Pokemon DP FAQ

As any DS owner should know, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl is right around the corner. This is easily one of the biggest titles to hit the DS and rightfully so. It brings new and old features to the Pokemon franchise and makes it better then ever. But many people aren't in the DS loop, or are too busy playing Super Paper Mario to be up-to-date with the latest news on these games. Ands as such, I made this FAQ to inform you about all the new features included in the game.

Q: Where does the story take place and what is the plot?

A: Diamond and Pearl takes place in the Pokemon region called Sinnoh. You are a new Pokemon trainer who is off to become the greatest trainer out there. But on the way you must get the eight badges, defeat rivals, and battle the villains of the game Team Galactic. It is basically the same story as past Pokemon games but with different characters.

Q: What is unique to this installment of the franchise?

A: Besides the new characters and new Pokemon this games has a new Poketech that will at as a clock, timer, calculator, and more helpful things. The game also brings back a c-l-a-s-s-i-c feature found in Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal; night and day features. In DP the game will change according to what time is it; so if it is late at night it will be dark. This not only affects how the overworld looks, but also what Pokemon you can catch. Some Pokemon are only available at certain times or more likely at certain times. The overworld is now totally 3-D, although they keep it the same perception as past games. It also features world-wide online battling and trading! DP have all of this and more stuff that would take to long to type all of it here!

Q: How many Pokemon are there and are many new Pokemon are there?

A: DP features 107 new Pokemon, with a total of 493 Pokemon. Look in the spoiler tags for links to a list of the new Pokemon and a list of all the Pokemon in DP.

[spoiler] Click here to see the list of new Pokemon. Click here to see the full list of catchable Pokemon. [/spoiler]

Q: What are the differences between Diamond and Pearl?

A: There aren't many differences between the two. Each one has the same story and characters. The only difference is the Pokemon exclusive to each game. Link to list of exclusives in spoiler tag.

[spoiler] Click here to see the list of exclusive Pokemon to each game. [/spoiler]

Q: What is the multiplayer like?

A: DP will have DS to DS multiplayer. That means you have to have two copies of the game to play, sorry but that's the way it is. And it has world-wide online. Once you are in the multiplayer you have to options you can either trade Pokemon or battle each other.

Q: Does the game have Friend Codes? Can you do random battles online?

A: The game does have FCs. But they are only used if you want to play a certain person. You can battle and trade with any person you find on the game.

Q: Any other features I should know about?

A: Well, the game features online voice chat! And you can also transfer (transfer not trade) Pokemon from you GBA Pokemon games. And many other things that you can find out yourself.;)

Q: Okay, I'm interested in this game now. Where can I find more info?

A: Serebii.net , IGN First Ten Minutes (spoilers), IGN DP Page , GS DP Page , US Pokemon Site .

The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.REVOLUTIONfreak

[QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.bededog

[QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.Phantom5800

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.bededog

[QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.Phantom5800

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did .... 

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

lebanese_boy

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.lebanese_boy

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did .... 

I'm really excited for these games right now, the only thing is I have to find someone to take me to the mall to pick up my reserved copy this weekend... can't wait until I can finally drive.

[QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="bededog"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]The multiplayer is the most appealing feature for me. If it didn't have online play I'd have no motivation for leveling my Pokemon to lvl 100.REVOLUTIONfreak

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

I'm really excited for these games right now, the only thing is I have to find someone to take me to the mall to pick up my reserved copy this weekend... can't wait until I can finally drive.

[QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

Phantom5800

I got the game around launch time too so there's no big difference ... my whole childhood was with pokemons .... 

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

lebanese_boy

I got the game around launch time too so there's no big difference ... my whole childhood was with pokemons ....

