Pokemon Platinum: The Definitive Title

Before I begin this review, I would like to mention that I have played almost every main series pokemon game since Red and Blue. The main series is the only part of the franchise that I like; I ignore all TV shows, merchandise, or spin-off titles.

With that said, let's get rolling.

Pokemon Platinum is the 14th game in the main Pokemon series (15th in Japan). Like the other 13 games that came before it, you play as a young child from a small town. A professor gives you one of 3 starting pokemon. For those of you who do not know what a pokemon is, it is simply a creature that can be summoned from balls that fit in one's pocket. There hundreds of these things, and each has specific abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

Pokemon is a turn-based role playing game. You wander around, randomly encountering pokemon as you walk through tall grass, caves, etc. You catch new pokemon, have them fight by taking turns smacking each other with a variety of attacks, raise them by using them in battle, and so on and so forth.

Once you find some pokemon and raise them, you then proceed to travel across the land, fighting fellow trainers and finding new pokemon and items. Your goal: fight 8 elite gym leaders to get 8 gym badges, allowing you to fight 4 elite trainers in a row to earn the title of Greatest Pokemon Trainer Ever.

You will also help random people, fight an evil gang, and save the world from some vague, slow-moving disaster. The story is probably the weakest aspect of the game, as it only serves to give the player a goal other than catching and raising pokemon.

The reason I don't rate this game perfectly is that it is virtually identical to the other 13 titles. The story? Names have changed, but it is still the same idea. Battle system? There are new attacks and a variety of tweaks, but it is nearly unchanged from the series' game boy days.

On the plus side, the gameplay remains as addictive and fun as ever. Children can learn the basics very quickly, yet there is a lot of depth in customizing and raising a powerful team of pokemon.

If you are new to the series, I would actually start with Pokemon Platinum. It has the largest variety of pokemon to catch, and the initial difficulty curve is forgiving without being too easy. This game has been refined to its peak, and the ability to trade and battle other people across wi-fi only sweetens the deal.

If you have played other pokemon games recently, be warned: it is the same ole song and dance.

Gotta Catch Them All.... Pokemon!

I'll be as quick and to-the-point as possible: there's just not a whole lot wrong with Pokemon Platinum, the latest installment in the multi-billion dollar empire that is the Pokemon video game series. What was a fad in the late 1990s and early 2000s has evolved into a genuinely engrossing RPG series that may be geared towards children, but is fun for all.

Though the gameplay is easy to get the hang of and the characters are friendly, this is in fact a very deep and complex RPG. There are 493 Pokemon that you can choose to raise, and each have their own move sets, abilities, natures and even personality traits that can and do make a significant effect on battles.

Pokemon Platinum is the ninth major Pokemon RPG game to be released for Nintendo's portable systems. This time, it's the so-called "third" or "special" edition for the Nintendo DS. Platinum, of course, comes a couple years after Diamond and Pearl versions, and thus completes the trilogy and the story arc. And as we've come to expect from the third edition, Platinum takes the best of Diamond and Pearl and mixes them together, while adding it own unique twists.

For example, Platinum has a slightly altered story arc. For some reason, the land of Sinnoh has grown colder, as evidenced by snow even in the far south of the region. But other regions, such as islands, have grown more desert- or tropical-like. In addition to the geography, the order in which the Gym Leaders are taken on has been switched around. Also shuffled around are Pokemon locations and items. Key items are in different locations in Platinum than they were in Diamond and Pearl. The biggest single addition to Platinum (again, this is an addition, not a change) is the return of Emerald's "Battle Frontier." This is a large amusement park-like place that has multiple events, battles and prizes to be had. You (the player) also receive your very own villa in honor of all your accomplishments.

The vast majority of the game, the battling system, is more or less the same as it was in Diamond and Pearl. The actual battle menu has changed in the form of a darker color palette, but that's it. The only real significant change affects the move Hypnosis, as the accuracy has been dropped to 60% in Platinum, when it was 70% in Diamond and Pearl. How this affects battling between the two editions is unknown. Most of the Pokemon that were available in Diamond and Pearl are also available in Platinum, and there are few, if any, move set changes.

There's really not a whole lot of reason to go in-depth on this review of Platinum. I guess the easiest way to sum it up is like this: If you've played Diamond and Pearl, you've played the majority of Platinum, as the only major changes and deviations of Platinum occur near the end of the main game. If you've never played Diamond and Pearl, then get Platinum. It's, obviously, the best Pokemon game ever made. And if you've never played any Pokemon game before, well, this is a great place to start. But understand that even with Platinum, you still won't be able to "catch 'em all" unless you also have Diamond and/or Pearl version. However, with the (much needed) addition of Wi-Fi battling and trading, it's also easier than ever to find someone who does have the other version(s).

Overall, Pokemon Platinum is a very enjoyable RPG for the Nintendo DS that will last a very, very long time. And despite what the graphics and gameplay may suggest, Pokemon Platinum is a surprisingly complex RPG.

Great installment in series, Recommend to beginners and veterans alike.

As a Pokemon Affectionado, I rate Platinum highly for play-ability, story and an appropriately challenging difficulty.

the Pokemon Company is notorious by suckering us into buying a game that takes place in the exact same location as the last set of games by rearranging a starter's path, revealing more of the back story of plot, or introducing a brand new game mechanic.

Platinum achieves not only this, but opens up the availability of more legendary pokemon and post-elite four game play.

If you enjoyed Diamond and Pearl and aren't sure you'd be rewarded with a new experience (everyone remembers how disappointing Yellow Version was) you will be pleasantly rewarded with a brand new game in a recently introduced setting.

If you need an introduction to the fourth generation of pokemon games and want an all inclusive experience, packed full of extras to keep you playing well after you've completed the story arc, you'll be overwhelmed with all there is to do in Platinum.

If you've been playing the newest versions, Black and White, or less recently, HeartGold and SoulSilver, and you're interested in playing an old game to complete your pokedex, but are afraid you'll find yourself bored with a relatively featureless game, you won't find yourself so unamused with this game.

Again, I highly recommend this game to beginners to the pokemon series, players familiar to the series who haven't played recently, or pokemasters

A Good Game!

This game was the best of all the Poke'mon installations so far, which I believe, up to this point, have numbered NINE in the United States. I started out with the RED version a long time ago, and have played them ever since. I loved Crystal, then I loved Emerald, and now I love Platinum. There's something about that 3rd release in each series that really makes the whole set.

I wish, oh, I WISH that they would release one great, big, MEGA GAME that would allow for all the islands (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, etc...) to be explored in one game. That would be AMAZING. Could you imagine having all that at your fingertips?

I can.

Anyhow, this game was a GREAT one, although lacking in bringing back some of the GREATS like Mewtwo and Rayquaza. Otherwise, an AWESOME GAME. In fact, I think I'll go play it some more right now.

Pokemon Platinum

I have always loved RPG (Role Playing Game) like the Final Fantasy series and Pokemon. My first system i had was a Game Boy Color/pokemon blue. As i got older i got away from it but having free time on my hands lately, I figured I'd check out the newest pokemon DS games. I played Diamond and was blown away on the graphics. Just something about Pokemon that kept making me come back for more. I guess it's mostly the pokemon you can choose from and get them stronger and stronger as the game progresses. X-Play gave Pokemon Platinum a 4 out of 5 and they don't even like the series but a good game is a good game. Unlike previous pokemon games (red/blue/silver/gold) you have plenty of things to keep you going after you defeat the Eilte Four and the Champion. If your into RPG's and have a Nintendo DS; then picking up diamond,pearl or platinum is a must have.