Pokémon Black and White Versions

This article is about the Generation V games. For other uses, see Black and White.

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Pokémon Black Version ポケットモンスター ブラック
Pokémon Black Version's boxart, featuring Reshiram
Pokémon White Version ポケットモンスター ホワイト
Pokémon White Version's boxart, featuring Zekrom
Basic info
Platform:	Nintendo DS (enhanced for the Nintendo DSi)
Category:	RPG
Players:	1-4 players simultaneous
Connectivity:	DS Wireless, Wi-Fi, IR
Developer:	Game Freak
Publisher:	Nintendo The Pokémon Company
Part of:	Generation V core series
Ratings
CERO:	A
ESRB:	E
ACB:	G
OFLC:	G
PEGI:	3
GRAC:	ALL
GSRR:	6+
Release dates
Japan:	September 18, 2010
North America:	March 6, 2011
Australia:	March 10, 2011
Europe:	March 4, 2011
South Korea:	April 21, 2011
Hong Kong:	September 18, 2010
Taiwan:	September 18, 2010
Websites
Japanese:	Pokémon.co.jp Nintendo.co.jp Official site
English:	Pokémon.com (US) Pokémon.com (UK) Nintendo.com (Black) Nintendo.com (White) Nintendo.co.uk (Black) Nintendo.co.uk (White) Official site (archived)
Japanese boxart Boxart of Pocket Monsters Black Boxart of Pocket Monsters White

Pokémon Black Version (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ブラック Pocket Monsters Black) and Pokémon White Version (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ホワイト Pocket Monsters White) are Nintendo DS games that are the first core series Pokémon games of Generation V. The games were released in Japan on September 18, 2010, in Europe on March 4, 2011, in North America on March 6, 2011, and in Australia on March 10, 2011. They take place in the Unova region. These games are enhanced on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo 3DS families.

Pokémon Black and White follow the trends set by previous games in the series. Unlike previous games, Pokémon introduced prior to Generation V cannot be obtained before completing the main story by defeating Team Plasma.

The games' names were revealed on the official Japanese Pokémon website on April 9, 2010, and scans from the subsequent issue of the magazine leaked the following day, April 10.

Pokémon Black and White were followed in 2012 by two sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which are set two years after the events of Black and White. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are the second and final paired versions of Generation V.

Plot

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

The game starts in Nuvema Town in the player's room with Cheren, a childhood friend. Professor Juniper has left a gift box for the two and Bianca, another one of the player's friends, who arrives a little later. The box contains three Pokémon that the player can choose from. After the selection, Bianca will request a battle. When the battle is over, the room becomes cluttered due to the battle. Cheren heals both the player's and Bianca's Pokémon, and begins a battle with the player as well. If the player loses to Cheren, he will gloat about his victory. The three then go downstairs, and Cheren and Bianca will leave the house while the player's Mom will heal the Pokémon.

The player visits Bianca's house, where she and her father are having an argument about her going on a Pokémon journey. Bianca storms out of the house, and the player follows her to Professor Juniper's lab, where Cheren has been waiting. In the lab, Professor Juniper will give the player a chance to nickname the selected first partner Pokémon, and give each of the three a Pokédex. Upon leaving the lab, they will be greeted by the player's mother, who will hand everyone a Town Map.

From then on, the player will set off on adventures through the Unova region. Along the way, the player, Cheren, and Bianca will battle eight Gym Leaders, while trying to complete the Pokédex. After managing to obtain all eight Badges, the player will head to the Pokémon League to battle the Elite Four and the Champion. Cheren decides to pursue strength and Bianca realizes that she cannot match the skills of the player or Cheren.

However, the adventure does not go as smoothly as expected, as the evil Team Plasma will be encountered along the way to the Pokémon League. Team Plasma's goal is to separate Pokémon from people; claiming that humans are only hindrances to the lives and interests of Pokémon. The player will occasionally encounter N, the mysterious leader of the organization. Ghetsis, a co-founding member of the Seven Sages, has a secret, different goal from N's. The player must learn of and thwart their plans in order to save the relationship between Pokémon and their Trainers.

Once the player enters the Champion's room, N is shown to have defeated Alder, and proceeds to summon his castle to ambush and attach to the Pokémon League. The player traverses through the castle to find N and his legendary dragon, who claims to be the hero. However, the Light Stone^B/Dark Stone^W in the player's Bag is released and summons the second dragon hero, Reshiram^B/Zekrom^W, which the player catches and uses to battle and defeat N.

