a question for pokemaniacs - which DS pokegame should I get?

[c0ldb33r]

I've been playing GBA pokemon pinball lately and love it. Now I want to get a new pokemon RPG game.

I haven't played a pokemon game since the original blue one (which I never finished). I own the yellow version but have never played it.

I'm torn between getting the pokemon gold/silver remake that includes the pedometer (which I think is neat) and getting the pokemon platinum game, which I've heard is quite good.

Can anyone offer some advice? I'd really only like to get one or the other since the games are likely going to be quite similar and I can't see myself playing through both.

[joshnickerson]

If the pedometer interests you that much, I would just wait for the remakes to hit (which will probably be early next year), especially if you're only interested in playing one entry in the series.

[c0ldb33r]

I would just wait for the remakes to hit (which will probably be early next year)
Hmm that's good advice.

May I pick your brain a little more?

I think that since I've already got a few games, I'll play one in the interim.

I checked and I've got blue, red and yellow. I think I've got gold or silver around here somewhere. I've also got firered for the GBA. Which of those is the best? Can I transfer my pokemons to other games (for instance, transfer them from the GBA version to the DS version when I get it?)

[ProgrammingAce]

I was a big fan of Fire Red when that came out. I had 10th generation charizards with maxed out special attacks, each at level 100. Needless to say, none of my friends would battle me... even the one who wrote the damn guide for nintendo.

[Trumpman]

You should play FireRed, as you can transfer all of your Pokemon from that game into the DS versions, at least into Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. I am very excited for the new Gold and Silver remakes and will definitely get one of those, but it is unclear (I think) whether the GBA transfer option will still be there in the new games. I'm not sure Nintendo would want to include a feature that does not work on the DSi, unfortunately. Because of this, I would recommend getting Platinum. I bought Pearl on release day, in your same circumstance (having not played a Pokemon game since Blue), and I had a blast with it.

Basically, I would recommend playing FireRed and if you're hungry for more, get Platinum.

[Nionel]

I second Trumpman's reccomendation.

Having played every main series Pokemon game, you're best bet with what you have certainly is FireRed. Heart Gold and Soul Silver will likely not have the option to transfer your Pokemon from the GBA games, since I believe part of the reason for their existence is to allow you to get Pokemon that would normally not be available in Pokemons Diamond, Pearl, or Platium. Not being able to transfer from the GBA in HS and SS would also explain Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza being available in those games as well as Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres being in Platinum. If you're looking for a DS game, again Platinum would be your best bet. I just recently finished Platinum and it just feels more complete than Diamond and Pearl, thanks in large part to the extra story sequences, new areas and new additions to the main game Pokedex.

[kupomogli]

I'd recommend playing the Pokemon you already own. You play one you've played them all. Same storyline with the same Pokemon, different images, and pretty much the same graphics with only three variations(GB graphics version of Pokemon, GBA version graphics which is pretty much a 16bit version of the GB version, and then DS version, which is again exactly the same but in birds eye 3d.)

This series is one of the more overrated series.

Also. Blue was my first, I touched Gold but didn't even bother with it after getting one of the main Pokemon, and then Diamond. I got to the 7th badge on Diamond and quit out of boredom, which I'm sure you'd also do if you quit on Blue. Your feelings aren't going to change about Pokemon if you didn't like the first. I liked the first and my feelings about the series changed(I actually had about 60 hours put in leveling up different Pokemon to make some better teams after finishing it.)

[joshnickerson]

Of course, it all depends on whether or not you would want to "Catch 'Em All" and take advantage of the GBA/DS transfer feature. Since you already own it, I would probably start up FireRed and see if you like the gameplay (the older Gameboy Color games are not compatable with the DS). It's not known if the G/S remakes will take advantage of the GBA slot or not, but we should know by the Japanese release in September (the English versions are due out in February of next year).

[Sailorneorune]

As josh said, give FireRed a try and see if you like it. If you want to get one of the DS games, any of them - Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum - are good. If you want some of the (non-legendary/one-off) Pokemon for your team in one of the DS games, should you get one, let me know and I'll breed some for you and arrange a trade over wi-fi.

[Snapple]

Leaf Green is just as good as Fire Red.

But anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the GBA/DS titles. They're all good fun. If you've played the original Red/Blue/Yellow, then Fire Red and Leaf Green might feel nice for their familiarity. However, Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald might be a better choice if you want something a little more new. Of course, Diamond and Pearl will take it one step further beyond Ruby and Sapphire and let you go online, which is nice (although I hate friend codes).

