Which should I get? I've only ever played gen 1 (+fr/lg)

>>27825925
Yes.

Crystal has a better story, cool additions and fixed a bit the pokémon distribution. I'd get that, but you should check the exclusives and pick from there.

>tfw I have a Gold cartridge ready to be played but I don't want to because I can't transfer my pokemon later
VC release W H E N ?

>>27825925
Crystal > Gold/Silver >>>> HGSS

Question 2: I like owning the cartridge and have a decent collection of gb/gbc rpgs. Are battery issues with G/S/C cartridges bad enough that I should just emulate?

>>27826054
Between emulating and having a cartridge I'd choose the latter, but you must accept that in 8-10 years your save will be gone.
The best would be to wait for the Virtual Console version.

File: 1468479829801.jpg (45KB, 540x434px) Image search: [Google]

45KB, 540x434px

>mfw when an authentic G/S/C cart can easily fetch between $75 - $150
Shit, why are they so expensive? It's not like they're uncommon. Man, I remember 15 years ago I paid like $10 for Crystal at Gamestop. Glad I have all three still.

>>27825925
Crystal is better in every way and has the best spritework in the series.