Pokemon Shining Pearl

 Switch
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 430 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 430
  2. Mixed: 88 out of 430
  3. Negative: 165 out of 430
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  1. shoutouttoVP
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    A cheap and rushed "remake" that is inferior to Platinum, a game from 12 years ago. Bravo ILCA, you managed to outdo GF and lower the bar right down to the ground. Where is the national dex? it's been 2 years and we're still limited, despite the other remakes including it. Why does the day one patch have to add the Battle Tower? Where is the Battle Frontier?

    How can they charge full    A cheap and rushed "remake" that is inferior to Platinum, a game from 12 years ago. Bravo ILCA, you managed to outdo GF and lower the bar right down to the ground. Where is the national dex? it's been 2 years and we're still limited, despite the other remakes including it. Why does the day one patch have to add the Battle Tower? Where is the Battle Frontier?

    How can they charge full price for this? The only good thing they added is the new Underground, which lets you catch Pokemon not in the regional dex. That's nice, but it does not make the game worth playing. Just play the originals on your phone and save your money!    … Expand
  2. anhiyprjqqjedvj
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    A terrible looking, mediocre "remake" of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. There is no national dex or any major new features to put it above the originals, and there is little to no content from Platinum.

    Why does this game even exist? To make money and to fulfill the obligation of remaking each gen. It's too bad because the first three remakes were actually good and had effort put into them,    A terrible looking, mediocre "remake" of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. There is no national dex or any major new features to put it above the originals, and there is little to no content from Platinum.

    Why does this game even exist? To make money and to fulfill the obligation of remaking each gen. It's too bad because the first three remakes were actually good and had effort put into them, unlike this one.    … Expand
  3. greninjaX
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    easily the worst of the pokemon remakes (aside from let's go). they won't even use the platinum dex. the purposely keep problems from the original in order to be "faithful remakes". pokemon remakes shouldn't be faithful. they should try to improve and make it feel fresh. BDSP refuses to do that. it continues the pokemon companies trend of making all the switch pokemon games awful.
  4. PokeFanXD
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    This is a joke compared to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. How is this acceptable in 2021?!? And these pokemon youtubers are sucking off these incomplete pair of games. Pokemon should have never went 3D!!
  5. Zaregoto
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    I loved the original games when they first came out on the DS, and this doesn't do them justice at all.
    Pitiful overworld art style, screwed up balance because of gen7 movesets and forced exp share, while at the same time providing almost no new content or any platinum content for that matter. They consciously decided against it too. Not just that, Gamefreak looked at gen 4 and was like    I loved the original games when they first came out on the DS, and this doesn't do them justice at all.
    Pitiful overworld art style, screwed up balance because of gen7 movesets and forced exp share, while at the same time providing almost no new content or any platinum content for that matter. They consciously decided against it too. Not just that, Gamefreak looked at gen 4 and was like "this isn't worth our time" and made some random mobile game company create the game for them. It looks like a joke in comparison to Alpha Saphire which released 7 years ago. Please do not support this. Show Gamefreak that you don't just gobble up anything they shove down your throat. Collapse    … Expand
  6. PewPewMcP
    Dec 1, 2021
    4
    Remakes are supposed to take the best gameplay elements of the old games while brushing up on gameplay mechanics that didn't age well to deliver a fulfilling, up-to-date experience. However, Gamefreak once again demonstrates their utter inability to design decent videogames by selecting the least liked mechanics from old and new Pokemon games, stitching them together in to a misshapedRemakes are supposed to take the best gameplay elements of the old games while brushing up on gameplay mechanics that didn't age well to deliver a fulfilling, up-to-date experience. However, Gamefreak once again demonstrates their utter inability to design decent videogames by selecting the least liked mechanics from old and new Pokemon games, stitching them together in to a misshaped chimeric mess and bold-facedly masquerading it as a "faithful remake". Concepts such as 8 directional run are carelessly implemented to create a glitchy, softlock prone game that really makes you feel like you're playing Gen 1 again, while the chibi style is horribly leveraged to create some of the ugliest cutscenes in the series. TMs somehow are one-use again, while the unpopular mandatory EXP share makes a comeback, illustrating Gamefreak's tone deafness and general inability to sift good mechanics from bad ones. The long-requested feature of Pokemon following you makes a return, but the Pokemon scale awkwardly, follow you clumsily (often ending up just warping to your position due to their slow follow speed) and mesh poorly with the aforementioned ugly chibi character sprites. Affection and friendliness are now collapsed into one mechanic in a classic hallmark of Gamefreak laziness, and much like the EXP share, reduce your options to control how you play the game. The Poketch has been forced in without any consideration for how well it works in docked mode. And of course, your national dex is still stuck in a reduced capacity while battle animations remain as lazy and uninspiring as ever.

