If you appreciate the work done within the wiki, please consider supporting The Cutting Room Floor on Patreon. Thanks for all your support!
This article has a talk page!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

From The Cutting Room Floor
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Title Screen

Pokémon Diamond Version and Pearl Version

Also known as: Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl (JP), Pocket Monsters DP: Dialga & Palkia (KR)
Developer: Game Freak
Publishers: The Pokémon Company (JP), Nintendo (INT)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Released in JP: September 28, 2006
Released in US: April 22, 2007
Released in EU: July 27, 2007
Released in AU: June 21, 2007
Released in KR: February 14, 2008


AreasIcon.png This game has unused areas.
GraphicsIcon.png This game has unused graphics.
ModelsIcon.png This game has unused models.
ItemsIcon.png This game has unused items.
MusicIcon.png This game has unused music.
RegionIcon.png This game has regional differences.


ProtoIcon.png This game has a prototype article
BugsIcon.png This game has a bugs page

If you were looking for other games that may also be known as Pokémon Diamond, see Keitai Denjuu Telefang and Super Mario Special 3.
See, this is why server preservation is important.
This game's online features are no longer supported.
While this game's online features were once accessible, they are (as of May 20, 2014) no longer officially supported and online-exclusive features may be documented as now-unseen content.
Hmmm...
This page is loooong...
Consider grouping related content into additional subpages to ease readability.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were the first of the fourth generation of Pokémon games, and the first core-series games on the Nintendo DS. They brought back and standardized old features such as day/night cycles (from Pokémon Gold and Silver), wireless online battles and trades (from Japanese Pokémon Crystal), and the categorization of moves based on the individual moves rather than on their types (from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness; known among fans as the physical/special split). Of course, there's also new Pokémon and other new mechanics as well.

Hmmm...
To do:
  • Prerelease material which begs to be documented.
  • JP version of early Floaroma Cyrus event continues with texts claiming to upgrade the Pokédex to allow viewing multiple Forms and Genders but no attached scripts, see if this can work here

Sub-Pages

Read about prototype versions of this game that have been released or dumped.
Prototype Info
Read about notable bugs and errors in this game.
Bugs
TextIcon.png
Debug Strings
Enough debugging text in here to swim in. I'm not even kidding.
PKMN DP Early Charmeleon.png
Unused Graphics
Unfinished graphics galore.
PKMN DPPT L01R0101.png
Unused Maps
You've just entered...The Mystery Zone.

Demo Version

The kiosk demo of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl was used in stores prior to the game's release, and contains many differences from the final.

Unused Items

Quite a few Key Items remain in the code. If hacked into your inventory, they have no use, but they all have item descriptions.

Azure Flute

Pokemon Azure Flute Sprite.png

"A flute that puts out echoing sounds that do not seem to be of this world. It is unknown who made it."

See its own section.

Contest Pass

Pokemon Contest Pass Sprite.png

"The pass required for entering Pokémon Contests. It has a drawing of an award ribbon on it."

This was required in Ruby and Sapphire to enter contests, but not in Emerald. Apparently scrapped in this game, too. Returned in the Ruby and Sapphire remakes using the same sprite.

Loot Sack

Pokemon Loot Sack Sprite.png

"A sturdy, spacious bag that is used to carry loot obtained in the coal mine."

Would have been used to carry the items found in the underground. In the final game, the underground menu serves this purpose.

Magma Stone

Pokemon Magma Stone Sprite.png

"A stone formed when boulders melted in intensely hot magma, then hardened. Magma remains sealed inside."

This item figures into the Stark Mountain events, but is only handled by NPCs. Like all of Generation IV's key items, this hung around forever and ever in newer games...until it was finally made obtainable in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Member Card

Pokemon Member Card Sprite.png

"A card needed for entering the inn in Canalave City. Oddly, the last date marked on it was 50 years ago."

While this event item was later released in Platinum, it was never released for Diamond and Pearl. This item would allow you to access the locked house in Canalave City, which sends you to New Moon Island, and subsequently to catch Darkrai.

Oak's Letter

Pokemon Oaks Letter Sprite.png

"A letter from Prof. Oak. Written in it is a request for you to go to Rt. 224."

While this event item was later released in Platinum, it was never released for Diamond and Pearl. This item would allow you to access the Flower Paradise and subsequently catch Shaymin.