I respectfully disagree with kupo about all the games being the same. Pokemon has added a lot of depth that you won't be able to get just by playing Blue or Red again. Not only did they finally add important strategic information like move strength and accuracy, but breeding adds a whole new layer of planning and strategy. Plus there are many new types now, moves that have indirect effects (baton passing, toxic-trapping, whirlwind+spiking, etc), and of course now there are 493 species instead of just 151. I think it's worth it to give the series another try.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

I personally love the mystery dungeon spinoffs but that's just me

[Enigmus]

If it's a first model DS, there's a mod guide online that tells you how to redirect a pin to enable GB/GBC games. That way, you can buy Gold and Silver, and then let the remakes hit!

[c0ldb33r]

If it's a first model DS, there's a mod guide online that tells you how to redirect a pin to enable GB/GBC games.
LIES!

The DS lacks the necessary processor.

[Cryomancer]

You are considering getting into the series as a whole here? If so, definately go with the Fire Red. You'll be familiar with the game since it's a remake of red/blue, the pokemon and characters will be familiar to you. I also think that Fire Red is "faster" to get stuff done in (battles, walking etc) than the DS games, so it's somewhat less likely to bore you with slow battles. If you enjoy that one, you can get a DS one and transfer your stuff over.

If you decide to play a monochrome/color game, you will not be able to get your pokemon into the newer games at all. When the GBA starts to current however you can move things around (although not always in both directions).

[BHvrd]

Nothing has topped Pokemon Colosseum on Gamecube and the Ruby/Sapphire trading imo. Though the DS version is great and has online and many great features the connectivity with the Wii isn't as good.

I haven't gotten much into Diamond/Pearl as I would like as the Wii version left a sour taste in my mouth and once transferred no coming back, so my Pokemon sit in Pokebox and still get played on the Gamecube's Colosseum version.

Honestly when it comes down to it Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and the DS games Diamond/Pearl/Platinum are much better games in general than Fire Red and Leaf Green which both SUCKED imo, they were boring and not enough features. If you have to get one Pokemon game and don't need perfection "like me" then definetely the DS versions, no doubt, they are the best, duh.

Also as a side not I must say Pokemon doesn't get repetitive when you have 2+ people who know what they are doing. Had many friends over and tons of fun battles, good times.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

I will throw a vote in for Platinum if you want to play one on your DS. I hadn't played pokemon for a long while and Platinum is a very solid Pokemon game. Not to say the others aren't solid, but its pretty damn good.

[calthaer]

Colosseum may be one of the better games, but it's not necessarily for beginners. It's a high-powered campaign with higher-level Pokemon, and it inverts / subverts some of the core "rules" of the regular game (namely, that you can't steal Pokemon from other trainers). This is one of the key aspects of the game's appeal, but it's not where he should start. I will say that that end battle(s) in Colosseum was / were really difficult, and because of that Colosseum was really the most exciting play in the game series I've ever had.

FireRed is a remake of the original duo, and as such it is simpler and is designed for beginners. Many of the more complicated aspects of the game (such as breeding) are left until after you "complete" the game, or beat the end boss.

If you're thinking about transferring your characters to the DS, I'm going to also recommend that you get Emerald. There is a small glitch in this game that will allow you to duplicate your guys, which you can then send over to the DS - and still retain them on the GBA (normally this is a one-way transfer that will delete your characters from the GBA with no chance of putting them back).

One might consider this cheating, but then again I don't really consider gutting the GBA games to be a nice thing to have to do to get a full Pokedex in the DS games, so I don't particularly feel badly about using this just to get guys on the DS (although this "cheat" could be abused). I'm not even done all the things I want to get done on the GBA games.

The Gold / Silver remakes will be out by the time you finish FireRed / Emerald. Platinum (which should be what you play if you do the Diamond / Pearl / Platinum games) is a great game and is well worth playing as well.

So my recommendation would be FireRed -> Emerald -> Gold / Silver OR Platinum, then whatever you didn't do, if you want to do some of the GBA games first. Colosseum and XD are both worthy games, but kind of secondary unless your goal is to get them all (then they're necessary at this point until Gold / Silver come out).

I will also note that there is a fairly significant change in the game mechanics (between Attack and Special Attack and the move types) between the GBA and DS games that seems minor at first glance but really alters how things work dramatically, so be prepared for that if you do the GBA games first and then go for the DS.

If you do decide to go for the DS ones at some point, let some of us know. We can probably breed you some characters that will make things a lot easier and more fun, and trade them to you online. I had already finished Pearl and then bred a powerful team to start on Platinum just for fun - Houndour with Thunder Fang, Totodile with Dragon Claw, Aron with Dragon Rush, a Gible with Metal Claw...and I can't remember the others. One of them was a Shroomish with False Swipe for easy captures.