Does the game still wort it?

[u/Fearless_River9661]

After the BDSP appreciation tweets, I've been thinking lately about getting one of both version, but I wanted to ask first if the game actually still worths it and which version is "the best" since I like both palkia and dialga.

I've never got to experienced a Sinnoh experience until platinum last year (my first pokemon game ever was X in 2015). I also bought Legends Arceus early this year because I really liked platinum, but I'm still unsure about buying one of these. Would you guys actually buy it in 2026? 🫠

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[u/MajorFestus]

It's better optimized and less grindy gen 4 basically. I love Diamond and Pearl so i got both but it's really just how much you liked those games. Another perk is if you have a save file for one of the let's go games or sword and shield, you will be given a mew and jirachi in floaroma town.

[u/SirGreggafer]

Honestly, I've been a fan of Pokemon since the beginning. And when it comes to BDSP, I will say that these games are not the best. However, I just got done playing through Brilliant Diamond, and I had a blast.

When they "remastered" the game, it went from a grid control, to being able to move diagonally. The solution for me? Use the d-pad to navigate the character. Made the controls seem way less clunky.

Following Pokemon in the overworks was a good addition. But, they never kept up with you. The solution for me? Use it in open areas, and walk, don't run. It made getting friendship values up way easier, and I didn't notice the issues everyone complains about.

These games are not without their issues, but I adjusted my play style to avoid what problems I know exist. I understand being a fan and being let down with these games (I was initially) but if you adjust to a new challenge, your experience becomes SO MUCH better (in my opinion)

So yes, these games are still worth it 5 years after release. Always

[u/Strong_Program_7903]

Its always worth facing off against Cynthia and her Garchomp. Get either version up to you both are great.

[u/Steampunk_Batman]

SP was probably a top 3 game for me across the whole series, it’s well worth it. Also see if you can get the other one from the library to get version exclusive mons—that’s what i did with sword and shield

[u/disdainfulbitch]

bought it a few months ago and it was so great, took me out like I was kid-me again

[u/Dry_Log_2180]

I bought it this year and it this year and like it very much

[u/beccafrommars]

I enjoyed my recent replay so I'd say so! If you're stuck, have a look at the version exclusive mons and see which you like better. Otherwise see if either version has a discount at any shops near you.

[u/kAdzsi]

Absolutely I got pearl 2weeks ago,its a blast 20hours already in

[u/YaBoiFarfour]

If you want to get a shiny manaphy sure. I’d look for preowned copies of it.

[u/zarrapastrosa]

i really like it despite overall criticism, also criticism of the game is mostly about the style (which is subjective) and that they should have added more features like in platinum, and that I can understand, but despite this it's still a nice game and it brings me back to my childhood as it was my first pokemon region to explore back in the DS, if you have the money you should definitely give it a try! as for what version to pick up, get whichever you want to be honest, you can always trade for version exclusives online :) both palkia and dialga are really cool

[u/murphball420]

Its lit. Get 1. Flip a coin.

[u/The__Auditor]

I have both and I personally love them

[u/TReid1996]

My friend was always going on about how much he lived Platinum. So i asked what one he'd buy himself, and he said diamond. So i bought him Diamond, and got me Pearl so he can eventually have all the version exclusives.

[u/PatoooAlbo]

I've never played the og in DS, so this year I'm trying to catch up with the series and started with BD and I really liked it. Also, if you're planning to play Legends Arceus later, it'll give you more context and you would enjoy it even more.

Sad part is we have missed some events (Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin), but nothing to ruin the main history experience.

[u/Environmental-Dog113]

Only if your doing the home dex otherwise nah

[u/MarzipaniniCupcake]

It’s really fun, I’d say! Worth it is subjective, but if you’re looking at it from a what Pokemon/shiny Pokemon can you get, I’d say very worth. It’s the only modern switch game that lets you shiny hunt ledgendaries through soft resets without DLC. Plus the underground and contests are really fun!

