Thanks to the upcoming remakes, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have an opportunity to take everything that fans love about the original Diamond and Pearl and improve upon it. The original games were packed with deep lore of the Pokemon universe and an incredible number of Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. While a majority of the Legendary Pokemon were obtainable through general gameplay, the Mythical Pokemon often required events. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl should address this and update the method of obtaining the Mythical Pokemon of Sinnoh to be more straightforward and accessible.
Pokemon like Regigigas could benefit by having their perquisites available in-game but others like Darkrai, Manaphy, Shaymin, and Arceus were event exclusives in the original Diamond and Pearl. Considering the lore that surrounds each of these Pokemon it seems like there is great potential to involve them through the game’s main story or post-game. This could be done in several ways and given the popularity of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’s Delta Episode, there's already a pathway available to do it.
Arceus Delta Episode in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Arceus would probably benefit the greatest as the focus of a Delta Episode-style post-game out of any of the Mythical Pokemon introduced in Gen 4. The Alpha Pokemon is revered with a god-like status in Sinnoh and for good reason. As the Master of the Creation and Lake Trio Arceus created the other Pokemon and wields immense power over them, and likely the universe.
Arceus was intended to be obtainable with the Azure Flute event item but that was never released. While the Pokemon was distributed directly to players it feels like keeping Arceus and the others confined to events is a missed opportunity. Developing a post-game or side-quest for players to partake in and receive the mythical Pokemon of Gen 4 could set Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl apart from previous Pokemon remakes.
If an epilogue is included in the remakes this fall it could allow for the lore and methods used in the original games to be adapted into gameplay. Instead of receiving the Azure Flute from an event or having Arceus sent to players directly, Pokemon could send players on a quest to find the item like the different quests used in Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Crown Tundra DLC. This could help set up Pokemon: Legends Arceus and would feel more rewarding than trying to attend an in-person event or logging into Wi-Fi just for a code.
Darkrai and Cresselia's Quest in Diamond and Pearl
This same idea could be adapted well for the other Mythical Pokemon that debuted in Diamond and Pearl. Darkrai is intricately connected to Cresselia and while their stories intertwined somewhat in the original games, the remakes are a great opportunity to expand on what was already there. Even though Cresselia was part of the Sailor Eldritch quest Darkrai was limited to events. Given Darkrai’s Bad Dreams ability the sailor’s son’s nightmares could be a direct result of the Pokemon.
In the game, Eldritch’s son could still be cured using the Lunar Wing that Cresselia drops but a connection to Darkrai could be added to the quest to provide more depth and gameplay for fans. Neither Pokemon is inherently hostile but Darkrai’s natural response to others in its territory is to cause bad dreams and nightmares, a habit that Cresselia has been shown to directly combat. By pulling from the games, the Pokemon anime, and movies, there is potential for a great story surrounding the Mythical and Legendary Pokemon.
Shaymin the Hedgehog Pokemon
Shaymin runs into a similar problem as the other Mythical Pokemon where it has great potential that was not fully realized at the time of its introduction in Gen 4. While its event did tie into an in-game item, which also allowed Shaymin to access its Sky Forme, the lore behind the Pokemon wasn't exceedingly clear. With an area like the Great Marsh accessible in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the attack by Team Galactic in the third game’s story seems like a perfect opportunity to introduce the Pokemon.
Shaymin’s ability to clear areas of toxins and pollutants could be worked into how players defeat Team Galactic and fight to save the Great Marsh. Instead of a bomb, Team Galactic could release pollutants or a biohazard in the remakes. This would provide a great way to tie in the Shaymin and negate the need for an extra event.
Shaymin’s two forms could also be discussed in-game versus being made available through the event exclusive Gracidea item. The Pokemon’s classification as the gratitude Pokemon along with its affinity for protecting the environment could provide for a great addition to the game’s story overall. For example, players could find and help Shaymin in the Great Marsh, then get the Gracidea Flower for its Sky Forme. Either way, Shaymin could become an integral part of a revisited story in Sinnoh and add to Gen 4's deep lore.
Manaphy and Phione in Diamond and Pearl
Manaphy might be the only Pokemon whose lore could be a bit more difficult when combined with the story. Originally available through the Pokemon Rangers movie event, the Prince of the Sea Pokemon does not have a quest or lore option that immediately jumps out. Given Manaphy’s deep connection with water though it could be introduced along the long coast of Sinnoh or in conjunction with Gen 4's other features.
Manaphy’s other obstacle comes from the Pokemon's ability to breed, something other Mythical and Legendary Pokemon do not do, but the egg that hatches reveals a Phione instead of the parent Pokemon. Phione does not evolve into Manaphy but their connected nature could be implemented into Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Because the original games introduced baby Pokemon, the concept behind Manaphy and Phione does make sense but could be better exemplified in the remakes.
This could be done through their possible connection to the Sinnoh's daycare or the player’s connection to their Pokemon. Since Manaphy is known for its ability to bond with any Pokemon on an intimate level, further exploration of this could provide a unique series of events. Pokemon has taught empathy and care for animals in the past, highlighting the important role of humans as caretakers and members of the environment they live in. Working this same concept into the game could be a great way to build up Manaphy’s lore and introduce the Pokemon without the need for an event.
In truth, there is much potential for the remakes to introduce most Legendary and Mythical Pokemon in similar manners. Like how The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra showed fans that access to lore-driving Pokemon is possible, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can take it a step further.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will release on November 19, 2021 for Nintendo Switch.