I'm now somewhat less hyped for this game now that I realize you can't play online UNLESS you have friend codes... there aren't any random online battles at all. This confirms it: Nintendo officially sucks at online.REVOLUTIONfreak

[QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]I'm now somewhat less hyped for this game now that I realize you can't play online UNLESS you have friend codes... there aren't any random online battles at all. This confirms it: Nintendo officially sucks at online.Phantom5800

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]I'm now somewhat less hyped for this game now that I realize you can't play online UNLESS you have friend codes... there aren't any random online battles at all. This confirms it: Nintendo officially sucks at online.REVOLUTIONfreak

If that's true......I might just have to protest against Nintendo. :P What is with them and their stupid friend codes?! Why can't we get full functionality out of our online experiences without having to know each other previously?! 

I say just be happy they even considered online to begin with! Nintendo could have decided to not do online at all, they could have decided to stop making Pokemon, Zelda, and Mario games, but no! they decide to continue and try to please people by continuing this and making an online system. If you want a system just for online go play a ****ing 360 and stay away from Nintendo consoles for the rest of your ****ing life, you might as well just sell your soul to Microsoft right now, Nintendo has been working towards a workable system that won't get them sued for what, two years. Its free get over yourself and just deal with the friend codes, it only takes two seconds to enter them in anyway for Christ's sake. I am sick and ****ing tired of hearing these retarted complaints, if Nintendo had tried taking certain things like individual screen names for every person online they would just say that it was copied from Microsoft, and alot of the time when something offers voice chat, they are obviously not going to allow random matches because you will have people in other languages screaming at you over the mic for no reason. Just get over your fears of friend codes and deal with the fact that thats how its done, and if you dont like it I suggest you never even touch another Nintendo system for the remainder of your ****ing life. [End Rant]

...

And puff no you dont need the headset

Phantom5800

Lol, that was a pretty emotional rant there, but why are you getting so angry? I never said I only wanted to play games online, you're missing the point of what I was trying to get across. The ONLY thing I was trying to complain about was the fact that it would be rather dumb to only be able to play with your friends (and only if that's true, if I might add). Fine, you don't need voice chat for random battles with others around the world, just for the people whose friend codes you've already added (like MPH).

Now while I agree that it's great that Nintendo is trying to integrate its games by going online, you have to admit that their online functionality could be a bit better. I only want to see Nintendo be successful, and that is why I'm complaining; I want Nintendo to beat the crap out of the competition. :P So when I complained about friend codes, try and think about it as constructive criticism. For example, you should be able to get a person's friend code just after you've played them, if you think they are a good opponent. While MPH had this, most other games do not, and it's kind of a disappointment, not being able to play them again.

But man, I complain about one little thing and you go tell me to stop playing Nintendo systems for good. That's harsh. :(

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]Phantom5800

As for the actual message itself, I think your kind of overreacting.  Nintendo is putting way too many restrictions on their online service, they could have done the online gameplay for Pokemon the same way as Metroid Prime: Hunters, voice chat available, but only with people you have friend codes exchanged with... and then still have random matches.  As far as "Nintendo being nice enough to bring back Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, and Metroid", that isn't really true at all.  People seem to forget that even though Nintendo is a respectable company, they are still a company, and are therefore still a bunch of money-hungry corporates.  They bring back those games because they sell the most, not because they are fan favorites... even if that does have some minor influence on that. 

By the way, just out of curiousity, have you ever actually tried XBL?  It is the most near perfect online service I have ever seen.  After experiencing XBL, it is hard to go back to using friend codes.  Plus, while you may not see the friend code system as that big of a deal, you forget that it is only a minor problem to us because we have forums in which we can still exchange friend codes with "strangers."  Yet think about all of the people who will buy this game and DON'T go on forums, or don't have friends to exchange codes with.  Then the online component is pretty much pointless.

