Except Ho-oh was higher level than Lugia in silver, and vice-versa in gold. Probably so you could catch the mascot character quickly, and have the opposing one be a sort of final boss. It might be different in the remakes, though.
jlvdn said: It might be different in the remakes, though.
Doubt it, and I hope not (three months later, the info's out there, but like hell I'm gonna check). I like so much about playing Gold version (as a Red-line game) except its mascot, so having Lugia as the tougher challenge (a bit parallel to the Mt. Silver battle) is a bit symbolic. Though, I do value "soul" more than "heart", but...gah! These remakes split me in so many directions!