Red Chain

Bag Red Chain Sprite.png

"A mythical chain that is said to link the legendary Pokémon that created the Sinnoh region."

Cyrus uses this as a part of his ultimate scheme, but the player never gets a hold of it. It stuck around unused in the games even longer than the Magma Stone did, never being given to the player until Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Rule Book

Pokemon Rule Book Sprite.png

"It lists the rules for holding battles. For linked battles, you may choose which set of rules you wish to use."

Was possibly required at one point to select different battle types in link battles.

Seal Bag

Pokemon Seal Bag Sprite.png

"A tiny bag that can hold ten Seals for decorating Poké Balls."

Apparently dumped in favor of the Seal Case.

S.S. Ticket

Pokemon S.S. Ticket Sprite.png

"The ticket required for sailing on the ferry S.S. Anne. It has a drawing of a ship on it."

Every game before this had an S.S. Ticket for some sort of boat.


(Source: Chpexo, Goomther, JimJam707)

Unused Music

Hmmm...
To do:
Some of these are early versions of already-existing tracks, such as SEQ_SLOT. Compare them to the final tracks here.

SEQ_TOWN06_N

Route 225's tracks are displayed as "SEQ_TOWN06_D" and SEQ_TOWN06_N" in the files, indicating that they may have been intended to be used as music for a town.

SEQ_TOWN05_N (003A)

An unused remix of the Eterna City/Celestic Town music, which doesn't seem to fit the ancient atmosphere of the two areas. Its file name indicates that it might have been for Celestic Town at night.


(Source: Dga7696, Astigar)

SEQ_SLOT (00BC)

An alternate version of the Wild Pokémon Victory music. Its name implies that it could have been used for winning money at the slot machines in the Veilstone Game Corner.

SEQ_EV_LEGEND (0149)

An alternate version of the Lake Crater music.

(Source: Dga7696)

SEQ_FANFA6 (009F)

A remix of the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen capture fanfare.


(Source: Astigar)

SEQ_D_ICE/SEQ_D_UNKNOWN/SEQ_POKEPARK/SEQ_BF_FACT (004F / 0051 / 0052 / 0063)

An unused track that plays a series of ascending notes.


(Source: Dga7696, Astigar)

SEQ_TEST_TITLE (0003)

MIDI HEX 0003 is the title screen music from Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald.


(Source: Bulbapedia)

SEQ_BA_TOWER (0089)

MIDI HEX 0089 is an unused mix of the Gym Leader battle theme which was meant to be used for the Palmer battle in the Battle Tower, before being replaced by Cynthia's theme. In particular, the instrumentation at the beginning is louder in this version.


(Source: Bulbapedia)

SEQ_DUMMY (0000)

A very early version of the Route 206 theme, used for the Mystery Zone. It is MIDI HEX 0000.


(Source: Juan08, GermanPokemon, Bulbapedia)

SEQ_ROAD_BZB_D and SEQ_ROAD_BZB_N (0020 / 003B)

Two early versions of the Route 205 tunes. Interestingly, the unused Night music is a bit faster than the unused Day music.


(Source: Astigar)

Unused Text

Main Menu

PEDOMETER
ほすうけい

An unused option for a Pedometer of sorts can be found in the text for the main menu. A pedometer in the form of the Pokéwalker accessory would later be used in tandem with HeartGold and SoulSilver, which do have an option for it on their main menu. Additionally, a pedometer application that counts the player’s steps in-game was included in the Pokétch. Whether this feature came into being before or after this menu option is unknown.

(Source: SatoMew)

Jubilife City Gym

おれさまは
コトブキシティの ジムリ-ダ-
⋯⋯になりたい ただの おるすばん
I am
Jubilife City's Gym Leader!
...But I'm just the humble caretaker.

Text for an NPC pretending to be Jubilife City's Gym Leader exists in the Japanese versions of the game, providing additional evidence that there was to be a Gym in Jubilife City. The text bank that holds this line in the international copies is simply emptied out.

