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. 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.
  2. monarch250
    Nov 24, 2021
    9
    Nostalgia done right!

    This game is made to be very faithful to the original releases and ILCA does a wonderful job of that. Obviously many Pokémon fans would want all the original's wrinkles to be ironed out, but I don't think that was the goal here. The Art Style gets a lot of hate, but this game is gorgeous, the battle animations are great, the character models have ... well....    Nostalgia done right!

    This game is made to be very faithful to the original releases and ILCA does a wonderful job of that. Obviously many Pokémon fans would want all the original's wrinkles to be ironed out, but I don't think that was the goal here.

    The Art Style gets a lot of hate, but this game is gorgeous, the battle animations are great, the character models have ... well.... character and the shadow, reflection and water effects are the best in the series. BONUS: It also runs flawlessly on the switch!

    Long story short... this is a great game and you should buy it. Give ILCA a chance to do more, for their first kick at the Pokémon can, they did amazing.    … Expand
  3. Turdnuggz
    Nov 24, 2021
    5
    They could've remade this game by taking into account all the improvements Platinum made to this generation but they decided not too. They made the game even easier, and the chibi overworld looks a bit unusual. They added some new features that improved the game but just like with every new pokemon game there is a step back for every step forward. The exp. share giving all pokemon exp andThey could've remade this game by taking into account all the improvements Platinum made to this generation but they decided not too. They made the game even easier, and the chibi overworld looks a bit unusual. They added some new features that improved the game but just like with every new pokemon game there is a step back for every step forward. The exp. share giving all pokemon exp and being required is stupid, but at the very least they changed the exp gain system to what was introduced in Gen 5. Many of the issues that pretty much every pokemon game have once again return to this as well such as the boring/tedious NPC trainer battles, and ridiculous evolution requirements. These games have so much potential but are wasted by terrible decision making.… Expand
  4. Xitomz
    Nov 24, 2021
    7
    Same games as the old ones with improved graphics and some quality of life improvements. Overall an enjoyable game for anyone that wants to experience the 4th generation of pokemon as a newcomer or an experienced player.
  5. Brunosky99
    Nov 24, 2021
    8
    Gráficamente es hermoso, pero hecho de menos las mejoras implementadas en el Pokemon platino, como los cambios en los gimnasios y el evento del mundo distorsión. Sin embargo es un muy entretenido viaje con sabor a nostalgia.
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Skwunjo
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    This game gets a 10/10 for being a faithful remake with some of the best in-battle graphics Pokemon has to offer. It's very faithful to the original games with major quality of life improvements. Underground has been overhauled but my only complaint is secret bases have no furniture now. It is clear that ILCA put time and effort into this game, and it's impressive as it's their first bigThis game gets a 10/10 for being a faithful remake with some of the best in-battle graphics Pokemon has to offer. It's very faithful to the original games with major quality of life improvements. Underground has been overhauled but my only complaint is secret bases have no furniture now. It is clear that ILCA put time and effort into this game, and it's impressive as it's their first big game project as they've only helped with games on the side. The music is extremely good. If someone says the game is buggy, it's because they pirated the game and weren't able to get the update. Ignore the 0ratings for they're review bombing this game and have severe cases of autism. You'll see that they mostly have the two sinnoh remakes as the only game they're scoring sometimes next to Persona or SMTV getting a 10/10. This is due to an extreme case of mental illness and they've ruined the entire SMT franchise as a whole so just ignore them.… Expand
  9. 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.
  10. 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)
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. Fazed
    Nov 23, 2021
    9
    The first pokemon game in a while I would actually want to play again, there are few negatives about the game main ones being the exp share always being on and the levels being lower than the originals. Other than those 2 points its very true the orginal and does a lot of things right. The changes to the underground are really fun and add a good amount of pokemon options without it beingThe first pokemon game in a while I would actually want to play again, there are few negatives about the game main ones being the exp share always being on and the levels being lower than the originals. Other than those 2 points its very true the orginal and does a lot of things right. The changes to the underground are really fun and add a good amount of pokemon options without it being too much. Also the HM system is really good for the first time, the fact you can fly using town map and also the quest log telling you what to do next is nice for not getting lost. The new move sets are great and shining hunting is varied.… Expand
  14. 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)
  15. Klenki0404
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    If you liked the older style of Pokemon games this is just great. It brings backs so many memories.
  16. LCBane
    Nov 22, 2021
    6
    A safe recreation of the base games without addressing the real issues of the originals and the implementations Platinum put in order to combat them and create something special. BDSP struggles to find a foothold in the shadow of the incoming release of Legends: Arceus and is a disappointment compared to previous remakes.

