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Pokemon Pearl

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
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Based on 42 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...

AtomicGamer

There are a metric buttload of Pokemon to catch and you'll be hard pressed to finish everything this game offers in under 100 hours, much less 150 or maybe even 200.

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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]

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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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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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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]

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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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

The enhanced visuals and online functionality alone make them more enjoyable than any of the previous games, and you don't want to be the last trainer on the block to get with the times.

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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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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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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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Electronic Gaming Monthly

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

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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RPG Fan

Renting won't do justice to the amount of content the games provide and the inclusion of online (though limiting) boosts ups the replay value tremendously. It's simple and engaging for newcomers while catering to long time players. Buy it and go catch 'em all!

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IGN

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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GameZone

Don’t let the score say otherwise; the game is great. Personally, I want the series to at least dabble with innovation. If you love the Pokemon franchise, I am 100% positive you’ll love Pokemon Pearl.

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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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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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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]

GamePro

Whether you're a long time fan or Pokemon newcomer, this is a solid, fun game. [July 2007, p.86]

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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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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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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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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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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Game Almighty

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

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 42 User Votes

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

[anonymous] gave it a9:
Being a loyal fan of Pokemon, I have very much enjoyed playing this. The mini-game additions are entertaining, but sometimes I feel they should just cool it with the amount of Pokemon in existence. I shall always remain a true fan to the original Red and Blue.

lin lu gave it a0:
An awful game with zero story.

Taliesin C gave it a10:
Absolutely the best Pokemon game that I have ever played. Even better than Emerald. NEw Textures and graphics look new, great and refreshing while the battle animations have been tweaked. Battle Frontier was slightly disappointing offering only the tower.

J R gave it a10:
Since picking it up in Japan this past summer, I've already put about 175 hours of pretty solid gameplay into this cartridge. After you finish the main in-game element with the gym leaders, your rival, Team Galaxy, and the Elite Four, there's still a ton more to do, and the online competitive play is addicting, difficult, and extremely rewarding. Nothing feels more awesome than tearing up an opponent with a team of carefully picked, bred, and trained Pokemon exactly as you planned. This was the first Pokemon game I'd picked up since Gold and Silver back on the Game Boy Color, and it feels just as amazingly fresh and innovative to me as Blue version did back on my old Game Boy back years ago.

Joe R gave it a10:
Simply brilliant. I've spent over 450 hours on this game and still only have 4/5 stars. Online is also very competitive and popular.

DivineStorm gave it a9:
A very good game it has 493 pokemon in it and new starters and badges and stuff. There is a new group of criminals called team galactic in the game and try to make a new world depending on what version you're playing they either awake palkia or dialga with the use of uxie,mesprit and azelf. There are new legendary pokemon in the game and there is much you can do after you finished the game. You can also migrate pokemon from gba cartridges into the game by simply going to pal park after you completed the game that is.

Manoel Q gave it an8:
It's a great game. The Fourth Generation comes with two great games, but those also show that the series is becoming obsolete. The goal is always the same: start as a rookie, win Gym Badges, find some bad guys, defeat those bad guys, go to the League, win the League and then what?... Train your Pokémon until Lv. 100? Nobody has pacience to train at least one without stopping from a day from a week, or even months... The Pokémon Company needs new ideas for the series, or create new series...

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Pokemon Pearl

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