This one time I was at the hospital's hotel and they had Pearl and Heart Gold on Ds. So my sister and I played with the pokemon teams that were already there, traded pokemon, and beat Gyms. The Goldenrod gym was easy and fun with a Luxray and Grotle to join Cyndaquill. I'm sure whoever picks up pearl next will enjoy the Flaffy and Gengar!
For my first pokemon game, 2 of my brothers and I played Platinum and we took turns catching pokemon and beating gym leaders. I will never forget those partners of mine. Infernape's the best! Route 201 is the most nostalgic and perfect little theme out there.