Pokemon Platinum Randomizer

If you’re tired of replaying the same game you’ve been playing for the last 13 years ad nauseam, add some spice to your adventure with the versatile Pokémon Platinum Randomizer. This handy tool lets players customize the aging NDS game to their liking, including an array of nifty options that lets them create the ultimate Nuzlocke experience.

The added challenge of a Nuzlocke run is the perfect way for trainers to test their abilities, and it’s even better for those players who already have some experience with the base Pokémon games. That said, new players who are not looking for an insanely difficult challenge might prefer to look away, as this is a severely punishing experience.

Nuzlocke’s Horror

Veteran Pokémon Platinum players, or players from any other Pokémon game for that matter, must certainly have heard of Nuzlocke runs. This challenge, originally created for Pokemon Ruby, involves handicapping yourself to a maximum degree, punishing players severely for any and all mistakes during battles.

The rules for a Nuzlocke run are simple:

• Players may only catch the first Pokémon they encounter in a new area.
• If a Pokémon faints, they’re considered lost and must be released via a PC.

Some players have also taken to naming each Pokémon they catch as a third rule, but this has no bearing on the actual gameplay. A Nuzlocke run is essentially a permadeath mode for Pokémon, giving veteran players of the franchise a taste of what playing a Fire Emblem game is like for a change.

Random Encounters

Now, what does a Randomizer have to do with Nuzlocke runs? Everything, actually. The Pokémon Platinum Randomizer adds an extra layer of uncertainty to any Nuzlocke challenge run, making them all the more unpredictable and difficult. Imagine not knowing what level or species the first Pokémon of every area is going to be.

The Randomizer, much like the popular Universal Pokémon Randomizer, mixes all the content in Pokémon Platinum and gives players no clue of what they’re going to get. Everything from a level 100 Lugia to a level 1 Magikarp could be the first Pokémon you find in the wild. This means that players will have to build their parties on the go, with little time for preparation or even strategy.

While that might sound hard for a normal Pokémon Platinum playthrough, it’s pretty much hell for a Nuzlocke run. As such, this Randomizer can only be recommended for veteran Pokémon players, as the experience can be downright frustrating sometimes.

Catch ‘em All

Another side effect of using the Pokémon Platinum Randomizer is that players will be, in theory, capable of completing the National Pokédex without the need to change with some other version.

Pokémon from other generations are available in the wild thanks to the Randomizer, letting players catch elusive Pokémon that were first seen in the previous three generations.

Pros:

• Great for Nuzlocke runs
• Tons of Pokémon to catch
• Refreshes the Pokémon formula

Cons:

• Insane difficulty might feel unfair
• Some randomizations leads to players getting inevitably stuck

If you love this series, I am pretty sure you have already heard of Pokemon Platinum Randomizer or at least some other randomizer for this series. This is a lot of fun, and I will say that this is not for those of you who are looking for your first taste of this franchise on your quest to see if catching them all is as fun as people say. This is for those of you who are already very familiar with this series. I have played this a few times, and I always have a fun time.

It's About You, It’s About Me!

Let me give you a bit of background in regards to what Pokemon Platinum Randomizer is all about. Pokémon Platinum was the third version that came after Pokémon Pearl and Pokémon Diamond on the Nintendo DS. Remember when they used to release a third version? I know that we get DLC these days, but I do miss it when they would release a game like this. Anyway, the point of this is that it changes things up from the base game, giving you a much more unpredictable kind of experience.

Making The Best Of It

Pokemon Platinum Randomizer Nuzlockes are pretty huge, and that is how most people will try and play this game. Different people have different rules for this kind of thing. However, most of the common rules are that you can only use the first Pokémon that you manage to capture in an area, and if a Pokémon faints, they are dead to you for the rest of the game. There are tons of Let's Plays of this online, and it is honestly and absolute blast to try and do yourself. I have tried it a few times and actually managed to get pretty far, as I got lucky with the Pokémon that I caught.

The More Things Change….

At its core, Pokemon Platinum Randomizer is the same classic RPG as the original Pokémon Platinum, but the twist here is the random nature of things. The story of you making your way to face Cynthia and be the Pokémon Champion is still here, as is the stuff with Giratina and the Distorted World. However, the Pokémon and the locations where they will show up, and the levels that they will be is completely random. This means that you could get an awesome high-powered Pokémon right at the start of the game, or you could get something very weak and lame. It is the kind of thing you have to just jump into and try for yourself to realize why so many people say that this is such a fun time.

Making Use Of A Bit More Horsepower

With Pokemon Platinum Randomizer being based on Pokémon Diamond, which in turn was the third version of the awesome Pokémon Pearl and Pokémon Diamond. This game has a fantastic presentation to it. For starters, this was the game that gave us Piplup, the most awesome Pokémon ever! However, I do think that there is a significant leap here in terms of the overall presentation, thanks to the extra power that the Nintendo DS has over the Gameboy Advance. Things just look a bit bigger and better detailed here, also, I loved the way the world looks similar, but there are key changes to certain areas over what Pokemon Diamond and Pearl offered. Also, the Distorted World is one of the coolest locations in Pokémon history!

Pros:

• I love the setting of this game
• The random nature of the Pokémon can be hilarious and frustrating
• This is a very challenging game
• The Distortion World is so freaking cool!

Cons:

• Sometimes it can feel like the randomization is just out to screw you over!
• This is for seasoned Pokémon vets only!