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After 15 long years, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl bring us back to the iconic Sinnoh region, a long-awaited return for fans of Generation 4. The original Diamond and Pearl have been highly anticipated remakes, embracing nostalgia without adding major twists or gimmicks. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful to the originals by keeping the original storyline and gameplay style that I fell in love with as a kid!
While the remakes don’t add major changes, it does have a vibrant 3d style similar to Link’s Awakening with the adorable chibi character designs that I actually really like. During battles, characters take on a fuller, more interesting look, with cool environmental backdrops that change depending on location. The environment has been improved which I noticed when surfing on the water it’s shimmering and moving and is incredibly detailed and breathes new life into Sinnoh.
The grand underground:
In Pokémon Shining Pearl, the Grand Underground is a huge, hidden world you can explore beneath Sinnoh. To get there, you use the Explorer Kit. Once inside, there’s plenty to do! You can dig into the walls to find treasures like gems, fossils, and statues. Fossils can even be revived into special Pokémon (which I haven’t been able to find yet!)
One of the most exciting parts of the Grand Underground is the Pokémon Hideaways. These are special rooms where wild Pokémon roam, and each room has a theme, like a water or fire environment. Depending on the room’s theme, different Pokémon will appear, including some that are hard to find anywhere else.
You can also set up a Secret Base, decorating it with the statues you find. These statues affect which Pokémon show up in the Hideaways, letting you choose what types of Pokémon appear more often. Plus, you can go online to explore and dig with friends, making it a fun way to play together. The Grand Underground wasn’t something I explored much on the originals as I found it boring, but the new remake makes it fun and enjoyable to explore on your Pokémon adventure!
Graphics
In Pokémon Shining Pearl, the graphics bring a fresh but familiar look to the classic Sinnoh region. The world feels colourful and alive, with updated textures, lighting, and tiny details that make each town and route look polished and vibrant.
For fans who played the original game, there’s a big sense of nostalgia here. While the look has been upgraded, the familiar locations, music, and Pokémon bring back memories of the classic adventure. The characters are cute and “chibi” in style, which is like how they looked on the Nintendo DS, adding to the feeling of returning to a beloved game. Overall, the graphics in Shining Pearl balance new and old elements perfectly, letting both new and returning players enjoy the magic of Sinnoh.
Battles:
The game keeps the traditional turn-based style, with each Pokémon taking turns to attack. During battles, you can really see the upgraded graphics, like special effects and unique backgrounds based on your location, making each battle look more exciting.
One new feature in the game is the updated EXP Share mechanic. Now, all Pokémon in your team earn experience points, even if they didn’t fight in battle. This helps your whole team level up faster, which can be useful, but it might make the game feel a bit easier since your Pokémon will grow stronger quicker and I know some people don’t like this new mechanic (I personally didn’t mind it.)
Another interesting feature is the friendship mechanic, which lets Pokémon survive tough hits if they have a high bond with you. For example, if your Pokémon’s friendship level is high, it might hang on with 1 HP instead of fainting, dodge attacks, or even land critical hits more often. This can make battles feel more personal, as it shows your Pokémon's loyalty and effort to stay in the fight just for you.
Competitions
In Pokémon Shining Pearl, Hearthome City is home to the fun and lively Pokémon Super Contest Shows. These contests let you show off your Pokémon in a different way from battles. Instead of fighting, your Pokémon compete in categories like Coolness, Cuteness, Toughness, Beauty, and Cleverness.
To join a contest, you pick a category and enter with one of your Pokémon. During the show, your Pokémon performs moves to impress the judges and get a high score. You can boost your chances by dressing up your Pokémon with special accessories and giving it Poffins—sweet treats that raise its contest stats (you can also cook these poffins for your Pokémon.)
These contests are a fun way to bond with your Pokémon and try something different from regular battles. Plus, winning can earn you special ribbons to display on your Pokémon!
Summary:
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a wonderful return to the Sinnoh region, capturing the spirit of the originals while adding modern graphics and features that enhance the experience without straying too far from the original game. From the detailed Grand Underground with its hidden treasures and rare Pokémon to the colourful Super Contest Shows, these remakes blend nostalgia with freshness in just the right way. The updated chibi graphics and beautiful environmental effects breathe new life into Sinnoh, making it feel both familiar and vibrant.
