Pokémon Diamond/Pearl Review

By Luke Albiges Published 14 May, 2007

'Super Effective' as always.

Version tested: DS

In just ten short years since the franchise's introduction, the Pokémon series has enjoyed monumental success and now sits just behind Mario's many and varied outings as the second most lucrative gaming franchise of all time. But the basic facts don't really do justice to the phenomenal sales of the monster battling saga. Indeed, if you factor in the fact that Mario has had the benefit of a ten-year head start, as well as the fact that the NES, SNES and N64 all featured huge-selling Mario hardware bundles, things start to look a little more impressive. But of course, 'things that are popular' and 'things that are good' aren't always the same thing. Just look at Oasis and Coldplay. Anyone who has played one of the true Pokémon adventures, though, will most likely vouch for the quality - and with so many improvements squeezed in between oodles of fuzzy familiarity for this DS debut, it looks like 160-odd million sales might be justified for this market-leading IP.

Over a hundred new monsters join the party for this new generation of acceptable cock-fighting, ranging from the straight lame to the wondrously creative. The fact that such a large portion of the newly introduced creature are either evolutions or baby versions of existing monsters has the unfortunate side-effect of making Game Freak look a little short on ideas at times. Still, new stages of evolution for the likes of Togetic, Rhydon and the magnificent Lickitung, among others, should mean that entire families of Pokémon that have been ignored since their respective debuts finally get some use in competitive play. Diamond and Pearl make sure to tick all the boxes their predecessors have laid out for them, showcasing a great trio of starters as always, a not-so-great trio of annoyingly elusive legendary monsters and a couple of Pokémon that simply can't be obtained until Nintendo decides you can have them. But it's not so much the regurgitated and formulaic elements that'll make you sit up and take notice of these new adventures, rather the brand new stuff that Diamond and Pearl bring to the table.

'Pokémon Diamond/Pearl' Screenshot 1

Chatot's unique ability and attack allows you to record a brief cry for him using the DS mic. Genius.

Making full use of the DS' Wi-Fi options, the new Pokémon duo allow friends both close and distant to battle or trade at their leisure. With this potential for global challenges absent from every other Pokémon game thus far, fans that had resorted to battling over PC programs or websites can finally take on the world legitimately. And it isn't just about facing off against rivals online either (although, incidentally, there's no option for battling random opponents, so you'll need to get your Friend Code out there if you're planning on showing your team off). The Global Trade Centre allows for trade requests to be posted on a worldwide bulletin board, where you can either search for what other Trainers have made available or throw one of your own monsters up there, specifying exactly what you want in return for your former friend. But don't assume that this new feature will make finishing your Pokédex any easier. Since you're only able to search the network for Pokémon that you've seen, you're unlikely to be scoring yourself a Mew or a Bulbasaur from the GTC any time soon.

'Pokémon Diamond/Pearl' Screenshot 2

Trainers, trainers everywhere. If this guy doesn't say something funny about liking shorts, we might just cry.

But if it's old monsters you want, you don't have to look much farther than the small cartridge which should, if you have any sense, already be firmly lodged inside your DS. After the mess that was made with regards to the unavailability of older monsters in Ruby and Sapphire, Nintendo seems to have wised up to the fact that perhaps forcing budding Trainers to shell out for GameCube games and remakes just to tick a few boxes was a slightly cynical move. In Diamond and Pearl, you'll find the largest number of obtainable monsters in any Pokémon title to date, encompassing all two hundred entries in the Sinnoh Pokédex, naturally, as well as the vast majority of older creatures as well. In fact, the only Pokémon you won't be able to find in this new game region are the starting monsters (such as Charmander or Totodile) and legendaries (Mewtwo, Rayquaza and the like) from previous generations. Any Pokémon buff will most likely already have most of these on a GBA cartridge somewhere though, which is good because the Pal Park feature will allow these one-shot monsters to be transferred into Diamond or Pearl as and when you want. Only six a day can leap the generation gap in this way, presumably to avoid abuse of the function, but with so many familiar faces now resident to the Sinnoh area, only one-offs, personal favourites and elusive Pokémon need be transferred.

'Pokémon Diamond/Pearl' Screenshot 3

Loads of clever touch screen functions, integrated calendar and clock... everything is excruciatingly well thought out.