(Source: wowjinxy)

Unused Event Locations

Pokémon Movie 06
Pokémon Movie 11
Pokémon Movie 12
Pokémon Movie 13
Pokémon Movie 14
Pokémon Movie 15
Pokémon Movie 16
Pokémon Cartoon
Space World
Space World 06
Space World 07
Space World 08
Space World 09
Space World 10
Space World 11
Space World 12
Space World 13
Space World 14
Space World 15
Space World 16
Pokémon Festa
Pokémon Festa 07
Pokémon Festa 08
Pokémon Festa 09
Pokémon Festa 10
Pokémon Festa 11
Pokémon Festa 12
Pokémon Festa 13
Pokémon Festa 14
Pokémon Festa 15
Pokémon Festa 16
POKéPARK
POKéPARK 06
POKéPARK 07
POKéPARK 08
POKéPARK 09
POKéPARK 10
POKéPARK 11
POKéPARK 12
POKéPARK 13
POKéPARK 14
POKéPARK 15
POKéPARK 16
PC Osaka
PC Fukuoka
PC Sapporo
Nintendo World
Pokémon Event 06
Pokémon Event 08
Pokémon Event 09
Pokémon Event 10
Pokémon Event 11
Pokémon Event 12
Pokémon Event 13
Pokémon Event 14
Pokémon Event 15
Pokémon Event 16
Wi-Fi Event
Event Site

The internal list of locations includes some that are never used because they were meant as met locations for event Pokémon distributions that never happened.

(Source: Bulbapedia [1], [2], original TCRF research)

Hall of Origin and Azure Flute

Pokemon-DP-Hall of origin.png

An event item exists known as the Azure Flute, which was never officially distributed and can only be obtained through hacking the game. When hacked into your Bag, the Azure Flute can be used at Spear Pillar to warp to another map, the otherwise-unused Hall of Origin above Spear Pillar. Atop a glass staircase, on a platform high in the sky, you encounter a level 80 Arceus, the battle against which uses the cave background (rather than the clifftop background used for the fights against Team Galactic and Dialga/Palkia). It seems this event was the originally-planned method of Arceus distribution, but because the event was thought to be too confusing for players, Arceus was distributed directly as an event Pokémon instead. The Azure Flute and Hall of Origin would eventually be implemented in the Generation IV remakes, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as a bonus feature for players with save data for catching the title Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Interestingly, it seems that an Azure Flute distribution hadn't been ruled out as late as the releases of HeartGold and SoulSilver; those games have a mechanism to allow a Hall of Origin-caught Arceus to return the player to the Sinjoh Ruins and get another one of the trio of Dialga/Palkia/Giratina.

As a consequence of this event remaining unused throughout the entirety of Diamond, Pearl and Platinum's release, all of the assets associated with the Hall of Origin area, including three unique pieces of music, are never used in the games:

SEQ_FUE

The melody which plays upon using the Azure Flute. Note the immense similarities to both the "Push Start" sound effect as well as the 6-note jingle which plays on the "Game Freak Presents..." screen.

SEQ_AUS

The "theme" which plays for the Hall of Origin. The filename may refer to Arceus's name from earlier in development, "Ausu". Again, it calls back to a song motif that is still used in the game, particularly the ambient sounds that play during the beginning of the intro and on the title screen.

SEQ_BA_SECRET1

The theme which plays when battling Arceus. While totally unused in the Sinnoh trilogy of games, it was eventually reused for the aforemented Sinjoh Ruins event cutscene in HeartGold and SoulSilver, albeit in a slightly different form due to the different soundfonts.


(Source: Dark RagePm, Eddick1, GermanPokemon)

Arceus

Shiny Arceus

PokémonDP-ShinyArceus.pngPokémonDP-ShinyArceusBack.png

For the sake of consistency, every Pokémon in every Pokémon game is given a Shiny variant. Arceus is no exception, having a Shiny palette for each of its 18 forms, including the one not accessible through normal gameplay (see below). However, because the only way to obtain it legitimately was through distributions, the Shiny version of Arceus was left unobtainable through normal means. Shiny Arceus was later made available as a distribution via serial code in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire with the purchase of tickets to the 18th Pokémon movie, and finally made available worldwide in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl after update 1.3.0.

Unused Arceus Form

PKMN DPPT Arceus Graphic1.png PKMN DPPT Arceus Graphic2.png
PKMN DPPT Arceus Graphic3.png PKMN DPPT Arceus Graphic4.png
Arceus has an unused form as well! Arceus' type changes to the type of the plate it is holding. However, it also has a ??? form based on the special ???-type, most notably used as the type of the move Curse (up until Generation V). Because there is no plate based on this near-placeholder type, this form is never seen.