    If you are a child or parent of a child, this of course doesn't matter to you, you're still playing Pokemon because it's designed for kids. But if you consider yourself someone who enjoys well-implemented game mechanics, I advise you to turn away from this title. Gamefreak demonstrates yet again it has no idea what good game mechanics are and are instead throwing everything at the wall, not even caring whether anything sticks because they are in charge of the biggest videogame franchise in the world and they know it'll sell well no matter how little effort they actually put into it. As someone who has played every generation since Gen 1, I cannot in good faith recommend this Pokemon game.    … Expand
  7. Exocation
    Dec 1, 2021
    2
    The new style looks very ugly, but everyone can decide that for himself. The optics on the other hand are just bad, plain bad, just go to YouTube and look at a comparison between this game an Pokemon let's go, which was released 3 years ago! The are worlds between, this game just looks ugly. Plus, why on earth would you not include all the improvements the Platin edition already did?? PLUSThe new style looks very ugly, but everyone can decide that for himself. The optics on the other hand are just bad, plain bad, just go to YouTube and look at a comparison between this game an Pokemon let's go, which was released 3 years ago! The are worlds between, this game just looks ugly. Plus, why on earth would you not include all the improvements the Platin edition already did?? PLUS they actively made the game worse, for example by adding a global exp share that you CANT disable. All in all, the game is very ugly and you can feel how lazy the devs/Nintendo was to release this poorly made cash grab. This game and the Pokemon series deserve so much better.… Expand
  8. ZoroGust
    Dec 7, 2021
    1
    It's so lazy it looks like a remaster! Justified the dexit to enhance the "graphics improvement", but tell me what this remake has graphically to bring only the pokemon of the original game?
  9. ND-Bringer
    Dec 2, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fans have been pleading for Diamond and Pearl remakes ever since generation 7. But what we got was something quite abysmal. Calling this the definitive way to experience the Sinnoh region is like giving a kid too much sugar before bed. I wasn't expecting this game to be ground breaking like Heart Gold and Soul Silver, but this game just made my nightmares come true. I have been a die-hard fan of Pokemon for as long as I can remember. I understand that Pokemon games may not be as amazing as the used to be, but at least there was some form of effort made to inspire the next generation of players. But this game has let me down HARD. This game has unbalanced difficulty spikes, brings back old problems, creates new problems, and has a handful of glitches. The main game had left me so mentally exhausted that I felt broken after the credits rolled. Many people praise how great the new challenges are, but they're all pointless if you ask me. For one thing, Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar are unavailable to obtain. It's nice that you to stick to a classic Pokemon selection theme, but you're not taking full advantage of it since only Pokemon from the original Sinnoh Pokedex are available. And the only way to obtain Pokemon from regions is by getting lucky with rare spawns or getting the National Dex in the post game allowing more Pokemon to appear in the Grand Underground. It feels unfair that I have build a team with these limited options. It's like how the monster Houndour is only available in the Kanto post game in the Johto region titles despite being a Johto Pokemon. One detail that makes Pokemon Platinum so great is that it's the first title to have Houndour available in the main game. Not only did the developers fixed the lack of fire type Pokemon in Sinnoh, but it made a lot of players smile. But nope! Someone thought it was a good idea to leave all the good stuff from Platinum out. So I can't build a decent team to fight the super version of Sinnoh's Elite Four. While they're a lot stronger thanks to their boosted EV stats, this is the only real challenge in the main game. Since everyone was a pushover I've been dead bored throughout most of the game. My rival somehow used a level 26 Starly, to win 4 gym badges!? I don't get it. I didn't have one drop of joy while facing the Pokemon League. I like a good challenge but this is a really high difficulty spike compared to the rest of the trainers I've fought. Their final teams in the post game are level 85, are equipped with good items, and have crazy high stats. Challenges like these are what Pokemon fans have been waiting for! But then why do they feel so empty? Look, we've fought Cynthia before in Sun and Moon. The difference there is that she uses Mega Evolution a new mechanic introduced in X and Y. X and Y was a generic game but the Mega Evolution mechanic it introduced has been fleshed over the years. Cynthia's final team is powerful, but since none of the new battle mechanics are available in this game, it has locked potential. The teams in this game are powerful, but it's nothing I haven't seen before. This whole game feels like a Pokemon mod, meaning anyone could have designed this game. Only tweaked mini games are introduced everything else just feels unoriginal. You have to go through hours of training, planning, and patience to be able to stand a chance against the difficulty spikes. And because the main game is so long and tedious your Pokemon skills will get worse before they get better. Even the main story feels lackluster, hell the original games did it better! The originals designs don't show the over world characters mouths, so you can imagine how they feel with the given dialogue and theme of the area. It's like how people us more imagination while reading. But thanks to the modern art style Pokemon characters can be more expressive. But even if I don't mind the Chibi art style it just looks wrong. Characters will rarely mouth animations making emotional scenes feel empty. And what's this? Ever since I got my coin toss app, my game will start to glitch out every time I turn on my Poketch! That's just PEACHY! There's not much enjoyment to be found because you have to wait to find it. Even the little things bother me immensely. The colors are slightly washed out, making the game even look unappealing. This game is a filthy reflection of the originals. Even if new content is added in to make the game better, the damage has been done. At least Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire introduced new abilities. At least Let's Go recreated the Kanto experience with elements of freedom. Hell, Pokemon X and Y at least didn't screw my progress with glitches and errors. If you want to experience the beauty of Sinnoh go play Pokemon Platinum. Generic Pokemon games usually just make my eyes roll, but I just hate this game. Now I know how Cyrus feels. This game was a waste of my time. I hope that Legends Arceus can save this franchise. All I feel now is rage.… Expand
  10. Frank1992
    Dec 7, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the rubbish game. I won’t spend any to buy this game. GF only want to make money and no heart to remake the game. If you compare heart gold/omega these remake game. This one is really disappointed.… Expand
  11. Rikoyasha
    Jan 4, 2022
    4
    Long story short just play Platinum

    a "faithful" remake no one asked for Pros - Underground rooms - updated moves Cons - removed quality of life Platinum changes(consist of too many things to list) - no online multi battle - killed underground base decoration and traps for player interaction - bland team galactic - less emersion like less detailed and bland places fixed in    Long story short just play Platinum

    a "faithful" remake no one asked for
    Pros
    - Underground rooms
    - updated moves
    Cons
    - removed quality of life Platinum changes(consist of too many things to list)
    - no online multi battle
    - killed underground base decoration and traps for player interaction
    - bland team galactic
    - less emersion like less detailed and bland places fixed in platinum
    and many more problems    … Expand
  12. Otts
    Jan 15, 2022
    0
    Shameless budget cash grab. A rushed project cutting as many corners as possible. Maximum profit, no passion.
  13. llamaboy
    Feb 3, 2022
    2
    This game is hilariously bad. They do not include the additions from platinum( which already greatly diminishes the quality of the game) there are slight new additions that add basically nothing to the game itself, and the graphics are sub-par at best (aside from the water which looks pretty good) if you want to play these games, just play Pokémon platinum.
  14. HeraticParadox
    Mar 13, 2022
    2
    This remake tries to be a faithful adaptation of the original, but they somehow managed to make it worse with the few quality of life additions they chose to include. The worst offender is the always on XP share. It took what was one of of the closest Pokémon games to being a traditional RPG experience and turned it into a mindless slog through the antiquated design of the games unchangedThis remake tries to be a faithful adaptation of the original, but they somehow managed to make it worse with the few quality of life additions they chose to include. The worst offender is the always on XP share. It took what was one of of the closest Pokémon games to being a traditional RPG experience and turned it into a mindless slog through the antiquated design of the games unchanged original map. The change to the HM system was nice. I no longer needed to keep a Bidoof with me at all times in the overworld, but, for some reason, they decided to revert back to TMs breaking. The graphics, while trying to be a chibi reproduction of the original, somehow managed to be worse. The pixel art of the original, while probably a bit behind the times for the DS, was still elegant. I really thought the graphics of the Let’s Go games was going to be Nintendo’s low point for the series, but they proved me wrong. Even the movement feels bad. How they took a grid based top down game and made the movement feel bad is mind blowing to me. The controls feel imprecise and I was constantly colliding with environmental objects. The whole game just feels cheap, and yet it costs more than the original did. It just feels like they cut every corner possible to get the game out quickly. A good old fashioned cash grab. Thankfully the game was at least mostly bug free, but that’s really the only praise I can give it. I regret buying this game, but not nearly as much as I regret the 24hrs I spent beating it.… Expand
  15. Ryu003
    Jan 18, 2022
    0
    Questo è il peggior gioco pokémon. Non si può definire remaik visto i precedenti giochi.
  16. ZinniaWish
    Nov 25, 2021
    4
    Solo fue un port a Nintendo switch transformado a 3d , no hay grandes novedades , en estos juegos hubo un retroceso en vez de un avance en los juegos .

