All version exclusives in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

By Rebecca Spear
last updated

Dialga And Palkia Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Peal Gradiant
Dialga And Palkia Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Peal Gradiant (Image credit: iMore)
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Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are coming to Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2021. If you only plan on getting one of these games and you're not sure which version to choose, comparing the Pokémon exclusives might help. Even if you don't get all of the Pokémon you like in one version, you can always Wonder Trade to complete that Pokédex. Note that trading using Pokémon HOME will not be available until sometime in 2022.

There are a total of 493 Pokémon in the National Pokédex, but you'll only have access to the Sinnoh Pokédex when you start playing. Regardless of which version you pick, we're sure both games will be fun to play and will go on to become some of the best Pokémon games on Nintendo Switch.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl TitlesGen 4 reimagined
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Be the very best

Travel around the Sinnoh region in this updated version of the classic Gen 4 DS games. There are gyms to beat, Pokémon to catch, and an evil team to defeat. Plus, several new mechanics and elements have made their way into these remakes.

Confirmed Pokémon Brilliant Diamond exclusives

Cranidos Brilliant Diamond Pokemon (Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Here are the Pokémon that can only be found in Brilliant Diamond.

  • Caterpie
  • Metapod
  • Butterfree
  • Ekans
  • Arbok
  • Growlithe
  • Arcanine
  • Seel
  • Dewgong
  • Scyther
  • Scizor
  • Elekid
  • Electabuzz
  • Electivire
  • Murkrow
  • Honchkrow
  • Gligar
  • Gliscor
  • Larvitar
  • Pupitar
  • Seedot
  • Nuzleaf
  • Shiftry
  • Mawile
  • Zangoose
  • Solrock
  • Kecleon
  • Tyranitar
  • Cranidos
  • Rampardos
  • Stunky
  • Skuntank
  • Dialga (Legendary)
  • Ho-Oh (Legendary)
  • Raikou (Legendary)
  • Entei (Legendary)
  • Suicune (Legendary)

To get an idea for what other Pokémon might be Brilliant Diamond exclusives, check out the list of original Diamond exclusives further in this article.

Confirmed Pokémon Shining Pearl exclusives

Shieldon Shining Pearl Pokemon (Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Here are the Pokémon that can only be found in Shining Pearl.

  • Weedle
  • Kakuna
  • Beedrill
  • Sandshrew
  • Sandslash
  • Vulpix
  • Ninetales
  • Slowpoke
  • Slowbro
  • Slowking
  • Magby
  • Magmar
  • Magmortar
  • Pinsir
  • Misdreavus
  • Mismagius
  • Teddiursa
  • Ursaring
  • Stantler
  • Lotad
  • Lombre
  • Ludicolo
  • Sableye
  • Seviper
  • Lunatone
  • Bagon
  • Shelgon
  • Salamence
  • Glameow
  • Purugly
  • Shieldon
  • Blastiodon
  • Palkia (Legendary)
  • Lugia (Legendary)
  • Articuno (Legendary)
  • Zapdos (Legendary)
  • Moltres (Legendary)

How many Pokémon are in the Gen 4 remakes?

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Piplup (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Dataminers and leakers like @CentroLEAKS on Twitter have confirmed that there are a total of 493 Pokémon in the National Dex. This does not include Sylveon. The original Diamond and Pearl Sinnoh Pokédex featured 151 Pokémon, while the games' National Pokédex featured over 490 Pokémon for players to catch.

See more

Which Pokémon can I trade into Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?

We don't know for sure just yet. However, considering that not all Pokémon made their way into the Sword and Shield Pokédex, my guess is that only select monsters can be traded in. We'll keep our ears to the ground and will update you when we learn more. We do know that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will not work with Pokemon HOME until sometime in 2022. So until then, players will need to trade solely from within the Gen IV remakes.

All Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Cooking Poffins (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Wanna know which 151 Pokémon made up the original Gen 4 Sinnoh Pokédex on DS? I've got you covered.

