Today over on the official Pokemon YouTube channel, GameFreak and The Pokemon Company ran the latest Pokemon Presents stream hosted by The Pokemon Company COO Takato Utsunomiya to showcase fresh updates and features on various Pokemon games, from Unite, Masters Ex, to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. As one might anticipate, full 3D graphics aren’t the only changes that will come to the game. With that in mind, let’s read on below to take a peek at some of the new additions as well as returning features to the highly anticipated Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes.
1. Underground Base Adds New, Expanded Features for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remake
Underground Base is making a comeback — with a vengeance. Now named Grand Underground, here you can participate in several activities; such as digging up fossils and creating your very own, personalized Secret Base using a sledgehammer and a pickaxe like in the original games. You can also dig and explore the Grand Underground with other friends, but don’t forget, it requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account.
In addition, this time around you can find Pokemon Hideaways, a place where random and rare Pokemon mingle including exclusive Sinnoh Pokemon. The types of Pokemon roaming inside; which you can see on the map instead of being the usual random encounters; will change depending on what statues you put in your base.
2. Customizing Your PokeBall with Stickers
Back in the original games, this system is called Seals. Through the Capsule Decoration system, you can stick stickers onto your Poke Ball to add or change the animation effect when your Pokemon comes out of its Poke Ball. For example, you confetti, fireworks, flower petals, or mix and match the effects to your liking.
You can buy Stickers in shops, but you can also get them in other ways, such as by defeating Gym Leaders or completing successful Super Contest Shows. Judging from the trailer, you will be able to put a maximum of 20 stickers on a Poke Ball.
3. Move Your Feet to the Rhythm in Super Contest Show
Once again you can participate in the Super Contest Shows minigame. The contests are divided into five categories — Coolness, Cuteness, Beauty, Toughness, and Cleverness. And within each category, there are four ranks: Normal, Great, Ultra, and Master Rank. Your Pokemon will be judged based on three evaluations:
- Visual Evaluation, where you score assessment from your Pokemon stats.
- Dance Evaluation, a rhythm game-like segment.
- Move Evaluation, where you pull off a one-time use move to gain extra points.
According to the evaluations, you will rack up Hype Points and the show will be declared a success if it reaches a target score. Up to four people can play together, so you better show up with your best clothes and Pokemon to really wow the crowd.
4. Go Global with Union Room
As you can expect, the multiplayer lobby Union Room functionality has been expanded. It not only allows you to connect with friends in local communication but also players all over the world through Nintendo Switch’s online feature. Like the Grand Underground co-op feature though, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account to use the online portion.
5. Show Off your Style with New Outfits
The Poke Ball isn’t only your fashion item this time around. Debuted in Sword and Shield, as seen in the top image Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl also add a feature to rock the looks of your avatar with a variety of outfits and color options. And yes, you can change your character’s skin color too. Right now, GameFreak has only shown three costumes for each trainer but I’m sure they’ll have more surprises up their sleeves.
6. Go on An Adventure Together with Your Favorite Pokemon By Your Side
Once you’ve progressed far enough in the game, you can select one Pokemon from your party to follow you from behind, like in Pokemon Yellow. Any Pokemon small or huge that appears can accompany you on your journey across Sinnoh, so pick your favorite and visit various locations to create memories together.
7. Starting Next Year, Connect Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remake to Pokemon HOME
GameFreak promises that both Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will be compatible with the cloud-based Pokemon storage and data transfer app Pokemon HOME in 2022. And as you saw above, Nintendo will also be releasing a black limited edition Switch Lite with golden Palkia and silver Dialga markings on November 5, 2021.
That’s all the big features sneak peek for the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remake. Are you hyped for this remake? Will you get one of them (or both) when the games drop on November 19? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned at The Nerd Stash for more nerd and gaming updates.
