Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
{{Short description|2021 video games}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = {{ubl|Pokémon Brilliant Diamond|Pokémon Shining Pearl}}
| italic title = no
| image = Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl.png
| caption = {{Unbulleted list|Left: Icon for Brilliant Diamond, depicting the legendary Pokémon Dialga|Right: Icon for Shining Pearl, depicting the legendary Pokémon Palkia}}
| developer = ILCA{{efn|Original game developed by Game Freak.}}
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|The Pokémon Company|WW|Nintendo}}
| director = {{ubl|Yuichi Ueda|Junichi Masuda}}
| producer = {{ubl|Akira Kinashi|Toyokazu Nonaka|Takanori Sowa|Kenji Endo|Shunsuke Kohori}}
| designer = Jun Taniguchi
| programmer = Shinya Suda
| artist = {{ubl|Yasuko Takahashi|Misato Takahashi}}
| writer = Junichi Masuda
| composer = {{ubl|Shota Kageyama|Junichi Masuda}}
| series = Pokémon
| engine = Unity
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
| released = 19 November 2021
| genre = Role-playing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
{{nihongo foot|Pokémon Brilliant Diamond|ポケットモンスター ブリリアントダイヤモンド|Poketto Monsutā Buririanto Daiyamondo|"Pocket Monsters Brilliant Diamond"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} and {{nihongo foot|Pokémon Shining Pearl|ポケットモンスター シャイニングパール|Poketto Monsutā Shainingu Pāru|"Pocket Monsters Shining Pearl"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} are 2021 remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS role-playing video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The games are part of the eighth generation of the Pokémon video game series and were developed by ILCA and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo Switch. The promotional material described these games as being faithful remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The games were released on 19 November 2021. They were announced as part of the 25th anniversary event, alongside Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl received mixed reviews from critics, who praised aspects of the gameplay but were divided over certain changes made to the original, the games' visual design, and lack of features (e.g. the Sinnoh Battle Frontier) from Pokémon Platinum.
Gameplay
{{See also|Gameplay of Pokémon{{!}}Gameplay of Pokémon|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl#Gameplay{{!}}Pokémon Diamond and Pearl § Gameplay}}
File:Brilliant_Diamond_Pokémon_Battle.jpg
Gameplay of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is similar to the original Diamond and Pearl games, comparable to previous remakes such as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The games are presented in a top-down isometric third-person perspective, though with a distinct visual style.{{Cite news |last=Abent |first=Eric |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes announced for Nintendo Switch |work=SlashGear |url=https://www.slashgear.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-remakes-announced-for-nintendo-switch-26661444/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228184404/https://www.slashgear.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-remakes-announced-for-nintendo-switch-26661444/ |archive-date=28 February 2021}}
Setting
{{See also|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl#Plot{{!}}Pokémon Diamond and Pearl § Plot}}
As with the original games, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set in the fictional region of Sinnoh,{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been confirmed for "late 2021" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-have-been-confirmed-for-late-2021/ |website=GamesRadar |publisher=Future US |accessdate=28 February 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617144819/https://www.gamesradar.com/au/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-have-been-confirmed-for-late-2021/ |url-status=live }} an island based on the Japanese island of Hokkaidō.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lucas |date=22 March 2007 |title=The Countdown to Diamond and Pearl, Part 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/21/the-countdown-to-diamond-and-pearl-part-2 |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2021 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228083032/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/21/the-countdown-to-diamond-and-pearl-part-2 |archivedate=28 February 2021}}
Development and release
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were developed by ILCA;{{Cite web |last1=Skrebels |first1=Joe |last2=Valentine |first2=Rebekah |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remakes Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227105002/https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-revealed |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=1 March 2021 |website=IGN}} as such, they are the first main-series Pokémon games to have a different company as the lead developer instead of Game Freak.{{Cite web |last=Tate |first=Dylan |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokémon announces Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Gen 4 remakes |url=https://www.dailyesports.gg/pokemon-announces-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-gen-4-remakes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228081726/https://www.dailyesports.gg/pokemon-announces-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-gen-4-remakes/ |archive-date=28 February 2021 |website=Daily Esports |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |accessdate=1 March 2021}} They were directed by Yuichi Ueda from ILCA and Junichi Masuda from Game Freak, the director of the original games.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokémon Diamond and Pearl remakes are coming to Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2021/2/26/21301048/pokemon-diamond-pearl-remake-nintendo-switch-game-freak |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226155336/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2021/2/26/21301048/pokemon-diamond-pearl-remake-nintendo-switch-game-freak |archive-date=26 February 2021 |access-date=26 February 2021 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media}}