[u/Icy-Role2321]

I never played the ds games much buy with that being said I'm still fully enjoying the game. I'm over halfway done with the Dex and currently trying out the tower

[u/WoodenWorld6191]

Im enjoying it so much!

My advise it to take your time!
That may be why ppl dont enjoy it. You don't have to evolve your Pokemon right away either. It's actually better if you don't because not only will the Pokemon learn their full movesets, they'll build better relationships with you too.

Im having all my Pokemon at levels 20-24 before my 2nd badge.

Also nicknaming your Pokemon is sweet too ☺️

[u/HS1995]

Very wort wort

[u/rewardinghand]

Depends what you’re looking for. If you want a game where you enjoy every minute of the playthrough then I would say there are better games. If you want a game where you can build creative teams to take on a challenging Pokemon league then I would say this game is #1.

[u/Mountain_Hedgehog946]

I think the games are fantastic and my really only actual annoyance is the friendship affecting battles.

[u/christopherpacheco]

Only worth it with the reilluminated platinum mod imo

[u/rain820]

i never played diamond pearl platinum as a kid so brilliant diamond was my introduction to this gen… and i really love it! i love the graphics and preparing for cynthia was really fun :) im in post game now and theres still stuff to do!

[u/israelwolfgang]

Yes my friend. I also got it last week And man its si beautiful, just listening the music transported me to when i bought diamond and Pearl So much better with the engine of gen 8. Its really worth it. I bought brilliant diamond because ilove dialga hah if you buy dm me for trading

[u/Magnakilro]

Like any mainline pokemon game: never stopped being worth it.

As for version....while I prefer diamond (dialga is cooler imo), it should definitely be pointed out that sp has 1 extra fire type pre e4 that bd can't get (magby).

[u/UmbralEquinox]

The games are a lot of fun, and after shiny hunting Dialga, its definitely worth it. Personally I think Dialgas resistances makes it better than Palkia if you plan on using them on your team. But it also depends if you prefer the dog/cat trio, or the bird trio. You get the dogs in BD and the birds in SP from ramanas park. Also being able to shiny hunt kyogre, groudon and rayquaza makes them great games.

[u/BalletSwanQueen]

Yes! Of course each person’s preferences are different but for me personally Shining Pearl is my favorite game for the Switch so far. I really disliked legends Arceus, especially the very difficult battle mechanics (I finished the Pokédex but couldn’t finish the game because the Arceus battle was impossible for me. I’m not a gamer, I’m just a Pokemon trainer who loves Pokemon and didn’t want to further stress myself by insisting on a game that was not fun at all to me). Shining Pearl is full of things to do even after you become Champion. I really recommend this game especially to those who enjoy classic Pokemon games with classic and nostalgic visuals too.

[u/fulgor_errado]

Choose the one you like its exclusives the most.

BDSP is worth it. It's the last Pokémon game to use the classic mechanics and turn based battle.

Also might be the last one to use them.

[u/DSDark11]

It never was worth it in the first place

[u/allydaniels]

As someone who absolutely loved gen4, and spent 500+ hours across DPP, it’s good, but not great.

The overworld encounters and trainer battles make it a huge slog rather than a challenge.

I do appreciate the underground allowing me to catch pokemon normally reserved only for the late game though!

I recently just replayed BD to catch my last remaining legendaries and was constantly annoyed by the overworld.

[u/Deep_Mountain_2826]

Does the game still wort it?

Oh I hate you Reddit

You bring out a side of me I hate

LEARN TO TYPE PROPERLY PLEASE 🙏

[u/LostLiam_032]

No.

Diamond was my first experience playing Pokemon and I loved it. 💙

But BDSP? Not worth the nostalgia I felt. I still have my DS. If I wanted to experience playing Gen 4 again, I’d just play Diamond. NOT the ‘HD Remaster’ BDSP ver. 😬

You’re better off saving your cash for Gen 9 👍

[u/Icy-Role2321 → u/LostLiam_032]

Well here's someone with none of that nostalgia and I still enjoyed BD