Sorry about that, I do get angry when there is something that has a completely pointless arguement.  IGN obviously didn't know about the Battle Towers online functions, at the Battle Tower you are playing against other peoples pokemon, they might be computer controlled, but the pokemon themselves are exactly the same as the people who trained them, and use similar strategies as to what the game remembers for it.  And yes I have done XBox Live and I absolutely hate it! I just think its retarted to pay for it, pay for games, and then pay $2 for a small expansion to a game, or even those free expansions that should be on the game to begin with.  And dont get me started on the prices for the arcade games, from what I have seen they are more expensive than VC games and are usually just little tiny minigames and other assortments, beleive me when I say this, I would rather kill myself than pay for an online service no matter how good it is.Phantom5800

I don't think the subscription fees for XBL are that bad... I buy my subscription in $8 incriments via the 1 month cards.  It's worth every penny IMO.  The XBLA games are actually less expensive than the VC, actually the VC probably has the highest prices... which is odd considering they are only ports compared to enhancements being made to the games in XBLA (not saying there is anything wrong with the VC though, believe me... for some games I don't want enhancements).

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Sorry about that, I do get angry when there is something that has a completely pointless arguement.  IGN obviously didn't know about the Battle Towers online functions, at the Battle Tower you are playing against other peoples pokemon, they might be computer controlled, but the pokemon themselves are exactly the same as the people who trained them, and use similar strategies as to what the game remembers for it.  And yes I have done XBox Live and I absolutely hate it! I just think its retarted to pay for it, pay for games, and then pay $2 for a small expansion to a game, or even those free expansions that should be on the game to begin with.  And dont get me started on the prices for the arcade games, from what I have seen they are more expensive than VC games and are usually just little tiny minigames and other assortments, beleive me when I say this, I would rather kill myself than pay for an online service no matter how good it is.REVOLUTIONfreak

I don't think the subscription fees for XBL are that bad... I buy my subscription in $8 incriments via the 1 month cards.  It's worth every penny IMO.  The XBLA games are actually less expensive than the VC, actually the VC probably has the highest prices... which is odd considering they are only ports compared to enhancements being made to the games in XBLA (not saying there is anything wrong with the VC though, believe me... for some games I don't want enhancements).

And I don't know how you could say the VC is more expensive for games, there are some games on there for high prices, remember the XBOX conversion rate? $1 = 80 points, not $1=100 points.  Worms costs just as much as OoT does on Wii, and so is DOOM.  I know there are more, but thats all I could find now, so I'm just saying, LIVE Arcade is really expensive for some games that aren't worth it (including $5 for Pac-Man)

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to pick this title up in 1 day(s). Who wants to pokefight me!?*Looks above*

Wow. This topic got derailed pretty quickly... 

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to pick this title up in 1 day(s). Who wants to pokefight me!?*Looks above*

Wow. This topic got derailed pretty quickly... 

Squidward117

I'm now somewhat less hyped for this game now that I realize you can't play online UNLESS you have friend codes... there aren't any random online battles at all.  This confirms it:  Nintendo officially sucks at online.REVOLUTIONfreak

Oh now you've just realized that Nintendo sucks at online ? Well I'm no better because I suck in grammar :(.

[QUOTE="lebanese_boy"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

Phantom5800

I got the game around launch time too so there's no big difference ... my whole childhood was with pokemons ....

I am not really using my age as an advantage here ( like REV said ), you've played pokemons a little longer then I did ( about 1-2 months ) and you're like 2-3 years younger then me ... Age doesn't really make a difference. As far as I know, I'm the older one in this union ( after sufian ) and most of you have played/owned games that I've never played/owned in my whole life.

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

lebanese_boy

I got the game around launch time too so there's no big difference ... my whole childhood was with pokemons ....

I am not really using my age as an advantage here ( like REV said ), you've played pokemons a little longer then I did ( about 1-2 months ) and you're like 2-3 years younger then me ... Age doesn't really make a difference. As far as I know, I'm the older one in this union ( after sufian ) and most of you have played/owned games that I've never played/owned in my whole life.

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]REVOLUTIONfreak

As for the actual message itself, I think your kind of overreacting.  Nintendo is putting way too many restrictions on their online service, they could have done the online gameplay for Pokemon the same way as Metroid Prime: Hunters, voice chat available, but only with people you have friend codes exchanged with... and then still have random matches.  As far as "Nintendo being nice enough to bring back Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, and Metroid", that isn't really true at all.  People seem to forget that even though Nintendo is a respectable company, they are still a company, and are therefore still a bunch of money-hungry corporates.  They bring back those games because they sell the most, not because they are fan favorites... even if that does have some minor influence on that. 

