Pokemon Diamond

"Same as it has always been, now with the usual DS touches"

Having been a hardcore Game Boy fanatic back when Pokemon mania was everywhere in the world, it's both refreshing and saddening that Pokemon has not really changed since the original Red and Blue carts hit the US soil (or Red and Green, should you prefer the original Japanese releases). The basic premise has been kept the same in all "core" Pokemon games: you are a young trainer (later games offering for you to choose to be a boy or girl) who in some way knows a professor who studies Pokemon. Knowing this person nets you a Pokemon, a little "Pocket Monster," and you go out into the world to learn about these critters by battling other "trainers" like yourself or Pokemon in the wild.

As stated above, each "core" game (and by core, I am referring to games that follow the original; Pokemon Pinball is an example of what is not a core Pokemon game) is essentially the same, with a few variations. Each game has a group that is trying to control the world/area/specific town via captured/evil/possessed Pokemon, and you stop them while trying to complete whatever your quest is. Typically, this main quest ends when you beat an "Elite" group of trainers (whose Pokemon tend to be at extremely high levels, with only certain side quest foes being stronger), and your rival as one of the highest in the world.

No, I did not just spoil the games. This basic description fits virtually all of the core games of the Pokemon franchise, and Nintendo has not seen fit to vary from it in any way.

To them, I say this:

Kudos.

Why do I praise Nintendo for not changing Pokemon drastically? For one, it is a well known fact that Nintendo rarely changes the rules in any of its games, keeping them fun (if somewhat simmilar to each other) and enjoyable. Some series have been hurt from drastic changes to the game formula (the Sonic series is one example), yet Pokemon thrives on being the same core game.

Why? Because not only is it easy to jump in each game, but everyone can find something to like in the simplicity.

So! Why give this game an eight if I am praising Nintendo for doing a good job?

First off, the main highlights of Pokemon Diamond. The most notable change for the franchise is the overhaul in the overworld graphics. While still as 2D at heart as they were back on the old Game Boy, the 2D and 3D abilities of the DS give the game a nice flavor of depth while at the same time the same basic view we all know and love. And while once in a while you might have some object block your view (like trees blocking your view of a trainer that is too close to them), the presentation is quite nice.

The combat animations sport many new graphical effects, usually partical ones. Having said that, the graphics in combat are virtually the exact same as those on the old Game Boy/Color/Advance titles, just with more colors. I personally view this as a good thing, as keeping the fights from getting distracting or confusing is paramount when you are wanting younger kids to keep interest.

The audio score is a typical one for the DS, that is, very nice output. The tunes are somewhat memorable, and many classic ones appear in new shells. The Pokemon screaches are the same as they were back on the old Game Boy speakers, which adds a nostalgic feel to this gamer. Most will probably wonder why the DS was not pushed here, and I would not argue that point. Still, the audio is quite good, and makes me want for a soundtrack CD.

Controls are a mix of standard fare and touch controls. You can navigate menus (both combat and otherwise) via the touch screen, as well as a few new mini-events (more later). You can still do most of the game with the same control set-up as the other games, but expect to double tap the buttons when you start up a new fight (each new combat sees the DS defaulting to touch controls, and to go to manual, you must hit a button or D-pad direction twice).

Perhaps the biggest addition to the series is the ability to transfer your GBA Pokemon to the DS versions once certain goals are met. This means that your old conquests will not be lost in vain, but good luck bringing in your level 100s before you have the badges to control them...

Also a big addition (though not as exitable as the one above) is the WFC options. Once you gain a badge, you are able to go online via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) to trade Pokemon, battle others, and talk to friends (with Friend Codes, of course). While you can still battle locally and trade like normal with a few friends, the ability to fight others in the world is a very nice addition. The fact that Pokemon DS owners will also be allowed to take their DS and GBA Pokemon and link up with Pokemon Battle Revolution this summer to go online against even more people is just too cool.

And now, the dark side of the new Pokemon games.

While I did say above that I liked it that Nintendo was not changing things in Pokemon to any severe deviation, the fact that this is still the same basic game as it was over ten years ago is distressing. Many gamers would turn away at the lack of changes, and some features that the game flaunts are not new to the series at all (the internal clock plus Pokemon at certain times of day was introduced back in Gold and Silver on the GBC).

Also, the combat engine is still the same as it was since Gold and Silver (said two games added certain "types" that made the once overpowered Psycic "type" to be more reasonable), though many elements introduced in the GBA titles (dual battles, individual Pokemon unique abilites, etc) find some minor tweaks to improve them.

Finally, the most dissapointing addition to the series is the inclusion of touch screen mini-events. These events require you to use the touch screen in mini-games to gain items, Pokemon, and other random rewards. While Pokemon has had these mini-events before (the originals had slot machines for coin gathering), it's almost cliche for a DS game to have mini-games with the touch screen slapped on these days.

Still, despite these "flaws," Pokemon Diamond is still a nice game, and easily one of the better DS titles to come out since New Super Mario Bros. And while Disney's Spectrobes introduces a series that could challenge Pokemon on its own turf, Pokemon DS proves it still has the addiciting qualities to keep itself at the head of the pack.

Final Score: 8 of 10

+ Best Features: Music, controls, graphic tweaks, same addiciting game play, WFC, transferring your Pokemon from GBA to DS to Wii (coming this June)

- Worst Features: Same game since original releases, touch screen micro-games

* If You Liked: Pokemon Pearl/Diamond (DS), Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/Fire Red/Leaf Green (GBA), Pokemon Red/Blue (Green JPN)/Yellow (Game Boy), Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal (GBC)

* Guilty Pleasure: Gettting to work a full hour early before opening to guarantee that I got my cart early enough that I could test it out to tell the throngs of people that flooded in on the day of launch.

+ (Good) Reality: Pokemon has seen its share of copy-cat games (Dragon Warrior Monster, anyone?), with the latest one being Spectrobes from Disney. Said game is actually one of the best selling DS games at the moment, and it seems that both Pokemon and Spectrobes will have a little rivalry for the next few years.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/23/07, Updated 11/20/07

Game Release: Pokemon Diamond (US, 04/22/07)