There are many possible changes looming for the Sinnoh region in the release of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The games will reimagine the original fourth Gen of the Pokémon series with updated graphics, gameplay, and exploration while allowing players to again dive into the mysteries of Sinnoh. However, it is likely the Sinnoh Pokédex will look different from the original games, thanks to the large number of Pokémon species that have been added in more recent Pokémon generations.
The original Sinnoh Pokédex for Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum offered a number of Pokémon from both past games and the Sinnoh region. These options included familiar Kanto species like Abra, Eevee, and Pikachu, as well as introducing popular Pokémon like Lucario, Garchomp, and Rotom. To add to this, Gen Four also featured the National Pokédex, which unlocked after encountering every Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex. The National Pokédex includes every Pokémon species currently released, and in the case of Diamond and Pearl, allowed players to catch and care for any of their favorite species in the Pokémon series up to the fourth Gen games.
Currently, the Sinnoh Pokédex has not been confirmed by Game Freak or Nintendo. Because of this, players have been left to speculate what species might make the final cut. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Hoenn Pokédex was updated to reflect newer species, and also included a National Pokédex for every species up through Pokémon X and Y. With a history of past remakes including newer species, there is a good chance that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will offer at least some of the popular newer species from recent titles.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl May Not Have A National Dex
While the National Pokédex was a part of the original Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum games, it is likely the feature won't be in the remakes. During the development of Pokémon Sword and Shield, the developers opted to remove the feature despite frustration and controversy from Pokémon fans, due to there now being almost 900 Pokémon species total. Because each Pokémon requires a sprite, a location, and in the case of Sword and Shield, the potential ability to spawn in the overworld, the developers had to cut down on the number of species living in Galar. This will likely be the case for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to help prevent species crowding on routes, and to focus more specifically on Pokémon that originate from the Sinnoh region.
Another feature that could make a comeback in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl remakes is Mega Evolution. The mechanic, which was originally introduced in Pokémon X and Y and was included in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, allows certain species of Pokémon to achieve a temporary additional evolutionary form in battle. Including Mega Evolution in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl would potentially introduce new Mega Evolution-capable Pokémon species, and add a twist to the potentially limited Sinnoh Pokédex.
