The Observer, April 27, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 26
"Gotta Catch 'Em All" still applies in latest Pokémon offerings
If you have ever owned a Game Boy or any of its numerous successors, you've played a Pokémon game. You may not want to admit it, but there's no need to feel embarrassed. After all, it's always been one of the series synonymous with handheld gaming. There's just something compelling about collecting and trading hundreds of unique creatures. Luckily, if you have avoided Pokémon for the past ten years, the new DS versions, Diamond and Pearl, are perfect to see what all of the commotion is about. Though the core gameplay is almost identical to past iterations, the new online options allow Pokémon to finally reach its potential as a communal experience.
Most of these games will be fairly familiar to veterans. You're still on a quest to become a Pokémon "master" by raising these powerful creatures and using them to battle your fellow trainers. The battles are turn-based and typically one-on-one, though these simple RPGs still require plenty of strategy. Each Pokémon is categorized by their elements, such as grass or ice. Both of these types are weak against fire, but they have their strengths as well. This incredibly deep and satisfying balancing act has been a staple of the series and still remains engaging.
New creatures and moves are to be expected, but Nintendo went above and beyond with Diamond and Pearl. Besides the main quest, there are dozens of different, enjoyable activities to keep you busy. You can now excavate fossils and other valuable treasures in the underground tunnels that run throughout the new world of Sinnoh. You can take your Pokémon to the local contest hall or you can grow miniature gardens using the internal clock. Most significant are the multiplayer modes, which are now more relevant than ever thanks to the DS's wireless and online capabilities.
Though the series has always encouraged trading creatures between the different versions, the required link cable was limiting. Now, players no longer need to be tethered together in order to interact with each other. The multiplayer options have been expanded significantly too. Up to four friends can now battle in two-on-two rumbles. The underground can also be explored with up to eight friends wirelessly. The only disappointing part about these modes is that you need to swap "friend codes" if you're using Nintendo's wi-fi service. These sixteen digit annoyances are the only things standing in the way of the DS's first online killer app.
If you don't want to go through the hassle of making friend lists, you can trade anonymously through an ambitious, worldwide swap meet. You can search for a specific Pokémon or offer your own to potential customers. Unfortunately, the current batch of trainers does not seem to understand the concept of fair trades (many are offering extremely common Pokémon in exchange for the end-of-the-game legendaries…yeah, right). However, this feature is generally user friendly, and the tracking of player locations is a nice touch.
The presentation should also be commended. This is the first time that the series has utilized 3D graphics for the various towns and routes. The style is very simple, but everything looks crisp and colorful. The sprite-based battles have also been spruced up. All 493 creatures have their own introductory animations, and the special effects for each of the moves are much flashier.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl do not redefine the series, but they will still keep you busy for years to come. The hunt to "catch 'em all" is just as addictive as it was on the original Game Boy, but all of the little refinements and side quests make this the best DS game to date.
