Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl Similarities, Differences, and Full Comparison

All Pokémon games including the original Diamond and Pearl games have always been released in a duo. One light one dark, one blue one red, the list goes on and on. While the two games are functionally the same in their stories and main goals, there are major differences between the two. Before diving into the differences it’s important to note that Pokémon games are designed this way. Before the games, all you had were cards to play with, so you had to have another person or persons to play with. By splitting up the game into two, it encouraged friends to trade their games when they were done playing and fostered sharing and friendship between players.

Today 2006’s Diamond and Pearl games for the original Nintendo DS system are on the comparison sheet. These games were later remastered for the Switch in 2021 known as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. These remasters are as close as possible to original games but not a one-to-one copy. The remake has gotten mixed and at times, simply bad reviews however we are focusing on the classics. Before you go and shell out your hard-earned cash, consider the differences!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Similarities

In both Diamond and Pearl, there are going to be a look of similarities in mainly the story. You as the player will start at home watching a news broadcast about finding a red Gyarados, which was spotted at a faraway lake. Stirred by the possibility of finding a red Gyarados, the main character gets their butt off the couch and off towards the lake. At the lake, they meet  Professor Rowan, an evolution researcher, and the player gets their starting Pokémon. In both games, you can start with the Grass-type Turtwig, the Fire-type Chimchar, or the Water-type Piplup. From there you will go off fighting battles and beating bosses in various gyms around the region of Sinnoh. Speaking of gyms, here are the bosses and gyms you will find in both Diamond and Pearl.

GYM LEADERS

FINAL FOUR

ITEMS in both Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Main Items

Name	Price	Effects	Location
Big Mushroom	5000	A large and rare mushroom. It is very popular among certain maniacal fan segments.	Wild Paras This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Big Pearl	7500	A plant fertilizer spread on soft soil. It increases the number of times new plants grow where mature plants withered.	Victory Road/Wild Gulpin, Shellder, Clamperl This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Blue Shard	200	A small blue shard. It appears to be from some sort of implement made long ago.	The Underground
Claw Fossil	1000	A fossil of an ancient Pokémon that lived in the sea. It appears to be part of a claw.	The Underground
Damp Mulch	200	A plant fertilizer spread on soft soil. It slows the growth of Berries and causes the soil to dry slower.	Route 208
Dawn Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It sparkles like eyes.	Mt. Coronet This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Dome Fossil	1000	A fossil of an ancient Pokémon that lived in the sea. It appears to be part of a shell.	The Underground
Dusk Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is as dark as dark can be.	Galactic Warehouse, Victory Road This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Escape Rope	550	A long, durable rope. Use it to escape instantly from a cave or a dungeon.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Iron Island, Mt. Coronet, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Fire Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is colored orange.	Fuego Ironworks, The Underground
Gooey Mulch	200	A plant fertilizer spread on soft soil. It ups the number of times new plants grow where mature plants withered.	Route 208
Green Shard	200	A small green shard. It appears to be from some sort of implement made long ago.	The Underground
