Pokémon: Black and White Versions

Pokémon: Black and White Versions
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Nintendo DS
Release Date	JP September 18, 2010 EU March 4, 2011 US March 6, 2011 AU March 10, 2011
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon: Black Version and Pokémon: White Version are two different versions of a handheld monster-collecting RPG that make up the beginning of the fifth generation of games in the Pokémon series. These games also mark the second generation on the Nintendo DS, and for this game the developers attempted a variation on the Pokémon formula.

Story

The player controls a young trainer about to embark on a journey from Nuvema Town. The player character and his/her two best friends Cheren and Bianca receive three starter Pokémon as gifts from Professor Juniper to choose from. After they all receive their Pokémon, they set out to explore the Unova region. The player must catch various types of Pokémon to fill up the Pokédex and defeat the eight gym leaders in order to face the Elite Four and become the Pokémon League champion. Along the way, they all get caught up in the schemes of Team Plasma, who claim to wish to liberate Pokémon from people forever. The player character also meets a mysterious figure named N who is mixed up in this somehow.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to previous games in the Pokémon series, although some of the controls and aspects of gaming have been streamlined. The game is also graphically improved from the previous DS games, which is most evident in areas such as Castelia City, which seek to replicate the feeling of bustling cities.

This game includes 155 new Pokémon. In a departure from the previous games, all 155 Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex are new and unrelated to the other 493 Pokémon from previous generations. None of the old Pokémon can be caught until the game is completed. The game also introduces new concepts such as triple battles and double battles with wild Pokémon. There are also Pokémon Musicals, which replace the Pokémon Contests from previous generations. This game also alters TMs so that they are no longer confined to a finite amount of uses.

Connectivity

Copies of Black and White can primarily connect with one another and their sequels for trades and battles, through either the wireless link or the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. A new feature called the C-Gear allows Pokémon in PC Boxes to be traded wirelessly at any time, even when the player is out in a field. An infrared connection is added to make connections with nearby DS systems easy. Pokémon from Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver can be transferred using a Poké Transfer feature, but this is only unlocked upon the completion of Black or White's main storyline. There are also other features that can be used with Wi-Fi, such as the Xtransceiver video chat.

Another new feature is the ability to connect with a website called the Pokémon Dream World, where players can build their own house and grow berries, as well as befriending Pokémon that have unique abilities.

Version Differences

In the previous games, the primary difference between the first two games of the same generation are the Pokémon available in each game. In addition to some Pokémon being exclusive to one version, Black and White each contain one exclusive area. There are also opponents who can only be fought in one version. Additionally, in each game the storyline is altered so that the player character encounters the legendary Pokémon featured as the mascot for the respective game (Reshiram in White and Zekrom in Black).

Legacy

The Pokémon introduced in this generation went on to be featured in various Pokémon spin-off games, and some of them also appeared in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Sequels

In 2012, a set of sequels was released known as Black Version 2 and White Version 2. This marked several firsts for the series, as typically all versions of a generation after the original pair are simply remakes with variations. In this case, the extra versions are actually sequels, and they are being released as a pair instead of just one extra version.

In 2013, X and Y were released as the next generation of Pokémon games, bringing the series to the Nintendo 3DS.