Best of 2007 #7: Pokemon Diamond/Pearl

Pokemon DiamondIf you compare this game to the original Red, Blue, and Green versions, you can see how far handheld games have come in the last 10 years. Pokemon Diamond/Pearl is not only now in color, but also in partial 3D, and touch-screen enabled on the DS. The variety and creativity of the creatures are very well done, and the three powerful starters (Turtwig [grass], Chimchar [fire], and Piplup [water]) make for interesting playback.

Team Galactic, the control-driven team that you’re set to defeat, are fun to beat and comical, and this time there are 3 main characters: You, your friend from your hometown, and Lucas/Dawn, the Professor’s assistant. With the aid of Lucas/Dawn (depending on your character’s gender) and your friend, you battle your way through Team Galactic (while beating the gym leaders on your own) to stop them from controlling Sinnoh, or even the galaxy!

This game definitely isn’t the hardest thing to beat, but it’s not the easiest, either. Either way, it’s fun.