By the way, just out of curiousity, have you ever actually tried XBL?  It is the most near perfect online service I have ever seen.  After experiencing XBL, it is hard to go back to using friend codes.  Plus, while you may not see the friend code system as that big of a deal, you forget that it is only a minor problem to us because we have forums in which we can still exchange friend codes with "strangers."  Yet think about all of the people who will buy this game and DON'T go on forums, or don't have friends to exchange codes with.  Then the online component is pretty much pointless.

Actually Phantom didn't violate any TOS rule in his message, the [ 3 stars word followed by 3 other letters ] word is allowed by the TOS and therefore he was not making any violation but it kinda not very nice so you were right to delete it :P.

Anyway back to topic: Theres a solution for the people who don't go to forums so that they can play online, in the battle tower you can download trainers so they can still play online plus they can trade online at any time.

[QUOTE="lebanese_boy"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"][QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="lebanese_boy"]

I use them :|, and I think I've been playing pokemon for longer then you did ....

Phantom5800

I got the game around launch time too so there's no big difference ... my whole childhood was with pokemons ....

I am not really using my age as an advantage here ( like REV said ), you've played pokemons a little longer then I did ( about 1-2 months ) and you're like 2-3 years younger then me ... Age doesn't really make a difference. As far as I know, I'm the older one in this union ( after sufian ) and most of you have played/owned games that I've never played/owned in my whole life.

it will actually be more confusing

[QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]lebanese_boy

As for the actual message itself, I think your kind of overreacting.  Nintendo is putting way too many restrictions on their online service, they could have done the online gameplay for Pokemon the same way as Metroid Prime: Hunters, voice chat available, but only with people you have friend codes exchanged with... and then still have random matches.  As far as "Nintendo being nice enough to bring back Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, and Metroid", that isn't really true at all.  People seem to forget that even though Nintendo is a respectable company, they are still a company, and are therefore still a bunch of money-hungry corporates.  They bring back those games because they sell the most, not because they are fan favorites... even if that does have some minor influence on that. 

By the way, just out of curiousity, have you ever actually tried XBL?  It is the most near perfect online service I have ever seen.  After experiencing XBL, it is hard to go back to using friend codes.  Plus, while you may not see the friend code system as that big of a deal, you forget that it is only a minor problem to us because we have forums in which we can still exchange friend codes with "strangers."  Yet think about all of the people who will buy this game and DON'T go on forums, or don't have friends to exchange codes with.  Then the online component is pretty much pointless.

Anyway back to topic: Theres a solution for the people who don't go to forums so that they can play online, in the battle tower you can download trainers so they can still play online plus they can trade online at any time.

Also, I don't think you can trade online without having people's friend codes... and while the battle tower is a nice feature, as I said previously, it kind of defeats the purpose considering the whole point of online play is to pit one mind against the other.

EDIT: Oh yeah, forgot to mention that you are only the third oldest here :P  Smoke2Much is the oldest, followed by Sufian2, and then you ... to the best of my knowledge anyway.

Rev, there is the Global Trade Center! But you can only trade for a pokemon you have seen while there, it works like ebay, you put up a pokemon with a request of what you want and then you can leave and come back later with offers for your pokemon from other people that want it.Phantom5800

Either way I guess I'll find out today, I'm about to leave to go pick up my copy within the next hour or so.

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Rev, there is the Global Trade Center! But you can only trade for a pokemon you have seen while there, it works like ebay, you put up a pokemon with a request of what you want and then you can leave and come back later with offers for your pokemon from other people that want it.REVOLUTIONfreak

Either way I guess I'll find out today, I'm about to leave to go pick up my copy within the next hour or so.

