Pokemon Black and Pokemon White kicked off the fifth generation of Pokemon games when they were released in 2010. Like most generations of Pokemon, they also received a follow-up when Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 released two years later. Obviously, this was a bit different as it was a direct sequel as opposed to a special third game. Both sets of games are remembered fondly by fans of the series, with the legacy of the Pokemon’s Nintendo DS and DSi releases bringing up memories of fantastic new regions and Pokemon to catch. With 8 generations of games and 24 different Pokemon starters, it can be cool to look back and see how Pokemon got to where it is today.
Like every generation of new Pokemon games, there were new features introduced and changes made to the core series. This means introducing new Pokemon in Gen 5 along with things like seasons and replacing Pokemon Contests with Pokemon Musicals. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 remained true to much of Black and White’s base game but also introduced a new story. While team Plasma continues to be the villainous group that the player battles. their structure is altered. How the Unova region is shown to players changes as well in the sequel games.
Pokemon Black and Pokemon White
As with every generation of Pokemon games, Black and White complement each other. The games’ introduction of new mechanics and features let players explore Unova like no other region. The Unova region is also the first time that the core series of games has geography not based around a location in Japan, with Unova’s inspiration being New York City. Since these games do go hand in hand, like their predecessor’s they also have version exclusives.
- Pokemon Black and Pokemon White both contain version-exclusive Pokemon. The most notable of these are Pokemon first introduced in the Unova region. The evolutionary lines for Gothita and Vullaby are found in Pokemon Black, while Solosis' and Rufflet’s are found in Pokemon White. Both games also feature Legendary Pokemon with Tornadus and Reshiram being exclusive to Pokemon Black, while Thundurus and Zekrom are exclusive to Pokemon White.
- Gen 5 introduced the starters Tepig, Snivy, and Oshawott.
- Pokemon Black includes the location Black City. This urban area has a changing population with a minimum of 12 NPCs and a maximum of 45. When characters leave, more can be invited from White Forest through the Entralink.
- Pokemon White replaces Black City with White Forest. White Forest can also have a certain number of occupants with its minimum being 0 NPCs and a maximum of 10 NPCs. The forest is also home to 33 exclusive Pokemon not found in Pokemon Black.
- Gen 5 also includes new types of Pokemon Battles. Triple Battles were introduced and had each trainer send out three Pokemon. Certain moves had different effects and could hit Pokemon on the field depending on their position. Rotation Battles also included three Pokemon on each side of the field. From here, players could rotate which Pokemon was at the center of the rotation opening them up to damage but also allowing the Pokemon to attack for that turn.
Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2
Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 expand on their predecessors in quite a few ways. With a new story for the games, some time has passed since the original conflict in Black and White. As a result, certain characters have had their roles changed while the player’s experience of the Unova region changes as well. These games also expanded on the Pokemon available with new sets of version exclusives and Legendary Pokemon to catch.
- Black 2 and White 2 introduce the Unova Link Feature. This feature has a few purposes in the games. It introduces an “Easy Mode” and a “Challenge Mode” which affected the difficulty of the games. Unova Link also had the Key System, Memory Link, and the Nintendo 3DS Link.
- The Key System allowed players to unlock certain features by receiving keys throughout the game. Many of these features were version exclusive but their keys could be traded from one version to another.
- The Memory Link allowed players to sync their original Pokemon Black and Pokemon White with the new games to access special features and NPC flashbacks.
- The Nintendo 3DS Link was used to obtain Pokemon that were captured with the Pokemon Dream Radar.
- Instead of starting their adventure in Nuvema Town like they did in Black and White, players start Black 2 and White 2 in Aspertia City. Players also receive ten Pokeballs instead of the usual five.
- Gym Leaders Chili, Cress, and Cilan; Lenora, and Brycen from Black and White have all been swapped for Cheren, Roxie, and Marlon respectively in Black 2 and White 2.
- Black 2 and White 2 also included several version-exclusive Pokemon. While there are mirrors of exclusives like in the original versions of the game, Black 2 and White 2 also introduce Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. These forms are the result of Pokemon fusion between Kyurem and either Zekrom and Reshiram, respectively.
- It is possible to catch Regice and Registeel in Black 2 and White 2, respectively. However, the keys needed to unlock them must be traded from the opposite game.
- Hoenn and Sinnoh Legendary Pokemon have been added to the games although the Weather and Creation trios are not obtainable.
- Both Zorua and Zoroark along with TM95, which contains Snarl, are all available in Black 2 and White 2. In the previous versions, they could only be received with the help of events.
- The Forces of Nature, Thundurus, Tornadus, and Landorus, are absent but can be obtained through Pokemon Dream Radar or traded from the original Pokemon Black and Pokemon White games.
- Hidden Grottoes have been added in both games. These locations could be found scattered across the Unova region. They allowed players to find items and capture Pokemon with their Hidden Abilities.
- If a Pokemon is holding an Everstone and breeds the Pokemon, that comes from the egg will have that Pokemon’s nature. If both parent Pokemon are holding an Everstone, then the nature of the baby will be selected randomly from those two.
- All Pokemon Breeders will now rechallenge trainers when they return to an area. Once a player crosses their line of sight, the battle sequence will begin.
- Watchog had a change to its EV yield in Black 2 and White 2. While it offered 1 Attack EV previously it was changed to offer 2 Attack EVs.
- The Pokemon World Tournament is opened in Driftveil City. This tournament allows the player to challenge Gym Leaders and Champions from all five regions, with the exception of Koga and Iris.
- In the post-game, players can enter N’s castle and challenge him. The first time this is done, he will battle with Reshiram in White 2 and Zekrom in Black 2. Afterward, the Pokemon is available for the player to catch. Once the first battle has happened, players can battle N once a season where his team will reflect whichever season is currently going on in the game.
Pokemon Black and White Remakes
Pokemon Black and White as well as Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are some of the most standout games of the series. With a set of complex interlinking stories, fans were exposed to philosophies that could be hard to ignore. The use of Black 2 and White 2 as sequels also helped players to feel like their investment in a new game wasn’t just to get more Pokemon.
With the announcement of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl, the franchise has officially moved on to remaking later installments in the series. It might be a while before anyone can enjoy a remake of Gen 5, but its story could be revamped well on stronger hardware. For the time being, however, players will have to be content with fond memories of the Unova region and its unique status in the Pokemon franchise.
Pokemon Black, White, and their sequels are available on DS.