You'd Be Mad To Pick Pokemon Shining Pearl Over Brilliant Diamond

Don't make us choose, please don't make us choose. It's a tale as old as time with Game Freak, and now, incoming developer ILCA. Since the early days of Red and Blue, Professor Oak has put a loaded gun against your head and demanded you choose one of two Pokemon games. It's much the same with 2021's remastered versions of Diamond and Pearl.

The latest games are a glossy repacking of 2006's Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on the Nintendo 3DS. Back then, we entered the Sinnoh Region for the first time and had to pick between Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig. If you picked anything other than Chimchar, you'd be off your rocker.

Before you even get there though, you need to decide if you're going to part with your cash for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Pokemon Shining Pearl. Even 15 years later, the debate is raging hot. Thankfully, there's only one correct answer. 

Is Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Better Than Shining Pearl?

We've already covered the Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl exclusives list, but looking at the whole package, Diamond's Scizor, Tyranitar, and Dialga are enough on their own for many. Away from Legendaries Dialga and Palkia, Scizor and Tyranitar are held as some of the most popular of any generation. As you level up through the game, these two are sure to be staples of your team.

There's also a lot to be said for Electivire being a pre-Hall of Fame exclusive to Diamond. We like Magmortar, but Electivire is just cooler in every way. Also, come on, who is really going to be adding Purugly to their roster? It's nothing compared to Skuntank. Finally, Rampardos would wipe the floor with Bastiodon - sorry, it's just facts. 

Does Pokemon Shining Pearl Have Any Advantages?

That isn't to say Shining Pearl doesn't come with its advantages. The Legendary Birds are a definite match for the Legendary Dogs. Elsewhere, Houndoom and Salamence are fighting the corner for Shining Pearl. We're not over the moon that Diamond has the average Solrock, while we'd quite like to have Ludicolo's jolly presence on our Diamond team. 

Rowing aside, there are only minor story differences relating to Dialga and Palkia, so picking which of the Creation Trio you want to go for in the end is largely down to preference and box art. Yes, Dialga is just ahead of Palkia in terms of stats, but it's up to you. 

Let's remember that completing your Pokedex was always going to be a matter of trading, so unless you want to stump up for both versions at once (we know some of you will), there isn't much difference. This is fundamentally where ILCA gets you - it's a clever marketing model to have and one that's worked for decades. 

Make your own decision when picking Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, but if you go for the latter, expect to get some weird looks.