(Source: GermanPokemon)

Unused Roaming Darkrai

In the game's files, there is data for an unused encounter with a roaming Darkrai at Lvl. 40. It is released on the map if one executes script command 0x21C with its parameter set to 0x2. The existence of this battle suggests that Darkrai was originally planned to be caught in the same fashion as its counterpart Cresselia, rather than being a stationary opponent at the event-exclusive Newmoon Island. This data also remains in Pokémon Platinum.

Unused Wild Held Item Data

Some Pokémon, when found in the wild, have a chance of holding an item. This held item data also exists for some Pokémon which cannot be caught in the wild in the final game, however, rendering these assignments unused.

# Pokémon Held Items Note
012 Butterfree (5%) Silver Powder
015 Beedrill (5%) Poison Barb
026 Raichu (5%) Oran Berry
036 Clefable (5%) Moon Stone (50%) Leppa Berry
038 Ninetales (50%) Rawst Berry
047 Parasect (5%) Big Mushroom (50%) Tiny Mushroom
053 Persian (5%) Quick Claw
059 Arcanine (100%) Rawst Berry
062 Poliwrath (5%) King's Rock
065 Alakazam (5%) TwistedSpoon
075 Golem (5%) Everstone Stone
078 Rapidash (5%) Shuca Berry
080 Slowbro (5%) King's Rock Available in Pearl and Platinum.
082 Magneton (5%) Metal Coat Available in Platinum.
085 Dodrio (5%) Sharp Beak
089 Muk (5%) Nugget
091 Cloyster (5%) Big Pearl (50%) Pearl
105 Marowak (5%) Thick Club
110 Koffing (5%) Smoke Ball
121 Starmie (5%) Star Piece (50%) Stardust
122 Mr. Mime (5%) Leppa Berry Available in Diamond and Platinum.
124 Jynx (100%) Aspear Berry
125 Electabuzz (5/50%) Electirizer 50% in Diamond and Platinum, 5% in Pearl.
126 Magmar (5/50%) Magmarizer 50% in Pearl and Platinum, 5% in Diamond.
143 Snorlax (100%) Leftovers
149 Dragonite (5%) Dragon Scale
151 Mew (100%) Lum Berry
162 Furret (5%) Sitrus Berry (50%) Oran Berry
186 Politoed (5%) King's Rock
199 Slowking (5%) King's Rock
230 Kingdra (5%) Dragon Scale
232 Donphan (5%) Passho Berry
242 Blissey (5%) Lucky Egg (50%) Oval Stone
250 Ho-oh (100%) Sacred Ash
251 Celebi (100%) Lum Berry
261 Poochyena (5%) Pecha Berry Available in Platinum.
262 Mightyena (5%) Pecha Berry Available in Diamond and Platinum.
267 Beautifly (5%) Shed Shell Available in Diamond and Platinum.
269 Dustox (5%) Shed Shell Available in Pearl and Platinum.
276 Taillow (5%) Charti Berry
284 Masquerain (5%) Silver Powder
286 Breloom (5%) Kebia Berry
293 Whismer (5%) Chesto Berry
295 Exploud (5%) Chesto Berry
295 Hariyama (5%) King's Rock
301 Delcatty (5%) Leppa Berry
304 Aron (5%) Hard Rock Available in Diamond and Platinum.
305 Lairon (5%) Hard Rock
306 Aggron (5%) Hard Rock
317 Swalot (5%) Big Pearl
326 Grumpig (5%) Tenga Berry
328 Trapinch (5%) Soft Sand
345 Lileep (5%) Big Root
346 Cradily (5%) Big Root
352 Kecleon (5%) Persim Berry Available in Diamond and Platinum.
353 Shuppet (5%) Spell Tag
362 Glalie (5%) Babari Berry
367 Huntail (5%) DeepSeaTooth
368 Gorebyss (5%) DeepSeaScale
371 Bagon (5%) Dragon Fang Available in Pearl and Platinum.
372 Shelgon (5%) Dragon Fang
373 Salamence (5%) Dragon Fang
374 Beldum (5%) Metal Coat
375 Metang (5%) Metal Coat
376 Metagross (5%) Metal Coat
385 Jirachi (100%) Star Piece
398 Staraptor (5%) Yache Berry
407 Roserade (5%) Poison Barb
413 Wormadam (5%) Silver Powder
414 Mothim (5%) Silver Powder
416 Vespiquen (5%) Poison Barb
421 Cherrim (5%) Miracle Seed
428 Lopunny (5%) Chople Berry
431 Glameow (5%) Cheri Berry Available in Pearl.
432 Purugly (5%) Cheri Berry Available in Pearl.
433 Stunky (5%) Pecha Berry Available in Diamond.
434 Skuntank (5%) Pecha Berry Available in Diamond.
445 Garchomp (5%) Haban Berry
461 Weavile (5%) Quick Claw (50%) Grip Claw
462 Magnezone (5%) Metal Coat
463 Lickilicky (5%) Lagging Tail
466 Electivire (5/50%) Electirizer 50% in Diamond and Platinum, 5% in Pearl.
467 Magmortar (5/50%) Magmarizer 50% in Pearl and Platinum, 5% in Diamond.
469 Yanmega (5%) Wide Lens
476 Probopass (5%) Hard Stone
477 Dusknoir (5%) Kasib Berry
478 Froslass (5%) Babiri Berry
492 Shaymin (5%) Lum Berry Available though a limited event only released in Platinum.