    No existe en frente batalla, no se maneja en el competitivo esta llena de buscar y en lo personal prefería jugar la versión platino de ds
  17. tomh3115
    Nov 24, 2021
    0
    Quick reminder that this is the largest media property in the entire world. How are they expecting us to accept a "remake" that is actually worse than the original game in almost every aspect? And for 60 USD? The developers should be ashamed of delivering that mess and the fans should feel ashamed of defending this scam.
  18. xXFedericXx
    Nov 25, 2021
    2
    This is a classic pokemon game with new mechanics that makes it worse. If you skip every trainer in your path you will still be 10 levels over your opponents. Just smash your head on your pad and you'll complete the game easily. Just play pokemon emerald, more content post game, less easy, simply a better game!
  19. Alajadbal
    Nov 27, 2021
    0
    tooooooooo much easy :( even to be a pokemon game, If the game had automatic mode it would end by itself
  20. Meros
    Nov 25, 2021
    0
    Imagine you're the biggest multimedia franchise of all time and you just don't give a F#&! about your flagship videogame, so you just outsource and make it the worst of all released Pokémon games (till now :'))
  21. ChrisBlack
    Nov 28, 2021
    0
    This is literally a disaster. I cannot believe they have done this low-quality remaster witch is not comparable with other remake series. I admit that they have done a certain level of work, witch may satisfy some of people. However, it still can't be qualified for official remake series with such an expensive full-price. The level of satisfaction of this game is very similar to originalThis is literally a disaster. I cannot believe they have done this low-quality remaster witch is not comparable with other remake series. I admit that they have done a certain level of work, witch may satisfy some of people. However, it still can't be qualified for official remake series with such an expensive full-price. The level of satisfaction of this game is very similar to original diamond and pearl so that this is not valuable as a remake.… Expand
  22. notnoxi
    Dec 1, 2021
    4
    tl:dr Pokemon SP failed to give you a reason to play their remake instead of going back to your Nintendo DS. Every remake achieved this, but this time they failed to validate it. You aren't missing much.

    Excited at it's first reveal, I was optimistic about the team behind it and how they were taking it. However as the months went by, reality comes knocking my door. Outside Legends of    tl:dr Pokemon SP failed to give you a reason to play their remake instead of going back to your Nintendo DS. Every remake achieved this, but this time they failed to validate it. You aren't missing much.

    Excited at it's first reveal, I was optimistic about the team behind it and how they were taking it. However as the months went by, reality comes knocking my door. Outside Legends of Arceus, this will be the only time you will get to explore sinnoh again for a long time. Besides the questionable gameplay changes and other issues, the remake does the acceptable job of releasing Sinnoh to the Switch. But it's underwhelming for one of the longest and anticipated remakes, in comparison to how Pokemon Company handled their previous remakes. Traditionally, a pokemon remake is done with current technology in mind of it's recreation to show how hardware progressed and what it would've looked like if it were made at that time instead. You saw this with HeartGold / SoulSilver and FireRed/LeafGreen. BDSP misses that mark by not taking advantage of it's hardware and did not add much new additions to this remake. The soundtrack wasn't done much justice, did not take full advantage of Platinum improvements, and the legendary park is cool to a degree till you realize you could already do this in many of their previous games. Platinum DLC is off the table too as you can unlock the alt form in the game, it's also hard to call this a faithful remake when there's things they've forgotten, failed to capture the same atmosphere or color palette, or just changed something for no good reason.

    BD/SP works to introduce new players to the region of Sinnoh, but to people who played it when they were younger, they will be underwhelmed. Is it a terrible pokemon game? No, but it failed to meet expectations and it's not like they didn't know as they've been aware of how much people wanted this for a long time.    … Expand
  23. Calabasaloka
    Nov 25, 2021
    0
    Pura mierda, como todos los juegos de Pokémon desde los Let's Go. Desde la sexta generación eran simplemente malos, antes aún, tenían algunos problemas (rejugando blanco y negro, son peores de lo que recordaba). Pero desde que pokemon llegó a switch esto es un desproposito, se ríen el cara de la gente y se cagan en una obra que nació como un proyecto verdaderamente apasionado. Pokemon estáPura mierda, como todos los juegos de Pokémon desde los Let's Go. Desde la sexta generación eran simplemente malos, antes aún, tenían algunos problemas (rejugando blanco y negro, son peores de lo que recordaba). Pero desde que pokemon llegó a switch esto es un desproposito, se ríen el cara de la gente y se cagan en una obra que nació como un proyecto verdaderamente apasionado. Pokemon está muerto, y Gamefreak no lo va a resucitar. Hay dos opciones: O Gamefreak, por dignidad, asume su incomptencia y deja la franquicia en manos de buenos diseñadores, o simplemente asuman los seguidores de estos juegos que Sol y Luna fueron los últimos juegos de Pokémon en los que, aunque fuesen mediocres, aún había una pizca de ambición (atrozmente llevada a cabo). Lo que quiero decir es que, aunque Sol y Luna, X e Y u ORAS no merezcan el tiempo de los jugadores y jugadoras, al menos había aún un mínimo esfuerzo por crear algo nuevo con esos juegos, que repetía la fórmula, sí, pero con matices. Ahora ya no quedan matices, la peña se come el mismo juego desde X e Y una y otra vez, pero cada una de las veces más mediocre que la anterior, con menos razón de ser. En fin, que Pokémon murió hace tiempo, solo vengo a recordárselo a algún despistado. Haré lo mismo con el Leyendas Arceus, que va a ser una mierda igual.… Expand
  24. usernamesrsh1t
    Nov 26, 2021
    0
    This game is exactly the same as Brilliant Diamond and the only thing that's even remotely "brilliant" about that game is the unfortunate misuse of the word in its name because there is nothing brilliant about these two. Bad graphics, endless performance issues and bugs, lack of improvements, etc. I haven't seen a game this bad at this price point in a while.
  25. Sweet_paco
    Dec 11, 2021
    0
    horrible game, copy-paste of original pearl...........................................
  26. pastelisland
    Dec 6, 2021
    0
    This game is an obvious lazy cash grab. While claiming to be a “faithful” remake, they gut the Grand Underground, removing traps and being able to decorate secret bases. They gut the contests and remove dressing up, dancing, and judges to replace it with a boring one button, one line rhythm game. They don’t allow Exp share to be toggled off so the game is incredibly easy. You don’t evenThis game is an obvious lazy cash grab. While claiming to be a “faithful” remake, they gut the Grand Underground, removing traps and being able to decorate secret bases. They gut the contests and remove dressing up, dancing, and judges to replace it with a boring one button, one line rhythm game. They don’t allow Exp share to be toggled off so the game is incredibly easy. You don’t even have to try to win any battles, you can just mash A. The expressionless chibi models are laughable and so are the cutscenes. There are bugs and glitches. The game just feels so bland and lazy. The 2006 games made 15 years ago are more enjoyable. We should have better pokemon games made in 2021, especially when Nintendo has so much money and has made incredible new LoZ and AC games. If you want a nostalgic, challenging game, don’t waste your money. Use an emulator or drag out your DS. This game can only be recommended for young children. I suppose that’s who Pokemon is geared towards nowadays instead of working more towards their audience that has grown up playing the games.… Expand
  27. Ali566
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    Biggest problems were the graphics/models and the movement. Chibi models, trees, grass etc just didn't look good. Movement in this game felt weird too
  28. TinCanStone
    Nov 22, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pros: Some song remixes are pretty good (but even the worst Pokémon games tend to have decent music), some battle backgrounds look nice.

