What Are The Differences In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?

Related: Early Game Tips and Cheats for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Beginners

Long-time Pokemon players know the struggle all too well of picking what version to get when a new core game in the franchise drops. Most of the time, that choice boils down to which Pokemon are version exclusive. This means that certain wild Pokemon that you can catch in one game won’t be available to catch in the other version of the game. Unlike some recent Pokemon games, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s individual differences mostly involve version exclusives.

The Difference Between The Game Mascots

If you purchased Brilliant Diamond, the legendary from the main story that you will be able to catch is Dialga. Dialga is a steel/dragon type with the signature move Roar of Time. In Shining Pearl, the counterpart legendary that you can catch will be Palkia. Palkia is a water/dragon type with the signature move Spacial Rend.

The Exclusives In Ramanas Park

A feature introduced in the remakes that was not in the original game is Ramanas Park. This is an area that unlocks in the postgame setting once you get your Pokedex upgraded to the national Pokedex. In Ramanas Park, you can catch legendaries from past games, and there is one particular catchable set exclusive to each version. In Shining Pearl, the exclusives are Lugia from Johto and the three legendary birds Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno, originally from Kanto. In Brilliant Diamond, the counterparts are Ho-oh and the three legendary canines Suicune, Raikou, and Entei, all originally from Johto.

For your convenience, we have included a list below of every version-exclusive Pokemon, organizing them by game. Hopefully, this information has made your decision on which game to get much easier!

Wild Pokemon Exclusive To Brilliant Diamond

Murkrow and Honchkrow

Growlithe and Arcanine

Elekid, Electabuzz, and Electivire

Ekans and Arbok

Seel and Dewgong

Mawile

Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree

Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar

Seedot, Nuzleaf, and Shiftry

Kecleon

Solrock

Stunky and Skuntank

Cranidos and Rampardos

Scyther and Scizor

Gligar and Gliscor

Zangoose

Legendaries Exclusive To Brilliant Diamond

Dialga

Ho-oh

Suicune

Entei

Raikou

Wild Pokemon Exclusive To Shining Pearl

Magby, Magmar, and Magmortar

Lotad, Lombre, and Ludicolo

Bagon, Shelgon and Salamence

Slowpoke, Slowbro, and Slowking

Vulpix and Ninetales

Sandshrew and Sandslash

Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill

Seviper

Stantler

Pinsir

Lunatone

Teddiursa and Ursaring

Misdreavus and Mismagius

Bonsly and Sudowoodo

Shieldon and Bastiodon

Glameow and Purugly

Sableye

Legendaries Exclusive To Shining Pearl

Palkia

Lugia

Articuno

Moltres

Zapdos