How to Complete Your National Pokedex on Pokemon Diamond

Fulfilling the Pokémon series’ catchphrase, “Gotta catch ‘em all,” has grown in difficulty over the years. While the first generation games featured only 151 Pokémon to capture, the National Pokédex in “Pokémon Diamond Version” requires a hefty 493 Pokémon. To get them on your own (with some minimal trading required), you will need copies of additional games. Completing the National Pokédex entails catching all the Pokémon from each region: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, as well as trading for a few unobtainable legendary Pokémon.

Things You'll Need

• “Pokémon Diamond Version” (Nintendo DS)
• “Pokémon Pearl Version” (Nintendo DS)
• “Pokémon HeartGold Version” (Nintendo DS)
• “Pokémon Emerald Version” (Game Boy Advance)
• “Pokémon LeafGreen Version” (Game Boy Advance)

Instructions

Capture the Pokémon in Each Game

1. Play through the entire “Pokémon Diamond Version” game. Explore every grassy area, cave and body of water. Capture all the legendary Pokémon and you should have close to 150 Pokémon, the most you can get without trading. Visit Professor Rowan and he will update your Sinnoh Pokédex to the National Pokédex. Repeat this process for “Pokémon Pearl Version” to finish your Sinnoh Pokédex. (You need not be as thorough as you were in Diamond Version; just find the version exclusives. See Resources.)

2. Complete “Pokémon HeartGold Version.” A full playthrough will net you one starter from the first three generations of games. Use the daycare center to breed each of these starters and trade over the Global Trade Center in Goldenrod City to complete your set of nine different starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Torchic, Treecko and Mudkip). By completion of this game, your Kanto and Johto Pokédexes will be mostly full.

3. Complete “Pokémon LeafGreen Version” to fill the gaps in your Kanto Pokédex.

4. Complete “Pokémon Emerald Version” to fill the Hoenn Pokédex.

Import Game Boy Advance Pokémon

1. Insert your copy of “Pokémon Emerald Version” with the complete Hoenn Pokédex into the Game Boy Advance slot on your Nintendo DS. Insert your copy of “Pokémon Diamond Version” into the Nintendo DS slot and start the game.

2. Select “Migrate From Emerald” on the main menu and select six Pokémon to import to your game.

3. Start the game and head to the Pal Park off Route 221. You will be given six special “Park Balls” with a 100 percent capture rate, and you’ll need to explore to find the six Pokémon you imported.

4. Repeat this process for all the Pokémon on your “Pokémon Emerald Version” cartridge, and then do the same for all the Pokémon on your “Pokémon LeafGreen Version” cartridge.

Trade Pokémon

1. Use two Nintendo DS systems to trade your Pokémon from “Pokémon HeartGold Version” to your copy of “Pokémon Diamond Version.” You can trade from the top floor of any in-game Pokémon Center. Repeat this process to trade your Pokémon from "Pearl" to "Diamond."

2. Go the to Global Trade Center in Jubilife City.

3. Trade over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to obtain the following Pokémon (if you followed the steps correctly, these should be the only Pokémon you still need): Mew, Celebi, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin and Arceus.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a printed-out checklist of all 493 Pokémon on hand as you play the different games. The games feature some overlap in Pokémon, and keeping a list will help you only catch what you need.

References

• Serebii: RSCFRLG Pokedex
• Serebii: DPPHGSS Pokedex
• Serebii: Diamond/Pearl Pal Park
• Serebii: Diamond/Pearl Legendaries
• Serebii: Diamond/Pearl Unobtainable Pokemon

Resources

• Serebii: Diamond/Pearl Version Exclusives