>>36094365HGSS are my favorite games but Platinum is right behind them. I fucking love Mt Coronet.
I dunno, different strokes I guess. I really enjoy Johto and the level curve never bothered me much, though it is a valid criticism.
I also liked going to Kanto, but that's mainly because Kanto has a few of my favorite gym leaders, as does Sinnoh and Johto.