Brilliant Diamond vs Shining Pearl: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Buy Brilliant Diamond if you want Dialga and a version-exclusive team featuring Salamence and Tyranitar. Buy Shining Pearl if Palkia, Mismagius, or Glameow are the draw.
Both titles are faithful remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS originals, released worldwide on November 19, 2021, developed by ILCA for Nintendo Switch. The story, Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champion Cynthia are the same in each version.
The version gap is smaller than most buyers expect. For full coverage of all Switch Pokémon titles, this guide to Pokémon on Switch puts BDSP in context alongside the rest of the lineup.
On this page 6 sections
At a Glance
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | Pokémon Shining Pearl | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | November 19, 2021 | November 19, 2021 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch |
| Developer | ILCA | ILCA |
| Box legendary | Dialga (Steel/Dragon) | Palkia (Water/Dragon) |
| Signature exclusives | Salamence, Scyther, Electivire, Tyranitar | Mismagius, Slowking, Ludicolo, Glameow |
| More exclusives | Caterpie, Growlithe, Zangoose, Solrock, Stunky | Weedle, Vulpix, Misdreavus, Slowpoke, Lotad, Sableye, Lunatone, Mime Jr. |
| Observed price (Oct 2026) | From $34.99 used | From $29.99 used |
Where Brilliant Diamond Wins
Dialga's Steel/Dragon typing
Dialga's dual Steel/Dragon combination is one of the most defensively resilient type pairings in the game. Its Steel typing alone provides resistance to ten move types, making it significantly easier to use in post-game battle facilities like the Battle Tower without careful team support.
Salamence and the Dragon line
Brilliant Diamond is the only version where you can encounter Bagon in the wild. Bagon evolves into Shelgon and then into Salamence, a Dragon/Flying powerhouse that has been a fan-favorite competitive pick since Generation 3.
For players building a team for the Battle Tower or just wanting a strong Dragon-type in the post-game, Salamence is one of the clearest reasons to choose this version.
Tyranitar and the Larvitar line
Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar are exclusive to Brilliant Diamond. Tyranitar's Rock/Dark typing and well-rounded stats have made it a team staple across every generation it appears in.
Where Shining Pearl Wins
Palkia's offensive capability
Palkia is Water/Dragon with high Special Attack and Speed. It is built to hit hard and fast, which suits players who prefer an offensive legendary over a defensive one.
Where Dialga is a wall you park in battle and let absorb hits, Palkia is an attacker you bring in to deal damage quickly. Different play styles, different legendary choices.
Misdreavus, Mismagius, and the Ghost line
Misdreavus and its evolution Mismagius are exclusive to Shining Pearl. Mismagius has solid Special Attack, two immunities from its Ghost typing, and is one of the more distinctive exclusive picks in the version's pool.
Slowpoke, Glameow, and more
Shining Pearl gets the Slowpoke line, including Slowking via trade, which provides a bulky Psychic/Water option that Brilliant Diamond players simply cannot access. Glameow and Purugly are Normal-type cats that appear in Pearl only, and they have a loyal collector following.
Shining Pearl's exclusives lean toward bulk and Psychic coverage. Brilliant Diamond's lean toward power and Dragon coverage.
What Is the Same in Both Versions
The story beats, all eight Gym Leaders, Team Galactic's plot, the Elite Four (Aaron, Bertha, Flint, and Lucian), and Champion Cynthia are identical in both games. The version you pick does not change any of those encounters.
The Grand Underground, Super Contests, Pokémon Hideaways, Ramanas Park, and the Trophy Garden are all shared features. Your starter choice of Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup is also the same regardless of version.
This is the insight that most buying guides skip: the version exclusives affect your experience almost entirely after you have finished the main story.
During a first playthrough, you will not encounter most exclusives in normal overworld exploration. They appear in the Grand Underground's Pokémon Hideaways, which open meaningfully once you reach the mid-game. The practical impact of the version split lands in the post-game, not the story.
The Deciding Question
Which legendary do you want on your team?
Dialga and Palkia anchor the time-versus-space mythology of Generation 4, and players who have a preference between the two usually know it before they start shopping.
If you have always connected with Dialga's Steel typing and defensive bulk, Brilliant Diamond is the pick. If Palkia's offensive Water/Dragon profile is the draw, Shining Pearl is the one to get.
If you have no strong preference for either legendary, the version-exclusive pool breaks the tie. Brilliant Diamond suits players who want Dragon-type power options and pseudo-legendaries (Salamence, Tyranitar). Shining Pearl suits players who want bulk and coverage variety (Slowking, Mismagius, Ludicolo).
Neither pool is objectively stronger for casual play.
The Double Pack released alongside both games is worth noting for completionists or anyone who plans to trade between copies using Pokémon Home or local wireless. It bundles one copy of each version.
Serebii's BDSP section has the full breakdown of every version exclusive if you want to map out trades in advance. If you are buying secondhand, check the seller's listing carefully: individual copies and Double Pack bundles are sometimes listed at similar prices. The buyer safety guide covers what to look for when purchasing Nintendo Switch games from independent sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get every Pokémon in one version of BDSP?
No. Around 18 to 20 Pokémon are version exclusives, so completing the National Dex requires either a second copy of the other version or trade partners who own it.
Are Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes of the originals?
Yes. They are faithful remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, originally released for Nintendo DS in 2006. The remakes launched on Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2021, and preserve the original game structure closely.
Which version sold more?
Both versions sold at comparable volumes as part of the same launch. Neither version is significantly harder to find today, and both are widely available at independent shops.
Is the Double Pack worth buying?
It makes sense if you plan to trade exclusives between both copies using two Switch consoles or Pokémon Home. For most players who just want one playthrough, pick the version with the legendary you prefer.
Do Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl work on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, both titles are backward-compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. They do not have a free Switch 2 upgrade, so you play them at their original performance level. The Switch Pokémon games guide covers all current-generation options if you are comparing the full lineup.
Browse Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and the Double Pack at independent shops on DexHaul's Pokémon video games collection. DexHaul is an independent search engine, not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. Results come from thousands of independent shops so you can compare prices and availability in one place.
Catch 'em all
More copies of Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and the Double Pack from independent shops.