Growth Mulch	200	A plant fertilizer spread on soft soil. It speeds up the growth of Berries. However, it also dries the soil faster.	Route 208
Heart Scale	100	A pretty, heart-shaped scale that is extremely rare. It glows faintly in the colors of the rainbow.	The Underground/Wild Luvdisc This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Helix Fossil	1000	A fossil of an ancient Pokémon that lived in the sea. It appears to be part of a seashell.	The Underground
Honey	100	A sweet honey with a lush aroma that attracts wild Pokémon when it is used in grass, caves, or on special trees.	Floaroma Town, Route 209, 218, 221, 222, Eterna Forest, Great Marsh/Wild Combee This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Leaf Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It has a leaf pattern.	Floaroma Meadow, The Underground
Max Repel	700	An item that prevents weak wild Pokémon from appearing for 250 steps after its use.	Pokemart (once you have five badges) This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Moon Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is as black as the night sky.	The Underground/Wild Cleffa, Clefairy, Lunatone
Nugget	10000	A nugget of pure gold that gives off a lustrous gleam. It can be sold at a high price to shops.	Solaceon Ruins, Stark Mountain, Resort Area/Wild Grimer This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Odd Keystone	2100	A vital item that is needed to keep a stone tower from collapsing. Voices can be heard from it occasionally.	Route 208, The Underground This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Old Amber	1000	A piece of amber that contains the genetic material of an ancient Pokémon. It is clear with a reddish tint.	The Underground
Oval Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is shaped like an egg.	Lost Tower/Wild Happiny, Chansey
Rare Bone	10000	A bone that is extremely valuable for Pokémon archaeology. It can be sold for a high price to shops.	The Underground, Turnback Cave
Red Shard	200	A small red shard. It appears to be from some sort of implement made long ago.	Route 213, The Underground
Repel	350	An item that prevents weak wild Pokémon from appearing for 100 steps after its use.	Pokemart (once you have five badges) This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Root Fossil	1000	A fossil of an ancient Pokémon that lived in the sea. It appears to be part of a plant root.	The Underground
Shiny Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It shines with a dazzling light.	Route 228, Iron Island This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Stable Mulch	200	A plant fertilizer spread on soft soil. It extends the time ripened Berries remain on their plants before falling.	Route 208
Star Piece	9800	A shard of a pretty gem that sparkles in a red color. It can be sold at a high price to shops.	The Underground/Wild Staryu
Stardust	2000	Lovely, red-colored sand with a loose, silky feel. It can be sold at a high price to shops.	Route 203, Mt. Coronet, Turnback Cave/Wild Staryu This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Sun Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is as red as the sun.	The Underground/Wild Solrock
Super Repel	500	An item that prevents weak wild Pokémon from appearing for 200 steps after its use.	Pokemart (once you have three badges), Route 206, 210, Great Marsh, Iron Island
Thunderstone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It has a thunderbolt pattern.	Sunyshore City, The Underground
TinyMushroom	500	A small and rare mushroom. It is quite popular among certain maniacal fan segments.	Wild Paras This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Water Stone	2100	A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is a clear, light blue.	Route 213, The Underground
White Flute	500	A white flute made from blown glass. Its melody makes wild Pokémon more likely to appear.	Trade from Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald version
Yellow Shard	200	A small yellow shard. It appears to be from some sort of implement made long ago.	The Underground

