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Pokemon Diamond

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 42 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 70 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Game Freak

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: April 22, 2007

Summary

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are traditional Pokemon RPGs that takes place in a region called Sinnoh. When you set off on your travels, you'll be able to play as either a boy or girl Trainer. Pokemon fans have caught glimpses of Lucario, Munchlax and Weavile in Pokemon movies, and these Pokemon will are debuting in this adventure. Diamond and Pearl utilize the DS's dual slots to transfer Pokemon from the GBA Pokemon games. Also, you can link up with Pokemon Ranger to access more special content. [Nintendo]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Pokemon Ranger

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Thunderbolt

Easily one of the greatest titles on the DS...Between exploring the massive towns, wandering through the multi-tiered wastelands, and challenging legions of trainers, you’ll enjoy a lengthy adventure that no other DS game can boast.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

As long as you don't mind it being effectively a fancy remake of past Pokemon adventures, Diamond and Pearl provide a fantastic experience with great Wi-Fi features. [July 2007, p.70]

VideoGamer

Regardless of such niggles, Diamond and Pearl are among the best Pokémon titles so far, if not the best. Visually the game is fantastic, ably juggling 2D and 3D elements, and the soundtrack is catchy, upbeat and distinctly Pokémon themed.

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Nintendo Power

Armed with a host of new Pokemon, an expansive new world, and the functionality of the DS, Diamond and Pearl constitute the ultimate Pokemon experience. [June 2007, p.102]

Cheat Code Central

Overall, the better graphics, easier controls, and clearer visuals help make this Pokémon game the best in the bunch. The great Wi-Fi connection modes also make this a must have for any Pokémon fan who may own too many versions already.

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Eurogamer

Whatever anyone tells you, you're never too old to enjoy Pokémon. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot, a liar or possibly both. No, the immense depth, inescapable charms and boundless personalisation found here is enough to put most other commercial releases to shame, with the new battle mechanics making Diamond and Pearl even more covertly complex than the series has previously been.

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Gamestyle

An update is what they've got; graphical upgrades, new characters, new moves, but with the same classic gameplay. Whether this is your first Pokémon game or your fifth, this formula still works like magic.

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AceGamez

As much as I love Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, it alarms me to see how little the core game has evolved over the years.

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Armchair Empire

Pokémon Diamond or Pearl will satisfy any fan of the previous games: it’s accessible, it’s fun, it features online play and trading, and the battles are more involved than ever, and you’ll get hours of enjoyment out of it – as long as you play against people your own age.

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Gaming Target

There’s a lot to do in Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, which looks as good as a top-down Pokemon game is going to get for some time. It also benefits more than any other sequel in the series from a predecessor due to online capabilities. [JPN Import]

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Pocket Gamer UK

Indeed, it's somewhat ironic that only now, with the integration of Wi-Fi, Pokémon has become the community game it's always pretended to be. Casting a retrospective eye upon the series, it would appear that every game since the series started in 1995 has just been a level up. This, finally, is the real deal. [JPN Import]

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NintendoWorldReport

An extremely well conceived game. While some may complain that it is too much like past titles, it's hard not to get drawn into the charm and depth of the universe.

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GameSpy

These are the best games in the series by a considerable margin, and should provide you with entertainment for weeks to come, especially if you're planning on playing "Pokémon Battle Revolution" for the Nintendo Wii.

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Games Master UK

Familiar collecting and battling, but immaculately designdd and with online play. [June 2007, p.62]

GamerNode

In the end, it's more of the same with some added critters. If you're hankerin' for a batch of Pokemon on the DS, pick it up. If you haven't beaten the other versions, though, you may want to go the cheaper route.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

Ultimately, it's another addictive treadmill of a game that offers nearly limitless replayability and depth. [July 2007, p.94]

Gamer 2.0

For those who zip through Pokémon games, you can become the League Champion in a little more than 30 hours, but it should take everybody maybe 40 or more hours to complete. Rest assured, the game isn’t anywhere close to over after the credits roll.

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RPG Fan

The addition of an online function in the game has made its replayability soar to new heights.

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Pelit (Finland)

The best Pokémon role playing game so far. [Sept 2007]

WHAM! Gaming

While naysayers can decry the repetition, the strength of the handheld series continues to be that nobody will whip through the games in few weeks. Diamond’ or ‘Pearl’ are worthwhile investments because they represent months and months of gameplay.

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IGN

Tons of strategic depth and gameplay that's incredibly rewarding; it's one of those games that offers an enormous sense of accomplishment for even the littlest things performed. And the touch screen functions of the Nintendo DS help move things faster and easier with simple navigation menus.

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1UP

The differences between Diamond and Pearl and their predecessors are small, but they add up. Refinement is paramount here -- refined balance of battle skills, refined relationships between monster types -- as is expansion.

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GameSpot

The additions and alterations aren't game changing, and Diamond and Pearl do what the Pokémon franchise has always done best--deliver an accessible and highly addictive role-playing game experience.

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GameZone

A nice step up for the series. It keeps the classic gameplay formula that the series has offered for a decade, and adds some elements that only the DS could pull off, from touch screen functionality to online play.

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My Gamer

It’s easily one of the best games on the Nintendo DS, and fans familiar with the series will be able to dive right in and get into the game.

