Pokémon Diamond & Pearl vs. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2: Full Comparison

The Nintendo DS is one of the classic devices Pokemon fans adore. The handheld is the second-best-selling console in history, with over 154 million units sold. As a result of this, Pokemon games saw more play than ever before. But which DS Pokemon game is the right one for you?

Today, we will break down Black 2/White 2 and Diamond/Pearl and examine their differences. These two Generations are some of the most difficult in the franchise. By the end of the article, you’ll know which game to play next and satisfy that Pokemon itch.

Games

While there have been sequels in the past, Pokemon Black/White 2 were the first numbered sequels in the franchise. Most sequels are actually enhanced versions of their original games, such as Emerald or Platinum. These tell the same story but make tweaks to improve the quality and performance.

However, Black/White 2 told a new story taking place two years after Black/White and made significant changes to the game. Although the games didn’t sell as well, 7 million copies compared to 16 million, they made a lasting impact on the series.

Compare this with Diamond/Pearl, released in 2006. Those two games sold over 17 million copies worldwide and marked the first Pokemon games released on the Nintendo DS. However, Diamond/Pearl are their own games and feature the new Generation IV Pokemon.   

Regions 

Black/White 2 takes place in the Unova region, the same as Black/White. The region has one of the greatest ranges in the franchise, with small rural towns and large metropolis areas. This is because it drew inspiration from New York and New York City, which feature a large mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial zones.

The sequels include new areas not present in the original games and expand on the territory. Since the developers wanted to make Generation V as unique as possible, they set Unova far away from other regions like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh.

The Sinnoh region is the setting for Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. The area is based on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The region has few water routes and features the first-ever snow route in Pokemon. A large mountain splits the area, creating two sub-regions.

Features

Many mechanics from the original Black/White games return to the sequel. However, Black/White 2 has many new features that create a unique experience.

• They introduced a Challenge Mode and an Easy Mode, which raise and lower the strength of opposing Trainers.
• Pokemon World Tournament: Players can battle Gym Leaders and Champions from all five regions, bringing back classic characters. 
• Pokestar Studios: A new feature that allows players to make their own movies with Pokemon. 
• Trainers can earn medals, which act as achievements in-game. 
• Every Trainer in the game has their own battle animations, along with the Pokemon.
• Move Tutors return from Pokemon Platinum that teaches moves for Shards. 
• During the two-year time skip, Ghetsis formed a new Team Plasma and led the team again.
• Several areas previously limited to the post-game of Black/White are now part of the main story.

Diamond/Pearl had many new changes, considering it was the first Pokemon game on the DS. This upgrade gave way to countless upgrades and mechanics. Altogether had a huge impact on the franchise, with some of these changes becoming staples in the series.

• Categories: Pokemon moves for the first time were categorized into Status, Physical, or Special classes. 
• Second Screen: With the Nintendo DS, the two screens could now be used instead of the standard one from past Game Boy devices. 
• Wi-Fi: Players could now use wifi to connect, trade, and battle instead of using the link cables. 
• Doubles: Double Battles received expanded attention and focus.
• K.O: When Pokemon get knocked out, new Pokemon no longer receive an incoming attack. Instead, the turns reset and start from the beginning.
• A new Elite Four team was introduced in the Pokemon League. Players often regard Cynthia as one of the hardest Pokemon Champions to defeat.
• Players could use GTS (Global Trading System) to put their Pokemon up for other players to see. With the search function, players could search for Pokemon around the world.

Gym Battles

As with most Pokemon titles, both feature battling eight Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and eventually, the Pokemon Champion. These games stand out because they are often cited as among the hardest Generations. Gen IV and V have smart AI, high-level curves, and some team battles. This is further shown in Black/White 2, which introduces the Challenge Mode to further increase the game’s difficulty.

One interesting mechanic is the ability in Black/White 2 to battle Trainers and Champions from previous Generations. But in Diamond/Pearl, players say that the Champion, Cynthia, is one of, if not the most difficult Champions to defeat.

Pokemon

Depending on who you ask, people will consider Gen V and IV as the best or worst Generations for Pokemon. Black/White was ambitious and only wanted to include new Pokemon in the base game, which led to the same Pokemon in Black/White 2. Featuring no older Pokemon was a bold move and gave Gen V a feeling like no other.

Players generally well-liked and received Generation IV Pokemon. Regarding gameplay, players often discuss Pokemon Platinum as the standout Gen IV game, while Diamond/Pearl had issues that plagued them.

Diamond/Pearl Pokemon

Black/White 2 Pokemon