Source: iMore
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.
Gen 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
Source: 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
Source: 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?
Source: 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.
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
Source: The Pokémon Company
Wanna know which 151 Pokémon made up the original Gen 4 Sinnoh Pokédex on DS? I've got you covered.
- Turtwig
- Grotle
- Torterra
- Chimchar
- Monferno
- Infernape
- Piplup
- Prinplup
- Empoleon
- Starly
- Staravia
- Staraptor
- Bidoof
- Bibarel
- Kricketot
- Kricketune
- Shinx
- Luxio
- Luxray
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Magikarp
- Gyarados
- Budew
- Roselia
- Roserade
- Zubat
- Golbat
- Crobat
- Geodude
- Graveler
- Golem
- Onix
- Steelix
- Cranidos (BD)
- Rampardos (BD)
- Shieldon (SP)
- Bastiodon (SP)
- Machop
- Machoke
- Machamp
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Burmy
- Wormadam
- Mothim
- Wurmple
- Silcoon
- Beautifly
- Cascoon
- Dustox
- Combee
- Vespiquen
- Pachirisu
- Buizel
- Floatzel
- Cherubi
- Cherrim
- Shellos
- Gastrodon
- Heracross
- Aipom
- Ambipom
- Drifloon
- Drifblim
- Buneary
- Lopunny
- Gastly
- Haunter
- Gengar
- Misdreavus (SP)
- Mismagius (SP)
- Murkrow (BD)
- Honchkrow (BD)
- Glameow (SP)
- Purugly (SP)
- Goldeen
- Seaking
- Barboach
- Whiscash
- Chingling
- Chimecho
- Stunky (BD)
- Skuntank (BD)
- Meditite
- Medicham
- Bronzor
- Bronzong
- Ponyta
- Rapidash
- Bonsly
- Sudowoodo
- Mime Jr.
- Mr. Mime
- Happiny
- Chansey
- Blissey
- Cleffa
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Chatot
- Pichu
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Hoothoot
- Noctowl
- Spiritomb
- Gible
- Gabite
- Garchomp
- Munchlax
- Snorlax
- Unown
- Riolu
- Lucario
- Wooper
- Quagsire
- Wingull
- Pelipper
- Girafarig
- Hippopotas
- Hippowdon
- Azurill
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Skorupi
- Drapion
- Croagunk
- Toxicroak
- Carnivine
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Finneon
- Lumineon
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Feebas
- Milotic
- Mantyke
- Mantine
- Snover
- Abomasnow
- Sneasel
- Weavile
- Uxie
- Mesprit
- Azelf
- Dialga (BD)
- Palkia (SP)
All Pokémon in the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl National Dex
Source: iMore
These are the rest of the Pokémon listed in the National Dex.
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Caterpie (BD)
- Metapod (BD)
- Butterfree (BD)
- Weedle (SP)
- Kakuna (SP)
- Beedrill (SP)
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Pidgeot
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Spearow
- Fearow
- Ekans (BD)
- Arbok (BD)
- Sandshrew (SP)
- Sandslash (SP)
- Nidoran F
- Nidorinaa
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoran M
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Vulpix (SP)
- Ninetales (SP)
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Paras
- Parasect
- Venonat
- Venomoth
- Diglett
- Dugtrio
- Meowth
- Persian
- Mankey
- Primeape
- Growlithe (BD)
- Arcanine (BD)
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwrath
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Slowpoke (SP)
- Slowbro (SP)
- Doduo
- Dodrio
- Seel (BD)
- Dewgong (BD)
- Grimer
- Muk
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Drowzee
- Hypno
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Voltorb
- Electrode
- Exeggcute
- Exeggutor
