Generation IV marked the jump to the popular Nintendo DS system, with a total of 5 main series games and a few side games to accompany it. Three of the main games dealt with a new area, the region of Sinnoh. Diamond (D), Pearl (P), and Platinum (Pt) are the three games in question. As with most games, they were accompanied by not only a new story, but new features as well. As the DS was double screened (hence the name), certain aspects had to be made. Similar to the Pokegear (G/S/C) and the Pokenav (R/S/E), D/P/Pt featured a new tool called the Poketch, or Pokemon Watch. Also, as it was on the DS, the system time also affected the game, so when it was night, the game was to, and the same could be said about day. To add, though it appeared later in Platinum, certain areas of the game had a brief 3d view. The contests was still a feature in these games, but Pokemon can now be fed by Poffins, which basically scraps the Pokeblocks of the previous installment. Traainers could also battle underground, by getting a digging tool. People using this feature could set traps, steal flags, and gain items, though this required a Nintendo Wi-Fi connection to use. There were a new assortment of Pokemon to deal with, bringing the total this time to 493, with the inclusion of a handful of legendary Pokemon.
D/P/Pt features 2 new trainers to choose from, with the rival being a rather hasty battler, who is also your friend.The female character (Dawn) and the male character (Lucas) are chosen in all 3 games, with the rival (called Barry in the anime) serving as the friendly NPC. The attire for Dawn and Lucas changes in Platinum, much like how Brendan and May had slight changes in Emerald. Once more, people can choose 3 different types of Pokemon, sticking to the standard Fire, Water, and Grass formula. Pending on who you choose, Dawn would get the weaker type, and Barry would get the type that you're weak to. More new faces enter this game as well, the noteworthy characters beings being Pokemon Prof. Rowan, the Sinnoh Champion and occasional helper Cynthia, and Team Galactic with their leader Cyrus. The Mirage Pokemon (Azelf, Uxie, Mesprit), the Alpha Pokemon Arceus, the and the game mascots (Dialga {D}, Palkia {P}, and the dual Forme Giratina {Pt}) serves as most of the lengendary Pokemon in the games.
In addition 2 new forms of Eevee were introduced, though these forms had to be obtained by leveling up in a certain location. As it was on the DS and DS Lite, D/P/Pt, alongside the Johto Remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, featured the exclusive Pal Park, which utilized the GBA slot for catching Pokemon from the previous Generation (R/S/E from Pt. 3, and FR/LG as mentioned in Pt. 1), though this feature couldn't be used for owners of the Nintendo DSi, who didn't have that slot. Along with this, the GTS was also introduced, as it uses the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. Also, trainer battles, which used to be triggered with help of a link cable, were made entirely wireless now, and it was even possible to trade or battle other trainers with Nintendo Wi-Fi, as long as the user had the opponents friend code.
As with the previous generations, the third game, this generation's being Platinum, offered significant changes from the other 2. Minor, but initially noticeable were the outfits, the format of the Poketch, and a slight difference in the order of Gym leaders to face. The major changes were more so in the plot, as Giratina, a legendary who only had one form in the other two games, not only gained another form, but also a new area and a bigger part in the Sinnoh storyline. This area, called the Distortion World, is the Renegade Pokemon's home, and players of Platinum have to go through here at some point of the game to battle Giratina. This is where different viewing aspects are introduced, though the player can't control these views. Other changes, though this is triggered by events, are the inclusions of Shaymin (Oak's Letter) the forms of Rotom (Secret Key), and Darkrai (Membership card, though the player must meet the other legendary Cresselia, obtain its item, and use it on the sailor's son beforehand.) Like Emerald, the now staple Battle Frontier was also included.
I didn't think much of the Sinnoh series anime wise, but the game got my approval, as it gets a 7.75 from me, more so from Platinum. Next time, sice I've yet to play Generation V, I'll cover the 3d gmaes released by far.
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