Platinum expands the Sinnoh Pokedex over Diamond and Pearl. More Pokemon are available before the Elite Four, including Fire types that DP lacked. Houndoom and Flareon show up before postgame now. Giratina is the box legendary, caught in the Distortion World as part of the main story. Same 493 total roster, better distribution across the game.

C
Mesprit
#0481

Mesprit

psychic
A
Azelf
#0482

Azelf

psychic
S
Dialga
#0483

Dialga

steeldragon
S
Palkia
#0484

Palkia

waterdragon
S
Heatran
#0485

Heatran

firesteel
B
Regigigas
#0486

Regigigas

normal
S
Giratina
#0487

Giratina

ghostdragon
B
Cresselia
#0488

Cresselia

psychic
C
Phione
#0489

Phione

water
A
Manaphy
#0490

Manaphy

water
A
Darkrai
#0491

Darkrai

dark
B
Shaymin
#0492

Shaymin

grass
S
Arceus
#0493

Arceus

normal

  • The national dex is still 493, but the regional Sinnoh dex jumped from 151 to 210 Pokemon. Platinum didn't add new species. It added access. Fire types that were locked behind the National Dex in DP show up before the postgame here, and several other coverage gaps are filled.

  • The Sinnoh dex is expanded from 151 to 210 Pokemon. Houndoom, Flareon, and other missing types are available before postgame. Giratina is the box legendary with a Distortion World storyline. The Battle Frontier replaces the Battle Tower. Gym Leader and Elite Four teams are remixed. And the game runs faster.

  • Chimchar is still strong, but the gap is smaller than in DP because Platinum adds more Fire types to the regional dex. Infernape's Speed and coverage are still top-tier. Piplup's Empoleon handles Giratina well with its Steel typing. All three starters are viable here.

  • Yes. The Distortion World is part of the main story. After the events at Spear Pillar, you enter the Distortion World and battle Giratina in its Origin Forme. Level 47, 680 BST. It's a mandatory encounter, so save before the fight.

  • Gen 4, Nintendo DS, 2008. Platinum is Sinnoh's third version. The regional dex grows from 151 to 210 Pokemon compared to DP. Giratina gets a full Distortion World storyline, and the Battle Frontier replaces the Battle Tower. Same gen, better pacing.

  • Five battle facilities replace Diamond and Pearl's single Battle Tower: Battle Tower, Battle Factory, Battle Hall, Battle Castle, and Battle Arcade. Each has unique rules and a Frontier Brain boss. It's the postgame endgame for competitive-minded players.

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Pokemon Comparison