The recent announcement of the release date for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and the upcoming Nintendo Direct has sharpened minds as to the content of these already-familiar games, but any established Pokémon fan will be able to tell you that it's far from an exact science to predict the changes, additions and subtractions of a remake relative to the original titles. Nevertheless, we've taken a stab at predicting a handful of features we'd love to see in the return to Sinnoh.
The qualification that we’ve set ourselves is that this has to be content that we really do think has a shot at making it into the games, and not merely items on an incredible wishlist. For this reason, you won’t find a reference to the Battle Frontier on the list below, despite how much we love it; sorry, but it’s been too long since we last saw it, and if it didn’t reappear in the Hoenn remakes we think it’s a dead cert that it won’t show up in Sinnoh.
Super Contests
Kicking off the list is a feature that’s practically an auto-include based on how previous remakes have handled secondary content - Hearthome’s signature stage performances. While contests, Pokéstar Studios, Pokéathlon and the like aren’t everyone’s cup of Sinistea or even necessary to progress within the game’s main story (bar the occasional introductory session), they’re both a relaxing sideshow and helpful reminder that the Pokémon world is far broader than the battle system that dominates the core gameplay.
Sinnoh’s contests in particular are a very flavourful addition to the region, taking place as they do in the cultured city of Hearthome. The graphics in these remakes might be deliberately simplified and stylised, but there’s still scope for the glitz of the contest hall to be amped up and lend one of the region’s largest cities an even more rarefied air.
Secret bases
It may be another bunch of low-hanging fruit to anticipate the return of secret bases given that we already know that the vast underground will be present in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but what we really want to see is an expansion and beautification of this feature.
Sinnoh’s original secret bases suffered from a paucity of visual flair, especially compared to the vibrant variety on offer in Ruby and Sapphire. Just because these bases are underground doesn’t mean they need to be uniform - imagine a trickling stream bisecting a moss-covered hideaway, or a shaft of light from above piercing the gloom amidst rows of stalagmites. Other sites could contain columns, murals and assorted hints of Sinnoh’s mythical past, while Bug-type trainers may feel more at home in a den festooned with spider webs. The sky may not quite be the limit compared to the possibilities of the world above, but we certainly hope that the ILCA team pushes the boat out to make this highly-personal feature as varied as can be.
Mega evolution
For some fans, mega evolution is probably 'the big one' - the feature they’d most like to see returned and expanded, with lashings of love for species which have been suffering a dearth of attention. Mega evolution was notably absent in both Sword and Shield and the Expansion Pass while Dynamax took centre stage, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that the mechanic is dead in the water. It’s already featured in a Switch title and was introduced to Pokémon Go as late as last year, and - assuming that Dynamax remains confined to Galar’s power spots - it seems that mega evolution is a relatively simple and familiar way to attract fan attention, while also having the advantage of being able to target the Pokémon that said fans are most looking forward to seeing in Sinnoh again.
As for which Pokémon could be blessed with a mega form in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl? There’s a couple of easy picks, most notably the starters, as well as a few other high-end signature Sinnoh characters, such as Electivire and Magmortar. It’s also a good way for the designers to give a second wind to long-in-the-tooth legendary Pokémon, such as Dialga, Palkia… and perhaps even Arceus?...
Compatibility with Sword and Shield
‘Dexit’ is without a doubt one of the most controversial changes to the mainline games we’ve ever seen, and though the DLC’s re-introduction of hundreds more Pokémon helped to mollify the acrimony, there’s still some notable gaps in Galar’s species roster. Tellingly, this includes all of the Sinnoh starters and both the Shieldon and Cranidos lines, despite the presence of a bevy of fossil Pokémon in the Crown Tundra, strongly suggesting that GameFreak want to build up enthusiasm for their return in the remakes.
Now, there’s nothing to immediately suggest that the missing lines (which also count Kanto stalwarts such as Pidgey and Rattata among their number) definitely will find themselves brought back into Galar’s fold via the ability to either trade with Sword and Shield or transfer via Pokémon Home, but the return to Sinnoh definitely seems to be a golden opportunity for exactly this. We’ve no doubt that many fans would dearly love to see their full team of favourites stomp around Pokémon camp, or even join them for a full tilt at the Sword and Shield story experience.
Amity Square
You can keep your secret bases, your Battle Frontiers, and yes, even your mega evolutions. If you dare to tell me again that my beloved Golem isn’t adorable enough for a walk in the park, there’ll be trouble.
Yes, we’re being a little facetious in ranking this feature so highly, but it’s increasingly becoming a fact of life that Pokémon fans expect to see their precious companions accompanying them in the game’s overworld. For now, it doesn’t appear that this is a feature that will exist at large in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (unless someone is being very sneaky with the footage and screenshots that have been revealed to the public thus far), but it seems very credible that walking Pokémon will appear in Hearthome City’s Amity Square.
Many players were left somewhat underwhelmed by the original incarnation of this city park, not least because of the seemingly-arbitrary restrictions placed on the species that can be taken into this area (a mere eleven Pokémon are eligible for a stroll, not counting the starter lines). The release of the remakes is just begging for this historical outrage to be rectified, by allowing the likes of Gyarados and Drapion to frolic with their trainers!
