Pokemon Shining Pearland its sister gamePokemon Brilliant Diamondare about, like all the mainlinePokemongames before them, catching them all. For many this is the literal point of the game,tracking down hidden Pokemon like Unknownand catching them all.
But one of the fascinating things about games likePokemon Shining Pearlis that, while those introduced to it as their firstPokemongame may follow the regular route, many others play the game differently, creating their own type of challenge when it comes to the game.
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One of those players who decided to make his own difficulty is Daniel Johnson. Some might think of the famous Nuzlocke challenge that involves permadeath and nicknaming every Pokemon, but Johnson went for something arguably even more difficult: beating the game with one Pokemon. While that’s alredy a tall ask, Johnson didn’t go for a starter evolution or other powerful choice; he beat the game with one Bidoof. And for the final touch: no healing items, so thelocations of the best recovery items inPokemon Shining Pearlbecame completely immaterial.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that items were out the window altogether. As anyone who has attempted this kind of run can attest, one of the biggest hindrances is not the inevitable type disadvantage, but the Pokemon’s statline. Bidoof is a very early and relatively weak Pokemon, and that base statline will always make it less powerful than higher evolutions, including its own evolution Bibarrel. That’s where stat-boosting items come into play, as they can power even a Bidoof through a lot of battles. Therecently discovered item duplication glitchwould have proved very useful on this run.
Despite the hardships, Johnson took his Bidoof, named it Masochist, and powered through the game over the course of 70 hours. There were a lot of deaths, but Masochistleveled up quickly, and by the end of the game was level 100.
This is, of course, not the only challenging way to play aPokemongame, and players are encouraged to find a way of playingPokemonthat appeals to them. If they do decide to go on a Nuzlocke run, remember to save the Master Ball for the game’s legendary battle. Don’twaste that Master Ball on a Hoothoot, it might result in a team wipe when it’s time to fight Palkia.
Pokemon Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamondare available for the Nintendo Switch.
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