Explorers of Sky:Differences from Explorers of Time and Darkness

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky contains numerous Differences from Explorers of Time and Darkness, along with a plethora of quality of life improvements gives several additional contents that is not present in the paired games. Because of this, it is sometimes referenced as the Definitive edition of the Explorers games by fans.

Opening

A new opening intro featuring a new longer song, the then-brand-new inclusion of Shaymin and shots of the Special Episodes replaces the old one.

Main Menu

The Main Menu has more content than before such as new backgrounds and more listed below.

Wonder Mail S

Wonder Mail in the game is now replaced with Wonder Mail S. It is due to the presence of exclusive items that are not present in the paired games such as Lookalike Items.

Episode List

Special Episodes are unlocked after completing specific chapters throughout the main game. They focus on stories based on Characters the player meets during the Main Story.

Change Windows

Five new window styles options are available in Change Windows.

Send Demo Dungeon

Demo Dungeons is a new option that can send a demo of the game on another nearby Nintendo DS. Send Demo Dungeon

Sky Jukebox

The Sky Jukebox is an option that can be unlocked after completing Sky Peak Mountain Path. It shows all 141 soundtracks present from the Explorers games and can play songs while the Nintendo DS is closed.

Gameplay

Multiple adjustments were put to the gameplay. This includes balancing a few Boss Pokémon, rewritten dialogue, readjusted cutscenes, and more listed below:

Main Story

There is now an image shown in the background based on what will happen in a chapter from the Main Story.

Saves

Saving is now faster than before and can let the player choose either "Don't Save" or "Save and Return to Top Menu".

Recruitment

When the player recruits a Pokémon and their team is full, the game will let the player choose if he or she would like to send the new recruit back to Wigglytuff's Guild instead of doing it automatically. The same option goes for escort missions.

Jobs

Job requests can now be taken from a bottle on the Beach or from a Pokémon inside Spinda's Café. Outlaws' AI was greatly improved; they can now be located inside a Monster House or may run away from the player when found. Their reaction is hinted at by the title and description of the job.

Locations

During the Main Story, a new location is added to the east part of Treasure Town, called Spinda's Café.

Numerous dungeons were included in the game after completing the Main Story. This includes a new Epilogue dungeon followed with a new location called Shaymin Village or more extra dungeons. It also brings back dungeons that were previously unlocked through a Wonder Mail Code or from a job request.

Dungeons

Secret Bazaars are introduced for the first time to the player; they appear in a hidden stairs tile found from a random location of a dungeon.

If the player or the partner Pokémon are defeated during the Main Story, they will lose half of the Poké they held instead of all of them. This will only happen to the player after completing it.

Items

Items that were exclusive to either one of the paired games are all back to the game.

New Items

Items that have not appeared previously such as the Sky Gift or the Space Globe were introduced in the game.

Icon	Items		Description
	English	Japanese
Miscellaneous
File:Sky - Gracidea.png	グラシデアのはな	Gracidea	A beautiful flower that blooms on Sky Peak and in the Shaymin Village. Using it on Shaymin causes a Forme change from Land Forme to Sky Forme.
File:Sky - Sky Gift.png	そらのおくりもの	Sky Gift
File:Sky - IQ Booster.png	IQアッパー	IQ Booster
File:Sky - Prize Ticket.png	クジびきけん	Prize Ticket	If you take this Prize Ticket to Wynaut at the Recycle Shop, you can trade it for a chance to win Big Treasure.
File:Sky - Silver Ticket.png	シルバークジ	Silver Ticket	If you take this Silver Ticket to Wynaut at the Recycle Shop, you can trade it for a chance to win Big Treasure.
File:Sky - Gold Ticket.png	ゴールドクジ	Gold Ticket	If you take this Gold Ticket to Wynaut at the Recycle Shop, you can trade it for a chance to win Big Treasure.
File:Sky - Prism Ticket.png	ビクトリークジ	Prism Ticket	If you take this Prism Ticket to Wynaut at the Recycle Shop, you can trade it for a chance to win Big Treasure.

Lookalike Items

Lookalike Items are first introduced to the player in Drenched Bluff. They share the same texture and name as selected common items such as Oran Berry, however, their effects are the opposite of them.