Unused Accessories

Comet
Theater

One unobtainable accessory and one unobtainable backdrop exist in the game. It is unknown how either of them would have been obtained, though the Comet can be obtained through Pokésav.


(Source: Bulbapedia, DarkStorm)

Inaccessible Content

Hmmm...
To do:
GTS Trade music and rooms.

WiFi Battle Tower Ribbon

PKMNDP WorldAbilityRiboon.png

Due to the closure of Nintendo WFC on May 20, 2014, the World Battle Ribbon (given out for completing the Wi-Fi Battle Tower challenge) cannot be obtained.

Pokétch

Unused Pokétch Apps

Hmmm...
To do:
Screenshots of the unused apps.

The "Stopwatch" and "Alarm Clock" apps for the Pokétch are unused. They are assumed to have been planned for event distribution like how the "Matchup Checker" app was distributed at Pokémon Center stores in Japan, but they were never distributed in any event.

(Source: Bulbapedia)

Unused Pokétch Graphics

Hmmm...
To do:
See if there's any residual code left over that could make use of any of these graphics in the game's overlays.

PKMN DPPt - Unused Poketch Icons.png

A series of Pokétch-themed buttons that represent various menu-related activities remain in the ROM. Such an interface was eventually used in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and was probably removed from the selection of apps because it would've meant having to switch apps just to be able to access basic game functions, such as adjusting options or saving, as well as because of the Pokétch not being immediately available. This axed app may have been the inspiration for the various touch-screen interfaces that future games used. Also worthy of note is that there is only one bag design. In the final game, the male protagonist uses a backpack (as pictured), while the female protagonist uses a shoulder bag. Also, half of the icons here (the Pokédex, Bag, and Save icons) were redrawn when put into the Start menu.

DP - Poketch Switch 1.png DP - Poketch Switch 2.png

Two graphics for large Pokétch switches also exist. These switches are not used on any of the 23 used or 2 unused Pokétch apps.


(Source: TeamFail)

Unused Scripts

An unused script is present in Floaroma Town. It contains a dialogue with Cyrus, who you meet later in the final release. There are triggers that match the check for an X value between 170-172, and Cyrus is also present in the NPC data of Floaroma Town. Based on these facts, it can be stated that the player was originally supposed to meet Cyrus in Floaroma Town. References to the text exist in all languages, but the Japanese version has additional messages, for which scripts may also be present. The video shows the reconstructed script.

        Script 2:
            Lockall 
            CheckHiroPosition 32772 32773 
            If 32772 170 
            CheckLR 1 func_1 
            If 32772 171 
            CheckLR 1 func_2 
            If 32772 172 
            CheckLR 1 func_3 
            End 

        Func 1:
            Applymovement 3 mov_4 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_5 

        Func 2:
            Applymovement 3 mov_5 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_5 

        Func 3:
            Applymovement 3 mov_6 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_5 

 
        Func 5:
            Message 0                 "Ah, you have a Pokétch?
                                       You will find it indispensable.

                                       Science will become increasingly
                                       necessary in the world of Pokémon."
            Message 1                 "My name is Cyrus.