Whatever anyone tells you, you're never too old to enjoy Pokémon. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot, a liar or possibly both. No, the immense depth, inescapable charms and boundless personalisation found here is enough to put most other commercial releases to shame, with the new battle mechanics making Diamond and Pearl even more covertly complex than the series has previously been. Anyone can have fun with a Pokémon game - be it an infant barely old enough to read the text or a middle-aged suit slacking off work to browse the web for IV calculators and breeding guides - and this fact alone is enough grounds for us to go with the buying public and heartily endorse this continuation of the legacy. Everything on show is bigger and better than a handheld release has any right to be and this new era of Pokémon is ushered in by a pair of the most adept, cavernous and life-absorbing RPGs on the market today. In fact, the amount of time we've lost to this game already (not to mention the series in general) is probably too staggering for the internet to take. We actually broke the in-game clock in Pokémon Gold by maxing out the play-time and judging by the way things are going, that instance invariably won't be the last of its kind. Allow yourself to succumb to its ample charms and you'll never look back. Or at anything that isn't a DS screen, for that matter. Not for some time, anyway. After all, all those cuddly little critters... they're hardly going to catch and raise themselves now, are they?

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
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About Luke Albiges

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Comments (61) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Chtulie #1 5 years ago

    Wasn't this supposed to be the firt region locked DS game? How import friendly is it?

  • nickthegun #2 5 years ago

    If I gave you Pokemon diamond and pearl
    Would you be a happy boy or a girl..

  • david78 #3 5 years ago

    It works on European DSs (I have it), and I'm pretty sure that it will connect with the PAL version too. I don't know if it will work with the PAL Pokemon battle revolution though.

  • Tomo #4 5 years ago

    Wow, great stuff. It's a buy then. I haven't played a Pokemon game since Gold so this sounds right up my alley.

  • Schiraman #5 5 years ago

    This looks exactly like all the previous version of Pokemon, is there actually much that's new or improved here?

    If so, some more mention of it would be nice - and if not then it's hard to see how this ageing and highly repetitive series can still be worth a 9/10.

  • lemon #6 5 years ago

    It's Pokémon.

    Not Pokčmon.

    /nitpick

    edit: ah, fixed. find/replace FTW
    Edited by 1 at 14/05/07 @ 10:47

  • justsomeone #7 5 years ago

    how about a review for those of us who know, in essence, what pokemon is (something to do with packs of little cards, did you have to collect them or something, like panini cards? and a small yellow dog/cat thing) but haven't ever played the games, or watched the childrens cartoon, or anything.

    is it an RPG? what? what is it?

    eurogamer, we need background, otherwise you're just preaching to the converted.

    oh, and what the hell *is* "halo" of which you constantly speak, but never explain (ok, i knew that one, but i bet there are some folks, i.e. the population of japan, who still might be mystified).

  • Rush2112 #8 5 years ago

    I've had Pokemon Diamond for a few weeks. Never played a Pokemon game before so everything is new to me. I'm 15 hours in now and it's bloody addictive. It's a fantastic game. I graabbed if for Ł18.99 from Movietyme.

  • Steroyd #9 5 years ago

    This looks exactly like all the previous version of Pokemon, is there actually much that's new or improved here?

    If so, some more mention of it would be nice - and if not then it's hard to see how this ageing and highly repetitive series can still be worth a 9/10.

    Just looking at it doesn't tell the whole story, all the pokemon games a follow the same collect-a-thon beat all the gyms defeat a Team Rocket variant then defeat the elite four on the exterior.

    The smart thing every new generation of pokemon game has done is that there are new pokemon, with new types, and different influences on what type of attacks are super effective against what, and they add new abilities onto the pokemon themselves that influence the battle, what abilities you can use outside of pokemon ala HM's, you can't adopt a one approach beats all throughout the pokemon franchise outright and you have to re-learn what's what as well.

    Nintendo could literally make a carbon copy of the first pokemon Games, add 100 new pokemon and it'd still feel like a fresh game rather than a re-hash I think it's the only franchise ever that can do that.

    Oh yeah i would like to pat myself on the back with the achievement that I collected all 200 pokemon in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald last week. :)

  • FaceOmeter #10 5 years ago

    Oh yeah i would like to pat myself on the back with the achievement that I collected all 200 pokemon in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald last week. :)

    Congratulations! I got to about 180 and gave up..!

    I'm loving Pearl, though. It's taken 45 hours off me in the last 7 days, and no signs of slowing yet! There are unquestionably chinks in the armour which will hit you at about the 35 hour mark but it's a phoenomenal game and at movietyme's price you'd be mad not to...

