The first four generations of the Pokémon games received third games that offered a different gaming experience for players within the same region and world. Pokémon Red & Blue had Yellow, Pokémon Gold & Silver had Crystal, Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire had Emerald, while Pokémon Diamond & Pearl got Platinum.
Platinum was not just a variation on the other games of Gen IV, but it was actively viewed as an improvement, especially in terms of aesthetics and presentation. These third games generally don't get a remake alongside the main duo. Instead, the remakes look at what the third games did well and incorporate those improvements accordingly.
10 More Pokémon Are Added To The Sinnoh Dex In Platinum
While the Sinnoh Pokédex in Diamond & Pearl only has 151 Pokémon, in Platinum, it has 59 additional entries, totalling up to 210 in the Sinnoh Pokédex alone, even before the National Dex.
Every new Gen IV Pokémon that is a non-legendary is included in Platinum, with no version-exclusive encounters like with Diamond & Pearl. Pokémon such as Rotom and Giratina are not only made available in Platinum, but they can also be obtained before taking on the Elite Four.
9 Focus On Giratina Takes The Player To The Distortion World
With a new twist on the story, Platinum's attention is focused on Team Galactic's leader Cyrus even more so than before, with his obsession being accentuated to an extent that events take the player to the Distortion World. This is due to Giratina being the Legendary Pokémon of focus in Platinum, making the Distortion World a necessary addition to add an extra dimension to the newly intense story.
As the name suggests, the Distortion World is all over the place, with the laws of physics not applying and the ever-changing camera angles complementing this spooky aesthetic perfectly.
8 New Characters Are Added To Help Refresh The Story
Amidst the altered story, new characters are also introduced, not to an extent that the core of the game gets revamped, but enough to keep it fresh. Charon is added to Platinum as a Team Galactic scientist and admin, and, although the player doesn't battle him, he adds more depth and character to the villainous organization.
Looker is another character introduced in Pokémon Platinum and is an International Police Officer who is undercover and trying to uncover the truth regarding Team Galactic and their plans.
7 Gameplay Changes Such As Faster Surfing Speed Make For A Better All-Round Experience
Gameplay changes have been made to enhance performance in Pokémon Platinum. These are not necessarily aspects that players scream out about wanting them changed but they certainly do still change the game for the better.
The speed at which a Surf-using Pokémon can travel on the water is sped up considerably, which not only is perfect for players just wanting to get to the next location as soon as possible, but it also makes a lot of sense. Normal land travel gets running shoes and the bicycle, so water travel should be sped up as well.
6 Platinum Gets More Locations
In addition to the Distortion World, Platinum has another new location or group of locations in the form of the Battle Frontier. The Battle Park has been removed from Diamond & Pearl, and has instead been replaced by the Battle Frontier, consisting of the Battle Factory, Battle Tower, Battle Castle, Battle Arcade, and Battle Hall.
With the Battle Shops being an extra addition as somewhere to spend hard-earned BP from the Battle Frontier, the whole area is a perfect way to spend time and keep busy after completing the main portion of the game.
5 Platinum Has A Different Order To Its Gym Battles
While both the Diamond & Pearl games and anime have Hearthome City's Gym Battle with Fantina as the fifth Sinnoh Gym Battle, Platinum shuffles the order around so that when the player arrives at Hearthome the first time, they can battle Fantina, moving the Ghost-type dream up to third in the overall order.
Although this also shuffles levels around, this does not necessarily mean that her Gym Challenge is any easier. In fact, it is still a tricky encounter, even without fully-evolved Pokémon. This reshuffle means that Veilstone and Pastoria's Gym Battles are pushed back to fourth and fifth respectively.
4 Level And Roster Changes Make For Different Battles With The Same Trainers
In addition to the changes in Pokémon and leveling that come with the Gym Leader reshuffle, many trainers and Gym Leaders alike have had their teams updated to reflect the newly revamped Sinnoh Pokédex. Sunyshore Gym Leader, Volkner, actually has four Electric-types in Platinum, with Ambipom and Octillery being replaced.
Even the Champion Cynthia has changed a little bit in Platinum, with her having a Togekiss instead of a Gastrodon, and the rest of her team being dropped down between two and five levels, with the powerful Garchomp being especially nerfed, dropping from Level 66 to 62.
3 Aesthetic Changes Were Made To Sinnoh's Map And Locations
With Platinum being released after Diamond & Pearl, it is only natural for it to be treated as a fix or a clean-up of sorts, giving the developers a chance to change the look and feel of locations and other aspects of the games. In Platinum, most cities have had refurbishments, whether it be pathways, additions to buildings, or general restructuring.
The idea is that the temperature has dropped in Platinum, so while some cities and towns have extra snow patches to reflect this, Dawn, Lucas, and the rival have updated outfits to reflect this change in climate.
2 The Menus And UI Were Fine-Tuned And Altered
The idea that Platinum is a fix of the Diamond & Pearl games is also apparent with some additions that just make for easier and less frustrating gameplay. From making Pokétch navigation easier to changing the general template of the text when in a battle, Platinum has had much more than just its story and general gameplay changed.
The aesthetic changes included menu and UI alterations based on feedback regarding the other games, ultimately adding to the whole experience with better-looking and smoother-running menus. Even the location labels that appear when entering a new area have been redesigned.
1 The Player's Villa Is An Extra Addition To The Resort Area
When getting to the Resort Area in Pokémon Platinum, the player is shown to a Villa which is now theirs. It can be customized like a Secret Base in previous games, but as an actual building and home, it has an additional sense of legitimacy.
Other characters, from friends and rivals to Gym Leaders and even the Champion Cynthia, can visit the Villa once an item has been unlocked. It certainly adds an extra activity for the post-game to keep the player busy and occupied.