Pokémon Diamond & Pearl vs. Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee: Full Comparison

While deciding which Pokemon game is best for you, discovering the differences can be overwhelming. Diamond/Pearl and Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee! have a twelve-year gap between releases, making the differences quite drastic. This article will provide a deep dive into the two games, comparing and contrasting. By the end, you’ll understand everything there is to know about them and, hopefully, be able to decide which game to play next.

Games

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee were remakes of the original Pokemon games Red, Blue, and Yellow. It was a way to bring a classic game into the modern world. While there were differences between the two games, Let’s Go used the original games as a foundation and built an optimized version for fans who don’t have access to a Game Boy.

The game, released in 2018, sold over 15 million copies worldwide. These two games also had the honor of being the first mainline Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch, ushering in a new age for the franchise.      

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

Regions 

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee are both set in the Kanto region, inspired by the real-life Japanese region. It was the first region to be created and featured in a Pokemon title. Players begin in Pallet Town and have eight other cities to explore and one island. The region consists of caves, forests, water routes, and the end game Indigo Plateau.

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

Features 

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee added various new features, making the games stand out. While not all of these features and mechanics were well-received, it showed a new way the series was headed. The best way to view these remakes is as simplified versions of the original.

• No Wild Battles: Players can only capture wild Pokemon instead of battling wild Pokemon. 
• Pokemon GO: The game is integrated with the Pokemon GO app, complete with a transfer feature. 
• Poke Ball Controller: Players can use a new controller shaped like a Poke Ball for catching Pokemon. 
• Co-Op: Players can play Let’s Go with one other friend and explore the world together and battle.
• No Evolution Items: Items required to evolve Pokemon were removed. 
• Customization: Players can customize the look of their character instead of choosing one of two base options. 

Similar to how Let’s Go features new mechanics for the Nintendo Switch, Diamond/Pearl does the same for the DS. After all, each of them was the first release on their respective devices. But considering the age Diamond/Pearl has, and its influence on the series, some of these changes became staples in titles moving forward. 

• Categories: For the first time, they categorized Pokemon moves 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 were expanded and focused on. 
• K.O: When Pokemon got knocked out, no longer would new Pokemon receive an incoming attack. Instead, the turns reset and started from the beginning.

Gym Battles

Both games feature Elite Four and Gym Battles to become the Pokemon Champion. In Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee! Players must travel to the Indigo Plateau and battle Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, Lance, and their rival after defeating eight Gym Leaders. Trainers must battle Aaron, Bertha, Flint, Lucian, and Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl.

These Gym Battles test the player’s might and keep them on a steady level path. You’ll have to design your team and balance Pokemon types carefully. If your strongest Pokemon is weak to the Gym Leaders or Elite Four, it will be hard to defeat them. Diamond/Pearl are harder than Let’s Go, which the developers designed to be more beginner-friendly. However, grinding levels and understanding your Pokemon’s strengths and weaknesses will eventually lead you to Pokemon Champion.    

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee Elite Four

Diamond/Pearl Elite Four

Pokemon

Each game comes with exclusive and new Pokemon. While Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee features the same roster as the original games, a new Mythical Meltan was added. Other than that, the classic 151 Pokemon from Generation I are featured in the games. Diamond/Pearl features 151 Pokemon, a mix of previous and new ones.

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee Pokemon

Diamond/Pearl Pokemon