Pokemon Diamond and Pearl: Nintendo DS Gems

The Latest Installment of the Popular Pokemon Series

With over one hundred fifty million games sold in the franchise, it's a wonder it took so long for a true Pokemon game to be released for Nintendo's DS. However, once it finally came it was no surprise that it flew of the shelves in Japan in astounding numbers. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were both destined to be one of the most popular DS titles ever released by virtue of the Pokémon fan base alone. Luckily, a graphical upgrade and seamless additions to the already perfected formula will have fans outside of the series clamoring to their local gaming outlet and spending over fifty hours fixated on the DS' two screens.

The biggest addition to any new Pokémon game is the number of new creatures that you'll be able to capture, battle and trade. Diamond and Pearl are no slouches in the new addition department as you'll be able to capture a full hundred plus new critters in patches of grass and other places. The difference, as in previous editions, is based completely on what you're able to catch and when you're able to catch it.

Things start out in traditional Pokémon fashion, putting you in the shoes of a rookie trainer that is apparently destined for greater things. But in the way of those greater things stands a Pokémon obsessed organization called Team Galactic (in the vein of Team Rocket) an overzealous and extremely competitive rival and the choice between three starting Pokémon (all of which start out pretty cute and evolve into a capable fighter). From there on things remain pretty much the same as they've been for the past decade in the Pokémon games.

The touch screen is used to input commands during the turn based rock-paper-scissor style battles. If you didn't happen to pick up one of the "exclusive" styluses that were being released, there's no need to fret. The buttons on the touch screen are pretty big and you might find yourself bypassing the use of a stylus all together for the ease of your thumbs.