I’m currently playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus on my Switch and really enjoying it, but I’m thinking about switching to a more traditional Pokémon game next. I’ve been eyeing Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP). I’ve heard it’s not super popular since it closely follows the original Diamond and Pearl games without many big changes, but I never played those originals, so I’m okay with that. I like the Generation 4 starters and the general vibe looks fun. Considering games can be pricey, is BDSP worth buying for someone new to those Sinnoh games? Or should I consider other options?
5 Answers
Honestly, if you want the best Sinnoh experience gameplay-wise, Pokémon Platinum is generally considered better. It has more content and fixes some issues from Diamond and Pearl. The catch is that Platinum is on the DS, so you’d need either the original hardware or an emulator, which can be a hassle. If you don’t mind that setup, Platinum might be a better pick for depth and polish.
I played BDSP recently after finishing Scarlet, and I gotta say it was really refreshing. Even though it sticks closely to the original games, it’s a good blast of nostalgia with updated graphics and smoother gameplay. If you enjoy the classic Pokémon style and Generation 4 starters, you’ll probably have fun with it.
On the flip side, if you don’t have a DS or don’t want to mess with emulators, BDSP is probably your best bet to experience Sinnoh on modern consoles. The quality-of-life stuff like moving HMs to the Poketch is a nice touch, even though some things like the bike controls feel a bit sluggish compared to other games. Also, they’ve fixed many early bugs with patches, so it’s quite stable now.
BDSP is a solid game if you haven’t played the originals before. It’s a pretty faithful remake with some quality-of-life improvements, so it can be a nice introduction to Sinnoh on the Switch. If you’re looking for a classic Pokémon experience without needing to use older hardware or emulators, it’s definitely a fun choice.
One more thing to consider is cost. Emulating Platinum is free if you have the means, and you can even play online with some tweaks. But getting the original hardware and a flashcart isn’t cheap either. If you’re fine spending for a newer, more accessible experience without worrying about setups, BDSP is worth it. Otherwise, you could get more bang for your buck with other methods.
