by Jared Hooper

Created on: March 23, 2009

Released first in 1996, Pokemon has become the second-bestselling video game franchise in existence. While not all critics have been exactly hyped over Pokemon, ever since its release, the fans absolutely love the series and are willing to do what they can to get every version there is. While the main idea of each game is the same-traversing a large region, facing the gym leaders and earning the badges, and then defeating the Elite Four and Pokemon Champion, while catching them all-each game offers something slightly new and something slightly different that forces fans to buy the new versions. Pokemon's been described as a drug: it's the same experience every time, but fans keep coming back for more. That may be true, but fans keep coming back for more every time there's something new, and it's for good cause too. Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl fit in with that category.

Story: Just like Mario, the story here is essentially the same as always. You're a child who dreams of nothing more than to become a Pokemon Master. You meet your rival-your next-door neighbor-and the two of you head off to meet Prof. Rowan. He's found but quickly leaves and forgets his suitcase. When you and your rival peek in it, the both of you are attacked by wild Starly and are forced to pick one of the Pokeballs sitting within the suitcase. There are three Pokeballs that contain these games' starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. Once you select your starter, you battle the Starly, and soon after, Prof. Rowan returns and lets the both of you keep your Pokemon. Once it is mentioned that you seek to become the next Pokemon League Champion, he gives you a few items-a Pokedex, Pokeballs, etc.-and you're off to begin your latest Pokemon journey. The formula's the same: find the eight gyms, battle them, earn their badges, meet a new team that wishes destruction of some sort upon the land, foil their operations, and then move on to the Pokemon League. While the game does have a few twists here and there, the overall storyline is the same as the one seen in Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, just more sinister because of the games' theme to Time and Space. It's kind of like Mario-the same story every time-but fans never play either game for just the story, although Pokemon's gameplay is based on the story. Story Rating: 7.0/10

Graphics: Since Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, the graphics in the game have improved plenty, though not completely by much. The game does lead more to a 3-D look and feel,

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