Possible development on remakes of Diamond and Pearl had been leaked on 15 January 2021, when a "diamondpearl" subdomain of the Pokémon website was registered and published. Shortly after, the domain was taken offline.{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-coming-to-switch-this-year-rumour|title=Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remakes Coming to Switch This Year – Rumour|first=Shubhankar|last=Parijat|date=14 January 2021|accessdate=15 November 2021|work=GamingBolt|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114141315/https://gamingbolt.com/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-coming-to-switch-this-year-rumour|url-status=live}} On 26 February 2021, the day of the Pokémon 25th Anniversary Pokémon Presents presentation, several leakers claimed that the upcoming livestream would announce remakes of Diamond and Pearl, titled Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, alongside an action role-playing game also set in the Sinnoh region, later revealed to be Pokémon Legends: Arceus.{{Cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=26 February 2021 |title=Pokemon leaker claims Diamond and Pearl remakes and an "open-world" Sinnoh game will be revealed today |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/pokemon-leaker-claims-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-and-an-open-world-sinnoh-game-will-be-revealed-today/ |website=GamesRadar |publisher=Future US |accessdate=28 February 2021 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421124753/https://www.gamesradar.com/au/pokemon-leaker-claims-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-and-an-open-world-sinnoh-game-will-be-revealed-today/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=26 February 2021 |title=New Pokémon Games Leaked Ahead Of Showcase |url=https://screenrant.com/pokemon-diamond-pearl-remakes-open-world-sinnoh-leak/ |website=Screen Rant |accessdate=28 February 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185457/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-diamond-pearl-remakes-open-world-sinnoh-leak/ |url-status=live }} During the Pokémon Presents, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were announced for the Nintendo Switch with a tentative late 2021 release date.
On 26 May 2021, a release date of 19 November 2021 was announced along with a reveal of the games box art.{{Cite web |date=26 May 2021 |title=Dates revealed for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, and Pokémon Shining Pearl |url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/2021/dates-revealed-for-pokemon-legends-arceus-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-pokemon-shining-pearl/ |access-date=27 May 2021 |website=Nintendo |archive-date=17 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617144801/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/2021/dates-revealed-for-pokemon-legends-arceus-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-pokemon-shining-pearl/ |url-status=live }} During the reveal of the Nintendo Switch OLED model on 6 July 2021, footage displaying improved visuals for the games was shown.{{cite news |last1=Lane |first1=Gavin |title=Switch OLED Trailer Shows Tweaked Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Footage |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/07/switch_oled_trailer_shows_tweaked_pokemon_diamond_and_pearl_footage |access-date=July 7, 2021 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-date=7 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707094625/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/07/switch_oled_trailer_shows_tweaked_pokemon_diamond_and_pearl_footage |url-status=live }} A Pokémon Presents presentation on 18 August 2021 showed new features including character customization, the return of The Underground which is now called The Grand Underground, Poké Ball decorations (now renamed Stickers rather than Seals), the Union Room, Super Contest Shows, and Pokémon being able to follow the player.{{cite news |last1=Craddock |first1=Ryan |title=Latest Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Trailer Shows New And Returning Features |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/latest_pokemon_brilliant_diamond_and_shining_pearl_trailer_shows_new_and_returning_features |access-date=August 18, 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |date=August 18, 2021 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818171805/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/latest_pokemon_brilliant_diamond_and_shining_pearl_trailer_shows_new_and_returning_features |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Valentine |first1=Rebekah |title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Will Let Your Pokémon Follow You Once Again |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-new-feature |access-date=August 18, 2021 |website=IGN |date=August 18, 2021 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818174207/https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-new-feature |url-status=live }} It was revealed that a Pokémon egg of the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy would be available from Mystery Gift as an early purchase bonus until February 21, 2022.{{Cite web|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl {{!}} Manaphy Bonus {{!}} Official Website|url=https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com/en-us/shop/manaphy-bonus/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=diamondpearl.pokemon.com|language=en|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105164348/https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com/en-us/shop/manaphy-bonus/|url-status=live}}
