Product Info

Platform

Switch

Publisher

Nintendo

Developer

ILCA

Series

Pokémon

Genre

Adventure, RPG

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

20 GB

Release Date (NA)

Nov 19, 2021

Release Date (JP)

Nov 19, 2021

Purchase From

Amazon

Best Buy

Walmart

Target

GameStop

eShop

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The originals brought new features to the series such as global trades and wifi capabilities, whereas the remakes are built mostly of nostalgia with a fresh coat of paint.

Return to a Fresh, Familiar Sinnoh Region

After 15 years, Pokémon fans can return to the Sinnoh region where they can battle Team Galactic, face-off against Pokémon Champion Cynthia and revisit the underground for mining. Instead of reinventing the design and gameplay such as in Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee!, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl play it safe by keeping the chibi look and its original gameplay intact, with an updated look. Even the opening animation receives a revamp that plays homage to the original.

Random encounters continue to exist, and battles look more animated and bring in many elements from the latest Pokémon games, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. For example, there are animations before, between, and after battles. Some animation scenes feel off and at times bizarre, though. The game tends to enjoy zooming in and around characters too much. Some areas feel off as the camera’s tilted angle makes objects feel a bit obscure.

Player movements work rather well if you are going horizontal and vertical. Diagonal movements are fine at best when in open areas, but when it comes to smaller spaces, it becomes annoying. When players receive their own bike to ride on their Pokémon journey, the bike doesn’t seem to be the best transportation tool to use. It feels too loose and troublesome to maneuver, especially in tighter spots. Walking simply feels like the better option in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The game’s user interface is clean, and the action buttons are large and easy to understand. This is the case whether you are in battle or in the game’s menu screen to view your Pokédex. These buttons make it appealing to touch when playing the game in handheld mode, but unfortunately, the game doesn’t support the touchscreen.

The game’s soundtrack gets a nice upgrade from the classic chiptunes of the Nintendo DS originals. While the classic version still has the classic vibe, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has more volume and vast amounts of instruments to make the remake feel improved. It would have been fun if the remakes let players choose between the classic or updated sound. Maybe in a future update?

Cater to the Player

The game’s battle menu itself is a clone from the one in Sword and Shield. After battling a Pokémon you’ve fought previously, the battle’s attack menu now displays effective types when confronting the same Pokémon. For example, your Hydro Pump attack will now display “super effective”, “effective”, or “not effective”.

No more relying on specific Pokémon to utilize special Hidden Move (HM) skills such as Cut to cut down branches in your path or swim across water with a Pokémon that knows Surf. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, your Pokétch has an application that allows you to use the special skills anytime without relying on a Pokémon on your team. However, these unique skills require you to earn specific gym badges to use them, just like the good ol’ days.

Regarding the Technical Machine (TM) skills, once you use it on your Pokémon, they’ll break and disappear from your item bag. It’s unfortunate since in Sword and Shield, you can use them as many times as you want.

Instead of relying on going to a PC at the local PokéCenter, you now have access to the PC anywhere you go to swap your caught Pokémon, except in-between battling the Elite Four and Champion Cynthia. Other helpful features such as EXP sharing with all Pokémon in your team and auto save are in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The Mystery Gift option is carried over for Pokémon fans. Players can receive items by a code or download from the internet, if items are available. Players can expect rare Pokémon or inventory goodies to be available for at least the first year of the game’s release. Of course, players can still connect online or with nearby friends to battle and trade their Pokémon.

Ball capsules have been improved as most stickers/seals you earned were at the end in the Nintendo DS version. Now, you have earlier access to these decals as they’ll help score points when competing in the Super Contests. Super Contests are now more animated and feel like an actual mini game than static graphics with subtle movements. In this contest, you’ll mostly play a rhythm game to score points. Players can use their Pokémon to use moves, and depending on the type of Pokémon, its moves will determine the score. Score enough points, and you’ll win the contest.

Players can also now dress up their trainer with a set of clothes available. However, you can’t choose and pick specific accessories like in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Instead, you’ll purchase the entire outfit. There’s a handful to choose from, but that’s about it.

Underground Fun

One of the most entertaining features is the Grand Underground. Originally from the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Nintendo DS games, players can go under the surface in a vast subterranean world to find items such as gems, fossils, and more. Players can choose to play alone, with friends locally, or online with others. Whether you are looking for items in walls or capturing Pokémon, there’s no wrong way to play.

Players will go mining to find items by initiating against a wall that has a sparkle lit up. Doing so will start a mining mini game. You’ll have to dig through dirt and rocks to find hidden items before the wall breaks down. With gems in hand, you will be able to exchange them for large-sized gems, pedestals for your Pokémon statues, and TM moves. One type of gem will help you trade for rare items to battle legendary Pokémon such as Mewtwo and Rayquaza.

Players can create their own secret room where you can display Pokémon statues you’ve uncovered. Additionally, depending on what statues you display in your room, you can increase some of your actual Pokémon’s status. For example, adding a majority of statues that are electric type will increase your actual Pokémon’s electric attacks more. You can also increase the size of your secret room by trading enough items by talking to a non-playable character (NPC) underground.

Other reasons to explore the underground are the Pokémon, like Togepi, that are difficult to find aboveground. These Pokémon roam around freely in large, open area rooms. Players can choose to battle or avoid them, just like in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Don’t fret: these Pokémon don’t roam in the hallways where you are digging. Plus, the further you play, the more the Pokémon in the underground will level up. After battling the Elite Four and the Champion, expect level 70 Pokémon to wander around.

Plays like the Original

Outside of that, when it comes to battling and capturing Pokémon, the game sticks to its roots. For those unfamiliar with the originals, you don’t need to capture ‘em all. Just engaging Pokémon in battle is enough to fill your Pokémon encyclopedia, the Pokédex. There’s not a drastic difference between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some Pokémon are exclusive to one version, such as Caterpie and some legendary Pokémon like Lugia and Ho-Oh. If you are looking to truly catch ‘em all, you’ll have to pick up both games or do some online trading with other fellow Pokémon trainers.

There’s still much to do after completing the main story. Battling legendary Pokémon and visiting restricted areas to battle tough opponents are some missions waiting for you. Before you do, however, you’ll need to complete your Pokédex for the Sinnoh region. It’s not impossible to do and just owning either Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl will work. As previously noted, you only need to battle against the Sinnoh region Pokémon; capturing them all is not required. Players can revisit gym leaders and the Elite Four for another battle if you’re looking to boost your Pokémon’s levels.

As mentioned before, to have the opportunity to fight legendary Pokémon like Mewtwo, you’ll need to collect rare gems to exchange for “cartridges” at the Ramanas Park. Batting them is no problem if your Pokémon team is at or close to level 70. Capturing them still proves to be difficult, so expect to load up on Pokéballs.

The Final Catch

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl don’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s still an enjoyable adventure to revisit regardless of the weird quirks. Those who’ve played the classic Pokémon games will enjoy a trip down memory lane. Go out, trainer, and be the best!

A copy of the games were purchased for this review.