Pokemon Brilliant Diamond vs Shining Pearl: What's the difference?

Find out all the differences and exclusive content as well as which version you should get between Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.

Just like the original Pokémon Diamond & Pearl games on Nintendo DS, the fourth gen remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl have some drastic differences between the two versions that have now arrived for Nintendo Switch. Players can catch certain Pokémon exclusively in either version with the titles releasing last November 19, 2021. So what exactly are the differences and which version should you get between Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl?

If you're not planning to get both, the choice of which version to buy will definitely depend on your preferences for which Pokémon you want to catch. And the choice isn't as easy as just deciding between Dialga and the legendary dogs for Brilliant Diamond against Palkia and the legendary birds for Shining Pearl. The thing about the Sinnoh-based titles is that, aside from the legendaries, there are actually a lot of differences between the wild Pokémon, such as Tyranitar versus Salamence and Arcanine versus Ninetales.

On the one hand, this can make buying both versions of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl more worth your money, but on the other, it can make the choice really difficult if you only want to get one copy. Find the full list of version-exclusive Pokémon below and choose wisely when you visit your local game store!

Pokémon Guide: All differences between Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Pokémon exclusive to Brilliant Diamond

Caterpie, Metapod [Bug], and Butterfree [Bug/Flying]
Cranidos and Rampardos [Rock]
Ekans and Arbok [Poison]
Elekid, Electabuzz, and Electivire [Electric]
Gligar and Gliscor [Ground/Flying]
Growlithe and Arcanine [Fire]
Kecleon [Normal]
Larvitar, Pupitar [Rock/Ground], and Tyranitar [Rock/Dark]
Mawile [Steel/Fairy]
Mime Jr. and Mr. Mime [Psychic/Fairy]
Murkrow and Honchkrow [Dark/Flying]
Scyther [Bug/Flying] and Scizor [Bug/Steel]
Seedot [Grass], Nuzleaf, and Shiftry [Grass/Dark]
Seel [Water] and Dewgong [Water/Ice]
Solrock [Rock/Psychic]
Stunky and Skuntank [Poison/Dark]
Zangoose [Norma]

Legendaries exclusive to Brilliant Diamond

Dialga [Steel/Dragon]
Ho-Oh [Fire/Flying]
Entei [Fire]
Raikou [Electric]
Suicune [Water]

Pokémon exclusive to Shining Pearl

Bagon, Shelgon [Dragon], and Salamence [Dragon/Flying]
Glameow and Purugly [Normal]
Lotad, Lombre, and Ludicolo [Water/Grass]
Lunatone [Rock/Psychic]
Magby, Magmar, and Magmortar [Fire]
Misdreavus and Mismagius [Ghost]
Pinsir [Bug]
Sableye [Dark/Ghost]
Sandshrew and Sandslash [Ground]
Seviper [Poison]
Shieldon and Bastiodon [Rock/Steel]
Slowpoke, Slowbro and Slowking [Water/Psychic]
Stantler [Normal]
Teddiursa and Ursaring [Normal]
Vulpix and Ninetales [Fire]
Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill [Bug/Poison]

Legendaries exclusive to Shining Pearl

Palkia [Water/Dragon]
Lugia [Psychic/Flying]
Articuno [Ice/Flying]
Moltres [Fire/Flying]
Zapdos [Electric/Flying]

So there you have it—all the differences and version exclusives in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. The Sinnoh remakes are already out on the Switch platform, so make sure to carefully consider which version offers the Pokémon you want to catch!