  1. Turtwig
  2. Grotle
  3. Torterra
  4. Chimchar
  5. Monferno
  6. Infernape
  7. Piplup
  8. Prinplup
  9. Empoleon
  10. Starly
  11. Staravia
  12. Staraptor
  13. Bidoof
  14. Bibarel
  15. Kricketot
  16. Kricketune
  17. Shinx
  18. Luxio
  19. Luxray
  20. Abra
  21. Kadabra
  22. Alakazam
  23. Magikarp
  24. Gyarados
  25. Budew
  26. Roselia
  27. Roserade
  28. Zubat
  29. Golbat
  30. Crobat
  31. Geodude
  32. Graveler
  33. Golem
  34. Onix
  35. Steelix
  36. Cranidos (BD)
  37. Rampardos (BD)
  38. Shieldon (SP)
  39. Bastiodon (SP)
  40. Machop
  41. Machoke
  42. Machamp
  43. Psyduck
  44. Golduck
  45. Burmy
  46. Wormadam
  47. Mothim
  48. Wurmple
  49. Silcoon
  50. Beautifly
  51. Cascoon
  52. Dustox
  53. Combee
  54. Vespiquen
  55. Pachirisu
  56. Buizel
  57. Floatzel
  58. Cherubi
  59. Cherrim
  60. Shellos
  61. Gastrodon
  62. Heracross
  63. Aipom
  64. Ambipom
  65. Drifloon
  66. Drifblim
  67. Buneary
  68. Lopunny
  69. Gastly
  70. Haunter
  71. Gengar
  72. Misdreavus (SP)
  73. Mismagius (SP)
  74. Murkrow (BD)
  75. Honchkrow (BD)
  76. Glameow (SP)
  77. Purugly (SP)
  78. Goldeen
  79. Seaking
  80. Barboach
  81. Whiscash
  82. Chingling
  83. Chimecho
  84. Stunky (BD)
  85. Skuntank (BD)
  86. Meditite
  87. Medicham
  88. Bronzor
  89. Bronzong
  90. Ponyta
  91. Rapidash
  92. Bonsly
  93. Sudowoodo
  94. Mime Jr.
  95. Mr. Mime
  96. Happiny
  97. Chansey
  98. Blissey
  99. Cleffa
  100. Clefairy
  101. Clefable
  102. Chatot
  103. Pichu
  104. Pikachu
  105. Raichu
  106. Hoothoot
  107. Noctowl
  108. Spiritomb
  109. Gible
  110. Gabite
  111. Garchomp
  112. Munchlax
  113. Snorlax
  114. Unown
  115. Riolu
  116. Lucario
  117. Wooper
  118. Quagsire
  119. Wingull
  120. Pelipper
  121. Girafarig
  122. Hippopotas
  123. Hippowdon
  124. Azurill
  125. Marill
  126. Azumarill
  127. Skorupi
  128. Drapion
  129. Croagunk
  130. Toxicroak
  131. Carnivine
  132. Remoraid
  133. Octillery
  134. Finneon
  135. Lumineon
  136. Tentacool
  137. Tentacruel
  138. Feebas
  139. Milotic
  140. Mantyke
  141. Mantine
  142. Snover
  143. Abomasnow
  144. Sneasel
  145. Weavile
  146. Uxie
  147. Mesprit
  148. Azelf
  149. Dialga (BD)
  150. Palkia (SP)

All Pokémon in the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl National Dex

Pokemon Bdsp Lucario Vs Garchomp (Image credit: iMore)

These are the rest of the Pokémon listed in the National Dex.

