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

As one of the most prolific Pokemon remakes in the last few years, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl polarizes fans. The games brought Diamond/Pearl to a new generation of gamers while providing nostalgia for old fans. But what are the differences between the remakes and originals? This article will break down each title so you’ll know which one is right for you.

Games

Diamond/Pearl were released in 2006 as the first Pokemon games on the Nintendo DS. They featured a new gameplay style that would become standard with releases on the DS and 3DS. Since its debut, they have sold over 17 million copies worldwide and introduced players to the new Generation IV Pokemon. 

Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl are remakes of the original titles for the Nintendo Switch. The games feature enhanced graphics, mechanics, and more. Released in 2021, the titles sold 14 million copies worldwide, comparable to the original games. 

Regions 

As both titles are the same game, they occur in the same region, Sinnoh. Sinnoh is an island created after the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Due to its location, it featured the first snow/cold weather route in the franchise. A large mountain splits the island in half, creating two distinct sub-regions. It also doesn’t have many water routes, with most areas in the games taking place on land despite being an island.

There are fourteen cities and towns players can visit, as well as the Pokemon League. The region consists of 30 numbered routes for Trainers to explore and catch Pokemon. Some areas in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl differ from those in the original games.

Features

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. It greatly impacted the franchise, with some of these changes becoming staples in the series.

• Categories: They categorized Pokemon moves into Status, Physical, or Special classes for the first time.
• Second Screen: The Nintendo DS allowed the use of both screens, in contrast to the standard single screen on 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.

In Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, there were many new features, as well as returning ones. The remakes took liberties in adding standard mechanics not present when the original titles were released. They also incorporated features from Pokemon Platinum that addressed many issues people had with Diamond/Pearl.

This list is a mix of features that are either returning, new, or from Generations after IV. These are also the most notable features, as many small alterations between games have occurred.  

• They replaced the Underground with the expanded Grand Underground.
• They replaced the Global Trade Station (GTS) with the Global Wonder Station (GWS).
• Amity Square now supports up to six walking Pokemon instead of just one.
• HMs have been removed.
• Players can now rematch each Gym Leader once daily after obtaining the National Pokedex.
• Fairy-Type Pokemon have been added.
• The player may have one walking Pokemon in the overworld outside Amity Square.
• Poison does not deal damage outside of battle.
• The move selection screen now displays type effectiveness.
• Exp. Share applies to the player’s party from the start of the game and cannot be turned off.
• At the beginning of the game, the player can choose from eight different appearances.
• They included Rotom’s appliance forms, accessed in Rotom’s Room.
• The National Pokedex returns. 

Gym Battles 

Both games feature the classic Pokemon system of fighting eight Gym Leaders before fighting the Elite Four and eventually the Pokemon Champion. However, there are some key differences between the two. Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl features an Exp. Share that levels Pokemon up simultaneously.

Diamond/Pearl were famous for its level curve and perceived difficulty. Because of Exp. Share, BD/SP takes away hours of leveling and grinding experience, making Gym Battles much easier. Since Pokemon will be around the same level, instead of having a wide range, they will be equally as strong.   

Pokemon

Both titles include only Pokemon from the first four Generations. Although some fans wanted a combination of old and new, the team made the remake as faithful as possible. It’s because of this that the remakes are polarizing among fans. 

However, many often see the fourth Generation as one of the best Generations for Pokemon. Despite its problems, the Pokemon roaster was a notable benefit in Diamond/Pearl.

Diamond/Pearl & Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl Pokemon