    Cons: -Awful chibi style in the overworld that makes some scenes that are supposed to be tense into jokes (Cyrus awkwardly waddling around the edges of the carpet before talking about putting an end to everything)
    -Little to no Platinum features (no Charon, Looker, or Villa for example)
    -Costs about 9-6 more dollars (assuming you bought DP/Pt when they released for $40) than the originals when accounting for inflation and not including a NSO subscription
    -Forced EXP Share, regardless of if you hated grinding or not
    -OP Amie buffs upon reaching 100% friendship
    -Scuffed following Pokémon mechanic with the same exact issue SwSh had with some Pokemon being incredibly slow even though they literally got it correct in LGPE
    -Overworld Pokémon scaling so bad it’s hilarious
    -Only the original 493, not even any regional forms which even LGPE had (the same game that also cut cross-gen evos)
    -Still has many issues that plague the Pokémon series (Clunky and slow battle system with text boxes for everything, bad in-battle scaling, static/boring idle and attacking animations, lack of difficulty options)
    -Instead of Secret Bases you have rooms that you place uninteresting statues inside of and nothing else
    -So faithful that it contains many of the problems that DP had that Pt actually fixed/improved, the only problem that was technically improved in BDSP is Pokemon distribution
    -Just generally lazy and an obvious cash-grab since TPC knows that they’ll still sell

    Basically, just play Platinum or some ROMHack if you want to play a Sinnoh game.    … Expand
  29. Ibuki_7731
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    This game sucks. Everyone defending this game is brainwashed by a company that's a former shell of itself. Easily not worth the 60 dollars. You're better off playing the original DS games. Don't listen to all the brainwashed idiots defending this.
  30. Mestear
    Nov 22, 2021
    1
    This is not a remake. This is a simple reskin of an old game. Nothing have changed besides graphic. What was the point to release pokemon shining pearl? Ah yes, to get 60 $ from silly and nostalgic people. Gen 4 is one of my favourites, but I won't buy the game.
  31. RevUBrah
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    One job. They had one job. Copy and paste Platinum while sprinkling in bonus content like new Mega Evolutions. And they couldn't do it, so we're stuck with a $60 game with less content than one released 13 years ago.
  32. Lap1as
    Nov 26, 2021
    1
    Нет русского языка! Это просто стыдно, сейчас у многих малобюджетных инди игр(в которых иной раз текста больше чем в покемонах) есть локализация с русскими сабами, а у nintendo с game freak денег не хватило? Нинка позиционирует себя как друг семьи, но мой ребенок должен страдать играя на неродном языке.Нет русского языка! Это просто стыдно, сейчас у многих малобюджетных инди игр(в которых иной раз текста больше чем в покемонах) есть локализация с русскими сабами, а у nintendo с game freak денег не хватило? Нинка позиционирует себя как друг семьи, но мой ребенок должен страдать играя на неродном языке.
  33. Q-BEE-DEE
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    Literally pointless. This remake offers absolutely nothing in terms of substance or value. It's the same game released 15 years ago except with a significantly worse art style and some incredibly minor tweaks, some of which actively worsen the experience of playing the game. The 60 $ price tag is absurd, especially given that it offers less content and quality than the updated version theyLiterally pointless. This remake offers absolutely nothing in terms of substance or value. It's the same game released 15 years ago except with a significantly worse art style and some incredibly minor tweaks, some of which actively worsen the experience of playing the game. The 60 $ price tag is absurd, especially given that it offers less content and quality than the updated version they released for 40 $ 13 years ago.… Expand
  34. WunderK
    Nov 22, 2021
    4
    While this game's artstyle isn't inherently bad, it is a clear indication of lazy, rushed, and cheap development as a whole. You are better off playing the original Pokemon Platinum than this game, somehow. The game is clearly attempting to resemble the Link's Awakening Remake's artstyle, but fails miserably. Visually, its single saving grace is it's water/lighting, but those mean nothingWhile this game's artstyle isn't inherently bad, it is a clear indication of lazy, rushed, and cheap development as a whole. You are better off playing the original Pokemon Platinum than this game, somehow. The game is clearly attempting to resemble the Link's Awakening Remake's artstyle, but fails miserably. Visually, its single saving grace is it's water/lighting, but those mean nothing when the game is riddled with bugs, low resolution textures, minimal and crappy animation (if any), visual artifacting in all of it's menus, (which is baffling), bad animated textures, and abysmal handling of skirt censorship. (to elaborate, playing as the female avatar removes floor reflections during battles as a cheap means of censorship instead of utilizing the most basic level of proper skirt censors) This along with the game having basically no added content, even retaining many of the original games' issues, make the game a pathetic excuse for something licensed by the single largest media franchise in the known universe. Do not buy this, even if you want to try out Diamond and Pearl, and even if you have nostalgia for those games. There are better uses for your money.… Expand
  35. OnlyOneHere
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    This game is absolute garbage. The greedy developers are charging $60 for a 15 year old remake, and let me remind you that this is only half of the game for $60. They are charging a ridiculous price of $120 for the full game. It doesn't even have the AAA quality to justify the $60 price tag. The graphics are joke. The gameplay is so boring and repetitive. Character models look like trash.This game is absolute garbage. The greedy developers are charging $60 for a 15 year old remake, and let me remind you that this is only half of the game for $60. They are charging a ridiculous price of $120 for the full game. It doesn't even have the AAA quality to justify the $60 price tag. The graphics are joke. The gameplay is so boring and repetitive. Character models look like trash. They literally look like plastic toys with stickers on their faces.

