Nintendo Switch players will be revisiting the Sinnoh region soon, the remake of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl has been announced and a new trailer released! Titled Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Brilliant Pearl, the game features 3D graphics and enhanced gameplay based on the 2006 original. Check out the details from Nintendo so far below.
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Pokémon Diamond and Pearl History
Originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2006 (2007 in North American markets), Pokémon Diamond and Pearl followed the usual formula for Pokémon games. Each was a separate title which had generally similar elements, but also had unique features, especially some Pokémon that trainers could catch and add to their Pokédex.
This time around, the setting is the Sinnoh Region, which is a location steep in legends. Under the gaze of Mount Coronet, trainers could encounter and eventually catch mythical Pokémon never seen before in previous Pokémon games. As is the case with other Pokémon games, players start out as fresh trainers out to make a name for themselves and participate in challenges to climb the ranks of the Pokémon League.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced three new starter Pokémon: Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig (representing the usual Fire, Grass, and Water Pokémon types, respectively). But these were only a few of the 100+ new Pokémon added to the lore. By the end, trainers would find the mighty Dialga and Palkia, legendary Pokémon that are treated as virtual deities in the Sinnoh region.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Features
2021 is the 15th anniversary of the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. During the Pokémon Presents event, Takato Utsunomiya of the Pokémon Company discussed the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl titles (along with Pokémon Legends Arceus). Utsonomiya guaranteed fans that the remakes will be very faithful to the original games, with the remake being handled by the ILCA team. Game Freak’s Junichi Masuda, who is the original director of the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, is even returning to oversee the project.
Core elements and the familiar places of the Sinnoh region are retained. The scale of the world in relation to the characters will be consistent with the original versions. Events that occur in the course of play will also be the same, assuring old players who had the originals will find it very familiar.
However, there will be enhancements that are set for the Nintendo Switch remakes. Visually, the games are updated to 3D, with the locations and surroundings from the originals serving as a template. The special effects of the Pokémon have also received a huge visual overhaul, with lighting and particle effects. The team also promises conveniences that are standard for newer Pokémon games, such as zooming in and scaling during Pokémon battles.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Release
Although the remake will “faithfully reproduce” the original games, Nintendo promises there will be new encounters and surprises included in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. What these are has yet to be confirmed, but there are speculations that it will be elements from the more recent games such as Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl will be released for the Nintendo Switch in late 2021.