                                       I am but another human seeking to
                                       become Sinnoh’s greatest Trainer.

                                       If you’re also a Trainer, then do
                                       your best to gain power.

                                       Be all that you can become."
            CloseMsgOnKeyPress 
            CheckHiroPosition 32772 32773 
            If 32772 170 
            CheckLR 1 func_6 
            If 32772 171 
            CheckLR 1 func_7 
            If 32772 172 
            CheckLR 1 func_8 
            End 

        Func 6:
            Applymovement 3 mov_7 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_9 

        Func 7:
            Applymovement 3 mov_8 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_9 

        Func 8:
            Applymovement 3 mov_9 
            Waitmovement 
            Jump func_9 

        Func 9:
            Removepeople 3 
            Setvar 16498 1 
            Releaseall 
            End 


(Source: Mapscript Dump Ganix)
(Source: Trigger Pseudocode RETIRE)
(Source: MAP)

Unused Pokémon Mask Failsafe

In the 2nd floor of Jubilife TV, the 1st floor of the Veilstone Department Store, and Pastoria City, there are NPCs who will give you masks for your Fashion Case. The type of mask acquired depends on the starter you chose. However, if you use cheats to change the starter you obtained (such as via a randomizer program), they will instead give you a White Fluff. This only happens if the starter is changed via hacking; they will still give you the correct mask if you've released or evolved your starter before talking to them.

Rotom, Giratina, and Shaymin Alternate Forme Placeholder Data

There exists placeholder data for alternate forms of Rotom, Giratina, and Shaymin in Diamond and Pearl, suggesting the alternate forms (sometimes referred to as "Formes") featured in Pokémon Platinum were already in development. There is a table within the game's coding that specifies the number of Formes/forms a Pokémon has. Pokémon that have no alternate forms are listed with the number 0, while Pokémon with alternate forms are listed with a number corresponding to the number of forms they have. For example, Pikachu has the number 0, while Deoxys has the number 4. There are three exceptions to this: Rotom, Giratina, and Shaymin are the only Pokémon listed with the number 1. It seems this number is meant to be a placeholder, indicating that at least one alternate form was planned or in development.

Wild Encounter Rate Changes

In source code leaks from 2020, certain dates have been found to be able to modify the encounter rates of Pokémon found in the overworld by walking. This adds directly to the base rate of an encounter with Pokémon by walking on that map (or of tile types on that map, such as grass and water) each step. The value cannot increase beyond 100%. The dates that modify these values correspond to holidays and events; some of these increase the rate of finding wild encounters, while others decrease it instead.

Change Dates
Increase by 10% January 12th (Masuda's Birthday)
July 7th (Tanabata)
Increase by 5% January 11th (Opening the Mirror)
February 3rd (Setsubun)
February 11th (National Foundation Day)
February 12th (Lincoln's Birthday)
March 3rd (Hinamatsuri)
March 17th (St. Patrick's Day)
March 25th (Viernes Santo)
April 1st (School Entrance Ceremony)
April 25th (Italian Liberation Day)
April 29th (Greenery Day)
May 3rd (Constitution Memorial Day)
May 5th (Children's Day)
May 8th (End of World War II, France)
May 29th (Whit Monday)
June 2nd (Festa della Repubblica)
June 21st (Summer solstice)
July 4th (Independence Day)
July 14th (Fête Nationale)
July 24th
August 15th (Obon, Assumption)
August 28th (Bank holiday)
September 15th (Mid-Autumn Festival)
September 20th
October 3rd (Tag der Deutschen Einheit)
October 12th (Fiesta Nacional de España)
October 30th
November 1st (All Saints' Day)
November 11th (Veteran's Day, World War I Armistice Memorial Day)
November 16th (Volkstrauertag)
December 6th (Día de la Constitución)
December 8th (Virgin Immaculate Conception Day)
December 23rd (Emperor Akihito's Birthday)
December 24th (Christmas Eve)
Decrease by 5% August 13th (Obon, lantern festival)
August 14th (Obon)
August 16th (Obon)
November 3rd (Culture Day)
December 25th (Christmas)
December 31st (New Year's Eve)
Decrease by 10% January 1st (New Year's Day)
March 21st (Spring equinox)
August 6th (Hiroshima)
August 9th (Nagasaki)
September 11th (Patriot Day)
September 23rd (Autumnal equinox)
(Source: MAP)

Unused Pal Park Species Data

When transferring Pokémon from Generation III games into Diamond and Pearl through the Pal Park feature, the location and appearance rate for each one as well as the score bonus for catching it are determined on a per-species basis. Every species in the game has unique data for this, including those that are newly-introduced to Generation IV and therefore cannot be encountered in Pal Park during normal gameplay.