On 28 September 2021, on the 15th anniversary of the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, a new trailer was released showcasing the Pokétch with Hidden Moves, Poffins, Pokémon party following the player in Hearthome City's Amity Square, STAT trainers Cheryl and Riley, and Eterna City Gym Leader Gardenia.{{Cite web|last=Barder|first=Ollie|title='Pokémon Brilliant Diamond' And 'Pokémon Shining Pearl' Unleashes The Pokétch|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2021/09/29/pokmon-brilliant-diamond-and-pokmon-shining-pearl-unleashes-the-poktch/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106040835/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2021/09/29/pokmon-brilliant-diamond-and-pokmon-shining-pearl-unleashes-the-poktch/|url-status=live}} On 26 October, another trailer was released featuring Snowpoint City Gym Leader Candice and Sunyshore City Gym Leader Volkner; Team Galactic Commanders Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, and Team Galactic Boss Cyrus; and the three Legendary Lake Pokémon Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie.{{Cite web|title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Showcase Gym Leader Redesigns|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-nintendo-switch-showcase-gym-leader-redesigns/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=GAMING|language=en|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106040835/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-nintendo-switch-showcase-gym-leader-redesigns/|url-status=live}} Moreover, it was announced that the outfits of the protagonists Lucas and Dawn from Pokémon Platinum would be available from Mystery Gift as an early purchase bonus until February 21, 2022.{{Cite web|title=Platinum Style|url=https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com/en-us/shop/platinum-outfit-bonus/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106040838/https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com/en-us/shop/platinum-outfit-bonus/|url-status=live}} An overview trailer summarizing the main features of the games was released on 5 November 2021 on the official Japanese Nintendo YouTube channel.{{Cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=2021-11-05|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Get A Five-Minute Overview Trailer|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-get-a-five-minute-overview-trailer|access-date=2021-11-06|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106040836/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-get-a-five-minute-overview-trailer|url-status=live}}
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been described as having a "litany of glitches", with numerous glitches discovered within weeks after release. This includes the ability to walk through walls to catch the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin,{{Cite web|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Players Are Glitching To Get Shaymin Early|url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-players-are-1848132459|access-date=2021-12-04|website=Kotaku|date=29 November 2021|language=en-us|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204084004/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-players-are-1848132459|url-status=live}} access the location for the Darkrai event location early and to speedrun the game in 23 minutes,{{Cite web|date=2021-12-03|title=The current any% Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl speedrun record is just over 20 minutes|url=https://www.destructoid.com/pokemon-bdsp-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-any-percent-speedrun-record-just-over-20-minutes/|access-date=2021-12-04|website=Destructoid|language=en-CA|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204084003/https://www.destructoid.com/pokemon-bdsp-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-any-percent-speedrun-record-just-over-20-minutes/|url-status=live}} as well as an exploit to duplicate multiple Pokémon at a time along with their held items.{{Cite web|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Duplication Glitches Are Out Of Control|url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-duplication-1848131107|access-date=2021-12-04|website=Kotaku|date=29 November 2021|language=en-us|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204084003/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-duplication-1848131107|url-status=live}} Several of these glitches were fixed in version 1.1.2 released on December 1, 2021.{{Cite web|title=Duplication Glitches Removed From Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl|url=https://kotaku.com/duplication-glitches-removed-from-pokemon-brilliant-dia-1848148171|access-date=2021-12-04|website=Kotaku|date=2 December 2021|language=en-us|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204084003/https://kotaku.com/duplication-glitches-removed-from-pokemon-brilliant-dia-1848148171|url-status=live}} You can find Arceus if you become the Champion and beat Pokémon Legends: Arceus.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ethan |date=2022-03-15 |title=How to catch Arceus in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl |url=https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/how-to-catch-arceus-in-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930005742/https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/how-to-catch-arceus-in-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl |url-status=live }}