    Re: PAL compatability - no issues whatsoever yet (American DS games have cooler boxes, incidentally), but I'm nervous about it working with the zoned Pokémon Battle Revolution...

  • JohnnyWashnGo #11 5 years ago

    I have had diamond for a few weeks now and managed to clock up a not unimpressive 80 odd hours on it :)

    My first reaction to the game was that the graphics seem a little less smooth, more rough around the edges, when compared to my GBA version, Fire Red. The character animation seems to have taken a bit of a nosedive also.

    I played with Fire Red again for a few weeks before getting Diamond to ensure I had got as many of the little beasts that I could, including MewTwo. I played it on a GBA Micro on the train to work. Maybe the small screen lends itself to the graphics of Pokemon better than the two big screens of the DS or maybe it is just me, but the previous GBA version of pokemon looked better than the DS version.

    Having said that, the game mechanics are still as good. Fighting, capturing, breeding etc are all the same and ensure that even if you haven't played pokemon for a while, you will fall right back into place within 5 minutes of playing.

  • trevd72 #12 5 years ago

    whats the difference between the two and which is recommended?

  • Schiraman #13 5 years ago

    @Steroyd

    Ok, so besides new Pokemon and some new attacks and things, it's basically just the same (admittedly quite good) game recycled again?

    Personally I think the latest game in a long-running series should be doing more than adding a few 'more of the same' features each time if it expects to get a decent score.

    Don't get me wrong, I own two Pokemon games already (Red on the GB and Sapphire on the GBA) and I enjoyed them both - but they were basically just the same game rehashed, so I can't help that thinking the score should go down each time a new game in the series repeats it all again.

  • Roamer #14 5 years ago

    oh, and what the hell *is* "halo" of which you constantly speak, but never explain (ok, i knew that one, but i bet there are some folks, i.e. the population of japan, who still might be mystified).

    I think they covered this one; it's an FPS. 'Nuff said.

  • Steroyd #15 5 years ago

    Ok, so besides new Pokemon and some new attacks and things, it's basically just the same (admittedly quite good) game recycled again?

    mmmm.... kinda.

    Every iteration has always refined and polished whatever niggles there were in the previous games while adding new stuff to keep it fresh, I don't think a mark should be taken off because it kept the same core gameplay (infact it might of been prevented a 10/10 because of that) that we all loved from the previous games the last thing we want is to break what isn't broken which is far worse.

    Anyway with all that rabble what Diamond Pearl adds to the fray most importantly is online be it battles or pokemon swapping so a 9/10 is more than justified for this sequel.

  • sir_tripod #16 5 years ago

    Remember that traded Pokémon gain +50% XP. Online battling and being able to team up.

    W.
    I.
    N.

  • Agent_Llama #17 5 years ago

    Good point about Battle Revolution working with imported versions - it *should* do though as the DS is region free, so the game should work with any version of BR released. Fingers crossed.

  • Martijngamer #18 5 years ago

    ==Score==
    When a 'rehashed' game is still an awesome game, that works great in all mechanics, and has enough fresh new things to keep it interesting, there is no reason to downgrade the score. This game deserves the score without a doubt.

    ==European compatibility==
    According to Nintendo Benelux, DS versions will be compatible -as long as it's all English; sucks to be French/German- and DS to Wii will 'likely' be compatible.

    http://ng -gamer.nl/nieuws.php?id=3370&gi...
    Edited by 1 at 14/05/07 @ 11:54

  • NewYork #19 5 years ago

    How do you get Pikachu onto a bus?

    You poke-'im-on!!!

  • skybluesam86 #20 5 years ago

    'things that are popular' and 'things that are good' aren't always the same thing. Just look at Oasis or Coldplay

    What are you trying to say here? Because Oasis and Coldplay are both popular and good.
    So I don't get the point you're trying to make.

  • Freelancepolice #21 5 years ago

    Superb, well worth the 9/10

  • Daikon #22 5 years ago

    No mention of the very dodgy English or the fact that the touch screen is totally underused?

    Still, it's Pokemon. Gotta play. Deja vu. Again.

  • DFective #23 5 years ago

    My NTSC copy of Pokemon Red and Silver worked with the PAL versions of the 2 stadium games, so it should work with BR.

  • GrandpaUlrira #24 5 years ago

    Thank goodness for online ordering, to save me the embarrassment of picking this up in person. I've been put off later iterations by how difficult it seems to be to catch EVERYTHING. I caught 151 monsters in Red (thanks to Pokemon Colosseum), did a decent amount of Gold, but not picked one up since.

