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Choose Pokémon HeartGold or Pokémon SoulSilver if you want to revisit Johto and use the Pokéwalker. Choose Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Pokémon Shining Pearl if you want a Sinnoh remake on Nintendo Switch, the Grand Underground’s Pokémon Hideaways, and compatibility with Pokémon HOME. The right pair depends on the region and activities you want, as well as the hardware you can play on.
Johto or Sinnoh: what is each pair remaking?
HeartGold and SoulSilver revisit Johto
Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver are enhanced Nintendo DS versions of Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver. Their official description highlights updated graphics and sound, touchscreen features, and the Pokéwalker accessory. The Pokémon Company’s HeartGold and SoulSilver overview describes the games and their features.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pokemon Brilliant Diamond - Nintendo Switch Brilliant Diamond Edition | $58.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pokemon Shining Pearl - For Nintendo Switch | $50.35 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rWkUhlsaL._SL160_.jpg)
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Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.88 | Buy on Amazon |
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl return to Sinnoh
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are Nintendo Switch remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, developed by ILCA. Players choose Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup and travel through Sinnoh toward the Pokémon League. The Pokémon Company says the original story has been faithfully reproduced, while also highlighting modern player-friendly conveniences and close-up battle scenes. Read the official game overview.
How their signature activities differ
The Pokéwalker makes HeartGold and SoulSilver unusual
The Pokéwalker is a pedometer accessory included with HeartGold and SoulSilver. It connects by infrared and lets you transfer one Pokémon at a time to walk with you. Walking can earn experience, uncover items, and lead to Pokémon encounters on Pokéwalker routes. This is a distinctive real-world walking feature, not a feature of the Switch remakes. Nintendo’s product information describes the included accessory and its use.
#1 Best Overall
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
The Grand Underground expands BDSP collecting
In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Grand Underground includes Pokémon Hideaways with different biomes and Pokémon to encounter. Its mining activity also yields Underground loot that can be used for helpful items, evolution, and Secret Base furnishings. The Pokémon Company’s Sinnoh retrospective discusses the Underground’s activities.
Hardware, online play, and local communication
| Pair | Platform | Communication and online status |
|---|---|---|
| HeartGold and SoulSilver | Nintendo DS | Nintendo discontinued its Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service on May 20, 2014, ending online features such as online play and matchmaking for affected DS and DSi software. Do not choose these games expecting official DS Wi-Fi matchmaking; consider them offline or local-play options under official service support. Nintendo Support explains the discontinuation. |
| Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl | Nintendo Switch | The official Japanese product listing identifies local and internet communication, as well as packaged and download editions. Those specific product details are documented for Japan; check the relevant regional listing for local service details. See the Japanese product lineup. |
Pokémon HOME compatibility and collection plans
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are listed as compatible Nintendo Switch games in the official Pokémon HOME overview. Restrictions can apply when moving Pokémon between HOME and a game, so compatibility does not mean every Pokémon can move freely in every direction. Check Pokémon HOME’s compatibility information.
Rank #2
- Journey to the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl!
- Embark on an adventure through the Sinnoh region with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl on Nintendo Switch, coming on 19th November, 2021!
- Adventures in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl will take place in the Sinnoh region. Rich in nature and with towering Mount Coronet at its heart, Sinnoh is a land of many myths passed down through the ages. You’ll visit many different locations in the Sinnoh region, while striving to become the Champion of the Pokémon League.
- The original story has been faithfully reproduced, and the sense of scale in the originals’ towns and routes has been carefully preserved. People who played Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl can revisit familiar places and relive familiar scenes once more. For those setting out through Sinnoh for the first time, plenty of new encounters and surprises await.
- These remakes include easy-to-understand, player-friendly conveniences of the modern Pokémon series, plus up-close-and-personal Pokémon battle scenes.
The HOME overview does not list HeartGold or SoulSilver as directly supported Switch games. Do not assume the DS pair connects directly to HOME; the documented direct compatibility here is for the Switch remakes.
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Which version should you choose?
Choose HeartGold or SoulSilver by its legendary
Nintendo identifies Ho-Oh as the legendary at the climax of HeartGold and Lugia as the legendary at the climax of SoulSilver. Pokémon availability also differs between versions, but a complete, verified exclusives list for both pairs is not established here. If a particular Pokémon matters to you, check a game-specific authoritative list before buying rather than assuming the pairs have identical availability. Nintendo’s product page identifies the version legendaries.
Rank #3
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more!
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Choose Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for the Pokémon you want
The official materials cited here do not establish a complete version-exclusive list for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Use a current game-specific list to decide between them if you are targeting particular Pokémon; the general distinction established here is the Sinnoh remake setting and the shared Grand Underground feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Decision guide
- Pick HeartGold or SoulSilver for Johto, the Pokéwalker, or the DS-era remakes.
- Pick Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for Sinnoh, a Nintendo Switch release, Grand Underground Hideaways, and listed Pokémon HOME compatibility subject to transfer restrictions.
- For DS online matchmaking, neither legacy game is a suitable choice under Nintendo’s discontinued Wi-Fi service.
- For a Pokémon-specific version choice, verify the exact exclusives in a reliable game-specific list; the cited official pages do not provide complete lists for both pairs.
Neither pair is objectively the better game on the basis of official feature descriptions alone. The practical choice is the region, signature activity, platform, and collection compatibility that match what you want to play.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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