Health Items

Name	Price	Effects	Location
Antidote	100	A spray-type medicine. It lifts the effect of poison from one Pokémon.	Pokemart, Route 206, 212, 219, Ravaged Path, Eterna Forest, Great Marsh This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Awakening	250	A spray-type medicine. It awakens a Pokémon from the clutches of sleep.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Route 204 This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Berry Juice	100	A 100% pure juice made of Berries. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by just 20 points.	Needs to be made
Burn Heal	250	A spray-type medicine. It heals a single Pokémon that is suffering from a burn.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Route 206, Fuego Ironworks, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Calcium	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base Sp. Atk (Special Attack) stat of a single Pokémon.	Veilstone Dept. Store, Route 209, Snowpoint Temple, Stark Mountain, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Carbos	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base Speed stat of a single Pokémon.	Veilstone Dept. Store, Route 208, 220, 222, 226, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Elixir	3000	It restores the PP of all the moves learned by the targeted Pokémon by 10 points each.	Route 212, Galactic HQ, Victory Road This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Energy Root	800	A very bitter root. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 200 points.	Eterna City Herb Shop
EnergyPowder	500	A very bitter medicine powder. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 50 points.	Eterna City Herb Shop
Ether	1200	It restores the PP of a Pokémon’s selected move by a maximum of 10 points.	Eterna Forest, Route 215, 220, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Fresh Water	200	Water with a high mineral content. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 50 points.	Veilstone Dept. Store
Full Heal	600	A spray-type medicine. It heals all the status problems of a single Pokémon.	Pokemart (once you have five badges), Route 206, 215, Victory Road This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Full Restore	3000	A medicine that fully restores the HP and heals any status problems of a single Pokémon.	Pokemart (once you have eight badges), Route 229, Mt. Coronet, Victory Road, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Heal Powder	450	A very bitter medicine powder. It heals all the status problems of a single Pokémon.	Eterna City Herb Shop
HP Up	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base HP of a single Pokémon.	Veilstone Dept. Store, Route 204, 216, 225, Iron Island, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Hyper Potion	1200	A spray-type medicine for wounds. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 200 points.	Pokemart (once you have five badges), Route 210 This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Ice Heal	250	A spray-type medicine. It defrosts a Pokémon that has been frozen solid.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Route 216
Iron	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base Defense stat of a single Pokémon.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Iron Island, Mt. Coronet, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Lava Cookie	200	Lavaridge Town’s local specialty. It heals all the status problems of one Pokémon.	Valor Lakefront
Lemonade	350	A very sweet drink. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 80 points.	Veilstone Dept. Store
Max Elixir	4500	It fully restores the PP of all the moves learned by the targeted Pokémon.	Mt. Coronet, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Max Ether	2000	It fully restores the PP of a single selected move that has been learned by the target Pokémon.	Wayward Cave, Iron Island, Victory Road This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Max Potion	2500	A spray-type medicine for wounds. It completely restores the HP of a single Pokémon.	Pokemart (once you have seven badges), Route 214, Iron Island, Mt. Coronet This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Max Revive	4000	A medicine that revives a fainted Pokémon. It fully restores the Pokémon’s HP.	Route 213, Galactic HQ, Stark Mountain, The Underground This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Moomoo Milk	500	Milk with a very high nutrition content. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 100 points.	Route 210/Wild Miltank
Old Gateau	200	Old Chateau’s hidden specialty. It heals all the status problems of a single Pokémon.	Old Chateau
Parlyz Heal	200	A spray-type medicine. It eliminates paralysis from a single Pokémon.	Pokemart, Route 204, Eterna Forest, Great Marsh, Valor Lakefront This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Potion	300	A spray-type medicine for wounds. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by just 20 points.	Pokemart, Route 210 This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
PP Max	9800	It maximally raises the top PP of a selected move that has been learned by the target Pokémon.	Southeast Stark Mountian This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
PP Up	9800	It slightly raises the maximum PP of a selected move that has been learned by the target Pokémon.	Route 213, Veilstone City, Stark Mountain This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Protein	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base Attack stat of a single Pokémon.	Veilstone Dept. Store, Route 213, 221, 229, Mt. Coronet, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine
Rare Candy	4800	A candy that is packed with energy. It raises the level of a single Pokémon by one.	Route 214, 218, 224, 225, 230, Wayward Cave, Solaceon Ruins, Mt. Coronet, Victory Road, Stark Mountain, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Revival Herb	2800	A very bitter medicinal herb. It revives a fainted Pokémon, fully restoring its HP.	Eterna City Herb Shop
Revive	1500	A medicine that revives a fainted Pokémon. It restores half the Pokémon’s maximum HP.	Route 213, Galactic HQ, Stark Mountain, The Underground This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Sacred Ash	200	It revives all fainted Pokémon. In doing so, it also fully restores their HP.	Trade from Pokemon XD to GBA cartridge and into D/P
Soda Pop	300	A fizzy soda drink. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 60 points.	Veilstone Dept. Store
Super Potion	700	A spray-type medicine for wounds. It restores the HP of one Pokémon by 50 points.	Pokemart (once you have one badge), Route 205, 207, Eterna City, Great Marsh This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine This item can be obtained via Pick Up
Zinc	9800	A nutritious drink for Pokémon. It raises the base Sp. Def (Special Defense) stat of a single Pokémon.	Veilstone Dept. Store, Route 212, 227, Galactic HQ, Victory Road, Battle Park This item can be found using the Poketch’s Dowsing Machine

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Differences

This is where the differences start in both games. There will be a handful of items only found in either Diamond or Pearl. The main differences will be found in the Pokémon available to win, find, or capture throughout the game.

Pros and Cons of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

To put it simply there aren’t really any specific pros or cons of picking up a retro copy of Diamond and Pearl. The story is the same, the bosses are the same, and even the villains are the same. The only important difference is the type of Pokémon you want to capture and train.