Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Everything We Know

As Pokémon’s 25th anniversary celebrations continue, Game Freak has another brand-new journey approaching: Pokémon Legends: Arceus, due in January next year. Before it arrives, however, The Pokémon Company will release Nintendo Switch remakes of the much-loved DS titles Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

Although many players have experienced the originals, what can they anticipate from the Switch versions? Here is everything known about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl so far.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl development

Which studio is developing these remakes?

Game Freak is recognised for developing more than one game at once, but its focus in this instance is solely on Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Development of these remakes has instead been entrusted to ILCA. Not familiar with the studio? Pokémon fans will best know ILCA as the team behind Pokémon Home, the current storage and self-trading service for Pokémon games on Switch and 3DS. The developer has also contributed to Nier: Automata and Replicant, Code Vein, and Dragon Quest XI.

The Sinnoh region and its Pokémon

Where are the games set?

Diamond and Pearl first introduced Sinnoh, a region whose landmass draws inspiration from Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture. During their adventure, trainers travel across the island collecting Gym Badges, before attempting the Pokémon League and challenging the Elite Four, an exceptionally accomplished group of Pokémon trainers. Mt Coronet is one of Sinnoh’s defining landmarks: this mountain range divides the island from south to north.

The adventure starts in Twinleaf Town, where you and your rival are given your first Pokémon. Your travels will then take you to locations including the mining city of Oreburgh, the series’ first wintry setting around Snowpoint City, Sinnoh’s biggest town, Jubilife City, and the historic Eterna City.

Which starter Pokémon are available, and what can players expect from the Pokédex?

As in the original Diamond and Pearl, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl offer Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig as starter Pokémon. Trailers and screenshots have featured several Pokémon that can be fought and caught, all of which were already included in Sinnoh’s original Pokédex and National Dex. Pokémon revealed so far include fan favourites Lucario and Garchomp, as well as Sinnoh newcomers Kricketune, Shinx, and Starly. Naturally, Dialga and Palkia, the legendary dragons representing time and space, also appear in the games.

Sinnoh’s original Pokédex contained 151 Pokémon, while the post-game National Dex introduced further additions, including new evolutions for Pokémon from Red and Blue. With eight generations of Pokémon potentially available, it is impossible to say how many might appear in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Why Pokémon Diamond and Pearl are being remade

Why were Diamond and Pearl selected for remakes?

Every earlier Pokémon generation has, to this point, received a remake on Nintendo handheld hardware. Fire Red and Leaf Green reworked the original games for Game Boy Advance; Heart Gold and Soul Silver made a major impression on DS; and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire arrived on 3DS in 2014. Diamond and Pearl have been the next games in the remake queue for some time, and seven years after the last remakes, they will finally take centre stage once more.

Where does Platinum fit in?

That remains unknown. Pokémon Platinum was the fourth generation’s third instalment, providing an enhanced version of Diamond and Pearl. It added a larger Pokédex, fresh story content, and Giratina, a new legendary dragon that appeared on the box art. Based on the footage released when the games were announced, only Pokémon from Diamond and Pearl have so far been confirmed.

How different will the remakes be from the originals?

In terms of content, the situation is still unclear. Players should not expect the remakes to diverge greatly from the route set by Diamond and Pearl. The games’ eShop listing states that “the original story and the scale of the Sinnoh region’s towns and routes have been faithfully reproduced.”

Both titles are receiving an updated visual presentation. Exploring Sinnoh’s routes and towns will not resemble Pokémon Sword and Shield; instead, the games retain the top-down viewpoint used by Diamond and Pearl. The original releases combined 2D sprites with environments containing some 3D elements. For the remakes, ILCA has retained an art style similar to that of the classic games while converting everything into polygonal models. Field characters are small and chibi-styled, whereas trainers and Pokémon appear as full-sized, detailed models in battles, complete with modern attack animations.

When will the remakes be available?

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will launch for Switch on 19 November at $59.99 each. Pre-orders are currently available from retailers and through the Nintendo eShop.