Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl vs. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver: Full Comparison

There has never been a better time to get into the Pokémon games. With 16 games to choose from (32 if you count each physical game), it could be a bit overwhelming sifting through the similarities and differences. Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl and HeartGold/Soul Silver are both remakes of games from the 2000s and they were released 11 years apart from each other. With a decade of added development experience, how do these two games differ? How are they similar? Which one is more worth your time? All questions are answered in this article!

A Tale Of Two Remakes

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the Generation IV releases. The first Pokemon games were released for the Nintendo DS console. The remakes provide updated graphics and movement. HMs were removed and TMs were changed back to single-use items. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver are remakes of the generation II releases. The changes were similar in these remakes. The HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes updated the graphics. The controls were updated to accommodate the second screen of the Nintendo DS and the gyms were revamped to be a bit more interesting. The biggest difference between Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl and HeartGold/SoulSilver is their graphics and their reception by fans.

Regions

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl take place in the region of Sinnoh. The Sinnoh region has a lot of ties to real-world Japan. Its name is based on a Japanese kanji that translates to mysterious. The geography of the region is based on the real island of Hokkaido. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver take place in the region of Johto, another region that draws heavily from Japan. This time the region draws from the Kansai Region which provides its unique geography. The region also shares a border with Kanto and shares the same Elite Four and Champions!

Features

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl brought new features to the Generation IV games. Some of these features are unique to these games. These games were released to mixed reviews but one thing is for certain these games are a unique way to experience the Sinnoh region.

• The underground from the original games was completely revamped.
• The Grand Underground allows a new way for players to play against or with each other as they adventure through the underground.
• The games also added a new post-game area called Ramanas Park where players can encounter Legendary Pokemon from other regions.
• HMs no longer need a Pokemon to use it, HMs now call on Wild Pokemon to perform the tasks.
• A new way to save with auto-saving.
• Experience is shared throughout a team no matter who actually participates in battle.
• Pokemon and item storage can now be accessed anywhere with the portable PC.

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver breathed new life into the Gameboy-era games. These games were received very well with many believing this is the definitive way to experience the Johto region.

• New Pokemon mechanics were added, allowing Pokemon the ability to follow the player and respond to certain situations.
• New areas were added to the region that are only accessible in these games.
• Small changes were added to specific locations to make them fit their themes a little better.
• These games launched with the PokeWalker, a Tamagotchi-style device allowing players to train their Pokemon as the player walked in real life.
• The Kimono Girls were rewritten to have a larger role in the game’s story.

Gym Battles

Both of these games follow the pre-Scarlet and Violet formula. One of the goals of these games is to defeat the eight gym leaders and challenge the Elite Four. The Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver games are praised for the amount of content because in these games you actually travel to Kanto and fight those gym leaders. That brings the total gym leader count in HeartGold and SoulSilver to a whopping 16.

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Gym Leaders

HeartGold & SoulSilver Gym Leaders

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl’s Elite 4

HeartGold & SoulSilver’s Elite 4

Pokemon

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl uses the Generation IV Pokedex but uses their Generation VIII iterations. This provides the Pokemon with updated movesets and stats.

HeartGold and SoulSilver use the Generation II Pokedex but use their Generation IV iterations. This provides the Pokemon with updated movesets and stats.