Once defeated, Ghetsis angrily intervenes, revealing his intentions of creating Team Plasma for his own interests of power, and how N and the idea of Pokémon liberation were merely his tools. In a rage, he battles the player in an attempt to eliminate any witnesses of the truth. His actions are futile, however, and N reconsiders his actions and ideas.

After defeating N and Ghetsis, the player will return to their house and see their mother next to Looker, who will be disguised as the player's mother temporarily. He explains that he needs help rounding up the Seven Sages of Team Plasma that are hidden across Unova. Also, Route 11 and Marvelous Bridge open up, allowing access to Black City or White Forest, Undella Town, and Lacunosa Town. The player may also access Giant Chasm, within which Kyurem may be battled and captured. The routes surrounding these areas contain many Pokémon native to the other four regions. Alder himself may also be battled in proper Champion fashion.

Pokémon outbreaks will now occur across Unova's routes as well. Additionally, a series of strong windstorms^B/thunderstorms^W will occur across routes, indicating the presence of a roaming Tornadus^B/Thundurus^W, which can be battled and caught. In Caitlin's villa in Undella Town, the player will encounter Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region. She will battle the player, remarking about the striking similarities the player shares with another young Trainer from Sinnoh.

	Spoilers end here.

Blurb

A new world filled with never-before-seen Pokémon!
What are the true motives of Team Plasma and the mysterious N? What is the secret of the Legendary Pokémon? Adventure across the Unova region and discover all-new Pokémon!

Features

Black and White returns features present in previous generations, such as day, time, Abilities and the split between Physical and Special moves. Certain ones, however, such as Pokémon following their Trainers and the Battle Frontier, have been left out. Black and White also features a great deal of general graphical enhancements over previous generations, such as a higher level of 3D graphics and creative camera angles.

In addition to the improved graphics, a number of aesthetic changes have been made from previous generations, including an altered battle scene containing fully animated Pokémon battle sprites as well as a dynamic camera that changes focus to highlight specific parts of the battle. Also, when talking to people, speech balloons for dialog will appear over people's heads, rather than a simple dialog box.

In the international versions, Pokémon names are no longer displayed in all capital letters, following the trend set in Generation IV of no longer displaying the names of characters, items and locations in all capital letters. Pokémon transferred from Generation IV will keep an all-caps species name unless they are evolved in Generation V, provided that they can evolve.

C-Gear

Main article: C-Gear

The C-Gear allows players to use certain multiplayer functions while anywhere in the game world. These functions vary with the type of communication used: wireless, Wi-Fi and infrared. The C-Gear is similar to the Pokétch in that it fills the bottom screen, but its applications are much different.

On the C-Gear, as well as in battle, the current time is displayed in 12-hour format, however, at the hours of 12:00 AM and PM, the hour displays as 0, rather than 12, as a 24-hour clock, such as that on the DS and in the Generation IV games, would display midnight.

Players can use the Xtransceiver to talk to other players; this utilizes the camera when played on systems that have one.

Pokémon Global Link

Main article: Pokémon Global Link

The Pokémon Global Link was a multiplayer feature that made use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and was the equivalent of the fourth generation Global Terminal. In addition to providing the features of the Global Terminal, it allowed players to upload their save files to the Pokémon Global Link website to access the Pokémon Dream World. Players could also go to the Pokémon Center to enter Random Matchup where they could battle a random person also connected to Random Matchup. The Global Link was also the place where players could download exclusive content including C-Gear and Pokédex skins and additional Pokémon Musical songs. The service became defunct as of Febuary 2020.

Pokémon Dream World

Main article: Pokémon Dream World

The Pokémon Dream World was a special feature of the Generation V games which is operated via the website Pokémon-GL.com. The Dream World allowed players to send a Pokémon to the Internet to obtain items and meet other Pokémon, making the website in a way such that it is a Generation V analog to the Pokéwalker.

Many Pokémon that are found here are not found in the Unova region, and would otherwise have to be migrated from a Generation IV game to be used. All of the Pokémon available here have their Hidden Abilities, which can only be obtained via special means.

As of January 14, 2014, the Dream World has been closed and is no longer available.

Entralink

Main article: Entralink

The Entralink is a new feature in Pokémon Black and White which allows contact with other players over local wireless. It is a multiplayer area in central Unova; Pokémon obtained in the Pokémon Dream World can be caught here. In combination with the C-Gear, it is possible to travel through Unova with other players and battle, trade and perform various multiplayer sidequests.