Icon	Lookalike Items		Description
	English	Japanese
Equipment
File:Explorers - Glasses 2.png	みおとしメガネ	Y-Ray Specs	When the leader is holding this, items and enemies won't appear on the map. If anyone else holds this, they will be affected by the Blinker status. It looks a lot like the X-Ray Specs, so be careful not to confuse them!
File:Explorers - Scarf.png	くっつくずきん	No-Slip Cap	While are you holding this, occasionally items in your Treasure Bag will become sticky. It looks a lot like the No-Stick Cap, so be careful not to confuse them!
File:Explorers - Glasses 2.png	ばっちりメガネ	Gaggle Specs	A held item makes the Pokémon stand out, making it easier to hit by enemies. It looks a lot like the Goggle Specs, so be careful not to confuse them!
Projectiles
File:Explorers - Geo Pebble.png	ゴローソのいし	Gravelyrock	This item has a nostalgic feel and causes the user to bring to mind a dearly held memory. When this item is used, tears begin to well up, and the user sobs and switches to Enduring status. A Lookalike Item for Geo Pebble.
File:Explorers - Gravelrock.png	なしのつぶて	Gone Pebble	The Gravelyrock is very hard, rock-like candy. When eaten, it somewhat fills the Pokémon's Belly. It permanently raises the IQ of a team member. It only affects Bonsly and Sudowoodo. It is a Lookalike Item for Gravelerock, so be sure to check carefully before using it!
Berries
File:Explorers - Oran Berry.png	オレソのみ	Oren Berry	A food item that deals damage. It also somewhat fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Oran Berry, so be careful!
Seeds
File:Explorers - Seed.png	ぷっかつのタネ	Reviser Seed	An item that revives a fainted Pokémon...right? And after reviving? It becomes a Plain Seed after use. It can only be used by a Pokémon that knows the Item Master IQ Skill. It is a Lookalike Item for the Reviver Seed, so be careful!
File:Explorers - Seed.png	じゃあなのタネ	Via Seed	A food item that causes the user to say, "See ya!" and warp elsewhere on the floor. It also slightly fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Vile Seed, so be careful!
File:Explorers - Seed.png	すいみんぐのタネ	Slip Seed	A food item that gives the Slip status, where it is possible to walk on water. It also somewhat fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Sleep Seed, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you make a mistake on this one!
File:Explorers - Seed.png	ふごうのタネ	Dough Seed	A food item that makes more Poké appear on the next floor. It also somewhat fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Doom Seed, but this is one mistake you'll be very happy to make!
File:Explorers - Seed.png	めくすぐりのタネ	Dropeye Seed	A food item that gives the Dropeye status, where the immediate surrounding area will be dark, even in rooms. It also somewhat fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Eyedrop Seed.
Drinks
File:Explorers - Medicine.png	ピーピーマッスグ	Mix Elixir	A drink that restores the PP of all moves, but only for Linoone. It also slightly fills the Pokémon's Belly. It is a Lookalike Item for the Max Elixir. Remember, it can only be used on Linoone, so be careful!
Gummis
File:Explorers - Wonder Gummi.png	ふしぎなゴミ	Wander Gummi	When used, this item causes the user eyes to become gunky, and the user gets Blinker status. A Lookalike Item for Wonder Gummi, so be careful!

Pokémon

Pokémon who were exclusive to one of the paired games before are all back with their respective dungeons locations. The player does not require to use a Wonder Mail anymore.

Personality Test

Before the Personality Test, when the game asks the player if he has played one of the paired games then answers with yes, some dungeon Pokémon will have their recruitment rate raised. Some of the starter and partner Pokémon Pokémon can now start with an Egg Move.

During the personality test, the player can choose five additional Pokémon in the list, both as a player or partner Pokémon. However, selected veterans are either available as a partner Pokémon only or are restricted to a specific gender.

Icon	Pokémon		Notes
	English	Japanese
File:Explorers - Vulpix sprite.png	Vulpix	ロコン	Appears as a new female player or partner Pokémon.
File:Explorers - Meowth sprite.png	Meowth	ニャース	Returns as a partner Pokémon only.
File:Explorers - Eevee sprite.png	Eevee	イーブイ	Returns as a female player or partner Pokémon from the Rescue Team games.
File:Explorers - Phanpy sprite.png	Phanpy	ゴマゾウ	Appears as a new male player or partner Pokémon.
File:Explorers - Skitty sprite.png	Skitty	エネコ	Returns as a female only player or partner Pokémon.
File:Explorers - Shinx sprite.png	Shinx	コリンク	Appears as a new male player or partner Pokémon.
File:Explorers - Munchlax sprite.png	Munchlax	ゴンベ	Returns as a partner Pokémon only.
File:Explorers - Riolu sprite.png	Riolu	リオル	Appears as a new male player or partner Pokémon.

New Pokémon

While Giratina appeared only in his Altered form, his Origin form, Shaymin and Arceus were not revealed in the main series during the time of the paired game's release. They were later added in the game after their reveal in the main series' game Pokémon Platinum with only Arceus being cut from the game and appearing as a statue.

Icon	Pokémon		Locations
	English	Japanese
File:Sky - Shaymin Land form sprite.png	Shaymin	シェイミ	Sky Peak Mountain Path
File:Sky - Giratina Origin form sprite.png	Giratina Origin form	ギラティナ	World Abyss

Returning from past games

A few of the new content added to the sister game originated from other Mystery Dungeon titles, including early Shiren the Wanderer titles.

Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 2 - Shiren's Castle and the Oni Invasion

• Lookalike items are brought back for certain items.