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| Pokémon Diamond Pokémon Pearl | |
|---|---|
| File:Pokémon Diamond Japanese Boxart.jpg File:Pokémon Pearl Japanese Boxart.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Game Freak |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release |  September 282006<br\>  TBA 2006<br\> TBA<br\> TBA |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer, online multiplayer |
Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are two Pokémon roleplaying games for the Nintendo DS. Diamond and Pearl were released September 282006 in Japan. Release dates for other regions have yet to be announced.
Setting and plot
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl take place in Shin'ou, a region based upon the Hokkaido prefecture of Japan, characterized by mountainous and snow covered areas and three lakes. Each lake is home to a third of a legendary trio of Pokémon; Yuxie is found at Wisdom Lake, Agnom at Aspiration Lake and Emurit at Trust Lake.
The games chronicle the adventures of a new Pokémon trainer as he vies to become the Pokémon League Champion, collecting and training various species of Pokémon along the way. As in all games in the series, Diamond and Pearl feature eight Pokémon Gyms led by Gym Leaders, professional trainers whose expertise lies in a particular Pokémon type. Gym Leaders serve as bosses and reward skilled trainers with badges of merit, key to the advancement of the plot. The protagonist must simultaneously thwart the agenda of the criminal organization Team Galaxy.
Diamond and Pearl begin in Futaba Town. After viewing a television report about disturbances at the lake by a red Gyarados, who first appeared in Pokémon Gold and Silver at the Lake of Rage, the protagonist and his rival travel together to investigate. They spot Professor Nanakamodo, an expert in Pokémon evolution, and the protagonist's second rival, who is the opposite gender of that selected. After a short discussion the pair exits from the lake, leaving a briefcase behind. The protagonist and his rival examine the case when they are attacked by Mukkuru. The player is then given a choice between three Pokémon found in the briefcase, Naetle, Hikozaru or Pochama. After defeating the Mukkuru, they return the briefcase to Nanakamodo. Noticing that a bond has been forged between the young protagonist and his chosen Pokémon, Nanakamodo offers it to him, asking that he embark on a journey and fill his Pokédex.
As the plot continues, Team Galaxy's motives are made clear. Executives of the organization are named after planets in our solar system, such as Mars and Saturn. Team Galaxy captures Yuxie, Agnom and Emurit, of Shin'ou's three lakes, and imprisons them, making it the player's responsibility to free them. Upon releasing the trio, one is able to travel to the sacred shrine atop Tengan Mountain and enter the cave, where the leader of Team Galaxy awakens either Dialga, in Diamond, or Palkia, in Pearl. Dialga and Palkia's powers begin to "overwhelm" Shin'ou, causing the newly free Yuxie, Agnom and Emurit to attempt to stop them. It is then that the player is able to engage in a battle with either of the legendary Pokémon.
New and returning gameplay
Within a species, Pokémon feature slight aesthetic differences depending on gender, including aspects such as differently sized or absent distinctive physical features. For example, a female Wooper has smaller antennae than its male counterpart and a male Scizor a smaller torso than a female. New abilities, such as "Belligerence" and "Natural", were added, as well as new Pokémon natures, such as "Meticulous" and "Frivolous". Infantile Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl, such as Roselia's pre-evolution Subomi, can be found in the wild, whereas in previous generations attaining one was made more difficult through the process of breeding. Baby Pokémon also hatch from their eggs at a lower level than in previous games. Additionally, Pokémon make animated entrances into battle.
Pokémon Contests, events where one's Pokémon compete in a dog show of sorts to win ribbons, return from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire as "Super Contests", with a few similarities and differences. Super Contests consist of three rounds. In the Visual Judgement round, players utilize the Nintendo DS's stylus to place accessories and objects on their Pokémon to appeal to a particular genre, such as "Cool" or "Cute", and earn points. In the Dance Judgement round, one's Pokémon competes with its opponents in a test of rhythm and balance. The final round, Performance Judgement, is identical in premise to the original; Pokémon use their techniques strategically to appeal to the judges and crowd. Assuming the same role as Pokéblocks, Pokébread can be made through use of the touchscreen and fed to Pokémon in order to increase certain traits and the likelihood of success in a Contest.
First introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl feature time, which is reflected in a number of facets, such as the overworld and in the availability of certain species of Pokémon depending on the time of day. The scale of the day and night cycle has grown substantially, featuring five different time periods, morning, day, afternoon, evening and night.
A new device called the Pokétchi, resembling a wristwatch, can be obtained and plays host to a variety of features, including a time management system, a calculator, a method for monitoring Pokémon in the breeding center, a type chart, a radar, a map, an itemfinder, a counter, a wireless link up seach, and drawing pad.
Below Shin'ou is an underground world, used for multiplayer gaming. Players can create and decorate "secret bases", like they could in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and participate in minigames, one of which will allow the player to unearth fossilized Pokémon.
Connectivity to other games
- Diamond and Pearl are compatible with the Game Boy Advance Pokémon RPGs after completing a task within the game. The Game Boy Advance Pokémon RPGs is inserted into the GBA slot of the Nintendo DS, while the Diamond/Pearl copy is in to upload Pokémon.
- Pokémon uploads are restricted to six per day per GBA cartridge, and the player will have to re-capture such transferred Pokémon in a park before transfering from another GBA game.
- The player cannot transfer any of the Pokémon back to the GBA cartridge once they are transferred to their Diamond/Pearl copy, as it was announced that the transfer is permanent.
- The DS's native support for Wi-Fi is employed, allowing players to trade, battle and communicate through "voice chat" online.
- Diamond and Pearl feature Wi-Fi connectivity to the upcoming Wii Pokémon title Pokémon Battle Revolution.
- Diamond and Pearl feature a global trading system, which allows trainers to search for any Pokémon they want, the resulting list showing all the people that are willing to trade that Pokémon, as well as the Pokémon they want in return for it.
Pokémon
- See also: Shinou Pokédex and Fourth-generation Pokémon
On May 142004, the first Pokémon of the fourth generation, Munchlax, was revealed. Following the pre-evolved form of Snorlax a score of other new Pokémon to appear in Diamond and Pearl were revealed in articles in CoroCoro Comic. Early in production, it was intended that Pokémon introduced in previous generations of the series would receive new, pre-evolved forms; Pokémon available from as far back as Pokémon Red and Blue can now be bred to produce new infantile species, such as Chansey who is preceeded by Pinpuku and Mr. Mime by Mime Jr.. Pokémon have also been given new, further evolved forms; for example, Electabuzz can now evolve into Erekiburu and Roselia can now evolve into Rozureido.
The mascots of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were confirmed as Dialga and Palkia, like Groudon and Kyogre before them, when box art for the games was released in late June. Dialga will represent Diamond, as its name suggests, and Palkia Pearl, following in the trend of the past two generations.
Impact and sales
Diamond and Pearl have apparently been met with positive reception in Japan. Though two million copies of the games were shipped for Japan alone, there have still been shortages in response to a large demand.
References
- "Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl". Retrieved 2006-08-12.
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl - Pokémon Contests
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl - Pokémon Contests
- "The time of day". Serebii.net. Retrieved 2006-06-27.
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl - The Pokétch
- "Pokémon Diamond/Pearl - Shinou Underground". Retrieved 2006-08-12.
- Pokémon Diamond Preview
- Pokémon Battle Revolution announced for the Wii
- GTS trade system
- "Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl Sold Out". Retrieved 2006-09-28.
External links
- Official Pokémon Diamond/Pearl Page on the Japanese Pokémon Website Template:Ja icon
- GameWatch page on Diamond/Pearl
- Nintendo's Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Page
- Bulbapedia's Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Entry