    Gameplay: The game replicates all the nostalgia of the originals    A safe recreation of the base games without addressing the real issues of the originals and the implementations Platinum put in order to combat them and create something special. BDSP struggles to find a foothold in the shadow of the incoming release of Legends: Arceus and is a disappointment compared to previous remakes.

    Gameplay:
    The game replicates all the nostalgia of the originals without including many of the quality of life changes that have been implemented in recent generations. Whether that be unlimited-use TM's
    mega evolutions, limited pokedex etc. The game also takes much the difficulty away as less and less trainers have the reinvigorated rosters they included in Platinum. Spare Cynthia and the EF who actually have properly spec'd teams EVs maxed and all. With a mandatory exp share your levels soon far exceed those you face as the Pokémon in your party passively gain more exp than ever before and this cannot be turned off. Without going into too much detail there are still many many glaring issues in the games code letting you surf across trainers and dry land, soft lock in unprecedented areas such as gym puzzles and even completing the game and becoming champion with 6 or 7 gym badges only. Many more issues come from not being able to pick up items, losing items or even the strange clerical issues like frame rate changes when you turn off all sounds the game just runs better.

    The return of older mechanics that were not properly updated sees many disappointed in this title as well. Honey trees having a small chance of any pokemon at all when activated and the rates on those pokemon are low already. The changes to the great marsh are also present with atrocious rates as well. All of the date and time mechanics are blocked behind a 24 hour cd if the system changes time when the game is started. Meaning if you got the game on friday and were looking to get your drifloon you would have to wait an entire week after you defeated team galactic. You could change the date and time to carry over to next week but still have a 24 hour cooldown in order to get your pokemon encounter.

    Story:
    The pacing of the story is still at a standstill removing even more of the difficulty from the originals with bugged/broken friendship and affection systems that multiplicatively stack granting your pokemon higher crit rates, first move regardless of being outsped, living on 1 hp over and over, even getting rid of status effects on a whim. Pair this with the omission of the changes platinum took to keep you moving and involved in the story it slugs on with its main story at a snails pace with zero post game offered.

    Graphics:
    Returning to something reminiscent of the original games was a good approach however the chibi art style does not mesh with the blocky tile system of old well. However the graphics in battles are some of the best we have seen of any switch title. Despite the lack of improvements in battle animations and move animations the overall feel and look of the pokemon, characters, and backgrounds is great in battle. A sharp contrast to the plastic, dead world outside of combat. Sadly however the rest of the game looks like a reskinned DS and the technologies age shows in the tile systems movement and feel around the world.

    Music:
    The music is a fresh take on the originals and brings life to where the graphics aren't to scratch. The new renditions are great reimagining's of their inspirations and provide a great feel when playing. The overall level of quality to the sound design and music is great but lacks some of the spark a full orchestra had with the music of sword and shield and other recent titles.

