Product Description

As the story unfolds, players will encounter the mysterious new Distortion World, an area unlike any seen in a Pokemon video game before. The Battle Frontier area (first introduced in Pokemon Emerald) has been added to Sinnoh, containing five new Battle Facilities for Trainers to challenge, each with its own special rules. Players can explore the new Wi-Fi Plaza a virtual Pokemon amusement park filled with activities, including three new mini-games where up to 4 players can compete at once.

• Distortion World: As the story unfolds, players will encounter the mysterious new Distortion World, an area unlike any seen in a Pokemon video game before. The normal rules of time and space don't apply to this world, allowing the area to push the limits of the Pokemon game world. Players leap from pieces of land suspended in midair, walk sideways and even upside-down. The Distortion World, where the powerful Giratina resides, is somehow connected to the regular Pokemon world.
• The Battle Frontier: The Battle Frontier area (first introduced in Pokemon Emerald) has been added to Sinnoh, containing five new Battle Facilities for Trainers to challenge, each with its own special rules. Each facility is run by one of five new Frontier Brains (characters that are similar to Gym Leaders). The new battle formats in each facility allow players to challenge themselves in new ways.
• Wi-Fi Plaza: Players can explore the new Wi-Fi Plaza a virtual Pokemon amusement park filled with activities, including three new mini-games where up to 4 players can compete at once. Up to 20 players from around the world can connect together in the Wi-Fi Plaza to experience games, take part in parades and even see a fireworks show.
• Enhanced Storyline: New characters add to the story, including Charon, a new Commander of the villainous Team Galactic (who is suspicious even by their standards) and an

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #100 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: NTR P CPUE
• Published on: 2009-03
• Released on: 2009-05-22
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .61" h x 4.96" w x 5.71" l, .25 pounds

Product Features
Following the vast popularity of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum is the newest in the core series of Pokémon games. Pokémon Platinum features a new story full of adventure, never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon – including the legendary Giratina's Origin Forme – and the Distortion World, a mysterious new world that suddenly appears in the Sinnoh region. In addition, with Pokémon Platinum up to 20 players can interact with other Pokémon fans from around the world in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, featuring mini-games and activities. Players can also enjoy the new features in the Global Terminal, such as posting battle videos using the new "Vs. Recorder."  In addition, Pokémon Platinum features a new Battle Frontier, where the toughest Trainers can test their skills in new ways. Pokémon Platinum already has broken previous Nintendo DS sales records in Japan, selling more than 1 million copies in its first two days of release.

Pokemon Battle! View larger.

1 to 20 Players via Wi-Fi View larger.

New amusement park-style Wi-Fi Plaza View larger.

The Story
Team Galactic is up to its old tricks. This time, they've set their sights on the three Legendary titans of Sinnoh: Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. In this thrilling new Pokémon adventure, you'll encounter new characters, new schemes and new locations. Prepare yourself for an exciting excursion into the Pokémon world as you do your best to thwart Team Galactic's sinister plot.

Key Game Features:

• Put a stop to Team Galactic's plan involving the three Legendary titans of Sinnoh
• Leap from a piece of land suspended in midair and walk sideways or upside-down in the new Distortion World, where the powerful Giratina resides
• Challenge yourself in new ways in the Battle Frontier's five new Battle Facilities, each with its own rules and each run by one of five new "Frontier Brains," similar to Gym Leaders
• Meet new Team Galactic Commander Charon and the undercover detective Looker, who's pursuing Team Galactic
• Gather up to 20 players from around the world in the new amusement park-style Wi-Fi Plaza, and compete with up to three other players in a variety of new mini games
• For 1 player, or for up to 20 players via the Wi-Fi Plaza feature

Exclusive to the Nintendo DS
Pokémon Platinum Version comes bursting with new locations to explore and new characters to encounter, adding to the overall excitement of this fun-filled world. The game's enhanced storyline introduces you to Charon, a new Commander of Team Galactic, and an undercover detective nicknamed "Looker" who's investigating Team Galactic. Discover fascinating new locations, such as Distortion World, in which the normal rules of time and space don't apply, allowing you to walk sideways or even upside-down, as well as the Battle Frontier, containing five new Battle Facilities in which you can encounter thrilling new challenges. Connect with friends from around the world in the amusement park-style fun of the new Wi-Fi Plaza, where you can play games, take part in parades and even watch fireworks.

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Customer Reviews

Well worth it
Well I've played through the Japanese version of the game fully. It has many improvements and additions over the earlier Diamond and Pearl versions of the game, although most of them are minor things, so anyone who has played the older game to death needn't feel that Platinum is an essential purchase. If you can't get enough of Pokemon though, this is the best version so far, of course, and anyone who did not play the previous game could not choose a better value game for their DS than this! It is packed full.

