Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Remakes: Here's What to Expect

We were introduced to the Sinnoh region with the launch of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl back in 2006, where we got to meet new Pokémon like Piplup, Turtwig, and Chimchar. And now, 15 years since the launch of this region, we are finally seeing it remade for the Nintendo Switch.

Excited about the imminent Diamond and Pearl remakes? So are we. And that’s why we’ve put together this piece to give you a primer on everything you need to know about the upcoming Pokémon remakes.

Why Should Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Be Remade?

Dubbed Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the new remakes are long overdue. The original games were released a whole 15 years ago on the now-outdated Nintendo DS, with graphics that are rough and in need of an upgrade. With the Nintendo Switch‘s advanced graphical system, Diamond and Pearl will definitely see a dramatic revamp of their graphics, transitioning from pixels to full 3D models.

The remake comes at a very good time too, especially considering how divided the community was over Sword and Shield. Major complaints about these two games included a mediocre story, poorly-optimized gameplay, and subpar graphics that failed to fully utilize the graphical capabilities of the Nintendo Switch.

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl could potentially address these problems. Furthermore, it could even introduce further innovations to enhance the Sinnoh experience.

Is Having a Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Remake Advantageous for the Company?

Recently, Nintendo hasn’t been able to satisfy many of its fans, owing to its decision to permanently discontinue Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection. Yet with the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl remakes, Nintendo could potentially regain its fans’ trust and loyalty.

If Nintendo offers Game Freak the tools and resources they need to create excellently, it can regain fans’ confidence and support. Although a single set of online games wouldn’t compensate for Nintendo’s shortcomings, it portrays the company’s willingness to listen to its fans’ feedback and frustrations. Bottom line, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s remake is crucial for regaining public confidence in both Game Freak and Nintendo.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s Historical Importance

When it comes to console popularity, the Nintendo DS was and continues to remain a best-selling gaming console for the company. Aside from that, it’s the second most popular gaming console after Sony’s PlayStation. Undoubtedly, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl maximized the potential of the all-new touch screen capability and graphics.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl also made history for technological advancement. They’re the first Pokémon games to integrate battling and online trading. These integrations are now staple features for online games and have consistently become available in succeeding Pokémon games. A Sinnoh adaptation integrated with the Global Terminal from the original creators, combined with the latest tech developments, can be an excellent opportunity to showcase the evolution of online gaming since 2006.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s Anniversary

Why Should Pokémon Have The Diamond and Pearl Remake — © Photo by Pokemon Official Website

2021 marks Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s 15th anniversary—the perfect time to release both games’ remakes to celebrate the success of the franchise and Sinnoh.

Since Pokémon is commemorating its 25th anniversary in 2021 as well as Nintendo’s wider acceptance of Nintendo Switch remakes, the Pokémon Company is more inclined towards the Sinnoh region. Aside from the remake of the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Fans are also anticipating the Pokémon Legends: Arceus, an all-new Pokémon game influenced by Sinnoh’s historical past.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: New Art Styles

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl – New Art Styles — © Photo by Pokemon Official Website

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will feature a diverse range of graphics compared to Sword and Shield. The overall map features chibi-style characters as well as a grid-based map. Both integrations are revolutionized from the free-flowing world.

Aside from that, they are designed with more realistic graphics. Nevertheless, The Pokémon Company’s press announcement confirms that several gamer-friendly features of the revamped Pokémon series.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s Potential Features

While Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been announced, not much information is available about their features. Beware of leaks and speculations though, as these are inaccurate and unverified by the Pokémon Company. One such claim is the application integration of the Pokémon Arceus series that is alleged to be the game’s final episode.

What we do know is that Game Freak will create an “easy to understand, player-friendly convenience of Pokémon’s modern games.” Aside from that, the developers will include up-close-and-personal battle scenes in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series. Similar to the original games, Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar will be the official starter Pokémon, while Palkia and Dialga will be the legendary Pokémon.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s Website Leaks

In early 2021, Pokémon registered diamondpearl.pokemon.com, leading fans to speculate about the announcement of the imminent remakes. This site is where you can find out the latest updates of the upcoming Sinnoh remakes. Coming with a complete UI, the website is decorated with screenshots and videos teasing what you can expect.

According to this website, the remakes are expected to release in late 2021. Given the previous release dates of earlier Pokémon games, fans are anticipating them to release around November 2021. This makes the games perfect for the holiday season.

Wrap-Up

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are definitely something to look forward to at the end of the year—especially if you’re a fan of the Sinnoh region. We’ll provide you with more updates on the new games as they come along, so stay tuned!