Pokémon Platinum is the third version to (or enhanced version of) Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and takes place in the same region as the original games, but has a bit different of a storyline, has more Pokémon native to the region, and has several other quality of life changes to make it more of a definitive experience than Diamond or Pearl. Pokémon Platinum released in Japan on September 13, 2008, in North America on March 22, 2009, and in Europe on May 22, 2009.
Below are a few of the changes made:
Look and Appearance
- The opening splash screen has been revamped and changed, now starring Giratina and showing some more various animations.
- Giratina shows on the bottom screen of the title screen instead of Dialga or Palkia.
- Lucas and Dawn (the main characters) are now wearing different clothes more appropriate for colder weather.
- The look of battles has changed a bit. The HP bars and status windows have been entirely redone and look very dark in comparison.
- Pokémon now have animations from the back, so you’ll be able to see your Pokémon do an animation even when you’re sending it out rather than just when you see one sent out against you.
- All of the sprites and animations have been redone and updated! Platinum now has new battle sprites for each of the Pokémon.
- Sinnoh is now a lot colder looking, as evident by snow in as far south as Twinleaf Town.
- When you enter a fight against a Gym Leader, you’ll be greeted with a much cooler splash screen that shows a portrait shot of the Gym Leader. Also, each Gym Leader is animated when they come into the battle against you. Other characters, such as your Rival, are animated as well.
- Some Gyms have been remodeled and have new puzzles to them.
- Certain towns have undergone a graphical update.
Gameplay and Mechanics
- The Sinnoh Dex has expanded to 210 instead of the 150 it was in Diamond and Pearl, adding Pokémon like the Magmortar line, Eevee and all of its evolutions, and others like Scyther and Tropius.
- Giratina receives a new Origin Forme, which looks a bit different from its standard, Another Forme (D/P version). It is only in this Forme while you fight it in the new Distortion World, unless you have it hold the new Griseous Orb, which is only available after beating the game.
- Shaymin has a new form as well, the Sky Forme, which mixes around its stats and gives it the opportunity to learn new moves. You can use the special Key Item, the Gracidea Flower, on it to change between forms under certain conditions.
- Most Gym Leaders have received an update to their team, introducing either new Pokémon, different levels, or both.
- Fantina is now in her Gym when you first reach Hearthome City, making her the third Gym Leader instead of the fifth. Her team’s levels has also been updated accordingly.
- Maylene is the fourth Gym Leader and Crasher Wake is now the fifth. You get to use Surf after beating Crasher Wake rather than Fantina.
- Move Tutors are now available in the game, offering dozens of new moves that you can teach your Pokémon. These cost Shards, which can be found by digging Underground or in a few places scattered around the world.
Story and Characters
- There’s a new gumshoe detective character that shows up every now and then, tracking Team Galactic. His codename is “Looker.”
- You run into Cyrus more frequently than before, running into him for the first time in Lake Verity instead of Mt. Coronet. His teams are also generally much stronger than in the original games.
- There’s a new Galactic Commander, who goes by the name of Charon. You first see him in the Valley Windworks.
- You run into a few characters at different points in the game than you would have in Diamond and Pearl.
- After beating the game and becoming the Champion, there is a final showdown with Team Galactic in Stark Mountain, in addition to the normal fights against them.