Pokémon Shiny Diamond or Shiny Pearl? If you've been coveting the recent Gen 4 ILCA remakes for the Nintendo Switch, that's probably the tough question you're asking yourself.
Offering two versions of the same game is a tradition for the Pokémon series. Overall, you'll find that both versions offer a largely identical experience when it comes to things like story, map, characters, and price, and the differences between the versions tend to be small. But it's those little differences that matter most when you're struggling to make a decision.
Recent Gen 8 Pokémon Sword and Shield releases had some pretty significant differences between versions, including version-exclusive leaders and gym characters, but luckily things are a bit simpler with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Like the original Diamond and Pearl, the differences largely revolve around version-exclusive Pokémon. It might not sound like much, but if you have a favorite Pokemon, it's always worth checking to see if it's included in the release-exclusive banner before you commit.
There really aren't any bad options when it comes to these games, but to help you decide whether Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl is more for you, we've broken down the version differences below, including version-exclusive Pokémon and Legendaries.
Hopefully, this Nintendo Switch remaster will take you all the way to the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which could be one of the best Nintendo Switch games around.
Shiny Diamond or Shiny Pearl Pokémon: version-exclusive Pokémon
Just like in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Brilliant Pearl you will find that the main point of difference between the versions is their exclusive version of Pokémon, with one version having a wild Pokémon, the other not and vice versa. . These version-exclusive Pokémon span multiple generations and types.
It may not be a big deal for you, but many Pokemon fans have their favorites. If you're a player who has a favorite, it's always worth making sure they don't remove it from a particular build before choosing it.
Knowing about these exclusive builds might help you make up your mind or, like us, it might cause you to collapse when you realize you'll have to choose between Vulpix (Shining Pearl) and Growlithe (Brilliant Diamond).
Of course, it's possible to trade with friends, or even buy both versions, but by far the easiest way is to make sure you pick the version that's right for you from the start.
We've listed a full list of version-exclusive Pokemon for Pokemon Shiny Diamond and Shiny Pearl below, with more breakdowns below.
Exclusive to the Pokémon Shiny Diamond version:
- caterpillar
- metapod
- no butter
- chance
- tree
- grow up
- arcanine
- VIEW
- dewgong
- Sickle
- chisel
- Elekid
- electrabuzz
- elective
- dark row
- honchkrow
- giggles
- Gliscor
- larva
- desk
- Tyranitar
- Seed
- nuzfeuille
- changing
- mawile
- Zangoose
- solrock
- Kecleon
- Fool
- skunks
- Cranids (fossil)
- Rampardos (fossil evolution)
- Entei (Legendary Park of Ramanas)
- Raikou (Legendary of Ramanas Park)
- Suicune (Park Ramanas Legendary)
- Ho-oh (Park Ramanas Legendary)
- Dialga (legendary main story)
Exclusive to the Pokémon Shiny Pearl version:
- Aspicot
- kuna
- Taladro
- shrew
- sandblast
- vulpix
- Fenard
- Lamb
- slow brother
- slow down
- Magby
- magmar
- magmortar
- Pincer
- Misdreavus
- mismagius
- teddyursa
- ursar
- Stanley
- mucho
- The shadow
- Ludicolo
- Sableye
- evict
- Lunatone
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- salamence
- Glamour
- purely
- shield (fossil)
- Bastiodon (fossil evolution)
- Lugia (Ramanas Legendary Park)
- Articuno (Legendary Ramanas Park)
- Zapdos (Ramanas Legendary Park)
- Sulfura (Ramanas Legendary Park)
- Palkia (legendary main story)
Pokémon Shiny Diamond and Shiny Pearl: Fossil Exclusives
There are Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that you can add to your party by reviving them from fossils found in the Grand Underground area of the games. While previous Pokemon games allow the player to choose between fossil Pokemon, Shiny Diamond and Shiny Pearl do things a little differently and there are two that are version exclusive.
Those who play Brilliant Diamond will be able to revive Rock-type Cranids from Skull Fossil. They can then evolve Cranidos into Rampardos.
Meanwhile, Shining Pearl players will have exclusive access to the Armor Fossil that revives the Rock/Steel-type Shieldon. They can then evolve Shieldon into Bastiodon.
Pokemon Shiny Diamond and Shiny Pearl: Legendary Exclusives
The most obvious difference between Pokemon Shining Diamond and Shining Pearl is the Legendary Pokemon that underpins the story. These Pokémon appear on the cover of their respective versions and can ultimately be caught.
For Pokémon Shining Diamond, the legendary cover star is Dialga, a Steel/Dragon-type with the power to control time. For Shiny Pearl Pokemon, it's Palkia, a Water/Dragon-type with the ability to warp space.
If you ultimately want to have Palkia on your Brilliant Diamond team or Dialga on your Shining Pearl team, you'll have to switch them.
Pokémon Shining Diamond and Shining Pearl Exclusive: Ramanas Park
Ramanas Park is an interesting addition to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that replaces Pal Park in the original versions. You will only be able to travel to Ramanas Park after completing the main story of your respective version, defeating the Elite Four, and completing the Sinnoh Pokedex.
In Ramanas Park, you'll have the opportunity to catch additional Legendary Pokémon that weren't available in the original Diamond and Pearl, but were in previous Pokémon generations/regions.
However, some of the Legendary Pokemon you'll be able to catch depend on which version you buy, with each version getting four exclusives each.
Those who collect Brilliant Diamond will have a chance to catch:
- Entei
- Raikou
- suicide
- Ho-oh
Those who collect Shining Pearl, on the other hand, can get:
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Sulfur
- Lugia