While there’s plenty to do in the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes, nothing beats participating in the game’s competitive and trading scene. But how do you play online with your friends?
How to play online in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Much like any game on the Nintendo Switch, you need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to access Pokémon’s online features. This includes PvP, trades, and visiting Secret Bases in the Grand Underground.
A 12-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership is $19.99, though you can opt to share the service with up to eight users for a $34.99 collective annual fee.
Related: Best Starter to choose in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
You can still trade and battle via local Bluetooth, however. You just need to be a few steps away from the Pokémon trainer your Nintendo Switch is communicating with.
However, you don’t need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to redeem gifts such as your free Manaphy and Platinum outfits. If you own a copy of Pokémon Sword/Shield or Pokémon Let’s Go, you can get your free Mew and Jirachi without a membership, too.
For more help with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, we at Pro Game Guides have you covered.
Bianca Versoza is Pro Game Guides' Weekend Editor. With over three years of experience in gaming journalism, she specializes in anything remotely turn-based and strategic, like Pokémon, Valkyria, and Honkai: Star Rail. Bianca is a huge fan of Square Enix, RPGs, party games, and visual novels, but will play anything with a banger OST. She's a proud early bird.