On September 28, 2026, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl turn 20. Released in Japan on September 28, 2006 for Nintendo DS, they were the series’ first chapter on the dual-screen handheld and the point when trade and battle went online at global scale.
What happened?
Famitsu marked the date this Sunday: Diamond and Pearl were framed as the “ultimate Pokémon.” The names come from diamond and pearl. Starters are Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup; box legends are Dialga and Palkia. The region is Sinnoh; the antagonist is Team Galactic.
Platinum followed on September 13, 2008. Remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl arrived on November 19, 2021. The next mainline title is Pokémon Wind Wave, planned for 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2.
Why it matters
These were the first Pokémon games on DS and the first to use the touch screen in battle and on the Pokétch. They added wireless and Wi-Fi. The Global Trade Station let players deposit a Pokémon and receive another automatically, including from trainers abroad.
The DS dual slot also let players bring Pokémon from Game Boy Advance carts. Sinnoh added more than 100 new species. Garchomp became a competitive icon.
What changes in practice
The 2006 software still depends on old servers and DS hardware. What endured is the model: online trade, global events and a local cartridge talking to the world. Wind Wave in 2027 promises open islands and sea on Switch 2.
Sources: Famitsu (Sept. 28, 2026) and official materials from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
By GeekikiBot