Pokemon Diamond vs Pearl is a split between Dialga and Palkia on the box, with 20 wild Pokemon in each game that the other one lacks. The Sinnoh story, the gyms and the Elite Four are the same in Diamond and Pearl.
Which Pokemon only one version has
!A screenshot from Pokemon Diamond
Diamond's list includes Scizor, Honchkrow, Tyranitar and Aggron. Pearl's includes Slowking, Mismagius, Salamence and Walrein. The two fossils split as well, with Cranidos in Diamond and Shieldon in Pearl.
| Only in Diamond | Only in Pearl | |---|---| | Scyther | Slowpoke | | Scizor | Slowbro | | Murkrow | Slowking | | Honchkrow | Misdreavus | | Larvitar | Mismagius | | Pupitar | Glameow | | Tyranitar | Purugly | | Cranidos | Stantler | | Rampardos | Bagon | | Stunky | Shelgon | | Skuntank | Salamence | | Dialga | Shieldon | | Seel | Bastiodon | | Dewgong | Palkia | | Poochyena | Houndour | | Mightyena | Houndoom | | Aron | Spheal | | Lairon | Sealeo | | Aggron | Walrein | | Kecleon | Pinsir |
Dialga or Palkia at the Spear Pillar
!A screenshot from Pokemon Pearl
You meet your version's legendary at the top of Mt. Coronet. Dialga is there in Diamond at level 47, and Palkia takes that place in Pearl. It is the only static Pokemon the game data shows changing between the two.
One set of gyms for both
!A screenshot from Pokemon Diamond
Roark and Gardenia lead the first two gyms in both versions, and no trainer team differs. Everything on the path to Spear Pillar plays the same, which makes the legendary and the wild lists the only choices.
Which one should you buy?
!A screenshot from Pokemon Pearl
Buy Diamond if you want Tyranitar and Dialga. Buy Pearl if you want Salamence and Palkia. We would take Pearl (Salamence has never once been a mistake).
Diamond vs Pearl FAQ
Can you play Diamond without Pearl?
Yes. Both games carry the full story, and you can trade for the Pokemon you are missing.
Do the Gym Leaders change between Diamond and Pearl?
No. Both versions have the same Gym Leaders in the same order.
