Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are traditional Pokemon RPGs that take place in a region called Sinnoh. When you set off on your travels, you’ll be able to play as either a boy or girl Trainer.

Pokemon fans have caught glimpses of Lucario, Munchlax and Weavile in Pokemon movies, and these Pokemon will are debuting in this adventure.

Diamond and Pearl utilize the DS’s dual slots to transfer Pokemon from the GBA Pokemon games. Also, you can link up with Pokemon Ranger to access more special content. [Nintendo]

On a day when Pokemon Ranger tops the UK Full-Price Chart, we thought it only fitting to amass a Review Round-up for the very latest Pokemon offering to hit the Nintendo DS stateside. Indeed, for fans of the seemingly inexhaustible franchise – in all its many marketing guises – the arrival of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on the hot-selling Nintendo DS is sure to stoke the ‘collect ‘em all’ fires as yet more action RPG goodness screams into view.

However, despite the phenomenal cult popularity of the Pokemon series, it is still fair to say that, by and large, it remains somewhat of an acquired taste. Let’s see if it sits well on the unpredictable palette of the gaming critics. Spend or Lend?

90% - PocketGamer UK - "Indeed, it’s somewhat ironic that only now, with the integration of Wi-Fi, Pokémon has become the community game it’s always pretended to be. Casting a retrospective eye upon the series, it would appear that every game since the series started in 1995 has just been a level up. This, finally, is the real deal."

85% - GameSpot - "The additions and alterations aren’t game changing, and Diamond and Pearl do what the Pokémon franchise has always done best – deliver an accessible and highly addictive role-playing game experience."

85% - IGN - "Tons of strategic depth and gameplay that’s incredibly rewarding; it’s one of those games that offers an enormous sense of accomplishment for even the littlest things performed. And the touch screen functions of the Nintendo DS help move things faster and easier with simple navigation menus."

85% - 1UP - "The differences between Diamond and Pearl and their predecessors are small, but they add up. Refinement is paramount here – refined balance of battle skills, refined relationships between monster types – as is expansion."

80% - GamePro - "Finally, it is possible for trainers to meet friends online and battle others around the world via the DS’ Wi-Fi. There are also competitions that incorporate acting, singing, and dressing up the little critters in costumes."

Verdict: Spend