    The physics are pathetic. The bicycle physics and animations are beyond horrible. This is a 2021 $60 game. There is no excuse for the physics and animations to be so awful. When my Pokemon attacks other Pokemons, I should be seeing the animals thrown around. The attention to detail should be just like the Pokemon anime. The developers are too cheap and lazy to make a combat system with depth and detail. I don't recommend this game at all.    … Expand
  36. squirrel454
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    An insult of a "remake" that makes the GTA trilogy look good in comparison. How can you make a game that has less content than its original 3rd game (platinum) released in 2008
  37. Brett5v
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    This game can lock you out for like a week if you do not how to get the Drifblim that is a terrible game for 2022 1 out of 10.
  38. Purrpupurine
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    This game is just a remaster. If you are a user who played the original game deeply, it may be a game that stimulates memories. But for me, the diamond and pearl versions were not very good games.
  39. TruthfulGamer67
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    Pokemon is ****

    Thats the review

    Play better games and ignore this game unless you can get it on sale (and even then you might as well save the money)
  40. BattedPants
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    I literally can't play, before I can get to the first gym the game has locked my controls leaving me unable to do anything until i back out with the home button and then go back inside. Leaves me frustrated, can't get to the first part, did they really try?

    (Digital download)
  41. AntiAntiVaxxer
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    This is the bottom of the barrel for not just Pokemon, not just Nintendo, but gaming. This game is a terrible, unfinished Money Grab by the Pokémon Company. They did not even bother to get Game Freak involved, instead they just got an IOS developer do the job as terrible as possible. Literally no content, terrible graphics and animations, no innovation, only the old Pokémon mechanics. LessThis is the bottom of the barrel for not just Pokemon, not just Nintendo, but gaming. This game is a terrible, unfinished Money Grab by the Pokémon Company. They did not even bother to get Game Freak involved, instead they just got an IOS developer do the job as terrible as possible. Literally no content, terrible graphics and animations, no innovation, only the old Pokémon mechanics. Less content than the older games. Technically bad, randomly crashes, sometimes doesn't recognize controller input despite the controller working and many more issues. These remasters, uhh, i mean remakes, are so faithful to the originals they kept all the bugs. Not to mention there are soft-locks. Content needs to be downloaded via update. And all of that for 60 bucks, or 120 if you want all the Pokemon because trading was ruined in this game too.… Expand
  42. Bnois
    Nov 21, 2021
    1
    Low effort demake without the soul the original game had. I guess Pokemon company just wanted to make some quick buck during christmas time.
  43. Kidwild
    Jan 15, 2022
    2
    For a so called "remake". It feels like a RE-BREAK to me! One-step forward. Only to go two steps backwards...pathetic. More like Broken Diamond, and Shattered Pearl.

    This Game had potential. But it was squandered, like the last game. Sword, and shield. The game is TOO EASY. (I get it. The newcomers need handholding. But the other folks, would like a challenge DANG IT!) Being faithful    For a so called "remake". It feels like a RE-BREAK to me! One-step forward. Only to go two steps backwards...pathetic. More like Broken Diamond, and Shattered Pearl.

    This Game had potential. But it was squandered, like the last game. Sword, and shield. The game is TOO EASY. (I get it. The newcomers need handholding. But the other folks, would like a challenge DANG IT!)

    Being faithful to the OG game. Is not the best of ideas. Especially, if it is going to be a Complete copycat of the DP game. Like c mon... If you are going to perform a remake. Then it needs to be a REMAKE! With new stuff to boot. Not little bit of new stuff. But a TON! Final Fantasy 7 remake managed to remake a lot of their old game. into something much, more bad ass!

    THIS!? LOL it's the same game, with a new coat of paint. If you're going for a remaster. Then at the least. make it, With a more quality improvement. to be an overall. Quite a lot better, than the OG game. Or just simply better.

    Now this game isn't all bad. There are some new stuff. underground. That is one of the few SAVING GRACES for this sorry excuse of a game. other saving graces as well. At least this game...BEATS Sword and shield. That is for sure.

    Not worth the 60$. Not even worth 40$! Only buy this game, If you lack the OG copy of DP. And try to get it for 20$ or less...Else avoid it. (At least this game, managed to be better than the GTA definite edition trilogy. And the Battlefield 2042. AKA COD copy. with worse everything.)

    Game-Freak and the other company. and T.P.C needs to Care less on profits. and care more on quality...More staffing members, More time. (not infinite time. So a needed deadline. but not a Crunch time, deadline...And listen to GOOD fan feedback and good suggestions. (Money is needed yes. But compassion is needed too. to keep the fans loyal. And the Reputation staying in the good/golden side. The reputation is right now...being gravely Tarnished.)

    As of now. This franchise is turning into a EA's version of a game. All milked to death for easy money... (even fan made games, did better than this.)    … Expand
  44. AngryShark92
    Feb 8, 2022
    0
    ***Apparently there has just been a massive invasion of bots on Metacritic that are out trying to protect the review scores of certain titles, and thus these ratings and this site in general are now completely compromised. The only reviews that get removed are the negative ones, but the 10/10 bots stay up. Sort it out Metacritic. Look at the profiles of the 10/10s if you don't believe me.***Apparently there has just been a massive invasion of bots on Metacritic that are out trying to protect the review scores of certain titles, and thus these ratings and this site in general are now completely compromised. The only reviews that get removed are the negative ones, but the 10/10 bots stay up. Sort it out Metacritic. Look at the profiles of the 10/10s if you don't believe me.

    No other way to say it, this was a lazy attempt at a remake, not as good as Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, and nowhere near as good as Heart Gold/Soul Silver. There really isn't much here for those that played or own the originals.

    I have 3 huge issues with these games. First, this mandatory EXP share is making the game way too easy, it was a big flaw in Let's Go, as well as Sword & Shield, and to include it in a game that did not have it in its original version is a terrible decision. Second, God. Where is Arceus? As of right now, there is no way to get him in these versions, only a transfer from Poke Home if you had him in a previous game. Third, this weird blur effect that exists, which I have seen mostly in Tunnels and Forests, looks awful and seems really unnecessary because it only exists in certain spots and the rest of the area looks crisp and focused so I am not quite sure what purpose this effect has, unless its a bug.

    On top of those 3, I have found the game to be slower and more unresponsive in some areas, particularly in battles and conversations, and there are some backgrounds within battles that look "questionable", to say the least. Also, where is all of the content from Platinum? Just remake the 3rd iteration of each game if you are going to be this lazy, I miss the distortion world.

    Other than those issues, I think most of the aesthetics are great, the music is still great, the animations and models within battles (not a fan of the chibis outside of battle) are well done, and the nostalgia factor still exists, barely. Its a definite lazy effort, and I would only recommend it to newer players who never played the original Gen IV games.

