Pokemon Diamond/Pearl

On my way to the store I ran into a girl on a unicycle wearing a mime outfit with an accordion strapped to her back. My ears rang with the call, Unicyclist Mary wants to battle, and I realized I'd been playing too much Pokemon.

Reinvention is the key for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. For the first time in this long-running series, I feel like the game is finally different thanks to loads of new content and the DS' functionality.

This content requires flash player 8. Go install the latest version now!
Touching Pokemon in All the Right Places

Touch-screen integration is one of the greatest factors behind Pokemon's innovation; gone are the clunky menus. Instead, the touch-screen serves as an interface between trainer and pokemon, and issuing commands and tossing items is easier than ever. The controls are so well-integrated, they've created the most fluid and dynamic DS gaming experience I've experienced.

Outside of battles, the touch-screen is used in almost every activity in the land of Sinnoh. The touch-screen is a Pokemon Watch--a Poketch--packed full of attachments like hidden-object detectors and friendship meters. Accessing and utilizing applications is simple and intuitive, though most of the time there is little reason to do so.

Cutting the Leash Loose

Outside of the main story--which involves the usual battles against gym leaders and evil team Galactic--there is an endless amount of gaming content via online functionality to keep any Poke-thusiast captivated.

Finally, it is possible for trainers to meet friends online and battle others around the world via the DS' Wi-Fi. There are also competitions that incorporate acting, singing, and dressing up the little critters in costumes. If that doesn't seem like enough to do, trainers can meet in underground tunnels that span the continent where they can explore, mine for jewels, and build secret bases.

Being on-line with friends naturally brings out the need to communicate with them. This is accomplished via the use of a headset and Voice over Internet Protocal (VoIP). Nintendo's headset is an uncomfortable piece of hard plastic that works fine but falls off often. Being able to talk with friends on the DS is an excellent addition to the game, but I'll hold out for a third-party headset/mic.

Whether you're a long time fan or Pokemon newcomer, this is a solid, fun game. Pearl and Diamond are virtually identical so there's no reason to pick up both. Though leveling up is easier and quicker than any other game in the series, be prepared to lose countless hours to catching and training your Pokemon.

Comments [2]

post a comment

  • First
    • Jump To Page:
    • [ 1 ]
  • Last
Bobbie056103

this game was awsome when i first brought it, but then it got boring 4 hours after passing it, anyway, i would recommend this game to all pokemon fans.

koolman680

yea if u beat this game there is really that much else to do because you cant really battle the gym leaders again like pokemon emerald so if the make a game after platinum the should really put more stuff and add some of the older things from the vintage games

  • First
    • Jump To Page:
    • [ 1 ]
  • Last

Post a Comment