Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl differences explained

POKEMON Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are releasing this week, but what’s the difference between the two games?

The titles are remakes of the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl which launched on the Nintendo DS in 2007.

The main difference in these double releases is the pokemon available in each title.

Each version has a specific Legendary pokemon available, depicted on the box art: Dialga in Brilliant Diamond, and Palkia in Shining Pearl.

You can find more Legendary pokemon in the newly introduced area called Ramanas Park.

It’s unlocked after you beat the Elite Four, and the Legendary pokemon are version specific.

There are other pokemon exclusive to each title, as well as particular fossils that can be revived into version exclusive pokemon.

We’ve popped them all below so you can decide which variant of the game is best for you.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond exclusive Legendaries

• Dialga
• Raikou
• Entei
• Suicune
• Ho-Oh

Pokemon Shining Pearl exclusive Legendaries

• Palkia
• Articuno
• Zapdos
• Moltres
• Lugia

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond exclusive pokemon

• Cranidos (Skull Fossil)
• Rampardos
• Stunky
• Skuntank

Pokemon Shining Pearl exclusive pokemon

• Shieldon (Armor Fossil)
• Bastiodon
• Glameow
• Purugly

How to get version exclusive pokemon

Just because you committed to one version of the game, doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on the pokemon exclusive to the other.

If you want to round out your Pokedex, you’ll need to trade with other players locally or online.

You can do this using the Union Room feature, which allows you to trade, battle, and interact with other trainers.

Unconfirmed Brilliant Diamond exclusive pokemon

The following list of pokemon were exclusive to the original Pokemon Diamond.

They’ve not been officially confirmed for the remake, but it’s likely that they’ll be exclusive to Brilliant Diamond as well.

• Seel
• Dewgong
• Scyther
• Scizor
• Murkrow
• Honchkrow
• Larvitar
• Pupitar
• Tyranitar
• Poochyena
• Mightyena
• Aron
• Lairon
• Aggron
• Kecleon

Unconfirmed Shining Pearl exclusive pokemon

As with the list above, these pokemon aren’t confirmed yet but will likely be Shining Pearl exclusive.

• Slowpoke
• Slowbro
• Pinsir
• Slowking
• Misdreavus
• Mismagius
• Houndour
• Houndoom
• Stantler
• Spheal
• Sealeo
• Walrein
• Bagon
• Shelgon
• Salamence