Today’s Pokemon Presents included a plethora of updates for existing games, including Pokemon GO and the freshly announced MOBA Pokemon Unite. The major reason fans tuned in was to learn more about the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl games. Since they were initially revealed, there has been little news on any of them, but the presentation luckily included fresh video and gameplay announcements.
Because Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the original Nintendo DS games from 2007, some fans were expecting little change. However, the new clip reveals certain returning elements and how they’re being updated, indicating that these remakes have a few surprises up their sleeves.
To begin with, the Underground is returning, albeit it will now be known as the Grand Underground. Players could use the DS touch screen to create a map as they explored the region, mining for goods and constructing secret bases.
While these elements return, one major difference is that in Pokemon Hideaways, players can meet wild Pokemon. The Pokemon that emerge are determined by the statues in the player’s hidden base, and some Sinnoh Pokemon can only be found there.
Second, the games will allow for personalization. When a Pokemon bursts out of a Poke Ball during combat, special stickers may be collected and placed on it, allowing unique effects to play. It’s a nice touch, but the big surprise is that, as in Pokemon Sword & Shield, gamers can alter their Trainer’s clothing.
Although the customization choices appear to be restricted (for example, players cannot modify specific items of clothing), many fans will be delighted that this element has been included in the remakes.
Finally, contests are making a comeback, this time as Super Contests. Originally, Pokemon had to execute skills that impress the judges and score the most points in order to win. But for the remakes, it looks to have been changed into a rhythm game, albeit a straightforward one, where players need to press buttons in time to the music while also performing Contest Moves.
And lastly, the Union Room is coming back, and it looks like it will function no differently from how it did in the original games. The Union Room is basically where players must go to enjoy Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s online and wireless features, namely online battles, and trading.
