nintendo DS. Credit: Guide Strats. Original game footage, not from build 0.8.25.
Despite this, the project maintains public downloads of the app for various platforms and is already working with other Pokémon games. Even so, this does not alter the access status for the two Johto remakes.
How to download Gen2Recomped 0.8.25
Before downloading, it is worth remembering: the packages below are of the Gen2Recomped application, not ready-to-play HeartGold or SoulSilver. In addition, each route was checked in release 0.8.25 and comes with the latest compatible public version. The program does not include ROMs nor does it distribute commercial games.
- Windows: download the ZIP file for Windows computers and extract it into a folder.
Then, consult the developer's README to start the app and import your own ROM of a game that is already compatible. HeartGold and SoulSilver do not yet appear as normally unlocked choices.
- Linux: choose the Linux ZIP package corresponding to your platform.
Next, on Linux, extract the files and check the dependencies and instructions in the official documentation before running.
- macOS: download the app version intended for compatible Macs.
On macOS, in turn, check the build requirements and keep a copy of your saves before updating.
- Android: download the public APK of Gen2Recomped 0.8.25.
Additionally, before installing on Android, verify the origin of the APK and check the device requirements. The file does not automatically unlock HeartGold and SoulSilver.
- iPhone/iPad: download the IPA intended for iOS and consult the official installation instructions.
On iOS, however, installation may require a compatible sideloading method. For other public packages, including Switch and Xbox in specific configurations, please also refer to the complete release file list.
Where can you follow future progress?
The project publishes updates on Official GitHub. In addition, Allves Games has already shown the evolution of Polished Crystal in 3D and from Pokémon Emerald's Battle Frontier in the same ecosystem.
Finally, the next major milestone for Johto will be when the developer releases the standard import of these cartridges and clarifies what can already be played from start to finish. Until then, internal testing and documentation do not replace a final public release.
Sources: release v0.8.25; 10/14 commit; HeartGold/SoulSilver technical status; official creator trailer, 10/12; Nintendojo; Guide Strats.
