Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Is there a Battle Frontier?

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the Generation 4 titles, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl on the Nintendo DS. Developed by ILCA, the games are touted to be faithful remakes of the originals, down to the chibi style that is reminiscent of the pixel art style used on the Nintendo DS. As with many Pokémon remakes, new quality-of-life features are added to these Nintendo Switch versions to make them more convenient to play and different from the original titles.

The Battle Frontier is a facility present in the Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions, where players could test their battling skills after completing the Pokémon League in the main campaign. Players could engage in one of several challenges involving either Single or Double Battle styles. Upon defeating trainers, the player obtains Battle Points or BP.

More BP is gained as the player defeats more trainers until they get to the Frontier Brain, a sort of "boss" that can only be battled in Single Battle mode. Defeating Frontier Brains grants the player prints, which are similar to Gym Badges. Players could connect with their friends over Wi-Fi to engage in battles together, giving the facility a social aspect. BP can be exchanged for stat-increasing items or evolution items at the facility's entrance.

Despite additions and changes to the games, the Battle Frontier won't be making a return this time around. Game Freak has stated several times that these remakes aim to stay as true to the originals as possible. The Battle Frontier was only available in Pokémon Platinum, not Diamond and Pearl, so it won't make a comeback.

It's not entirely surprising that the Battle Frontier was omitted from the Generation 4 remakes. The Generation 3 remakes, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, did not have the Battle Frontier, despite being present in Pokémon Emerald.

Player analysis of the game's map has led them to believe that the Battle Park, a feature in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, will be returning. The Battle Park is similar to the Battle Frontier, except the Park has no themed challenges and fewer areas to battle in. Players can battle Palmer, their rival Barry's father, at the end of the string of trainers available.

We're not sure how the Battle Park in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl differentiates from the Battle Park in the original games, but we'll be sure to keep you updated. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been on people's radar for some time now and have the potential to be some of the best Nintendo Switch games.