Pokémon Musical

Main article: Pokémon Musical

Pokémon Contests, which have been present since Generation III, are replaced by the Pokémon Musicals. Similar to the Super Contests in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Trainers have to dress up their Pokémon with different accessories. The Pokémon will then compete by dancing on the theater stage with the other entrants. They are held in Nimbasa City.

Seasons

Main article: Season (game mechanic)

Much like Generation II introduced a system of time, Generation V features a system of seasons. Seasons change every month, thus completing three cycles per year. With it comes aesthetic changes in the region, as well as some changes with the Pokémon found in the wild. It also reflects real life in affecting the time each part of the day is; for example, in winter, night is from 19:00 to 6:59, but in summer it is from 21:00 to 3:59. Additionally, Deerling and its evolution Sawsbuck change forms every season. Some areas can only be accessed in certain seasons.

Sprite animations

While already featured in previous games, Pokémon sprites in Black and White remain animated throughout the battle. Additionally, full back sprites are now present in the games. Some, but not all, Pokémon use animated versions of their Generation IV sprites, occasionally with minor modifications to the original Generation IV sprites. All Trainers, on the other hand, with the exception of Bianca, Cheren and N, return to sprites with no animations.

Changing music

In previous games, the main music track always remained the same throughout battles, in Generation V, the battle music may change with the situation. For example, when battling a Gym Leader's last Pokémon, the music changes to a remix of the main theme. The warning sound heard when a Pokémon has at most 20 percent of its maximum HP remaining has been remixed into its own music. Some "rare" wild Pokémon also get their own theme, along with wild double battle themes changing too. While not technically new, the seasons also change the music in certain places, though these changes are mostly changes to instrumentation, similar to how the day/night cycle could affect the music in Generation IV.

Weather

Unlike previous generations, the weather is shown only once, during the first turn. Instead of showing it again every turn until the condition ends, there will be an icon on the touch screen showing current weather (or no icon if there's no weather currently). However, unused text exists in the game for hail, sandstorm, and even fog.

Exclusive Areas

The version-exclusive feature is taken to another level by including areas that are either slightly or completely different between the two games. Opelucid City has a futuristic and technological appearance in Pokémon Black, but a traditional and more natural appearance in Pokémon White, which is also reflected by the city's background music in each respective version. Mistralton City has greenhouses showcased in Black, but displays vegetable patches instead in White. Additionally, for the first time in the series, version-exclusive locations are presented, the Black City^B and the White Forest^W.

Triple Battles

Main article: Triple Battle

In a Triple Battle, three Pokémon on each side are sent out at once. However, unlike in a Double Battle, there are restrictions as to which Pokémon can attack which opponent. The Pokémon in the middle can attack (and be attacked by) all three on the other side, but the ones on the side cannot attack the Pokémon on the far side of the opposite end. However, some moves can break this rule, including most Flying-type moves such as Pluck and pulse-related moves such as Aura Sphere. The Pokémon Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour were introduced to showcase this new feature. The position of each Pokémon can be shifted during battle; like switching, this uses a turn. Although not being a version-exclusive feature, it is predominantly showcased in Pokémon White.

Rotation Battles

Main article: Rotation Battle

Rotation Battles are similar to Triple Battles in that three Pokémon in each team are sent onto each side; however, they are sent out onto a circular platform. The platform can be rotated a third of the way around in either direction without wasting a turn. The Pokémon which is in the third of the circle facing the opponent is the one currently active. Strategy revolves around predicting which Pokémon the opponent will switch to and switching to the appropriate Pokémon on the player's side. Although not being a version-exclusive feature, it is predominantly showcased in Pokémon Black.

Word filter

Pokémon Black and White implemented a blacklist on name inputs. They are the first core series games with this feature.

Gyms

Pokémon Black and White brings back the traditional eight Gyms, but with it a total of eleven Gym Leaders. They are Cilan, Chili, and Cress (Grass, Fire, and Water, respectively), Lenora (Normal), Burgh (Bug), Elesa (Electric), Clay (Ground), Skyla (Flying), Brycen (Ice), and Drayden and Iris (Dragon). Cilan, Chili, or Cress are battled if the player has chosen the Water-type, Grass-type, or Fire-type first partner Pokémon, respectively. Drayden is battled in Pokémon Black while Iris is battled in Pokémon White.

