39. Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
DS (2007)
Game Freak
When it comes to the weakest entry in the Pokemon series, fans are usually torn between Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. They can both be accused of having the poorest designed Pokemon, an over-abundance of legendary Pokemon, and an overworld mired by odd design choices (Abundance of water ways in Ruby/Sapphire and Mount Coronet in Diamond/Pearl). I believe that Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald is the weakest Pokemon game (and it still is a great game, don't get me wrong. Can't wait to get my hands on Alpha Sapphire!), and that Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum makes up for its shortcomings with improved battle elements (Physical/Special attacks are no longer determined by type), fantastic new evolved forms of old Pokemon (Weavile and Leafeon are some of my favorite Pokemon ever) and online capabilities, which made trading and battling friends a breeze and a blast (it even had voice chat!). Despite its criticisms, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum expanded the series in ways not yet realized in previous games, and there was no going back after that.
