Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: The Coolest Pokemon Walking Animations

One of the most beloved features in the Pokemon games is the ability to have the trainer's adorable creatures walk behind them outside of battle. This feature was first introduced with Pikachu back in Pokemon Yellow, but it was expanded upon and quickly became one of the most universally adored features of Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver. Fans of the feature waited over a decade for it to return to the main series games, and finally, walking Pokemon returned with the release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.

Finally, fans could walk with any and all the Pokemon released up until Generation IV in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. That said, there were extremely mixed reactions to the walking animations themselves, with certain Pokemon appearing scaled down too small and others walking far too slow to keep up with the trainer's running speed. Despite that, there were some walking animations that fans absolutely adored.

10 Spheal

Spheal has become a fan favorite Pokemon since it was introduced in Generation III. How could anyone dislike this creature? Not only does it have an adorable round design, but it evolves into one of the most powerful ice-types to date, Walrein. Fans of the round, rolling seal Pokemon were happily satisfied when they saw Spheal's walking animation in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.

Spheal is known for tucking in its flippers and rolling around instead of walking. In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, it does exactly that. Instead of flopping around behind the player, or waddling, Spheal will curl up into a ball and roll after its trainer.

9 Hitmontop

Hitmontop, faithful to its name, is often shown attacking and moving around by spinning around on the top that's on its head. Prior to the release of the remakes of Generation IV, Hitmontop was more often shown side-stepping in battle rather than utilizing its signature spinning top.

In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Hitmontop will walk after its trainer if they stay relatively close enough to the Pokemon. But, if they begin running and stray farther away, Hitmontop will launch into spinning on its head and begin zooming after the player.

8 Donphan

Dophan is an armored-elephant Pokemon that was introduced in Generation II. Notably, Ash had a Donphan on his team after his Phanpy evolved in the anime adaptation of the third Generation, Pokemon The Series: Ruby & Sapphire. Much like Spheal, Donphan is known for attacking by curling up into a ball and steamrolling toward opponents.

In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Donphan moves around by rolling into a heavily armored ball and rolling after its trainer. It's nice to see that the animators added that extra glimpse of personality into this underrated creature when they easily could've had Donphan fall into the category of Pokemon that were too slow to keep up with their trainer's running speed.

7 Riolu

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 strength stand out to those using it competitively.

This Pokemon, by far, has one of the cleanest and smooth running animations in all of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Riolu runs behind the player with its arms stretched out behind it, keeping pace with the player's running speed. It walks and runs exactly how it's shown in the anime and games, appeasing players who have been long-time fans of Riolu and Lucario.

6 Infernape

Infernape is by far one of the coolest-looking fire/fighting-type starter evolutions, though it pales in popularity compared to classics like Charizard and Typhlosion. It's portrayed as both a bipedal and quadrupedal Pokemon, as it can both walk on its hind legs and run on all fours.

In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, it showcases both of these methods of movement. If the player stays relatively close to their Infernape, it'll walk on its hind legs towards the player. But, if they begin running away from it, Infernape will spring into a sprint on all-fours. It's a smooth animation, and easily one of the best out of the three final evolutions for the starters in Sinnoh.

5 Golem

Golem was a trade evolution to Graveler that was introduced in Generation I. It was one of the original trade evolutions in the first generation of Pokemon, alongside Alakazam, Machamp, and Gengar.

Similar to Graveler, who tucks in its arms and legs and rolls after the player, Golem does a similar action in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. This animation is unique since Golem hasn't been portrayed moving around like that before, only utilizing a similar movement when attacking.

4 Ambipom

Ambipom is the evolution of Aipom, introduced in Generation IV. The bipedal monkey has become somewhat of a fan favorite in Generation IV, as its pre-evolution is relatively rare to come by.

Ambipom's walking animation is adorably enjoyable to watch, as it breaks off into an all-fours sprint towards the player when they get too far away. Its double-hand tail has physics of its own, bouncing and flailing around with the Pokemon's movement as it walks and runs outside of battle.

3 Lopunny

Lopunny is another fan favorite introduced in Generation IV. This adorably tough creature is somewhat hard to obtain as its pre-evolution, Buneary, evolves through high happiness. That said, Lopunny's worth having as part of a team for its speed stats, unique design, and adorable walking animation.

Much like a bunny, Lopunny hops behind the player to keep up with their running speed. Its long ears will trail off majestically behind the creature as it bounces and frolics.

2 Shaymin: Sky Forme

Shaymin is a legendary that was introduced in Generation IV. Shaymin has two forms, its standard land forme and a sky forme that can be obtained through making the critter hold a gracidea flower in the daytime. Similar to Shaymin's Land Forme, Shaymin Sky Forme has an incredibly unique and pleasant walking animation—perhaps even more so than its standard form.

Shaymin's Sky Forme, true to its name, levitates and walks in the air when it's close by the player. When the player begins to run further away from Shaymin, it bounds through the air, leaping and flying to keep up with its trainer.

1 Rotom

Rotom is a rare ghost/electric-type Pokemon that was introduced in Generation IV. It can only be found at a specific time at night at the Old Chateau near Eterna City. Rotom has made critical appearances in other games outside of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, including Pokemon Sun & Moon, as well as Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.

This quirky, lovable Pokemon has quite the cool walking animation in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Instead of simply hovering behind the player, it zigzags around behind its trainer and leaves white flashes of electricity in its wake. This animation alone should be an inspiration for players to keep their Rotoms in their standard ghost/electric forms.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available to play on the Nintendo Switch.

More: Forgotten Psychic-Type Pokemon That Deserve More Love