    + Player models & animations are solid
    + Pokemon models are good
    + Aesthetics of cities/towns & surrounding environment
    + Soundtrack has not been ruined
    + Underground content has been expanded for the better

    - EXP share is a fatal flaw that makes these newer games way too easy, GET RID OF IT
    - Unnecessary blur effect
    - Arceus is nowhere to be found
    - Some texture issues
    - Responsiveness and hangup issues
    - Platinum content missing
    - A lot of unobtainable Pokemon
    - Forgot to add positive modern changes (TM use), but managed to include negatives (EXP share)
    - Endgame content is lacklustre to say the least
    - Subtle changes from the originals like blocking Wayward cave with strength, and making Eterna's gym different
    - Incorrect Poké showing up when using HM move
    - Dowsing machine is terribly implemented for a non touch screen console

    Overall, it just feels like they got "just enough" done and thus I feel like a 5/10 is a justified rating. Gamefreak is obviously turning its attention to games that provide more revenue, and like many other franchises recently, it feels like its all becoming stale because of the lack of quality and effort being put into them. Unfortunate.    … Expand
  45. Herbollo
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    I don't recommend it.
    The game has some serious issues like fps drops (30 to 19 fps). Graphics is not impressive at all compered to other switch games like Link's awakaning who uses the same chibi art style. And most importantly it has less content than the Platinum version on DS. It is the most lazy remake i ever seen.
  46. cleangame37
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    The graphic is more worse than sword/shield. I'm just wondering whether this is the game launched in 2021. If someone say this is launched in 2011, I will believe it certainly. And there are also many bugs. This is not remake. This is not good at all compared to 2008 diamond/pearl
  47. MasterMimiii
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    The worst Pokémon remake ever made, the game já full of serious bugs never seen um any other games of the franchise, the following Pokémon don't even follow right, and are in a pathetic scale. There are no new things in the game, as a remake should have, and the art style is horrible. This is much like a remaster than a remake.
  48. pokemonmaster9
    Nov 25, 2021
    0
    Positive review lacked.

    No national dex, no retelling stories, and no update gameplay, this is a waste of time.
  49. USAGI7
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    The legend of Zelda: breath of the wild is the greatest switch game ever. It released in 2017. But pokemon cannot make those graphics in 2022. Someone can say it's definite. But I don't think so. Because this game(Shining pearl,2021) is even worse than Sword/shield graphic(2017).
  50. soulsilverjk
    Nov 20, 2021
    2
    An extremely uninspired reskin of the old Diamond and Pearl games without any of the platinum improvements. They could have reskinned platinum and my review would have increased to a 7/10.
  51. JunaCrawford
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    Absolute waste of money. Same game copy pasted from back then. 0 effort low effort trash don't support this!!!
  52. Latios___
    Nov 25, 2021
    0
    Bugs from able to clone Pokémon to softlocks. So many glitches, bugs to being able to skip all trainers, walking around ending up in different spots unintended and even berry planting crashing game bugs. That's too much. It's a broken game at release. Also not a fan of chibi stylistically, weird to see the enhanced version Platinum ignored, don't understand some choices like permanent expBugs from able to clone Pokémon to softlocks. So many glitches, bugs to being able to skip all trainers, walking around ending up in different spots unintended and even berry planting crashing game bugs. That's too much. It's a broken game at release. Also not a fan of chibi stylistically, weird to see the enhanced version Platinum ignored, don't understand some choices like permanent exp share obligation and single use TM. When everything is so faithful intended, why not have exp mechanism faithful (turned off) as option too? Was a great fan of the original Diamond and Pearl, but seeing this as the upgrade in over 15 years just feels too lackluster for me. It's not really worth the $60,-. Especially compared with changes in ORAS and HGSS, this just isn't up to par.… Expand
  53. jaceace
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    There's no reason to play these games over the original games. There's nothing new, like, at all, they just feel like cheap and easy cash grabs to suck in Pokemon fans.

    First - The graphics are horrible for such a huge franchise as Pokemon, theres no excuse for it to look like a cheap mobile game - which even then, some mobile games to a hella better job at it. The chibi look and    There's no reason to play these games over the original games. There's nothing new, like, at all, they just feel like cheap and easy cash grabs to suck in Pokemon fans.

    First - The graphics are horrible for such a huge franchise as Pokemon, theres no excuse for it to look like a cheap mobile game - which even then, some mobile games to a hella better job at it. The chibi look and overworld and "being faithful" is nothing but a sorry excuse to do as less as possible, to literally copy and paste from the originals.

    Second - Who is this game targeted at, cause not even my 8 year old kid thinks they look good, he called them "baby" looking, I really think the pokemon company is completely out of touch with the fanbase and dont even know who it is theyre actually targetting anymore, theres no consistancy in terms of graphics and art style, the last 3 generations have all had a completely different artstyle and direction that its a huge turn off cause it feels like the franchise is going backwards instead of forward, theres just no love or effort being put into it anymore, these games are definitely going back 10 steps.

    Thrid - Like I said in my opening, theres nothing new, unlike the other remakes (FireRed, LeafGreen, HeatGold, SoulSilver, OmegaRuby, AlphaSapphire and the Lets Go games) they all introduced new things, more content, expanded storylines, expanded dex, included their 3rd version upgrades, updated character designs, updated towns and cities and environments, heck, some of them gave us new pokemon and new forms, these games gave us....nothing, not a single new thing! Every single thing is either completely the same as the 16 year old original games, right down to the design of a fricken tree! Some things have even been extremely dumbed down - The contests, theres absolutely nothing to them anymore other than pushing a button now and then to a stupid rhythm game, theres literally nothing more to contests, the only other side content to the games!

    Fith - The Underground - Its slow, its boring and extremely repetitive, ok cool, we can catch some pokemon that arent found in the dex till post game, but when its old pokemon that have been around for 20 years and weve played with a million times before, its extremely boring! Cutting pokemon from all gens past gen 4 was such a stupid idea, the underground also removed secret bases and decorating to instead add in statues and hardly do anything, the underground is somewhat pointless other than to get some extra pokemon and even then, theres nothing new in that.