  • Daryoon #25 5 years ago

    No mention of the very dodgy English or the fact that the touch screen is totally underused?

    What dodgy English?
    And the touch screen is used perfectly well. Not every game needs to make use of it, in the same way not every game needs to make use of the microphone.

  • Cyclone #26 5 years ago

    things that are popular' and 'things that are good' aren't always the same thing. Just look at Oasis or Coldplay

    What are you trying to say here? Because Oasis and Coldplay are both popular and good.
    So I don't get the point you're trying to make.

    Seconded mate.

  • TC #27 5 years ago

    Imported this as soon as it came out and can't put it down. A return to the former glory of Gold, none of the Ruby rubbish. I can see it lasting 50 hours minimum and I encourage everyone to import at only Ł20 on CDWOW.com! The only problem is the crappy grey US box and none of my friends have frined codes yet....

  • Steroyd #28 5 years ago

    Also, for people like me that haven't played Pokemon since Pokemon Red on the Gameboy, what's the difference between Diamond and Pearl?

    Just different pokemon that's all.

    Saying that i'm getting the one with Scyther in it, i think that one's pearl.

  • dudefella #29 5 years ago

    horrible, fanboyish review that preaches to the converted imo. That last paragraph is cringeworthy.

  • ForbiddenForest #30 5 years ago

    dudefella & justsomeone: totally agree. what a poor review for EG, especially when it appears to be an important 9/10 release. I'd love to know more about the basics of Pokemon and why it's exactly so 'playable by all' to quote the last gushing par of this worryingly poor review.

    I still haven't got a clue about how this bleedin' game works or why it appears to be so toothsomely addictive. Please can someone sum up in a handful of words why the Pokey games are so more-ish and why this one is so good.

    And crucially, is this the best starting place for a Poke game or would one of the older releases be better?

  • Burton2000 #31 5 years ago

    Picked this up the other day online also for Ł20. Just got my 2nd badge and im hooked already. This is definatly as good as gold+silver if not better from what ive played so far and I cant wait to get online and import some of my Sapphire pokemon.

  • Daikon #32 5 years ago

    @Owen-B

    "Clever uses" is not the same as properly used, which it isn't - the user interface behaves like a regular GBA game.
    You clearly haven't played this game yet.

    Why oh why do I have to use the D-pad to navigate through all of the menu options instead of being able to click on them using the stylus?

  • CitizenGeek #33 5 years ago

    9/10 .... but, it's Pokémon o_o

  • david78 #34 5 years ago

    For people who don't know how Pokemon plays:

    It's basically a fairly simple RPG game with tons of hidden depth. In each game, you leave your home town to become a Pokemon Trainer, Gain Badges, and by doing so, become the best Pokemon Trainer in the world.

    At the start of the game, you pick a Starter Pokemon, and set off on your adventure, travelling the world from City to City, beating Gym Leaders in fights to get all 8 badges allowing you to fight the Pokemon League.

    Travelling around the world, you catch lots of different Pokemon in Poke Balls, creating an ultimate squad of Pokemon, and to catch all of em'. Battles themselves are really fun, but simple. Mostly, it revolves around Rock, Paper and Scissors style weaknesses.

    Well, that's basically it, but it really is so much fun.
    Edited by 1 at 14/05/07 @ 17:21

  • smelly #35 5 years ago

    I still want to see a "proper" 3d pokemon game.

    Give it the 3d zelda treatment, will be ace.

    But yet they keep doing bloody arena games!


    >Wasn't this supposed to be the firt region locked DS game?

    Dunno for sure, but i presume this is because of the online gaming.

  • Freelancepolice #36 5 years ago

    @Daikon

    You're able to do so in the battles. Can't think off the top of my head which menus you're referring to?

  • MaskedDave #37 5 years ago

    Can you say "fanboy"?

  • antony_williams #38 5 years ago

    BRILLIANT game!!! Still as addictive as ever

  • Kniteshade #39 5 years ago

    That looked more like the synopsis from the back of the game pack than a review...

    I found the touch screen implemented into battles damn annoying. It drags out battles way too long when they're already going slow. Another thing I don't like is how this time they've become toooo linear, like setting a direct ONE route path for you to follow. You can't even take a different route to the same place, they give you stupid roadblocks.

    7/10 for me.

