One of the most loved features in the pokemon games is the ability to have the trainer’s cute creatures chase after him outside of battle. This feature was first introduced when Pikachu was back in it pokemon yellow, but it expanded and quickly became one of the most widely adored features of Pokemon Heart Gold & Soul Silver. Fans of the feature have waited over a decade to return to the main series games, and finally walking Pokemon returned with the release of Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl.
Finally, fans could walk with all Pokemon released up to Generation IV in Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl. That said, there were extremely mixed reactions to the walking animations themselves, with certain Pokemon appearing too small and others walking way too slow to keep up with the trainer’s walking speed. Despite this, there were some walking animations that fans absolutely loved.
10 spheal
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Spheal has become a fan favorite Pokemon since it was introduced in Generation III. How can anyone hate this creature? Not only does it have a cute round design, but it also evolves into one of the most powerful ice creams to date, Walrein. Fans of the round, rolling seal Pokemon were pleased to see Spheal’s running animation in Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl.
Spheal is known for tucking in its fins and rolling around instead of walking. In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, it does just that. Instead of flopping or waddling behind the player, Spheal will curl up into a ball and roll after his trainer.
9 hitmontop
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Hitmontop, true to its name, is often depicted attacking and moving by spinning on the top that sits upside down. Prior to the release of the Generation IV remakes, Hitmontop was more often shown stepping aside in battle rather than using his signature spinning top.
In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Hitmontop will run after his trainer if they stay relatively close enough to the Pokemon. But if they start running and wander further away, Hitmontop will start to turn upside down and zoom in behind the player.
8 donphan
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Dophan is an armored elephant Pokemon that was introduced in Generation II. Notably, Ash had a Donphan on his team after his Phanpy evolved into the third-generation anime adaptation, Pokemon The Series: Ruby & Sapphire. Like Spheal, Donphan is known for his attacks by curling up into a ball and rolling towards his opponents.
In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Donphan moves by rolling into a heavily armored ball and rolling after his trainer. It’s nice to see that the animators added that extra glimmer of personality to this underrated creature, when they could have easily dropped Donphan into the category of Pokemon that were too slow to keep up with their trainer’s walking speed.
7 Riolu
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Riolu (and its evolution, Lucario) is without a doubt one of the most universally loved Generation IV Pokemon. The small, but fierce, fighting-type Pokemon appeals to a variety of audiences, with its cuteness appealing to certain trainers, while its speed and attack power stand out to those who use it competitively.
This Pokemon has by far one of the cleanest and smoothest animations of all Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl. Riolu runs after the player with arms outstretched behind him, keeping pace with the player’s walking speed. It runs and runs exactly as shown in the anime and games, satisfying players who have long been fans of Riolu and Lucario.
6 Infernape
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Infernape is by far one of the coolest evolutions of the fire/combat type, though it pales in popularity compared to classics like Charizard and Typhlosion. It is depicted as both a bipedal and a four-legged Pokemon, as it can walk on its hind legs as well as run on all fours.
In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, it shows both movement methods. If the player stays relatively close to his Infernape, he will walk towards the player on his hind legs. But when they run away from it, Infernape jumps on all fours in a sprint. It’s a smooth animation, and easily one of the best of the three latest evolutions for the starters in Sinnoh.
5 golem
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Golem was a trade evolution to Graveler introduced in Generation I. It was one of the original trade evolutions in the first generation Pokemon, alongside Alakazam, Machamp, and Gengar.
Like Graveler, who tucks his arms and legs and rolls after the player, Golem does a similar action in Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl. This animation is unique in that Golem has never been depicted like this before, using only a similar move when attacking.
4 Ambipom
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Ambipom is the evolution of Aipom, introduced in Generation IV. The bipedal monkey has become somewhat of a fan favorite in Generation IV, as the pre-evolution is relatively rare to come by.
Ambipom’s running animation is great fun to watch as it breaks down into a sprint on all fours towards the player when they get too far away. Its double-handed tail has its own physics, bouncing and swinging around with the Pokemon’s movements as it walks and runs outside of battle.
3 Lopunny
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Lopunny is another fan favorite introduced in Generation IV. This adorably tough creature is somewhat hard to come by because its pre-evolution, Buneary, evolves through high luck. That said, it’s worth having Lopunny as part of a team for its speed stats, unique design, and cute running animation.
Like a rabbit, Lopunny jumps behind the player to keep up with his walking speed. Its long ears will run majestically behind the creature as it bounces and frolic.
2 Shaymin: Sky Forme
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Shaymin is a Legendary who was introduced in Generation IV. Shaymin has two forms, the standard landform and an aerial form which can be obtained by having the critter hold a gracidea flower during the day. Like Shaymin’s Land Forme, Shaymin Sky Forme has an incredibly unique and enjoyable walking animation – perhaps even more than its standard form.
Shaymin’s Sky Forme, true to its name, floats and runs in the air when close to the player. When the player starts to run further away from Shaymin, he jumps through the air, jumping and flying to keep up with his trainer.
1 rotom
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Rotom is a rare ghost/electric-type Pokemon that was introduced in Generation IV. It can only be found at a certain time at night in the old castle near Eterna City. Rotom has appeared critically in other games outside Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, including Pokemon Sun & Moon, like Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
This quirky, sweet Pokemon has some pretty cool running animation in it Pokemon brilliant diamond and shiny pearl. Instead of just hovering behind the player, he zigzags behind his trainer, leaving behind white flashes of electricity. This animation alone should inspire players to keep their Rotoms in their default ghost/electric form.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available to play on Nintendo Switch.
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