Pokemon Gold vs Silver comes down to 10 wild Pokemon in each game that the other lacks and a box bird that is easier to catch in its own version. The Johto story and the gyms are the same in Gold and Silver.
Which Pokemon only one version has
!A screenshot from Pokemon Gold
Gold's list includes Mankey, Growlithe, Gligar and Mantine. Silver's includes Vulpix, Meowth, Phanpy and Skarmory. Phanpy and Teddiursa swapped sides between the Japanese and localized releases, so a guide written for the Japanese games gets them backwards.
| Only in Gold | Only in Silver | |---|---| | Mankey | Vulpix | | Primeape | Ninetales | | Growlithe | Meowth | | Arcanine | Persian | | Spinarak | Ledyba | | Ariados | Ledian | | Gligar | Phanpy | | Teddiursa | Donphan | | Ursaring | Skarmory | | Mantine | Delibird |
Ho-Oh and Lugia are in both games
!A screenshot from Pokemon Silver
Both birds can be caught in both versions, and the version decides which one comes early. Ho-Oh is at level 40 in Gold and level 70 in Silver. Lugia is the reverse, at level 70 in Gold and level 40 in Silver.
The Game Corner gift changes
!A screenshot from Pokemon Gold
The Goldenrod Game Corner gives you Ekans in Gold and Sandshrew in Silver, both at level 10. It is the only other static Pokemon that changes between them.
The same gyms and the same rival
!A screenshot from Pokemon Silver
Falkner and Bugsy lead the first two gyms in both games, and no trainer team differs between them.
Which one should you buy?
Pick Gold if you want Growlithe and an early Ho-Oh. Pick Silver if you want Skarmory and an early Lugia. Both games finish the same story, so the question is which fire dog or fire fox you would rather raise. We would pick Silver (Skarmory is why).
Gold vs Silver FAQ
Can you catch Lugia in Gold?
Yes. Lugia is in both games, at level 70 in Gold.
Do the Gym Leaders change between Gold and Silver?
No. Both games have the same Gym Leaders in the same order.
