Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are presented by The Pokémon Company as “faithful remakes” of Diamond and Pearl, released fifteen years earlier in Japan on Nintendo DS. The adventure, locations and characters are carried over almost unchanged; what changes are the features, the presentation and several side locations. This page sums up what sets the remakes apart from the originals, then the differences between the two versions.
A remake developed by ILCA
For the first time in the main series, the games are not developed by GAME FREAK but by the studio ILCA, under the co-direction of Junichi Masuda (GAME FREAK) and Yuichi Ueda (ILCA). The most visible visual choice is the “chibi” style of the characters on the map, with their compact proportions, which recalls Nintendo DS sprites. Battles, for their part, use models with normal proportions.
What’s different from Diamond and Pearl
| Diamond and Pearl (2006) | Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021) |
|---|---|
| Sinnoh Underground | Grand Underground, with hideaways for wild Pokémon |
| Pal Park (transfer from Game Boy Advance) | Ramanas Park, where you catch the legendaries of earlier regions |
| Super Contests in three rounds | Super Contests Showcase, a rhythm game |
| Global Trade Station | Global Terminal, for Miracle Trades and, since update 1.3.0, online trades |
| HMs taught to Pokémon | “Hidden Move” app on the Poketch: wild Pokémon come to help without taking up a move slot |
| Amity Square: one walking Pokémon, limited list | Up to six walking Pokémon, including Eevee and its evolutions, and Poffin cooking on the spot |
| Poketch on the touch screen | Poketch at the top right of the screen, can be hidden |
Elements from Platinum
The remakes include several elements that first appeared in Pokémon Platinum: the Formes of Rotom, the Origin Forme of Giratina thanks to the Griseous Orb, and both Formes of Shaymin. Pokédex entries in foreign languages are available for all Pokémon, and some Pokémon formerly reserved for events return.
What doesn’t change
The Sinnoh Pokédex keeps its 151 species from Diamond and Pearl, the order of the Gyms and events is identical, and the Battle Zone still offers only the Battle Tower: Platinum’s Battle Frontier is not included. Moves keep their split between physical and special, introduced precisely in 2006 with Diamond and Pearl.
Differences between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
The story is the same. The cover legendary changes, as do several wild species and the legendaries of Ramanas Park.
| Brilliant Diamond | Shining Pearl |
|---|---|
| Dialga | Palkia |
| Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Ho-Oh | Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Lugia |
| Cranidos, Rampardos (Skull Fossil) | Shieldon, Bastiodon (Armor Fossil) |
| Stunky, Skuntank | Glameow, Purugly |
| Murkrow, Honchkrow | Misdreavus, Mismagius |
| Elekid, Electabuzz, Electivire | Magby, Magmar, Magmortar |
| Scyther, Scizor | Pinsir |
| Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar | Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence |
| Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo |
| Growlithe, Arcanine | Vulpix, Ninetales |
| Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree | Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill |
| Zangoose, Solrock, Kecleon | Seviper, Lunatone, Stantler |
Other exclusives include Ekans and Arbok (Brilliant Diamond) versus Sandshrew and Sandslash (Shining Pearl), Seel and Dewgong versus Slowpoke, Slowbro and Slowking, Gligar and Gliscor versus Teddiursa and Ursaring, and Mawile versus Sableye.