    Overall:
    Much more can be said about what I enjoyed or disliked about this game however the main points are clear. These games are simply a time sink for fans and the pokemon company and nintendo wanted a free money grab with zero effort and left it to a subsidiary licensed company. little to no imagination was brought to reinvigorate and improve these games from the original. including the bare minimum to keep the masses buying, Sitting in the shadow of what's to come with half baked Legends: Arceus, BDSP fails to create a rendition of the originals that stands up to previous remakes such as HGSS and ORAS let alone what Platinum accomplished to improve the generation.    … Expand
  17. Minato-Arisato
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    El estado actual de Pokémon es mas que envidiable y estas entregas, tanto Diamond y Pearl, son un demostración mas, junto a anteriores juegos que también me encantaron como Sol y Luna, Espada y Escudo y ORAZ.
    Al principio el apartado técnico puede desagradar, pero cuando uno se acostumbra, interiorizas el aspecto chibi al instante y comprendes que es para dar la mayor sensación de    El estado actual de Pokémon es mas que envidiable y estas entregas, tanto Diamond y Pearl, son un demostración mas, junto a anteriores juegos que también me encantaron como Sol y Luna, Espada y Escudo y ORAZ.
    Al principio el apartado técnico puede desagradar, pero cuando uno se acostumbra, interiorizas el aspecto chibi al instante y comprendes que es para dar la mayor sensación de nostalgia posible.
    Los combates pokémon siempre son un deleite, y la historia de Sinnoh es de las mejores que haya creado el buen estudio que es Game Freak.
    ILCA ha sabido tomar la batuta mientras el nuevo titulo Leyendas Arceus esta por venir.
    Por el momento, casi todos los Pokémon de Switch me han sorprendido gratamente.    … Expand
  18. Mando44646
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Best Pokémon RPG on the console. Let's Go was a terrible gimmick-fest and Sword/Shield were....just okay.

    Good:
    Visuals
    Ganeplay
    Map
    Underground

    Bad:
    Nothing new and lacks Platinum content
    3D models can be a bit odd
  19. Starfree
    Nov 22, 2021
    8
    This game is flawed but amazing. I would say it’s as fun a platinum but platinum has more and better content, this game just looks better and has some cool things. The new underground is amazing, the music is amazing, the graphics are amazing. There are a few glitches, nothing game breaking tho. Very solid game.
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. Askeel
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    It's my first time playing this game, and I'm enjoying my journey.

    Will be awesome to receive any future update/event
  23. Detorded
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    These are undoubtedly the best Pokemon games on the Switch, but unfortunately this is not saying much. Let's Go and Sword/Shield were weak entries; the only reason Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl are enjoyable games is because the originals were good - since all this game does it modernize the old DS games, it is pretty hard to mess them up. However, this is a very unambitious remake andThese are undoubtedly the best Pokemon games on the Switch, but unfortunately this is not saying much. Let's Go and Sword/Shield were weak entries; the only reason Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl are enjoyable games is because the originals were good - since all this game does it modernize the old DS games, it is pretty hard to mess them up. However, this is a very unambitious remake and it leaves me disappointed as Pokemon once again misses its potential.

    These games are full price (up to $90 in Canada) and they arguably do less than Pokemon Platinum (which released 13 years ago at half the price). The main problems with these games are that they are so caught up in being "faithful" remakes that they miss the point of a remake - we don't want to buy the same games again at a higher price and modernized graphics, people were expecting a bit more - Platinum made Diamond and Pearl redundant, and to faithfully recreate Diamond and Pearl is to take a step backwards, not forwards. The bar for remakes had already been set with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire - which was ambitious, not only nostalgically recreating Hoenn, but adding new and improved features (including an entire new postgame story with Rayquaza). These games are a step back from ORAS.

    Again, the games are great fun since DP were good games to begin with - I am having fun playing this game and I am about 8 hours in. Yet, I can't stop reminding myself that these games could have been so much more.    … Expand
  24. MrPablic
    Nov 22, 2021
    8
    Es todo lo que buscas si quieres recordar el juego de la nds. Se ve muy bonito y los nuevos implementos y el post Game tan difícil lo hacen muy disfrutable.
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. Kelv89
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Brilliant game. Faithful remakes of the originals with updated graphics. What more could you want? Classic pokemon
  28. eeyk
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Why are people complaining about the graphics didn't you see the trailer? Actually i like it, it reminds me of the DS games, i hope they will make more pokemon games with this kind of graphics. It's way better then Pokemon Shield and sword.

    and if you complain about the graphics just don't play Nintendo switch i mean what do you expect exactly?
  29. 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.
  30. larsdebest21
    Nov 22, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game has become way to ez. Like all of my pokemons are 10 levels higher then all my opponents pokemon. I can spam 1 in entire gym to win..... Thats really boring tbh. Also this game could have some extra content like post game stuff. Its disappointing for me they didnt do anything new at all .… Expand
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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.
    Read full review
  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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