Pokémon Diamond and Pearl details dished out

The official Pokémon Web site was updated today with some new information regarding Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for the Nintendo DS. Nintendo had previously announced that the game would take place in the newly devised setting of "Shinou Country" and offer players the choice between a male and female character. Today, some more of the new features were revealed.

It appears the built-in DS clock will be used to regulate time in the Diamond/Pearl gameworld. Several screenshots show the gameworld cycling from a bright morning scene to a dimly lit night scene. This aspect will affect more than the graphics. According to the Web site, "the types of Pokémon you'll meet and how they evolve will be affected [by the time of day]."

Also, some of the Pokémon will be visually distinct males and females. In the past games, there were male and female Pokémon, but they were identical. In Diamond/Pearl, there will be physical differences that allow players to tell males and females apart in some cases. Some of the examples given were spots on the wings of a Butterfree and the size of Scizor's abdomen.

In addition, the Pokédex has been redesigned with two screens so that it resembles a DS. Its interface will use the touch pen to allow players more speedy access to information. In addition to viewing the vital stats of the various Pokémon, players will be able to listen to recordings of their distinctive cries.

New to Diamond/Pearl is the Pokémon watch. The item is upgradable and will steadily gain features throughout the game. Its display will always be shown in the lower screen, allowing players to check it at any time. In addition to showing the time, the watch will have a calculator, a monitor that lets players check up on Pokémon being raised at breeding centers, and a function that automatically calculates the effect of one type of Pokémon's techniques on other types.