Pokémon Diamond / Pearl

The fourth generation of Pokémon brought the beloved series to the dual-screen Nintendo DS for the first time, and with it the Sinnoh region, a new roster of pocket monsters and key changes that shaped the entire future of the brand. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl from 2006 and 2007 are a pair of mutually complementary versions of the same game, as is customary for the series.

The core stays true to the tried-and-true formula: as a young trainer the player travels the region, catches wild Pokémon, trains them in battles and gradually defeats the eight gym trainers in order to finally take on the Pokémon League. Diamond and Pearl, however, brought a fundamental mechanical change by splitting attacks into physical and special according to the specific move rather than its type, which profoundly deepened battle strategy.

Development was, as always, handled by the studio Game Freak. The Nintendo DS hardware enabled substantially richer online features via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, thanks to which players could trade and battle each other remotely over the internet, a huge step for the series. The two screens and touch controls in turn made item management and the battle menu easier.

The cultural significance is immense. Diamond and Pearl are among the best-selling entries in the entire Pokémon series, and the Sinnoh region became one of the most popular among fans. The games later received an improved Platinum version and, in subsequent years, complete remakes on Nintendo's newer consoles, which attests to their lasting significance.

Whether you are a collector eager to complete the Pokédex, a competitive player hungry for online battles, or simply a nostalgic soul, Diamond and Pearl offer dozens of hours of catching, training and discovery. It is a classic Pokémon journey in its matured form.

Why play: A pivotal fourth generation that introduced online battles and trades and the Sinnoh region, one of the most beloved in the entire series.