    All in all, I dont recommned these games to anyone, if you want to Sinnoh experience, go play Pokemon Platinum - it has a lot more features and Pokemon and its a game that came out 16 years ago - The fact people are saying that the originals has more, should tell you how much of a low effort, cheap cash grab these "remakes" (More like dumbed down remasters) are.
    Save yourself the $60
    Fourth -    … Expand
  54. qweqaz123
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    This is a remake from a game made over 10 years ago who in my opinion don't live to the hype. While they were able to fix some of the flaws of it's original version they also gutted content from the original like the secret bases and contests, not only that but this has made some dubious choices like turning back TM's to being breakable and the weird art-style who tries to resemble theThis is a remake from a game made over 10 years ago who in my opinion don't live to the hype. While they were able to fix some of the flaws of it's original version they also gutted content from the original like the secret bases and contests, not only that but this has made some dubious choices like turning back TM's to being breakable and the weird art-style who tries to resemble the original but it makes this game look like some low quality mobile game even thought artstyle wise the LGPE games already had a way better inbetween of the original sprites and the more modern and anime-like models. I don't deny they did some good like HM's not being forced, customization and the underground mons letting you get pokémon not on the dex but those sounds more like putting up a flatboard over a huge hole and calling it a bridge. All in all the games are a dissapointment and does not justify the increased price-tag of 60 bucks.… Expand
  55. AlexBlasio
    May 12, 2023
    0
    terrible, mediocre game, unfinished with unjustified changes, it suffers to play this game!
  56. Flamo91
    Jan 13, 2022
    0
    ilca proves not to live up to the title. ending game done very badly.
    scripted tower fight impossible to complete except by luck.
    bad.
    ILCA retired
  57. HenGamer
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    most disappointing remake
    no megas dexs sucks lazy remake gamefreak no care about series anymore
  58. Federx
    Jan 30, 2022
    2
    avoid like the plague. they somehow managed to make sinnoh even worse, which is quite the achievement
  59. DeadSmack
    May 17, 2023
    2
    So, if you have played the originals, this is the same. It's not a remake, it's just a visual update. And to my taste, the chibi style is horrible. I wonder if 5-10 yrs old Pokemon fans are really the main audience for the franchise. Can't recommend it, you better get the originals and play them.
  60. asdfgrand
    Nov 26, 2022
    0
    The most terrible remake game project humanity ever encounter with horrible, glitch-filled launch. GameFreak should have no love on their creation anymore, so neglecting they outsourced the game development to ILCA, the horde of assistant programmers who have zero experience of development from scratch. Pokemon is dead.
  61. Poochingus
    Jan 3, 2022
    2
    This was so much of a let down. This is the first time a pokemon main series remake has removed content and features instead of adding them. I don't know why they made this game if they were going to somehow make it worse. What was the point of this game? Multiplayer in this game is about on par with the technology from the gameboy days. Yes, it hasn't been this stripped down since goldThis was so much of a let down. This is the first time a pokemon main series remake has removed content and features instead of adding them. I don't know why they made this game if they were going to somehow make it worse. What was the point of this game? Multiplayer in this game is about on par with the technology from the gameboy days. Yes, it hasn't been this stripped down since gold and silver version. No more global trade. No more multiplayer union rooms either. Underground multiplayer was also gelded. A sad sad sad game. Everyone bashes the art direction, but to be honest, that is the least of my concerns. It is terrible gameplay that really ruins it. There are tons of bugs and glitches. Exp share has no toggle anymore either, which was the worst change added in the previous games and completely ruins the balance of this old game. They included no post game content, where omega ruby/alpha sapphire added amazing post game story and it was fun! These games added nothing, and removed more too. Platinum content simply consisted of just letting you catch giratina and get his origin form. Also they did not include the more fleshed out story for team galactic. Controls are also pretty weak. The originals had great menu layouts and touch controls, they removed the ability to touch menu items for some reason and the menu in combat is pretty weak too. In good form they did not have a fun or engaging post game challenge area. I'm really sick of the battle tower for the 5th or 6th game in a row now, its just the same old thing and it is more luck based than about trying to fight skillfully this time around more than ever. Gameplay is sluggish, despite speeding up movement and hp bars, it doesn't matter when you can't do what every good rpg has been doing for a decade now by having the ability to speed up the combat encounters, and I wish I could turn off the "friendship" emotes, just more wasted time. The little things add up to just annoy you to death and mash the A-button. Loading is also so slow that I thought I bricked the console when I first opened the game. Its amazing how these ugly looking very simple looking games make the console struggle this much.

    I have had more fun with indie games for less than half the price of these cheap imitations of the DS games.    … Expand
  62. neko555
    Nov 20, 2022
    2
    It already made little sense to remake this game, but doing it the way they did should be a crime. It is not a remake, it contributes little or nothing, the only thing they have done is adapt it for children of 3-5 years.
    I don't understand the effort of this franchise to infantilize its games more and more, especially considering the age of its average player. But worst of all, it's how    It already made little sense to remake this game, but doing it the way they did should be a crime. It is not a remake, it contributes little or nothing, the only thing they have done is adapt it for children of 3-5 years.
    I don't understand the effort of this franchise to infantilize its games more and more, especially considering the age of its average player. But worst of all, it's how absurdly easy it is, something already imposed in all pokemon games. Simply press A without stopping to beat the game. Is it so difficult to put an option to deactivate sharing experience? I think that the ideal would be to distribute experience as in the original gold and silver, but they seem determined to ignore the fans.
    I have always used scene, but I have bought original games that I like like all pokemon, but for several generations I have not bought one, they do not deserve my money.    … Expand
  63. TheLinkgirl
    May 26, 2022
    2
    I've loved the Pokemon series my whole life, so this review comes from the heart: Pokemon BDSP are dreadfully low effort remakes. Most of the enjoyment in this game comes from the fact you're playing a Pokemon game. Beyond that, almost everything is just not as good as the original DP.
  64. CaptainCharisma
    Aug 5, 2022
    2
    Embarrasing lazy effort from gamefreak, nothing to see here. Just play Legends Arceus.
  65. adrienqua
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    A SHAME. A lazy remake, it runs at 720p 30fps.
    Nothing new, the game doesn't looks good, clearly too colorful, 3d models are soulless.
    Play the original games, they are way better.
  66. Edea-Tsuki
    Dec 22, 2021
    0
    The game lacks of all type of content from Pokémon Platinum, which is the "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl +" of gen 4 of Pokémon. This choise is simple lazy and unanderstandable for every fan of Pokémon: why made a remake that don't have things that permits Sinnoh to raise and be liked back as then? Well, the answers is obvious. It's just a product to sold because in the cover is writtenThe game lacks of all type of content from Pokémon Platinum, which is the "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl +" of gen 4 of Pokémon. This choise is simple lazy and unanderstandable for every fan of Pokémon: why made a remake that don't have things that permits Sinnoh to raise and be liked back as then? Well, the answers is obvious. It's just a product to sold because in the cover is written "Pokémon". Nothing else.
    Yes, they added something like the undergrounds upgrade, you can think that all people that tell "hey this game is awesome buy it now it's Pokémon!" are right, but it's what we fan asked? It's what we deserve? No. Absolutely no. Nobody asked for this things, we just wanted a damn, exactly the same, Pokémon Platinum with better graphic. Nothing else. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl suck. They have lot of problems, and only Platinum fixed them. So I really don't understand why Junichi Masuda (because hey, do you really think that ILCA have the fault to this? This things that happens to Pokémon X and Y? Remember that Masuda is the boss in all this projects? So yeah please stop to accuse people that for live and earn money have to follow orders), why Game Freak, why The Pokémon Company and why not? Why Nintendo do this every time with Pokémon? This really hurts. They neither need to make any efforts. They only have to do what we asked from years. So why?
    Onestly I don't want to hear nothing about Pokémon. This brand disgust me, it's like an unrequited love that know your feelings and smash them just to get something from you. Please stop buying Pokémon games like this and concentrate on some "more and gentle lovers"    … Expand
  67. thebrutaltruth
    Dec 25, 2021
    0
    One of the worst games I have ever seen. Complete cash-grab with no improvements whatsoever and they even avoided remaking the superior Platinum version to sell two "different" but not really different versions to grab even more cash. The graphics are even worse than the originals.
  68. Darkred401
    Mar 27, 2022
    2
    If you want a diamond and pearl remake just get platinum

