Pokemon Pearl Version (Nintendo DS, 2007)

For a game that's literally sold countless millions of copies over the past ten years, it's pretty amazing to discover gamers who have yet to experience what Pokemon is all about. Under its kid-friendly, thick sugary coating lies a deceptively deep and addictive design that encourages players to create collections of highly marketable creatures of various species. The core mechanic is an adventure with role-playing game battle mechanics -- these creatures will fight for their owner using their abilities in a turn-based interface, where players choose the best mode of attack or defense that'll get them through the brawl. Winning battles will earn these creatures experience which will, in turn, advance their levels and increase their capabilities...as well as earn their owners some coin for purchases at the shops.

It's a concept that's already proven itself enormously successful, both critically and commercially, in close to a dozen iterations over the course of ten years. There's a tremendous amount of depth and strategy within the Pokemon design, and because the designers incorporate hundreds of different creatures to capture, it also becomes addictive even when the whole adventure potion's at an end.

While there have been some similar spin-off designs on the console side Nintendo's kept the true experience exclusively on its handhelds. Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl is the RPG's official move to the Nintendo DS platform, and as long as you're comfortable with playing "more of the same," which -- let's be honest here -- is more of a really excellent and strategically deep handheld experience, then it's thumbs up for the DS version, too.

The developers do a fine job incorporating the Nintendo DS elements into the design of Pokemon. For example, in battle you no longer have to cycle through a menu using the D-pad to pick your Pokemon and attacks -- it's now handled through the simplicity and elegance of big, fat, thumb-friendly buttons on the lower screen. This streamlines things more so than you might realize, since you no longer have to scroll through menus or navigate using the directional arrows. Just tap and go. The designers also have fun with the new item for Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl: the Poketch, or Pokemon Watch. It's essentially a personal "computer" where you'll get programs to plug into it throughout your travels. So, while it might be disappointing that you don't get a map on the lower screen while wandering the environment, don't worry...you'll get one eventually. Some widgets are rather cool, some are completely useless, and a variety of them fit in between.

Game interfaces are all over the place in Pokemon DS. Some Pokedex menus use the touch screen, others do not, some spread out over two screens, others are smooshed on one. It doesn't really hurt the experience to have the interfaces scattered like this, but it's obvious how Game Freak managed to toss in all this functionality during development...it most likely had bunches of groups working independently.

The biggest issue is its hard-to-shake feeling of deja vu -- most of what players do in the single player experience is identical to the adventuring laid out for the gamers in previous versions. That "explore the world, fight gym leaders, stop the evil Team" storyline progression hasn't changed at all in Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl. Instead of Team Rocket, you've got Team Galactic, and while their aim is different, their motivations aren't.

Pearl, one of the first of a three game series, is an exciting game for any age. Even after playing platinum it gives you a slightly different story line to follow and new pokemon to catch. It allows you to get those few pokemon that are exclusive to it and trade them over to finally fill out your pokedex.

This installment adds over 100 new monsters to catch. The colorful graphics strike a nice balance of upgraded and traditional, using old-fashioned sprites on subtly 3D backgrounds. The sound and music still aren't anything special, but are decent enough. I was glad to see the real-time day/night feature return, it keeps things interesting with the little changes it brings.

The Wi-fi features are a great addition, making it more of community-themed game. You can now trade and battle Pokemon with people from all over the world via Wi-fi.

This latest installment in the series adds a lot of nice new features like the Poketch, a watch-like gadget with various little apps you receive throughout the game (such as a clock, a map that track berries, a pedometer, a daycare monitor, etc.) It makes good use of the touch screen, too, such as the Poffin mini-game, where you stir with the stylus to cook. The contests introduced in Ruby & Sapphire are expanded on, and there's an underground cave mini-game as well.

It's a fun, addictive game (even after you "beat" it, there's tons more stuff you can find and do) for RPG fans of all ages. Definitely recommended to any DS owner.

New completely interactive version of pokemon. The graphics i found arent so pixally, theres new hidden mini games, and an underground cave system which i thought was pretty cool i spend hours collecting spheres! :> In this version you also have the choice of being a male or a female, and theres alot of different pokemon i didnt see in any of the advance games. Also, the " bike " has a gear option, where you can choose from 4 speeds, as well as being able to use teleport, flash, and a few other special moves without having to get the certain gym badge. [you do still need them for the HM moves] All in all the game is great, it's fast playing, the picture quality is amazing, and theres ever more stuff to do. [like dressing up your pokemon for pictures with the new acessory bags, and not to meantion the new trainers watch with all the little features is great too!] Im 22 and enjoyed playing it.. but my husbands 6 year old loves the game as well.. great for all ages. 5/5

Number of Players - 1
Release Date - 4/22/2007
Publisher - Nintendo
Platform - Nintendo DS
Genre - Kids & Family

The Great Features
-Embark on a fantastic journey across the mystical region of Sinnoh
-"Real-time" clock changes the time of day based on your DS clock which affects
what types of Pokémon you can catch and some Pokémon's moves as well
-Special accessories to dress up your Pokémon
-A variety of all-new, dual-type Pokémon, altered moves and special abilities
-Updated 3D environments and graphics thrust you into the Pokémon experience
-Worldwide battles with up to four players and you can exchange Pokémon with
up to eight players over the wireless Wi-Fi connection