# Pokémon Area Score Rate
387 Turtwig Forest 50 30
388 Grotle Forest 80 10
389 Torterra Forest 90 3
390 Chimchar Field 50 30
391 Monferno Field 80 10
392 Infernape Field 90 3
393 Piplup Pond 50 30
394 Prinplup Pond 80 10
395 Empoleon Pond 90 3
396 Starly Field 30 50
397 Staravia Field 50 30
398 Staraptor Field 70 20
399 Bidoof Field 30 50
400 Bibarel Field 50 30
401 Kricketot Forest 50 30
402 Kricketune Forest 70 20
403 Shinx Field 50 30
404 Luxio Field 70 20
405 Luxray Field 80 10
406 Budew Field 80 10
407 Roserade Field 80 10
408 Cranidos Mountain 70 20
409 Rampardos Mountain 80 10
410 Shieldon Mountain 70 20
411 Bastiodon Mountain 80 10
412 Burmy Forest 50 30
413 Wormadam Forest 70 20
414 Mothim Forest 70 20
415 Combee Forest 50 30
416 Vespiquen Forest 70 20
417 Pachirisu Forest 50 30
418 Buizel Forest 70 20
419 Floatzel Mountain 70 20
420 Cherubi Mountain 80 10
421 Cherrim Field 90 3
422 Shellos Sea 50 30
423 Gastrodon Sea 70 20
424 Ambipom Pond 50 30
425 Drifloon Pond 70 20
426 Drifblim Forest 80 10
427 Buneary Field 50 30
428 Lopunny Field 70 20
429 Mismagius Forest 80 10
430 Honchkrow Forest 80 10
431 Glameow Field 50 30
432 Purugly Field 70 20
433 Chingling Field 70 20
434 Stunky Mountain 80 10
435 Skuntank Mountain 50 30
436 Bronzor Mountain 70 20
437 Bronzong Mountain 80 10
438 Bonsly Field 90 3
439 Mime Jr. Field 90 3
440 Happiny Field 50 30
441 Chatot Field 70 20
442 Spiritomb Field 80 10
443 Gible Mountain 50 30
444 Gabite Mountain 70 20
445 Garchomp Pond 50 30
446 Munchlax Pond 70 20
447 Riolu Field 70 20
448 Lucario Field 50 30
449 Hippopotas Field 70 20
450 Hippowdon Sea 80 10
451 Skorupi Sea 50 30
452 Drapion Sea 70 20
453 Croagunk Forest 90 3
454 Toxicroak Mountain 50 30
455 Carnivine Mountain 70 20
456 Finneon Mountain 80 10
457 Lumineon Mountain 90 3
458 Mantyke Mountain 90 3
459 Snover Mountain 50 30
460 Abomasnow Mountain 70 20
461 Weavile Mountain 80 10
462 Magnezone Mountain 80 10
463 Lickilicky Field 80 10
464 Rhyperior Mountain 80 10
465 Tangrowth Forest 80 10
466 Electivire Mountain 80 10
467 Magmortar Mountain 80 10
468 Togekiss Field 80 10
469 Yanmega Field 80 10
470 Leafeon Field 90 3
471 Glaceon Field 90 3
472 Gliscor Mountain 80 10
473 Mamoswine Mountain 80 10
474 Porygon-Z Field 80 10
475 Gallade Field 80 10
476 Probopass Mountain 80 10
477 Dusknoir Forest 80 10
478 Froslass Mountain 80 10
479 Rotom Field 90 3
480 Uxie Field 90 3
481 Mesprit Field 90 3
482 Azelf Field 90 3
483 Dialga Mountain 90 3
484 Palkia Mountain 90 3
485 Heatran Mountain 90 3
486 Regigigas Mountain 90 3
487 Giratina Mountain 90 3
488 Cresselia Forest 90 3
489 Phione Sea 90 3
490 Manaphy Sea 100 1
491 Darkrai Mountain 100 1
492 Shaymin Field 100 1
493 Arceus Mountain 100 1
(Source: Veekun)

Regional Differences

Japanese ROM Size

The header in the ROMs of the initial release of the Japanese versions specifies a size of 128 MB, but revision 5 decreased it to 64 MB.

