Pokemon was not the first series to introduce monster-catching into RPGs; however, can certainly be cited as a game that popularized the sub-genre. Something that is also iconic to this franchise is the selling of two versions. It all began with Pokemon Red and Green in Japan, which became Pokemon Red and Blue in North America.
Both versions of each generation are almost completely identical. The biggest difference falls on what Pokemon can be captured in what game. The same is true for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. There are Pokemon in the first four generations scattered across each copy. Let’s sort them out and deduce who the best exclusives are. This could create some great challenges in the games.
8 Brilliant Diamond Exclusive Generation 1 Pokemon
There is no beating the Pokemon from the original games, Red and Blue. They are classics, and even the smaller Pokemon may set the hearts of fans aflutter. Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree, Scyther, Electabuzz, Seel, Dewgong, Ekans, Arbok, Growlithe, and Arcanine are all exclusive to Brilliant Diamond.
All eleven of those Pokemon have merits to them. Butterfree has great moves, like Sleep Powder, which can help catch Pokemon. Seel and Dewgong are good Water-type Pokemon that can also learn Ice-type moves, which is great for defeating Dragon-types. Finally, Scyther is a cool Pokemon design, thanks to its giant blades.
7 Shining Pearl Exclusive Generation 1 Pokemon
Brilliant Diamond has some great Pokemon exclusives from the first games, but so does Shining Pearl. Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, Ninetales, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Magmar, Pinsir, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are the first-generation Pokemon exclusive to Shining Pearl.
The standouts of that crowd are the legendary birds. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are some of the best legendaries the series has ever created, mixing elemental powers with Flying-type Pokemon; for example, Zapdos is a very good Electric/Flying-type combo. The non-Legendaries are great as well — for example, Vulpix and Ninetales are cute Fire-type Pokemon with some wicked attacks as well.
6 Brilliant Diamond Exclusive Generation 2 Pokemon
The second generation of the Pokemon games is almost as classic as the originals. There was only a modest increase of 100 new Pokemon, which still made catching them all an attractive tagline. Scizor, Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar, Gligar, Murkrow, Elekid, Entei, Raikou, Suicune, and Ho-Oh are all exclusive to Brilliant Diamond.
Ho-Oh is a fairly decent legendary Pokemon. The bigger legendary Pokemon in the game, though, are Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. Meanwhile, Scizor is another cool Pokemon to get, as it is the evolved form of Scyther.
5 Shining Pearl Exclusive Generation 2 Pokemon
Many players agree that Brilliant Diamond got all of the good Gen II Pokemon. Slowking, Misdreavus, Teddiursa, Ursaring, Stantler, Magby, and Lugia are the second generation Pokemon available in Shining Pearl. Those aren’t terrible Pokemon, but by comparison, it’s a no-brainer to buy Brilliant Diamond over Shining Pearl for fans of the Gen II games.
There are two Pokemon out of that lot that are the most useful. Lugia is a great legendary that is part Psychic-type, which was new for the series at the time. Slowking is also a rare Psychic/Water-type combo worth picking up.
4 Brilliant Diamond Exclusive Generation 3 Pokemon
The third generation of Pokemon games is a bit more divisive among fans. It is safe to say that not many of the critters in these games are considered classic, but they still have their fans out there. Mawile, Solrock, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, and Kecleon are all exclusive to Brilliant Diamond.
Of those six Pokemon, Nuzleaf and Shiftry are the two best picks. They are both Dark/Grass-type, which is a unique combination for the series. However, that combo makes them extremely vulnerable to many other types: seven altogether. They’re still fun to use despite that fact.
3 Shining Pearl Exclusive Generation 3 Pokemon
Shining Pearl, in this arena, has a leg up over Brilliant Diamond. Shining Pearl doesn’t have that many more Pokemon from the third generation of games, but there are still some more attractive ones for battle. Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Sableye, Seviper, Lunatone, Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence are the third generation Pokemon available in Shining Pearl.
Salamence, the final form of Bagon and Shelgon, is a decent Dragon-type from this generation. Lombre and Ludicolo are fun Pokemon with unique design. Plus, their Water/Grass-type combo makes them strong against a lot of Pokemon attacks.
2 Brilliant Diamond Exclusive Generation 4 Pokemon
The point of releasing two versions of Pokemon games is for players to trade with friends. The bigger question for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl fans may then be to ask which “new” Pokemon from those games are hiding within each. Cranidos, Rampardos, Honchkrow, Stunky, Skuntank, Electivire, Gliscor, Dialga are all exclusive to Brilliant Diamond.
Electivire is a beefy new evolved form of Electabuzz that is quite fetching. Cranidos and Rampardos are also some fun fossil Pokemon to unearth. Dialga, meanwhile, is the exclusive legendary. It is a Steel/Dragon-type, which is special for the series and is incredibly defensive in battle.
1 Shining Pearl Exclusive Generation 4 Pokemon
Brilliant Diamond has eight exclusives, while Shining Pearl only has seven. Shieldon, Bastiodon, Mismagius, Glameow, Purugly, Magmortar, and Palkia are the fourth generation Pokemon available in Shining Pearl.
Like Electivire, Magmortar is a new evolution of a first-generation Pokemon: Magmar. He is a beastly fire-type Pokemon that will rock the house with its mortar-like gun arms. Palkia is this game’s legendary exclusive, and it is a Water/Dragon-type. The Water-type gives it a resistance to a usual Dragon-type weakness: ice.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were released on November 19, 2021 and are available on Switch.