Pokemon games - what is the difference between Attack and Special Attack?

In Pokemon games (eg: Pokemon Platinum), what is the difference between Attack and Special Attack? I know Special is for special moves, but what is a special move? 90% of the moves in Pokemon games are special moves.



What good is attack if special attack is for 90% of the moves? Same with defense and special defense?Pokemon games - what is the difference between Attack and Special Attack?
in GSC and RSE the attack moves and special attack moves were based on the type, however in platinum it changed, they're no longer identified by type



they're classified into physical and special attacks, those with a red simbol on the attack description are physical, and those with the purple symbol are special attacks



special moves have their stregnth based on the pokmon's SP.attack stat while physical moves are based on the pokemon's Attack stat



so for expample you have an alakazam, which most of the time has a superb special attack stat, the ebst choice it's to have it learn special moves, like psychic, focus blast, ice beam,etc, just look for the purple symbol on the move's descriptionPokemon games - what is the difference between Attack and Special Attack?
Special attacks a moves that don't require direct physical contact with the enemy. Attacks are direct physical contact with the enemy. Some enemies in Pokemon are weaker to physical attacks than special attacks so you should keep attack stats even though special attacks make 90% of moves in Pokemon Platinum.Pokemon games - what is the difference between Attack and Special Attack?
if you look at the moves, theres a symbol

one is like a pow sign, you know?

that means a regular physical attack.

another is like ovals around each other, thats special.

physical makes contact, special doesnt.