Just 2 more hours until the store opens :D 

[QUOTE="Squidward117"]

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to pick this title up in 1 day(s). Who wants to pokefight me!?*Looks above*

Wow. This topic got derailed pretty quickly...

REVOLUTIONfreak

That's correct. I live outside an American base facility (in Schweinfurt, Germany) where the local Post-eXchange sells recent releases. I have full access to that because I'm an American. You thought I was European? :P

The global trading is pretty cool. I am really digging this game, I have not played Pokemon since like 1998 or Pokemon Stadium 2 or something. Phantom calm down dude no need to go overboard were all on the same team here :P. I do have a question though I only remember the original 150 Pokemon, am I eternally screwed if I play with  high empasis on them? Another question someone was dismassing the fact that some people use the starters and legendary Pokemon only? thats what I was planning on doing, should I search for other strategies. But are'nt these supposed to be the best (excuse the ignorance).

I know these are quite stupid questions but cut me some slack not too many players my age are willing to put up with these entry barriers. Credit is due to Rev and all of u postin in this thread, the last game I though I'd be playing was Pokemon but with this week and the cool stuff I am definatley gonna try it.

Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themPhantom5800

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me?  Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again.  My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game.  It bothers the heck out of me though.

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themREVOLUTIONfreak

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me? Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again. My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game. It bothers the heck out of me though.

[QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themPhantom5800

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me? Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again. My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game. It bothers the heck out of me though.

Also, I'm in utter shock right now... Pokemon partially convinced my brother (who is 21) to buy a DS Lite and a copy of Pokemon Pearl!  I think Nintendo is more than successful if they managed to get him to buy a DS.  Also, Pokemon seems to be selling out at a lot of places, Gamestop apparently sold out and when I was at Walmart they only had two copies of Pokemon Pearl left.... and keep in mind that I don't even live near a city.

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themREVOLUTIONfreak

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me? Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again. My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game. It bothers the heck out of me though.

Also, I'm in utter shock right now... Pokemon partially convinced my brother (who is 21) to buy a DS Lite and a copy of Pokemon Pearl! I think Nintendo is more than successful if the managed to get him to buy a DS. Also, Pokemon seems to be selling out at a lot of places, Gamestop apparently sold out and when I was at Walmart they only had two copies of Pokemon Pearl left.... and keep in mind that I don't even live near a city.

Nintendo is doing a good job at getting people to buy its stuff. I didn't get a chance to buy the game today, I got off work at 6:30 and all the stores are closed by then.  

I cry. :cry: Pokemon doesn't hit stores here until tomorrow. :(

It bugs the crap out of me when people are advancing far into their games when I can't even buy it yet. :P

Oh well, I suppose I can just go beat Paper Mario while I wait. ;) 

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themREVOLUTIONfreak

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me?  Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again.  My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game.  It bothers the heck out of me though.

it's probably just the 3D effect .....

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"][QUOTE="REVOLUTIONfreak"]

[QUOTE="Phantom5800"]Starters and legendaries are looked down upon (mostly just legendaries though), and there are plenty of good pokemon if you look around for them and train themREVOLUTIONfreak

It's a great game by the way, I'm about three hours into it and already am addicted.

EDIT: Can someone do a test for me? Check your top screen while playing this game and see if the pixels on the outside edge of the screen move in and out, as in turning from color to black, and then starting the process over again. My copy is doing this, and I'm afraid that it is a defect... the only thing is I don't want to get a new copy if I am already three hours into the game. It bothers the heck out of me though.

Also, I'm in utter shock right now... Pokemon partially convinced my brother (who is 21) to buy a DS Lite and a copy of Pokemon Pearl!  I think Nintendo is more than successful if they managed to get him to buy a DS.  Also, Pokemon seems to be selling out at a lot of places, Gamestop apparently sold out and when I was at Walmart they only had two copies of Pokemon Pearl left.... and keep in mind that I don't even live near a city.

Well I'm 18 and it got me back into the series. Plus now we've got to work it out on murlow (who is 25).