Alright, so here's the deal. I used to be a really hard-core pokemon gamer, but I didn't buy the DS, so I wasn't able to play any of the newer games. Can anyone fill me in on the system layout changes/fundamental battle system differences from the Ruby/Sapphire/Leaf Green/Fire Red generation to the newer one? Thanks muchly in advance.

*edit* hard core as in Gold card without cheating (except for Mew and Jirachi) on Sapphire.

Well, D/P is obviously very similar to the previous games because keeping a franchise practically the same and still getting people to buy new games is what Nintendo is best at. Still, there are quite a few new things in D/P, which include:

- 4th Generation of Pokemon (obviously)
- New moves, items, etc. (again, obvious)
- Use of the DS' touch screen capabilities for certain things (though most of the game is still played the old way)
- Semi-3D maps, again thanks to being on the DS
- Ball capsules and stickers
- Pokemon trading without a linking device of some kind
- GTS trading center, where you can trade your Pokemon for someone elses from across the world (the downside being that it already has to be in your 'Dex)
- WiFi Battle Tower which can be used to battle friends and trainers from across the world

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. That should pretty much cover it, though.

Cool, so it looks like nothing major is different. I'll have to start familiarizing myself with the new pokedex... *grumbles* old-school is better.

I just don't have the money right now. :-/

Nah, I've got better things to pay for.

Wait, May 31st and then June 1st? Is that the wrong date or are they really waiting a whole month in between? =\

Whoops, looks like I was looking at April-May instead of May-June

Also there may be a new diamond and pearl game like platinuim but i think that dawn gold and dusk silver will come out earlier.