Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
IGDB
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About Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a remake of the 2006 Nintendo DS classic developed by ILCA and published by Nintendo. It launched on November 19, 2021, exclusively for the Switch. This title takes players back to the Sinnoh region for a remastered version of the original Diamond story. You pick one starter from Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup and head out to challenge the eight Gyms. The goal remains the same as before. You must defeat the Elite Four and capture Dialga to finish the main quest. It is a straightforward adventure RPG that leans heavily on nostalgia rather than modern design trends.
Gameplay
The game uses turn-based combat where you select moves from a menu during battles. Exploration happens in 3D environments that mimic the original pixel art style but with smoother animations. You walk around cities and routes to find wild Pokémon or trainers for battles. Progression involves collecting badges by defeating Gym Leaders and then advancing toward the Sinnoh League. The map is large, requiring you to ride bikes or use HM moves like Surf to reach new areas. A typical session involves walking through tall grass, encountering creatures, managing your party, and fighting until victory. There are no multiplayer modes or competitive features built into this single-player experience.
What Players Think
Players on PlayPile have mixed feelings about this release. The IGDB score sits at 68.4 out of 100 based on 77 ratings. Most users feel the game is a polished retread that lacks innovation. Average playtime hovers around 35 hours for a standard run without extensive post-game grinding. Community moods often reflect frustration with the lack of quality-of-life improvements found in later entries like Sword and Shield. Some reviews praise the faithful visual style, while others criticize the clunky controls compared to modern standards. Completion rates suggest many people finish the story but rarely engage with the full content. The consensus is that it feels safe but stale for veterans of the series.
PlayPile's Take
This remake is worth buying only if you have never played the original DS version or want a specific nostalgia trip. At launch, it cost $59.99 USD, which feels high given the minimal changes from the source material. There are no achievement systems to track progress beyond standard in-game milestones. The combat loop is solid but repetitive, and the map design feels dated compared to current Switch titles. If you just want a short adventure without innovation, this fits the bill. Otherwise, skip it for a more modern Pokémon entry.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
68.4
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