    Bdsp changes so little that it would be smarter to port the original. The game has nice lighting and water effects but the overall art style is ugly and loses the appeal of the original pixel art. The music is the one positive with great mixing though certain themes feel off or lose the original appeal. Ultimately it feels like    If you want a diamond and pearl remake just get platinum

    Bdsp changes so little that it would be smarter to port the original. The game has nice lighting and water effects but the overall art style is ugly and loses the appeal of the original pixel art. The music is the one positive with great mixing though certain themes feel off or lose the original appeal.

    Ultimately it feels like a rushed cash grab to have an annual release    … Expand
  69. Kenoct
    Jun 8, 2022
    0
    How to destroy our childhood with an ugly and lazy remake. The original one is way better.
  70. Lucaro
    Jul 9, 2022
    3
    What a sh*tshow.
    Pokemon Platinum was one of the first games I have ever played and is one of my favorite games of all time. With all the remakes that came out for the other Pokemon games, I knew that a remake to Platinum must come at some point. I have waited so long and then I got this: A game with ugly chibis, Pokemon Go graphics, the flaws of Diamond and Pearl that were already fixed    What a sh*tshow.
    Pokemon Platinum was one of the first games I have ever played and is one of my favorite games of all time. With all the remakes that came out for the other Pokemon games, I knew that a remake to Platinum must come at some point. I have waited so long and then I got this: A game with ugly chibis, Pokemon Go graphics, the flaws of Diamond and Pearl that were already fixed in Platinum and this friendship bullsh*t.
    Pokemon was always a cash cow but back then they actually gave a sh't. This was the last newly released Pokemon game I've played and I am very disappointed.    … Expand
  71. DolphinReviews
    Jul 20, 2022
    0
    When Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shinning Pearl was announced during a Pokémon Presents, I thought I was dreaming. The gameplay and animation looked so laughably bad I could not believe a billion dollar company would make this. Let alone sell it for $60! The lowest point of the Pokémon franchise by far. It looks as if a 5 year old was tasked with character design. Reviews have comparedWhen Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shinning Pearl was announced during a Pokémon Presents, I thought I was dreaming. The gameplay and animation looked so laughably bad I could not believe a billion dollar company would make this. Let alone sell it for $60! The lowest point of the Pokémon franchise by far. It looks as if a 5 year old was tasked with character design. Reviews have compared the graphics to a mobile game which is incorrect. Mobile games have far better graphics!… Expand
  72. AlexMakesToast
    Nov 20, 2022
    4
    Shining Pearl = 4/10
    ......................................................
  73. cHughes
    Dec 7, 2022
    1
    Pokémon fans may have thought the series could not steep any lower following the release of the Let’s Go titles, however somehow GameFreak manages to top the lows of even those childish Kanto remakes. What’s worse, these were remakes of many fans’ favourite generation of Pokémon games, and favourite overall region, Sinnoh. The games took ‘faithful remake’ way too seriously, with absolutelyPokémon fans may have thought the series could not steep any lower following the release of the Let’s Go titles, however somehow GameFreak manages to top the lows of even those childish Kanto remakes. What’s worse, these were remakes of many fans’ favourite generation of Pokémon games, and favourite overall region, Sinnoh. The games took ‘faithful remake’ way too seriously, with absolutely no change to the original Diamond and a pearl formula. The games became boring after a few hours of play and could be categorised as the original games with a ‘lick of paint,. The one positive of these games is the ability to shiny hunt the mythic Pokémon, even that is being generous however. The games are utterly disappointing and upsetting as a Pokémon fan. Lazy, lazy instalments.… Expand
  74. OcellCanari
    May 15, 2023
    1
    Pokemon Shining Pearl falls short of capturing the magic of the original game, and it pales in comparison to its predecessor. Despite the nostalgia factor, this remake fails to deliver a satisfying experience. The visuals lack the charm and depth of the original, feeling uninspired and lacking in artistic creativity. The gameplay remains largely unchanged, with no significant improvementsPokemon Shining Pearl falls short of capturing the magic of the original game, and it pales in comparison to its predecessor. Despite the nostalgia factor, this remake fails to deliver a satisfying experience. The visuals lack the charm and depth of the original, feeling uninspired and lacking in artistic creativity. The gameplay remains largely unchanged, with no significant improvements or innovations. It feels like a missed opportunity to enhance the game for modern audiences. The lackluster soundtrack and repetitive sound effects only contribute to the overall disappointment. While the original Pokemon Pearl was a groundbreaking title, Shining Pearl feels like a lazy attempt to cash in on nostalgia without adding anything substantial. Die-hard fans may find some enjoyment in revisiting the Sinnoh region, but it's hard to shake the feeling that the original game was far superior in every aspect. Pokemon Shining Pearl ultimately fails to capture the essence and excitement of its predecessor, leaving fans longing for the original's greatness.… Expand
  75. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    0
    Trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 88 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 88
  3. Negative: 0 out of 88
  1. Nintendo Insider
    Sep 9, 2022
    70
    Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS games. They probably lean too much on the safe side, not achieving an awful lot to improve on the originals other than a few quality-of-life improvements. The improved Underground sections are a welcome addition, but the missing features from Pokémon Platinum are a big let-down. All in all, though, the Sinnoh region offers just as brilliant of an adventure as it was 15 years ago and the formula that worked back then (and then some) is still as addictive to this day. If you are a fan of classic Pokémon titles, this is a no-brainer.
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  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 7, 2022
    60
    If you're a Switch owner looking to play a Pokémon game, this pair should be your third choice after the Let's Go games and Sword & Shield. [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 67]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    60
    Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is a decent remaster transferring the fourth generation from Nintendo DS to Switch. The authors handled well the absence of the second screen, but in the case of game mechanics they could go a bit further.
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