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Koffing
- Weezing
- Tangela
- Kangaskhan
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Tauros
- Lapras
- Ditto
- Porygon
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutops
- Aerodactyl
- Articuno (SP)
- Zapdos (SP)
- Moltres (SP)
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Mewtwo
- Chikorita
- Bayleef
- Meganium
- Cyndaquil
- Quilava
- Typhlosion
- Totodile
- Croconaw
- Feraligatr
- Sentret
- Furret
- Ledyba
- Ledian
- Spinarak
- Ariados
- Chinchou
- Lanturn
- Igglybuff
- Natu
- Xatu
- Mareep
- Flaaffy
- Ampharos
- Bellossom
- Politoed
- Hoppip
- Skiploom
- Jumpluff
- Sunkern
- Sunflora
- Yanma
- Slowking (SP)
- Wobbuffet
- Pineco
- Forretress
- Dunsparce
- Snubbull
- Granbull
- Qwilfish
- Shuckle
- Teddirusa (SP)
- Ursaring (SP)
- Slugma
- Magcargo
- Corsola
- Delibird
- Skarmory
- Kingdra
- Phanpy
- Donphan
- Porygon2
- Stantler (SP)
- Smeargle
- Tyrogue
- Hitmontop
- Smoochum
- Miltank
- Raikou (BD)
- Entei (BD)
- Suicune (BD)
- Larvitar (BD)
- Pupitar (BD)
- Tyranitar (BD)
- Lugia (SP)
- Ho-Oh (BD)
- Celebi
- Treecko
- Grovyle
- Sceptile
- Torchic
- Combuken
- Blaziken
- Mudkip
- Marshtomp
- Swampert
- Poochyena
- Mightyena
- Zigzagoon
- Linoone
- Lotad (SP)
- Lombre (SP)
- Ludicolo (SP)
- Seedot (BD)
- Nuzleaf (BD)
- Shiftry (BD)
- Taillow
- Swellow
- Surskit
- Masquerain
- Shroomish
- Breloom
- Slakoth
- Vigoroth
- Slaking
- Nincada
- Ninjask
- Gligar (BD)
- Gliscor (BD)
- Ralts
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Gallade
- Lickitung
- Lickilicky
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Leafeon
- Glaceon
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Togepi
- Togetic
- Togekiss
- Houndour
- Houndoom
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Magnezone
- Rhyhorn
- Rhydon
- Rhyperior
- Duskull
- Dusknoir
- Scyther (BD)
- Scizor (BD)
- Elekid (BD)
- Electabuzz (BD)
- Electivire (BD)
- Magby (SP)
- Magmar (SP)
- Magmortar (SP)
- Swinub
- Piloswine
- Mamoswine
- Snorunt
- Glalie
- Froslass
- Absol
- Pinsir (SP)
- Jynx
- Mew
- Jirachi
- Shedinja
- Whismur
- Loudred
- Exploud
- Makuhita
- Hariyama
- Nosepass
- Skitty
- Delcatty
- Sableye (SP)
- Mawile (BD)
- Aron
- Lairon
- Aggron
- Electrike
- Manectric
- Plusle
- Minun
- Volbeat
- Illumise
- Gulpin
- Swalot
- Carvanha
- Sharpedo
- Wailmer
- Wailord
- Numel
- Camerupt
- Torkoal
- Spoink
- Grumpig
- Spinda
- Trapinch
- Vibrava
- Flygon
- Cacnea
- Cacturne
- Zangoose (BD)
- Seviper (SP)
- Lunatone (SP)
- Solrock (BD)
- Corphish
- Crawdaunt
- Baltoy
- Claydol
- Lileep
- Cradily
- Anorith
- Armaldo
- Castform
- Kecleon (BD)
- Shuppet
- Banette
- Tropius
- Wynaut
- Spheal
- Sealeo
- Walrein
- Clamperl
- Huntail
- Gorebyss
- Relicanth
- Luvdisc
- Bagon (SP)
- Shelgon (SP)
- Salamence (SP)
- Beldum
- Metang
- Metagross
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Latias
- Latios
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Deoxys
- Tangrowth
- Yanmega
- Probopass
- Rotom
- Heatran
- Regigas
- Giraina Origin Forme
- Giratina Altered Forme
- Cresselia
- Phione
- Darkrai
- Shaymin Sky
- Shaymin Land
- Arceus
- Manaphy*
National Pokédex vs Sinnoh Pokédex Understanding OG exclusives
Source: 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
Source: 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
Source: 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
Source: 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.
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