Even with all of this new stuff, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl have more in common with previous adventures than not. Once again your character will befriend a Pokemon Professor and be gifted with one a Grass, Fire or Water Pokemon before setting off on their Pokemon journey. On the road to tackling the region's eight gym leaders and becoming the Pokemon Master, you'll contend with Team Galaxy, plus two rivals. You'll also awaken plenty of ancient, all-powerful Pokemon. Also making a return is the day and night cycle from Game Boy Color's Pokemon Gold and Silver, which naturally effect which Pokemon lurk in the wild.
But Pokemon is really about Pokemon battles, and Diamond and Pearl have them in spades. Perhaps the biggest revolution in Diamond and Pearl are the changes it'll bring to the competitive scene. Most significantly, elemental attacks now have both physical and special incarnations, and a variety of previously neglected damage types have defining new attacks and powerful new Pokemon to wield them. The 50 old Technical Machines - items that teach Pokemon new moves - return along with 50 new ones. And let's not forget the new online battle and trading over Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection.
While the Pokemon formula is overly familiar at this point, it still works. Between the superior execution, larger landmass and punched-up story, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are shaping up to be the most playable and polished games in the series. If you haven't tried Pokemon yet, now is the time.
Ready for more? We've got an in-depth look at all of the new features of Diamond and Pearl righthereand a crash-course in the hottest new Pokemon you can catch, raise, and battlehere.