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Digital Entertainment News

Frankly, this is, for better or for worse, exactly the kind of Pokemon game that we are all expecting. The storyline hasn’t evolved, the gameplay is unchanged but has had a few refinements, the DS’ touchscreen is liberally used, the game is playable online, the graphics are sharp but still evoke the GBA standard, and there’s plenty of new Pokemon to capture.

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Game Informer

The addition of online trades and battles finally delivers on the promise that the first Pokémon games made. The crucial social interactivity aspect of Pokémon now takes place on a global scale. It only took 10 years!

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NGamer UK

With Wi-Fi battles and Global Trade, D/P is essential. [Sept 2007, p.81]

netjak

If you can get past all this, it’s a magnificent game and easily the most solid Pokémon game yet.

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Modojo

The fact that it's far from a perfect game and not much of a step forward doesn't make it any less of a must-buy. The core single-player adventure is guaranteed to occupy you for more than thirty hours, and the promise of extensive global trading and (surprisingly deep) Wi-Fi battling awaits those who complete the main storyline. Get this game.

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Da Gameboyz

Although I was somewhat disappointed by the small leap in visual quality and the average sound effects, it was the music, the online multiplayer, the new touch screen functionality, and the usual addictiveness that drew me in to keep catching them all this time around.

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games(TM)

Whether you’re a hardened Pokemaniac, an open-minded person with a love of great games or even an impressionable child, you’ll struggle to get better value for money than you will find in this glimmering pair. [June 2007, p.124]

GameDaily

Although the single-player quests might invoke a sense of deja vu, Pokemon enthusiasts will love the brand new story and other small tweaks added to the game. The new online battles, however, make this a Pokemon essential for anyone's -- fanboy or not -- DS collection.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are not only the best Pokemon games yet, but some of most enjoyable on the DS.

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Worth Playing

It's Pokemon. Moreover, it's Pokemon with online play. If you're a Pokemon fan, that reason alone is enough to pick up Diamond and Pearl, ignoring the new Pokemon and new features.

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GameTrailers

There are a few slight tweaks here and there, and the online functionality is surprisingly robust, but otherwise, this game could have been done on the Game Boy Advance with minimal issues. At the same time, there's more content on this card than four typical DS games combined so you're definitely getting your money's worth.

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GamePro

Finally, it is possible for trainers to meet friends online and battle others around the world via the DS' Wi-Fi. There are also competitions that incorporate acting, singing, and dressing up the little critters in costumes.

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NTSC-uk

Despite its foibles, this simplified RPG is accessible to anyone, and remains as engrossing as it ever was.

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Edge Magazine

Bright and breezy, it offers almost bottomless value, creates a believable and consistent world, offers a real strategic challenge as well as the kind of brainless completism that’s best suited to delayed trains and rainy afternoons, and hides a staggeringly intricate set of mechanics inside an accessible and non-threatening world. [July 2007, p.84]

PALGN

What Diamond and Pearl lack in core innovation, they make up for in finesse, refinement and an overall abundance of gameplay. An easy recommendation.

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Game Almighty

Though the online mode fails to reach its potential, the game itself is polished to perfection.

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Game Revolution

Just back-to-basics, old school pocket monster capturing and training. The bad news, however, is this: these two new games are exactly what you would expect in a new Pokemon RPG. So no, you’re not having a drug-induced flashback to the crazy times you had playing "Pokemon Ruby and Emerald." It’s, well, pretty much the same game.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 70 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sam J. gave it a10:
Pretty much the best game ever made. Plenty of new features added, the graphics are pretty basic but the literally 100s of hours of gameplay, wi fi battling, improved mechanics and loads more. I have a friend who has gotten 530+ hours on it and he is still hooked on it. The other games didn't have this much content, and after the elite 4 there's still missions to do, such as getting the legendary pokemon such as heatran and giratina. 10/10 is under rating it but it'll have to do.

William T. gave it a10:
Not only the best Pokemon game yet but possibly the best use of the touch screen in the DS library. There is nothing in this game that is poorly done. Forget the kiddie assumption, anyone serious about playing good games would find this a worthy purchase.

George S. gave it a10:
THE best game on ds. It makes mario kart look like rubbish.The fact that you need to migrate old legendary pokemon to this game because the new one has only about 10 legendary pokemon (including the ones that are very difficult to even find). If you have already fully completed an old pokemon game then you might want to think twice about getting this game as starting off is quite difficult. Every thing else is superb. E.I. get the v.s seeker because if yo have god pokemon you can battle the same trainer twice. They will get stronger every time though.

Jordan W. gave it a7:
It ok. The lack of new pokemon really made it 7. maby 6. Im a big pokemon fan but this is by far the worst, i played and that was it. Easy, i got through in 23hours with complete dex. boring and trepetative. At least day.night was back, rather play e/r/s at least they had lots of new pokes. Oh like for graphics.

Casey C. gave it a9:
Although admittedly the game is pretty much the same as the Pokemon games, to base a rating on that alone is like saying giving a low score to any of the Halo games (after all, it's just like any other FPS game right?). This game not only updates the battle system and introduce new pokemon, but it also comes with WiFI, enabling battles and trades to everyone around the world. These two games will keep you occupied for a long time.

Matt C. gave it a9:
Very similar to the original but why fix what's not broken? The gameplay still remains excellent, with a large world to explore and hundreds of pokemon to catch!

Deanna H. gave it a9:
The games are basically the same, but I like this one because it has better graphics and different pokemon. This game is awesome!

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Pokemon Diamond

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