Reception
= Pre-release =
After the announcement, fans were divided on the new chibi art style shown in the trailer. Opponents argued that the graphics were a downgrade compared to the two previous Pokémon remakes (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!). Proponents argued the new look stays faithful to the original 2D games while making the leap to 3D.{{Cite web|last=Asarch|first=Steven|title=The highly anticipated Pokémon Diamond and Pearl remakes were finally revealed, but fans are split on the art|url=https://www.insider.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-remake-gen-4-legends-dp-2021-2|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Insider}}
= Critical reception =
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 73/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pokemon-brilliant-diamond/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2021-12-22 |language=en |archive-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914102211/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/pokemon-brilliant-diamond |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pokemon-shining-pearl/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Pokemon Shining Pearl for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2021-12-20 |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928194426/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/pokemon-shining-pearl |url-status=live }}
| CGM = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Dozsa |first1=Preston |title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-switch-review/ |website=Computer Games Magazine |date=20 November 2021 |access-date=27 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605104142/https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-switch-review/ |url-status=live }}
| Destruct = 6.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-nintendo-switch-remake/ |title=Review: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=23 November 2021 |website=Destructoid |access-date=25 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522173802/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-nintendo-switch-remake/ |url-status=live }}
| GI = 8.5/10{{cite magazine|last=Carson|first=John|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Review – Refurbished Gems|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-pokemon-shining-pearl/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl|access-date=2021-11-20|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605111454/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-pokemon-shining-pearl/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl|url-status=live}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Steve |title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-review/1900-6417790/ |website=GameSpot |date=24 November 2021 |access-date=27 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615175715/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-review/1900-6417790/ |url-status=live }}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web|last=Valentine|first=Rebekah|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Review|website=IGN|date=19 November 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-review|access-date=2021-11-20|language=en|archive-date=2 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702172056/https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-review|url-status=live}}
| NLife = {{Rating|6|10}}{{Cite web|last=Middler|first=Jordan|date=2021-11-17|title=Review: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl - A Middling Pair Of Remakes|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl|access-date=2021-11-20|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127034725/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl|url-status=live}}
}}
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregator website Metacritic. The game earned a 34 out of 40 total score from Japanese magazine Famitsu based on individual scores of 8, 9, 8, and 9.
Rebekah Valentine of IGN gave the games an 8 out of 10, stating: "Like the themes of its story, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are solid and enduring – leaning on the past, with all of its triumphs and tripwires." They would ultimately declare that "If a good remake is defined by its loyalty to the original, then Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are very good remakes indeed," but lamented that they "weren’t braver in how they improved upon the originals in the same way other Pokémon remakes were." Game Informer{{'}}s John Carson likewise called the titles "faithful remakes" of the DS games, but that they "deviate from the mechanical blueprint, with varying degree of success." He would go on to praise the graphics engine which was "mostly free of framerate drops or the slowdown that plagues other 3D entries in the series," and declare the games "a welcome throwback to a simpler time when I felt completing a Pokédex was a somewhat realistic task to undertake."