  1. Bulbasaur
  2. Ivysaur
  3. Venusaur
  4. Charmander
  5. Charmeleon
  6. Charizard
  7. Squirtle
  8. Wartortle
  9. Blastoise
  10. Caterpie (BD)
  11. Metapod (BD)
  12. Butterfree (BD)
  13. Weedle (SP)
  14. Kakuna (SP)
  15. Beedrill (SP)
  16. Pidgey
  17. Pidgeotto
  18. Pidgeot
  19. Rattata
  20. Raticate
  21. Spearow
  22. Fearow
  23. Ekans (BD)
  24. Arbok (BD)
  25. Sandshrew (SP)
  26. Sandslash (SP)
  27. Nidoran F
  28. Nidorinaa
  29. Nidoqueen
  30. Nidoran M
  31. Nidorino
  32. Nidoking
  33. Vulpix (SP)
  34. Ninetales (SP)
  35. Jigglypuff
  36. Wigglytuff
  37. Oddish
  38. Gloom
  39. Vileplume
  40. Paras
  41. Parasect
  42. Venonat
  43. Venomoth
  44. Diglett
  45. Dugtrio
  46. Meowth
  47. Persian
  48. Mankey
  49. Primeape
  50. Growlithe (BD)
  51. Arcanine (BD)
  52. Poliwag
  53. Poliwhirl
  54. Poliwrath
  55. Bellsprout
  56. Weepinbell
  57. Victreebel
  58. Slowpoke (SP)
  59. Slowbro (SP)
  60. Doduo
  61. Dodrio
  62. Seel (BD)
  63. Dewgong (BD)
  64. Grimer
  65. Muk
  66. Shellder
  67. Cloyster
  68. Drowzee
  69. Hypno
  70. Krabby
  71. Kingler
  72. Voltorb
  73. Electrode
  74. Exeggcute
  75. Exeggutor
  76. Cubone
  77. Marowak
  78. Hitmonlee
  79. Hitmonchan
  80. Koffing
  81. Weezing
  82. Tangela
  83. Kangaskhan
  84. Horsea
  85. Seadra
  86. Staryu
  87. Starmie
  88. Tauros
  89. Lapras
  90. Ditto
  91. Porygon
  92. Omanyte
  93. Omastar
  94. Kabuto
  95. Kabutops
  96. Aerodactyl
  97. Articuno (SP)
  98. Zapdos (SP)
  99. Moltres (SP)
  100. Dratini
  101. Dragonair
  102. Dragonite
  103. Mewtwo
  104. Chikorita
  105. Bayleef
  106. Meganium
  107. Cyndaquil
  108. Quilava
  109. Typhlosion
  110. Totodile
  111. Croconaw
  112. Feraligatr
  113. Sentret
  114. Furret
  115. Ledyba
  116. Ledian
  117. Spinarak
  118. Ariados
  119. Chinchou
  120. Lanturn
  121. Igglybuff
  122. Natu
  123. Xatu
  124. Mareep
  125. Flaaffy
  126. Ampharos
  127. Bellossom
  128. Politoed
  129. Hoppip
  130. Skiploom
  131. Jumpluff
  132. Sunkern
  133. Sunflora
  134. Yanma
  135. Slowking (SP)
  136. Wobbuffet
  137. Pineco
  138. Forretress
  139. Dunsparce
  140. Snubbull
  141. Granbull
  142. Qwilfish
  143. Shuckle
  144. Teddirusa (SP)
  145. Ursaring (SP)
  146. Slugma
  147. Magcargo
  148. Corsola
  149. Delibird
  150. Skarmory
  151. Kingdra
  152. Phanpy
  153. Donphan
  154. Porygon2
  155. Stantler (SP)
  156. Smeargle
  157. Tyrogue
  158. Hitmontop
  159. Smoochum
  160. Miltank
  161. Raikou (BD)
  162. Entei (BD)
  163. Suicune (BD)
  164. Larvitar (BD)
  165. Pupitar (BD)
  166. Tyranitar (BD)
  167. Lugia (SP)
  168. Ho-Oh (BD)
  169. Celebi
  170. Treecko
  171. Grovyle
  172. Sceptile
  173. Torchic
  174. Combuken
  175. Blaziken
  176. Mudkip
  177. Marshtomp
  178. Swampert
  179. Poochyena
  180. Mightyena
  181. Zigzagoon
  182. Linoone
  183. Lotad (SP)
  184. Lombre (SP)
  185. Ludicolo (SP)
  186. Seedot (BD)
  187. Nuzleaf (BD)
  188. Shiftry (BD)
  189. Taillow
  190. Swellow
  191. Surskit
  192. Masquerain
  193. Shroomish
  194. Breloom
  195. Slakoth
  196. Vigoroth
  197. Slaking
  198. Nincada
  199. Ninjask
  200. Gligar (BD)
  201. Gliscor (BD)
  202. Ralts
  203. Kirlia
  204. Gardevoir
  205. Gallade
  206. Lickitung
  207. Lickilicky
  208. Eevee
  209. Vaporeon
  210. Jolteon
  211. Flareon
  212. Espeon
  213. Umbreon
  214. Leafeon
  215. Glaceon
  216. Swablu
  217. Altaria
  218. Togepi
  219. Togetic
  220. Togekiss
  221. Houndour
  222. Houndoom
  223. Magnemite
  224. Magneton
  225. Magnezone
  226. Rhyhorn
  227. Rhydon
  228. Rhyperior
  229. Duskull
  230. Dusknoir
  231. Scyther (BD)
  232. Scizor (BD)
  233. Elekid (BD)
  234. Electabuzz (BD)
  235. Electivire (BD)
  236. Magby (SP)
  237. Magmar (SP)
  238. Magmortar (SP)
  239. Swinub
  240. Piloswine
  241. Mamoswine
  242. Snorunt
  243. Glalie
  244. Froslass
  245. Absol
  246. Pinsir (SP)
  247. Jynx
  248. Mew
  249. Jirachi
  250. Shedinja
  251. Whismur
  252. Loudred
  253. Exploud
  254. Makuhita
  255. Hariyama
  256. Nosepass
  257. Skitty
  258. Delcatty
  259. Sableye (SP)
  260. Mawile (BD)
  261. Aron
  262. Lairon
  263. Aggron
  264. Electrike
  265. Manectric
  266. Plusle
  267. Minun
  268. Volbeat
  269. Illumise
  270. Gulpin
  271. Swalot
  272. Carvanha
  273. Sharpedo
  274. Wailmer
  275. Wailord
  276. Numel
  277. Camerupt
  278. Torkoal
  279. Spoink
  280. Grumpig
  281. Spinda
  282. Trapinch
  283. Vibrava
  284. Flygon
  285. Cacnea
  286. Cacturne
  287. Zangoose (BD)
  288. Seviper (SP)
  289. Lunatone (SP)
  290. Solrock (BD)
  291. Corphish
  292. Crawdaunt
  293. Baltoy
  294. Claydol
  295. Lileep
  296. Cradily
  297. Anorith
  298. Armaldo
  299. Castform
  300. Kecleon (BD)
  301. Shuppet
  302. Banette
  303. Tropius
  304. Wynaut
  305. Spheal
  306. Sealeo
  307. Walrein
  308. Clamperl
  309. Huntail
  310. Gorebyss
  311. Relicanth
  312. Luvdisc
  313. Bagon (SP)
  314. Shelgon (SP)
  315. Salamence (SP)
  316. Beldum
  317. Metang
  318. Metagross
  319. Regirock
  320. Regice
  321. Registeel
  322. Latias
  323. Latios
  324. Kyogre
  325. Groudon
  326. Rayquaza
  327. Deoxys
  328. Tangrowth
  329. Yanmega
  330. Probopass
  331. Rotom
  332. Heatran
  333. Regigas
  334. Giraina Origin Forme
  335. Giratina Altered Forme
  336. Cresselia
  337. Phione
  338. Darkrai
  339. Shaymin Sky
  340. Shaymin Land
  341. Arceus
  342. Manaphy*