The more substantial new additions in Platinum include an extended storyline, new transformations for a few key pokemon (see Giratina on the box cover), new animations for pokemon and trainers in battle, three of the gyms have entirely new interior design and puzzles, enhanced visuals or new design for many locations, more pokemon to catch (the Sinnoh region pokedex has expanded), the option to rematch key characters including gym leaders at a cafe, the massive new Battle Frontier area that provides hours of difficult challenges for advanced players, and the poketch on the lower screen now has two buttons so you can cycle through apps both ways!

Oh, and for those who care, both Dialga and Palkia can be obtained in Platinum, whereas in Diamond and Pearl you could only get one or the other depending on the version. The opportunity to catch both of them comes later in the game, because your first visit to the Spear Pillar atop Mt Coronet now leads to an encounter with Giratina in another world! Also the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres can each be caught after the player has defeated the Elite Four and visited Professor Oak when he goes to Eterna City.

Aside from content changes, gameplay is identical to previous pokemon games, so you know if you like it already. If you've never played a pokemon game, it's worth checking out and this is as good a place to start as any. x

A quest into a big place with lots going on...
After discussing the old RPGs I used to love on the SNES, a friend couldn't believe I'd be turning 30 next year and yet never played a Pokemon game, so with DS in hand I started playing Pokemon Pearl and got quite into it - but then I lost my DS (and the game along with it).
After buying a new DS, I happened on an opportunity to play the Platinum edition in the Pokemon franchise and decided to give it a go....

...Enthusiasts can tell you the differences between this and the Pearl/Diamond edition down to the most minute detail, but for me I couldn't see many differences. In fact, the first few hours seemed practically identical. That didn't bother me though as my previous experience of the game was my 'breaking in' period and so it was nice to start afresh armed with some basic knowledge of how it all worked!

If you aren't familiar with the Pokemon games then this game is the latest in a series of games which involve traveling around a fantasy region called Sinnoh and battling strange monstors called Pokemon. You can capture wild Pokemon and train them up, a big part of the game is seeing how may you can collect and serious gamers try to catch them all. Many of the Pokemon require very specific conditions to appear and capture, so it isn't just a case of wandering round and hoping every type will fall into your lap. Newbies may find it all a bit daunting as the game is massive, but as you advance through and talk to the other characters - they explain things on a very simple level to point you in the right direction.

The genius of the game isn't the epic scope, it's all down to strategy. Your success is determined by your choices when you create your 'team' of Pokemon and decide which one to use in battle and when. I'm still getting to grips with which types are weak or strong against other types, but after a while you do start to be more strategic in your choices rather than just opting for the cutest ones!

In a nutshell: When I first started playing Pokemon I thought it was a silly game for kids. And yes - it is a bit childish at times, but it's really drawn me in and there have been times when I've sat down to quickly level up my Chimchar, explore a cave, or check how many items I've collected - and before I realise it two hours have passed! This is an engaging title which combines the look and turn-based-battle gameplay of an RPG, and the forward thinking of chess. I can fully understand why some people obsess over the Pokemon games and make it their mission to do everything possible in the game. With a massive array of items to collect, moves to learn, and Pokemon to catch and personalise - you can have thousands of people playing the same game and yet each player would get a very individual experience from it.

The Pokemon world is a big one and there's a lot to learn - but it's a world worth visiting and when you do, you might end up spending a lot of time there.

Pokemon Still Shine
Pros:

+Simple, yet addictive gameplay
+Deep, strategic combat system
+Touch screen controls make battling easier
+Wi-fi improvements
+Being able to battle trainers all across the globe and being able to trade with them is fantastic
+Game can keep you busy for hours with all there is to do, easily over 80 hours worth of gameplay
+Some new additions for those who mastered Diamond and Pearl

Cons:

-You can still only save one file
-Graphics and sound were outdated even in 2007, and they're still outdated
-The formula works, but there are bound to be gamers out there who are sick of the same old storyline
-If you mastered Diamond and Pearl you probably won't have much incentive to play through Platinum. This will change from one gamer to the next

When Pokemon Red and Blue came out, Pokemon Yellow followed just a year later to expand on the games. When Pokemon Gold and Silver debuted, Crystal followed shortly thereafter. When Ruby and Sapphire came out, it wasn't long until Emerald followed. It was only a matter of time before Pokemon Diamond and Pearl also got a third version into the mix. Pokemon Platinum. Just like the previous "third" versions of the games, Platinum adds in a few new things, though it's hard to say you'll ultimately want it if you've already got Diamond and/or Pearl and you've already worked your way through them. Then again, you might find some of the extras worthwhile.