Title Screen

Japan International
Pokediamond.png Pokepearl.PNG

In the Japanese versions, the title screen instructs players to "PUSH START BUTTON", but the localizations instead state "PRESS START".

Japanese Font

Unlike Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, the Western localizations of Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver use a different Japanese font for regular text as opposed to the one from the Japanese versions.

Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 instead use a Japanese font that is reminiscent of the one seen in some of Diamond and Pearl's pre-release Japanese footage.

Registeel Sprite

Registeel uses a different pose in all non-English European releases of the game, as its original pose could be misinterpreted as a Nazi salute. This change was later applied to all versions of Platinum and retained for HeartGold and SoulSilver. It appears that the sprite was redrawn from scratch rather than edited, given the different shading.

Original Non-English European
PokeDP-Registeel.png PokePlatinum-Registeel.png
(Source: Bulbapedia)

Event Items

PKMN DPPT LucarioDoll.png

The Matchup Checker app for the Pokétch was distributed to Japanese players to celebrate the American release of Diamond and Pearl, and was later made available in-game in Platinum. Additionally, players of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum could obtain a Lucario Doll from the Lucario Wakuwaku Fair event.

(Source: Bulbapedia for the Matchup Checker, Project Pokémon for the Lucario Doll)

Recovery Program

In revisions 0 and 5 of the Japanese versions, there are two issues which were officially acknowledged by Nintendo on October 24, 2006.

  • Aaron's room at the Pokémon League allows the player to surf and enter the void.
  • Returning to the second floor of the Pokémon League after using the Union Room causes the player to get stuck in a wall.

Nintendo proposed a solution to affected players who got stuck but had not saved the game yet. For other players, Nintendo recommended using the ダイヤモンド・パール修復プログラム Diamond & Pearl Recovery Program that was released on October 27, 2006 and could be downloaded from any DS Station, later 3DS Station, up to February 2018 or from the Wii's Nintendo Channel during its lifetime. Alternatively, they could mail in their cartridges for repair until February 2018.

(Source: Nintendo Japan's support article and their Recovery Program (DS Station) and (3DS Station) pages)

Battle Mechanics

Hmmm...
To do:
Moves that suppress or change Abilities are Skill Swap, Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, Role Play, and Transform. Verify whether the bug in question happens with all of them or only some.

The following bugs are all exclusive to the Japanese versions.

  • A Pokémon transforming and then having its held item stolen in battle will lead to both Pokémon retaining the item after battle, provided the transformed Pokémon does not faint. This can be used in Double Battles to easily duplicate items.
  • Successfully using Transform through Mimic and then fainting will cause the user to permanently keep the moveset of the Pokémon it transformed into.
  • A holder of a Choice item who then uses Pursuit on the same turn that the target switches out can use a different move on the next turn, even though that would normally be prevented by the Choice item.
  • The Attack and Speed drops caused by the Slow Start Ability are retained even if the Ability is removed.

Korean Versions

Hmmm...
To do:

By the time Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opened their South Korean subsidiaries in 2006, Game Freak was finalizing Diamond and Pearl. A Korean release did not occur until 2008, and it has some limitations, such as items like the Manaphy Egg being unobtainable due to inherent incompatibilities and the unavailability of the required spin-off games. However, because at least Japanese Ruby and Sapphire were released in South Korea, Pal Park accepts all languages of Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, unlike the Japanese and Western versions. The transferred Pokémon are treated as nicknamed due to the language mismatch, behavior that is not exclusive to the Korean versions.

Since gambling is illegal in South Korea, the slot machines of the Veilstone Game Corner were replaced with Game Machines that drop 5 to 20 Coins every day, and multiple texts in the casino were altered. These changes were later ported to European versions of Platinum, which also edited Looker's dialogue accordingly. Note that the player can still buy Coins, and that the Game Machines are said to break if Lemonade or Soda Pop is spilled on them.

(Source: Hiroshi Sotomura for the comparison of the texts between American and European English Platinum)

The red color of some female-gendered strings like Original Trainer (OT) names was replaced with pink for cultural reasons, as names written in red are believed to bring misfortune or even death.