National Pokédex vs Sinnoh Pokédex Understanding OG exclusives

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl National Dex (Image credit: iMore)

I've listed original Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum exclusives in the following sections, followed by the Sinnoh Pokédex. To understand the original DS games' exclusives, you have to understand that Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum had a Sinnoh Pokédex and also a National Pokédex that unlocked in the postgame.

The Sinnoh Pokédex was made up of 151 Pokémon including the Gen 4 starters. Once players beat the elite four, saw all of the 151 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex, and talked to Professor Rowan, Professor Oak would come into the lab and unlock the National Pokédex made up of 493 Pokémon. This is basically every Pokémon from Gen I through Gen IV. Some Pokémon within the National Pokédex are version exclusives, which means that some version exclusive Pokémon aren't listed in the Sinnoh Pokédex.

Original Pokémon Diamond exclusives

Pokemon Diamond New 3ds Xl (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

These Pokémon were only available in the original Diamond game.

  • Cranidos
  • Rampardos
  • Honchkrow
  • Stunky
  • Skuntank
  • Dialga (Legendary)
  • Seel
  • Dewgong
  • Scyther
  • Murkrow
  • Scizor
  • Larvitar
  • Pupitar
  • Tyranitar
  • Poochyena
  • Mightyena
  • Aron
  • Lairon
  • Aggron
  • Kecleon

Original Pokémon Pearl exclusives

Pokemon Pearl New 3ds Xl (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

This list is comprised of Pokémon that were only available in Pearl.

  • Shieldon
  • Bastiodon
  • Mismagius
  • Glameow
  • Purugly
  • Palkia (Legendary)
  • Slowpoke
  • Slowbro
  • Pinsir
  • Slowking
  • Misdreavus
  • Houndour
  • Houndoom
  • Stantler
  • Spheal
  • Sealeo
  • Walrein
  • Bagon
  • Shelgon
  • Salamence

All Pokémon Platinum exclusives

Pokemon Platinum Ds Case (Image credit: iMore)

Pokémon Platinum was the third Gen 4 game, releasing three years after Diamond and Pearl. It allowed players to experience the same region and story, but with added elements. These are all of the Pokémon exclusive to this version of the game.

  • Rotom (all 5 forms)
  • Tangela
  • Articuno
  • Zapdos
  • Moltres
  • Tropius
  • Regirock
  • Regice
  • Registeel
  • Tangrowth
  • Giratina (Origin Forme)
  • Shaymin (Sky Forme)

Catch me if you can

Having version-exclusive Pokémon has been part of these creature collecting games since the first generation. If you're really looking forward to a specific version of exclusive Pokémon, then you'll want to make sure you grab that copy of the game.

Rebecca Spear
Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.