Pokémon Brilliant Diamond vs Shining Pearl – All Version Differences

What is the difference between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can indeed seem like a mouthful. These two are remakes from the 2006 Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl. And like their source material, both versions have their own unique differences. If you’re having trouble deciding which one is for you, we noted every differences between the two versions so you can make a decision. Here are all of them.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond vs Pokémon Shining Pearl

What is the difference between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl? Both Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes. On the surface, there actually isn’t that much differences between the two versions. With the exception of one key aspect. Whether you get Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, the Pokémon you encounter changes dramatically.

Brilliant Diamond Exclusive Pokémon

Here are all the exclusive Pokémon you can find in Brilliant Diamond.

No.

Pokémon

Type

Picture

10

Caterpie

Bug

11

Metapod

Bug

12

Butterfree

Bug, Flying

23

Ekans

Poison

24

Arbok

Poison

58

Growlithe

Fire

59

Arcanine

Fire

86

Seel

Water

87

Dewgoing

Water, Ice

123

Scyther

Bug, Flying

125

Electabuzz

Electric

198

Murkow

Dark, Flying

207

Gligar

Ground, Flying

212

Scizor

Bug, Steel

239

Elekid

Electric

243

Raikou

Electric

244

Entei

Fire

245

Suicuine

Water

246

Larvitar

Rock, Ground

247

Pupitar

Rock, Ground

248

Tyranitar

Rock, Dark

250

Ho-Oh

Fire, Flying

273

Seedot

Grass

274

Nuzleaf

Grass, Dark

275

Shiftry

Grass, Dark

303

Mawile

Steel, Fairy

335

Zangoose

Normal

338

Solrock

Rock, Psychic

352

Kecleon

Normal

408

Cranidos

Rock

409

Rampardos

Rock

430

Honchkrow

Dark, Flying

434

Stunky

Poison, Dark

435

Skuntank

Poison, Dark

466

Electivire

Electric

472

Gliscor

Ground, Flying

483

Dialga

Steel, Dragon

Shining Pearl Exclusive Pokémon

Here are all the exclusive Pokémon you can find in Shining Pearl.

No.

Pokémon

Type

Picture

13

Weedle

Bug, Poison

14

Kakuna

Bug, Poison

15

Beedrill

Bug, Poison

27

Sandshrew

Ground

28

Sandslash

Ground

37

Vulpix

Fire

38

Ninetales

Fire

79

Slowpoke

Water, Psychic

80

Slowbro

Water, Psychic

126

Magmar

Fire

127

Pinsir

Bug

144

Articuno

Ice, Flying

145

Zapdos

Electric, Flying

146

Moltres

Fire, Flying

199

Slowking

Water, Psychic

200

Misdreavus

Ghost

216

Teddiursa

Normal

217

Ursaring

Normal

234

Stantler

Normal

240

Magby

Fire

249

Lugia

Psychic, Flying

270

Lotad

Water, Grass

271

Lombre

Water, Grass

272

Ludicolo

Water, Grass

302

Sableye

Dark, Ghost

336

Seviper

Poison

337

Lunatone

Rock, Psychic

371

Bagon

Dragon

372

Shelgon

Dragon

373

Salamence

Dragon, Flying

410

Shieldon

Rock, Steel

411

Bastiodon

Rock, Steel

429

Mismagius

Ghost

431

Glameow

Normal

432

Purugly

Normal

467

Magmortar

Fire

484

Palkia

Water, Dragon

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: New and Reworked Features

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl isn’t just a one-to-one remake. If you’ve played the original source material, then you’ll find that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are hosts to new and reworked features that makes playing the game an all new experience. Here are all of them.

An All New Pokétech

Since the original Diamond and Pearl was played on the Nintendo DS, the UI placement is significantly different. In the original, the Pokétech was always at the bottom screen of the DS. But since that’s impossible for the one screen Nintendo Switch, you can now pull up the Pokédex whenever you need it.

The Pokédex still has its original features. You’ll find the Friendship Tracker, Dowsing Machine, Memo Pad, and Clock exactly where they used to be. However, there is one major change to the Pokédex. Unlike before where you have to keep one Pokémon around that knows HM moves, the Pokédex can call upon wild Pokémon to perform HM like Cut, Rock Climb, or Surf.

Pokémon Underground and Hideaways

The Underground has faced some reworking in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While you’ll still be able to excavate rocks for fossils and other items, build your personal home base, and play with fellow Pokémon trainers in the Grand Underground there has been a new feature called “Pokémon Hideaways” that you’re going to really enjoy.

The Pokémon Hideaways are essentially hidden habitats filled with special Pokémon who may not be native to the Sinnoh region at all. The way to access these Pokémon Hideaways is via your home base. The placement of different Pokémon statues seem to affect what type of special Pokémon you encounter.

Pokémon Contests

Pokémon Contests are back and bigger than ever. This time called “Super Contest Shows” they’re separated into five different categories. Your Pokémon will be judged based on their Cuteness, Cleverness and etc across four rankings:

  • Master
  • Ultra
  • Great
  • Normal

You can compete in Super Contest Shows against NPCs in the game or against rival trainers using online connection.

Pokemon Contests

You Pokémon will be judged in these contests based on three evaluations:

  • Visual – how well a certain condition for a Pokémon has been honed. This includes your Capsule Decorations you’ve attached to that specific Pokémon’s Poké Ball.
  • Dance – this will put you in a rhythm mini-game.
  • Move – as the rhythm mini-game progress, you’ll get the opportunity to use a Contest Move. You can create a Move Chain by repeatedly timing it correctly which gives extra points.

Capsule Decorations

There are 90 stickers in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. 20 of which can be added to a Poké Ball for decoration. This will add some style to your Pokémon as they battle.

Ramanas Park

Replacing the Pal Park from the original is the Ramanas Park. The Ramanas Park can only be accessible after completing the main story. After you’ve beaten the Elite Four, you can head to the Ramanas Park to encounter legendary Pokémon by placing slates correctly.

Load Up Your Previous Saves

If you’ve got a save from Pokémon Sword and Shield from your Nintendo Switch, you can gain access to Mew and Jirachi. You’ll also be able to get a Manaphy egg if you purchased the game early.

Mew

Amity Square

In Hearthome City, Amity Square has been tweaked a bit to allow you to bring six Pokémon with you. You can make Poffins here. You can also choose one Pokémon from your party to leave their Poké Ball and follow you outside.

If you don’t like the way your trainer looks, don’t worry. You can customize their outfit and purchase new clothes to wear.

Featured With Pokémon Home

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is expected to be featured with Pokémon Home this 2022. This means that any Pokémon you catch in this game can be transferred over to future Pokémon titles.

Managing Editor