    It would be 6 but bonus point for implementing this: "In return we'll refrain from doing MASSIVE DAMAGE to your assistant". Yes, that line is in there, and others like 'n00b', 'owned', and 'for the win'.

  • allyjweir #40 5 years ago

    i got it imported and it work on wifi the only thing im worried about is battle revolution

  • allyjweir #41 5 years ago

    this game is definaitly addictive i played for nearly 4 hours and didn't notice

  • Brianstorm #42 5 years ago

    Completely agree with the review, excellent game, as with others have had no probs on a PAL DS.

    Also would like to see a proper full 3D version with Wiimote enhanced attacks....

  • spongebob #43 5 years ago

    Pokemon games are great. The handheld ones, that is.

  • Daikon #44 5 years ago

    @Freelancepolice

    The menu screen? The one that opens if you press X? The one you use to save your game with?

    How about computer operations? Moving pokemon in and out of storage?
    No touchscreen functionality at all here. Might as well have released the game on GBA.

  • Freelancepolice #45 5 years ago

    Well there is some limited touch screen stuff in the pokemon computer menus but if you're talking about the little text menu on the top I'd be inclined to say it doesn't need it. You're moving your character with the d pad and face buttons why make the player take out the stylus, even giving the option seems pointless to have to endure a screen swap or obscure the poketch only to change your mind and cancel the menu.

    The pokedex would be the most useful touch screen addition IMO and it is. I can quickly find whatever pokemon I want with the stylus.

  • ForbiddenForest #46 5 years ago

    David78 - thanks for the gameplay overview bud. At last!

  • Freelancepolice #47 5 years ago

    buyitbuyitbuyit

  • VMerken #48 5 years ago

    [link url=http://www .vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=235
    ]http://www .vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=235
    [/link]

    On the nose.

  • AOFanboi #49 5 years ago

    Yeah, I think I will stick with Rogue - I mean, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. A fresh take on the theme, and doing team quests in dungeons beats random encounters in the grass.

  • PinkSpider #50 5 years ago

    Sadly I think the test of a good game is if you play it every day for atleast 3 days. Pokemon Pearl started good but I just couldnt be bothered to get to the first Gym.

    I still remember the day I got pokemon blue though after begging my mum (I was probably aroundn 13 at the time). Such a good day, played it for hours and hours. (My mum made me do a boss on Zelda OOT for that).

  • Freelancepolice #51 5 years ago

    Guess that makes it a good game as i'm nearing 60 hours played

  • PinkSpider #52 5 years ago

    Each to their own. Final Fantasy VI took my attention away from this even though it's old and I've half completed it on an emulator.

    Also; cant replace slitherlink for the DS slot :(

  • Wyrm #53 5 years ago

    Still cant bloody run diagonaly though.

  • Xerx3s #54 5 years ago

    I suppose PA summed it up correctly.

  • kiroquai #55 5 years ago

    If you;re someone who loves the series or someone looking to get into it, an 8 or a 9 is probably appropriate in my opinion. They're as addictive as ever, and capturing a new Pokémon and levelling it is still good fun.

    That said, for people who simply enjoy the games rather than obsess over them (Not that's there's anything wrong with being into the series, I should add), the only thing that really entices are the online options. Everything else is a bit like putting some slightly different salad cream on the same bit of lettuce that you've been eating for the previous month. Still tasty, but it gets a little boring after a while.
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/07 @ 13:06

  • Daryoon #56 5 years ago

    Pokemon's value is relative to how many other people you know who play it. Like a FPS aimed directly at the online crowd, the single-player game is just there to ease you into the true game.

    Only a lot of people never seem to 'get' this.

  • Azazel #57 5 years ago

    Kyles mom: "It seems like just a harmless fad. I don't see any harm in it, it's not violent or anything..."
    Stan's dad: "No, but it's incredibly stupid."

  • Artemis_Matsas #58 5 years ago

    Guys, just an honest question:

    I haven't played any Pokemon games, although i love the cartoon, and owned Nintendo consoles since N64 AND GBA. (Now i'm on my Wii and DS, along with others).
    If i go out and buy Diamond/Pearl, will i "get it", or do i need to play the previous games?
    Can you suggest a way for me to get "initiated"?

    Thanks!

  • drsquid #59 4 years ago

    how do you trade worldwide

  • drsquid #60 4 years ago

    how do you trade worldwide on pokemon pearl

  • drsquid #61 4 years ago

    how many people have pokemon pearl or diamond here on this site