I really, really love Pokemon Diamond, and I think you will, too. It's very much in the same spirit as all of the other Pokemon games, and while nothing will match the original thrill of sifting through Celadon City on the hunt for a free Eevee, Diamond (and Pokemon Pearl) just spin the idea into something so immense and involved that it's nearly impossible to put the DS down once you get into a groove.

It's the kind of game that requires a lot of patience, not because it's in any way difficult, but because you'll be tempted to "finish the levels already" and skip all of the little cool things lurking around just about everywhere. Like, you'll go into a hundred different houses and know that no more than six of them will have anything you even remotely need, and yet, you're cheating yourself if you don't start a conversation with every person and electronic device found inside, because that's the thrill -- all of the exploration.

I've clocked nearly six hours of play at press time, and I've barely scratched the surface. I've only got one of the eight gym badges, so on a conservative estimate, there's at least thirty hours solid of play before things start winding down.

I'm late to the dance on this recommendation, but I'll make it anyway: Buy this game. Then trade me a Charmander, because I really want one. (Yes, you can connect with your friends using the DS's Wi-Fi capabilities, for battles and trades and slapped fives.)

Without further ado, my current Pokemon team:

My first Pokemon and team leader is "Monferno," an evolved form of "Chimchar." Monferno bests the rest by being a monkey and by having a tail that's perpetually on fire. Second in command is "Luxio," evolved from a "Shinx." I kind of regret nicknaming him "Bluey" now that I see that his evolutionary track is only going to make him blacker, but even with a stupid name, he's still a cool cat.

I've been trying to bring up a "Budew" as my team's third-in-command, but he's neck-and-neck with "Shellos," a pink sea slug who may very well end up as my next mindless doodle the next time I'm on hold with the cable company.

In the fifth spot is "Geodude," a G1 Pokemon who looks like a Swedish meatball. Rounding out the team is some beaver-esque thing called "Bidoof." I've been thoroughly neglecting Bidoof because he looks like an asshole on my battle screen. Sucks, because he looked really cool from the front.

Also of note: When I picked up the game, a nearby clearance rack caught my eye. I'm ten bucks poorer, but one Pikachu DS carrying case and a few Pokemon cartoons richer:

Do they still make those Game Boys Advance Video cartridges? Always seemed like a dumb idea to me, but I have a terrible track record when it comes to turning down any Toys 'R' Us product with a red clearance sticker. Mmmm. The cartridge includes two full episodes of the Pokemon cartoon, and one of those two is all about Ho-Oh. I've been saving it for my next long bus ride into the city, but now that I think about it, I'm going to feel way too dumb watching Pokemon on a corporate commuter bus. Maybe I can fashion my DS some kind of cardboard shield.

And now that I think about it some more, the Pikachu carry case is sized for the DS Lite, not the bulky old model I'm still rocking. I wasted ten bux.

Posted by Matt on 07/11/2007. E-mail me!