While the games' stylized chibi art style was mostly praised by IGN with the exception of certain story sequences meant to be taken seriously, others such as Destructoid{{'}}s Chris Carter felt that the visuals took some getting used to. He said that while the region can be a "joy to explore", developer ILCA tried to stick too closely to the originals while adding a few new features on top, leading to a disjointed experience. In addition, the inability to turn off the Experience Share feature can result in the player's Pokémon being over-leveled for the majority of the game, making battles with NPCs "a chore" rather than a legitimate challenge. Jordan Middler from Nintendo Life declared the change in art style to be "for the worse" and that the characters resembled "emotionless Funko Pops", but the correctly proportioned character models in battles were considerably better. ILCA's decision to exclude story elements and features seen in Pokémon Platinum was also seen as a detriment, but the inclusion of the new Grand Underground area made up for the otherwise limited selection of Pokémon originally included in Diamond and Pearl. GameSpot{{'}}s Steve Watts praised the chibi art style and quality-of-life improvements while criticizing the franchise's lack of evolution and difficulty spike the Elite Four represented. Takuya Watanabe of IGN Japan gave the games a 5 out of 10, criticizing them for staying overly faithful to Diamond and Pearl, noting the awkward appearance of the chibi characters in closeup, and concluding that the games would mostly appeal to players with nostalgia for the originals.{{cite web|last=Watanabe|first=Takuya|title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Review - I can't believe I have to give Pokemon such a low rating! (ポケモンにこんな低評価をつけなければならないなんて)|website=IGN Japan|url=https://jp.ign.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl/56152/review/|date=November 26, 2021|access-date=2021-12-27|language=ja|archive-date=27 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227015215/https://jp.ign.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl/56152/review/|url-status=live}}
= Sales =
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl sold 1.39 million copies in its first three days in Japan alone, surpassing the launch sales of Pokémon Sword and Shield in the same period in that region.{{cite web |title=Famitsu: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl Sold 1.39 Million Retail Copies In Its First Three Days In Japan |url=https://nintendosoup.com/famitsu-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-sold-1-39-million-retail-copies-in-its-first-three-days-in-japan/ |website=Nintendo Soup |date=November 25, 2021 |accessdate=November 26, 2021 |author=Yoerider |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126183124/https://nintendosoup.com/famitsu-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-sold-1-39-million-retail-copies-in-its-first-three-days-in-japan/ |url-status=live }} It became the second-biggest launch for a Switch release in Japan after Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 2020,{{cite news |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/news/30957-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-score-2nd-biggest-switch-launch-in-japan/ |website=Neoseeker |date=November 25, 2021 |accessdate=November 26, 2021 |last=Chan |first=Leo |title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl score 2nd biggest Switch launch in Japan |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126183115/https://www.neoseeker.com/news/30957-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-score-2nd-biggest-switch-launch-in-japan/ |url-status=live }} and the second best-selling game launch of 2021 in the UK behind FIFA 22.{{Cite web |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/news/30954-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-top-uk-charts-with-2nd-biggest-retail-launch-this-year/ |title=Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl top UK charts with 2nd biggest retail launch this year |last=Chan |first=Leo |date=November 22, 2021 |accessdate=November 26, 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803194234/https://www.neoseeker.com/news/30954-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-top-uk-charts-with-2nd-biggest-retail-launch-this-year/ |url-status=live }} The games collectively sold 6 million copies worldwide one week after release.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/12/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-passed-6-million-sales-in-launch-week |title=Pokémon Diamond And Pearl Remakes Passed 6 Million Sales In Launch Week |website=Nintendo Life |date=December 8, 2021 |accessdate=December 8, 2021 |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209001853/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/12/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remakes-passed-6-million-sales-in-launch-week |url-status=live }} As of June 30, 2022, the games had sold 14.79 million copies worldwide.{{cite news|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title=Top Selling Title Sales Units|newspaper=Nintendo Co., Ltd|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=24 August 2022|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130072006/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|url-status=live}} As of December 31, 2022, the games had sold 15.06 million copies worldwide.{{cite book |title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2023 |isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}
In Spain, the games sold 228,000 copies in 2021.{{cite web|last=Fonseca|first=Juan A.|url=https://www.gamereactor.es/ventas-espana-2021-el-repaso-del-ano/|title=Ventas España 2021: el repaso del año|website=gamereactor.es|language=es|date=January 20, 2022|accessdate=January 22, 2022|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122111400/https://www.gamereactor.es/ventas-espana-2021-el-repaso-del-ano/|url-status=live}}
{{Clear}}
Notes
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References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://diamondpearl.pokemon.com}}
{{Pokémon Generation 8|state=expanded}}
{{Pokémon video games series}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:Japanese role-playing video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Nintendo Switch-only games
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Category:Role-playing video games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games directed by Junichi Masuda
Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists
Category:Video games set on fictional islands
Category:Video games scored by Go Ichinose
Category:Video games scored by Shota Kageyama