Pokemon has been doing the same thing since it came about ten years ago. The formula is so familiar to gamers that there's a "been there, done that" kind of feel all over. You choose a starter and go off from home to collect several Pokemon, collect gym badges and ultimately defeat an evil team of Pokemon Trainers that are up to no good. All the pieces of the formula are there. If you've played any of the previous Pokemon games before then you've been here before. Yet it doesn't stop Pokemon from being an overall addictive game. While some will find Platinum (as well as Diamond and Pearl) to be a little too much of the same thing, the gameplay can't be denied. Pokemon has been doing the same thing for over ten years now, and it's still fun.

Pokemon is actually really strategic and in-depth. That is to say, it requires a lot of thought, and believe me, some of these battles require a lot of your skill. Battles are turn based, where you select a command and then watch a round of combat. There's a paper/rock/scissors effect here, however. Each and every Pokemon has a type, and some of the attacks they use reflect its type. This makes up what deals massive damage, what deals no damage and what deals just normal damage. Grass may be strong against water, for example but grass is also weak against fire, but in turn, fire is weak versus water. This effect plays through with seventeen and different types, and there is no best type because every type has a weakness. It's because of this element that Pokemon is so much fun to play. Just trying to construct the perfect team will take you more than a day, and with over 100 new creatures to collect, you can form endless amounts of teams. Just catching all the Pokemon alone will keep you busy for well over 50 hours. To add to the effect you'll face several other trainers as well, and you never know what they'll throw at you. Your strongest Pokemon may very well become your weakest in certain battles just because of its type.

The battle system itself is made even simpler by the touch screen. Where as before you were scrolling through menus, battling can simply be done by touching the different options on screen. It makes battling a lot faster, especially because the icons are pretty big. Luckily, there's never really a point where you have to use the touch screen if you don't want to, and battling can still be done the old fashioned way if you so choose.

As with Ruby and Sapphire there are also moments of two on two battles. Usually they come with either two trainers taking you on at a time, and you'll send out the two Pokemon in your top roster, or you'll be with another trainer who will send out his or her Pokemon with yours. It adds to the strategic feel of the game, but the moments of two on two battles are pretty few and far between.

Pokemon Platinum adds a couple of new things, though not much. Most notable is, of course, is the distortion world. Aside from this there's not that big of a motive to get Pokemon Platinum if you mastered one of the other two versions. It's great if you don't have either one, but it's hard to want to pick up Platinum just for the Distortion World alone. There are a couple of other little goodies sprinkled about, including improvements in the online factor of the game, but it's still essentially the same game you got two years ago. And for the most part, that isn't bad.

The Pokemon games in and of themselves are full of little hidden secrets. There's so much you can do after the main quest is over. You can also enter into different contests as well as go after legendary Pokemon. Pokemon can easily keep any gamer busy for well over fifty hours.

Pokemon has never really been a game you go after for eye-candy. There are some moments where some 3D effects come out, but not very many. The sprites are more or less the same sprites they've been using since the Red and Blue versions. Ideally, the game doesn't look all that much of a step up from Ruby and Sapphire, and they were not fantastic looking games either. It's really colorful, but the DS is capable of so much more than this. Likewise, in battle is still the same. Fun to do it, but the Pokemon still only flinch to attack, and there aren't a lot of animations going on, and we're still looking over the Pokemon's shoulder. Essentially, the combat engine hasn't changed since the series first outing in 1998. There are some move animations that look really good, but aside from that it's hard to look past the simple fact that the game's combat engine hasn't really evolved since the original games came out way back in 1998. This isn't the original Gameboy, this is the Nintendo DS.

The sound is also no exception. A lot of it sounds really tinny. Most of the sound effects such as the Pokemon's cries are ripped straight from--you guessed it--the original Gameboy versions released in 1998. That's not to say all the tunes sound bad, it's just to say that a lot of what you're going to hear is recycled. While the sound effects are dated, the music certainly isn't. It's upbeat and keeps you on your toes.

In the end, the production values aren't exactly something that'll disappoint you. Though it might still be nice if someday Pokemon could get an update. It's still an improvement.

Despite the games graphics and sound, Pokemon Platinum is still an excellent title. If you don't have Diamond or Pearl, you might as well pick up this one. If there was anything to fret about over Pokemon it would be that it's just too much of the same thing. Not to Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, but to the series as a whole. There are plenty of additions, but the truth still stands: We've been doing the same thing for ten years. But it's still a fun game regardless.