Nintendo DS

Dogasu's Backpack | Video Games | Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is Nintendo's non-conventional handheld. In addition to having two screens, one of which is touch sensitive, the DS also has a microphone and the ability to play games online. With this system, Pocket Monsters is finally able to offer the type of online play that so many fans had been craving.

Pokemon Dash
(ポケモンダッシュ)
(Pokémon Dash)

Japanese Release Date: December 2nd, 2004
American Release Date: March 13th, 2005

Overview: In the first Pokemon-themed racing game, players use the DS' stylus to help move Pikachu through an obstacle course to the finish line. In addition, players can use the DS' Game Boy Advance slot to create new courses shaped like the pokemon they've caught in their third generation games!

Changes: N/A

Trivia: This is the first video game in which Gonbe is a playable character.

Official Pokemon Dash Japanese Site

Official Pokémon Dash American Site

Pokemon Trozei
(ポケモントローゼ)
(Pokémon Trozei)

Japanese Release Date: October 20th, 2005
American Release Date: March 6th, 2006

Overview: In this Yoshi's Cookie-type puzzle game, players move the blocks on the bottom of the screen to match up four blocks in a row. There is also a story mode in which you help a heroine named Lucy Lightfoot (Lucy Fleetfoot in the English version) take on an evil organization.

Changes: In Europe, the game's title was changed to Pokémon Link.

Trivia: N/A

Original Pokemon Trozei Japanese Site

Official Pokémon Trozei American Site

Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon -
Blue Rescue Team
(ポケモン不思議のダンジョン青の救助隊)
(Pokémon Mystery Dungeon -
Blue Rescue Team)

Japanese Release Date: November 17th, 2005
American Release Date: September 18th, 2006

Overview: In this entry in the popular (in Japan, anyway) Mysterious Dungeon series, you play the role of a human who wakes up one day and finds that he's turned into a pokemon! As you get used to your new pokemon body, you form what is known as a rescue team to help the pokemon in the area stay safe from natural disasters. The DS version takes advantage of the system's two screens to display the pokemon's condition on while screen while containing the gameplay area on the other.

Changes: When the game was released in Japan, there was a glitch that erased the game data on the Game Boy Advance game whenever a player had a game other than Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Red Rescue Team in the DS' Game Boy Advance slot. Nintendo eventually fixed the bug for Japanese gamers, and they made sure the glitch wasn't present in the American version of the game.

Trivia: N/A

Official Japanese Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Blue Rescue Team Japanese Site

Official Pokémon Mystery Dungeon - Blue Rescue Team American Site

Pokemon Ranger
(ポケモンレンジャー)
(Pokémon Ranger)

Japanese Release Date: March 23rd, 2006
American Release Date: October 30th, 2006

Overview: In Pokemon Ranger, a special class of trainers known as Pokemon Rangers go throughout the Fiore region to complete various missions. After receiving a mission from Ranger headquarters, Pokemon Rangers go out into the field and borrow the powers of the pokemon in the area to clear obstacles and reach their final objective. Pokemon Ranger is also the only way to obtain Manaphy, the legendary fourth generation pokemon.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: The game was originally known as Pokemon Ranger - The Path to Diamond & Pearl, but the subtitle was dropped before the game's final release.

Official Pokemon Ranger Japanese Site

Official Pokémon Ranger American Site

Pocket Monsters Diamond &
Pocket Monsters Pearl
(ポケモンピンボール)
(Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl)

Japanese Release Date: September 28th, 2006
American Release Date: April 22nd, 2007

Overview: In the first installments of the fourth generation, players take control of a trainer growing up in the Shinou region. There, he or she will face off against the Ginga-Dan while trying to obtain the region's 107 pokemon. New features added to this set of games is connectivity to the previous generation's games, Wi-Fi connectability, and a number of aesthetic changes.

Changes: A glitch that made you get stuck in a wall while fighting the Four Emperors and enabled you to capture a Darkrai has been removed from the American version.

Also, several references to the anime that existed in the Japanese version were overlooked by the English translators. Among those references:

Hitomi, from The Sky-Splitting Visitor, Deoxys, shows up on Route 224 with a Metagross. In the English version, this trainer, who should have been named Rebecca, has been renamed Jamie.

Butler and Dianne, from The Seven Nights' Star of Wishing, Jiraachi, show up on Route 229. Butler has a Samayoru and Bohmander while Dianne has a Guraena and a Kirlia. In the English version, they were renamed Felix and Dana.

Special thanks to Maxim for pointing these cameos out in this thread on Bulbagarden.

Trivia: N/A

Official Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pocket Monsters Pearl Japanese Site

Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Time Rescue Team & Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Darkness Rescue Team
(ポケモン不思議のダンジョン時の探検隊 & ポケモン不思議のダンジョン闇の探検隊)
(Pokémon Mystery Dungeon - Explorers of Time & Pokémon Mystery Dungeon - Explorers of Darkness)

Japanese Release Date: September 13th, 2007
American Release Date: April 20th, 2008

Overview: Players once again assume the role of a person who wakes up one day and finds that he's become a pokemon. After joining the Pukurin Guild, you set out to keep the "Cog of Time," a treasure capable of stopping time, from falling into the wrong hands! The game features 490 pokemon, including those introduced in the Diamond & Pearl games. WiFi capabilities are included.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: N/A

Official Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Time Rescue Team & Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon - Darkness Rescue Team Japanese Site

Pokemon Ranger Batnage
(ポケモンレンジャーバトナージ)
(Pokmon Ranger - Shadows of Almia)

Japanese Release Date: March 20th, 2008
American Release Date: November 10th, 2008

Overview: This is the first sequel to the popular Pokemon Ranger spin-off series! Players choose either a boy or a girl students from Ranger School to complete the school's training program and become full-fledged Rangers! Then, players will be able to participate in a number of missions in the Almia region. The game features pokemon from the Diamond & Pearl games and will feature WiFi capabilities.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: N/A

Official Pokemon Ranger Batnage Japanese Site

Pocket Monsters Platinum
(ポケットモンスタープラチナ)
(N/A)

Japanese Release Date: Fall 2008
American Release Date: N/A

Overview: Pocket Monsters Platinum is the update to the Diamond & Pearl games. New features include a new outfit for the protagonists, additional plot elements that center around Giratina, a new area known as the Torn World, and new formes for pokemon like Giratina and Shami.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: N/A

Official Pocket Monsters Platinum Japanese Site