That’s the sum of our hopes, trainers - do you agree? Perhaps you’re still holding out hope for a Battle Frontier, or can’t wait to see the back of mega evolution? Let us know in the comments!
The qualification that we’ve set ourselves is that this has to be content that we really do think has a shot at making it into the games, and not merely items on an incredible wishlist. For this reason, you won’t find a reference to the Battle Frontier on the list below, despite how much we love it; sorry, but it’s been too long since we last saw it, and if it didn’t reappear in the Hoenn remakes we think it’s a dead cert that it won’t show up in Sinnoh.
Super Contests
Kicking off the list is a feature that’s practically an auto-include based on how previous remakes have handled secondary content - Hearthome’s signature stage performances. While contests, Pokéstar Studios, Pokéathlon and the like aren’t everyone’s cup of Sinistea or even necessary to progress within the game’s main story (bar the occasional introductory session), they’re both a relaxing sideshow and helpful reminder that the Pokémon world is far broader than the battle system that dominates the core gameplay.
Sinnoh’s contests in particular are a very flavourful addition to the region, taking place as they do in the cultured city of Hearthome. The graphics in these remakes might be deliberately simplified and stylised, but there’s still scope for the glitz of the contest hall to be amped up and lend one of the region’s largest cities an even more rarefied air.
Secret bases
It may be another bunch of low-hanging fruit to anticipate the return of secret bases given that we already know that the vast underground will be present in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but what we really want to see is an expansion and beautification of this feature.
Sinnoh’s original secret bases suffered from a paucity of visual flair, especially compared to the vibrant variety on offer in Ruby and Sapphire. Just because these bases are underground doesn’t mean they need to be uniform - imagine a trickling stream bisecting a moss-covered hideaway, or a shaft of light from above piercing the gloom amidst rows of stalagmites. Other sites could contain columns, murals and assorted hints of Sinnoh’s mythical past, while Bug-type trainers may feel more at home in a den festooned with spider webs. The sky may not quite be the limit compared to the possibilities of the world above, but we certainly hope that the ILCA team pushes the boat out to make this highly-personal feature as varied as can be.
Mega evolution
For some fans, mega evolution is probably 'the big one' - the feature they’d most like to see returned and expanded, with lashings of love for species which have been suffering a dearth of attention. Mega evolution was notably absent in both Sword and Shield and the Expansion Pass while Dynamax took centre stage, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that the mechanic is dead in the water. It’s already featured in a Switch title and was introduced to Pokémon Go as late as last year, and - assuming that Dynamax remains confined to Galar’s power spots - it seems that mega evolution is a relatively simple and familiar way to attract fan attention, while also having the advantage of being able to target the Pokémon that said fans are most looking forward to seeing in Sinnoh again.
As for which Pokémon could be blessed with a mega form in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl? There’s a couple of easy picks, most notably the starters, as well as a few other high-end signature Sinnoh characters, such as Electivire and Magmortar. It’s also a good way for the designers to give a second wind to long-in-the-tooth legendary Pokémon, such as Dialga, Palkia… and perhaps even Arceus?...
Compatibility with Sword and Shield
‘Dexit’ is without a doubt one of the most controversial changes to the mainline games we’ve ever seen, and though the DLC’s re-introduction of hundreds more Pokémon helped to mollify the acrimony, there’s still some notable gaps in Galar’s species roster. Tellingly, this includes all of the Sinnoh starters and both the Shieldon and Cranidos lines, despite the presence of a bevy of fossil Pokémon in the Crown Tundra, strongly suggesting that GameFreak want to build up enthusiasm for their return in the remakes.
Now, there’s nothing to immediately suggest that the missing lines (which also count Kanto stalwarts such as Pidgey and Rattata among their number) definitely will find themselves brought back into Galar’s fold via the ability to either trade with Sword and Shield or transfer via Pokémon Home, but the return to Sinnoh definitely seems to be a golden opportunity for exactly this. We’ve no doubt that many fans would dearly love to see their full team of favourites stomp around Pokémon camp, or even join them for a full tilt at the Sword and Shield story experience.
Amity Square
You can keep your secret bases, your Battle Frontiers, and yes, even your mega evolutions. If you dare to tell me again that my beloved Golem isn’t adorable enough for a walk in the park, there’ll be trouble.
Yes, we’re being a little facetious in ranking this feature so highly, but it’s increasingly becoming a fact of life that Pokémon fans expect to see their precious companions accompanying them in the game’s overworld. For now, it doesn’t appear that this is a feature that will exist at large in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (unless someone is being very sneaky with the footage and screenshots that have been revealed to the public thus far), but it seems very credible that walking Pokémon will appear in Hearthome City’s Amity Square.
Many players were left somewhat underwhelmed by the original incarnation of this city park, not least because of the seemingly-arbitrary restrictions placed on the species that can be taken into this area (a mere eleven Pokémon are eligible for a stroll, not counting the starter lines). The release of the remakes is just begging for this historical outrage to be rectified, by allowing the likes of Gyarados and Drapion to frolic with their trainers!
That’s the sum of our hopes, trainers - do you agree? Perhaps you’re still holding out hope for a Battle Frontier, or can’t wait to see the back of mega evolution? Let us know in the comments!
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