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Critics were divided over Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s faithful return to Sinnoh. Many welcomed the familiar adventure and quality-of-life improvements; others wanted a more ambitious remake, including content from Pokémon Platinum. Metacritic’s Brilliant Diamond page displayed a 73/100 Metascore from 89 critic reviews when accessed on October 8, 2026, while GameSpot scored the paired games 7/10.
What scores did critics give Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?
| Source | Score | What the score represents |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic | 73/100 | Metascore for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, based on 89 critic reviews as displayed on October 8, 2026. Metacritic classifies the reception as “Mixed or Average.” The score and review count can change. |
| GameSpot | 7/10 | GameSpot’s own review score for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl; it is separate from Metacritic’s aggregate. |
The Metacritic figure is specifically for Brilliant Diamond; it is not a combined Metascore for both versions. GameSpot’s 7/10 is one outlet’s assessment, not an average.
What did critics like about the remakes?
A central strength for favorable reviewers was the return to Sinnoh with the structure and feel of the original Diamond and Pearl, made more accessible through quality-of-life changes. God Is a Geek gave the games 90 points and praised their faithfulness and those updates. Game Informer’s 85-point review described them as mostly successful faithful remakes, offering returning players a nostalgic revisit and newcomers a solid adventure. Those are individual reviews, not evidence of unanimous agreement.
Why did the faithful approach divide reviewers?
The same closeness to the originals that appealed to some critics looked overly cautious to others. One favorable review in Metacritic’s critic-review listing still lamented the absence of content from Pokémon Platinum. GameFAQs’ compiled excerpts include objections to limited ambition, the Pokédex, and an experience seen as too rigidly tied to the originals. In short, the main disagreement was not whether the games recalled Sinnoh, but whether that familiarity was enough for a remake.
#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
What criticisms did reviewers raise about pacing?
MeriStation’s November 17, 2021 review argued that forced experience sharing undermined the original progression curve and that frequent wild encounters hurt the pace. These are criticisms from that publication’s review, rather than a consensus established across critics. They may matter most to players who care about controlling party growth or moving through routes without repeated battles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl worth playing?
The reviews point to a preference-based choice. Players who want a recognizable Sinnoh journey with quality-of-life changes may find the remakes appealing. Players hoping for a substantial reinterpretation, more Platinum-related content, or different progression and encounter pacing may find the conservative design less satisfying. The critic scores offer context, but the contrasting reviews make clear why the same remake can work for one player and disappoint another.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one!
Rank #4
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
Rank #3
- Revisit the Sinnoh region and the story of the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond version game.
- Adventures in the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game will take place in the familiar Sinnoh region.
- Rich in nature and with mighty mount coronet at its heart, Sinnoh is a land of many myths passed down through the ages.
- Experience the nostalgic story from the Pokémon pearl version game in a reimagined adventure, Pokémon shining pearl, now on the Nintendo Switch system.
- You’ll choose either Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup to be your first partner Pokémon and then set off on your journey to become the champion of the Pokémon League.
Rank #2
![Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rWkUhlsaL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
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