Elite Four and Champion

Unlike previous games, the Elite Four can be battled in any order. After battling all four, a path to the Champion is unlocked. The Elite Four members are Shauntal (Ghost), Marshal (Fighting), Grimsley (Dark), and Caitlin (Psychic). However, the player cannot battle the Champion before defeating Team Plasma. Later, after defeating the Elite Four in a rematch, the player will face Champion Alder, who uses a variety of types. Caitlin previously appeared as the owner of the Battle Castle in Generation IV, although her butler Darach battled in her stead back then.

Technical and Hidden Machines

See List of TM and HM locations in Generation V

There are now 95 Technical Machines and 6 Hidden Machines. A total of 26 TMs can be purchased outright, 16 with money and 10 with BP. Only 1 HM, Cut, is required to finish the main storyline.

Changes from previous generations

• TMs now have infinite uses like HMs.
• The current PP of the replaced move remains when a new move is taught.
• The moves Defog, Whirlpool, and Rock Climb are no longer HMs nor TMs.
• The move Rock Smash has been changed from an HM to TM94.
• Dive returns as HM06, having previously been HM08 in Generation III.
• HMs no longer require certain Gym Badges to use outside of battle.

New Pokémon

See Category:Generation V Pokémon

Black and White bring a total of 156 new Pokémon, higher than any other generation, bringing the overall total to 649 from the 493 present in Generation IV. While some new Pokémon have similarities to previously introduced Pokémon, none of the new Pokémon are related by evolution to any of the 493 introduced previously.

The first Pokémon to be revealed were Zoroark and Zorua on February 10, 2010, who were both featured in Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Following that, the first partner Pokémon Snivy, Oshawott, and Tepig were revealed in the May 2010 issue of CoroCoro. Unlike previous generations, no other new Pokémon were featured in the main anime prior to the games' Japanese release.

Version-exclusive Pokémon

Black 0013 Weedle Bug Poison 0014 Kakuna Bug Poison 0015 Beedrill Bug Poison 0198 Murkrow Dark Flying 0228 Houndour Dark Fire 0229 Houndoom Dark Fire 0285 Shroomish Grass 0286 Breloom Grass Fighting 0311 Plusle Electric 0430 Honchkrow Dark Flying 0574 Gothita Psychic 0575 Gothorita Psychic 0576 Gothitelle Psychic 0629 Vullaby Dark Flying 0630 Mandibuzz Dark Flying 0641 Tornadus Flying 0643 Reshiram Dragon Fire

White 0010 Caterpie Bug 0011 Metapod Bug 0012 Butterfree Bug Flying 0046 Paras Bug Grass 0047 Parasect Bug Grass 0200 Misdreavus Ghost 0261 Poochyena Dark 0262 Mightyena Dark 0312 Minun Electric 0429 Mismagius Ghost 0577 Solosis Psychic 0578 Duosion Psychic 0579 Reuniclus Psychic 0627 Rufflet Normal Flying 0628 Braviary Normal Flying 0642 Thundurus Electric Flying 0644 Zekrom Dragon Electric

The following Pokémon can only be found in White Forest, which is exclusive to Pokémon White. All of these Pokémon are found at level 5 and cannot be avoided through the use of Repel or similar means:

White Forest only

0016 Pidgey Normal Flying 0029 Nidoran♀ Poison 0032 Nidoran♂ Poison 0043 Oddish Grass Poison 0063 Abra Psychic 0066 Machop Fighting 0069 Bellsprout Grass Poison 0081 Magnemite Electric Steel 0092 Gastly Ghost Poison 0111 Rhyhorn Ground Rock 0137 Porygon Normal 0175 Togepi Normal 0179 Mareep Electric 0187 Hoppip Grass Flying 0194 Wooper Water Ground 0239 Elekid Electric 0240 Magby Fire 0265 Wurmple Bug 0270 Lotad Water Grass 0273 Seedot Grass 0280 Ralts Psychic 0283 Surskit Bug Water 0287 Slakoth Normal 0293 Whismur Normal 0298 Azurill Normal 0304 Aron Steel Rock 0328 Trapinch Ground 0341 Corphish Water 0371 Bagon Dragon 0396 Starly Normal Flying 0403 Shinx Electric 0406 Budew Grass Poison 0440 Happiny Normal

• When Genesect is holding a Drive, the light on its back changes color. The Burn and Shock Drives are exclusive to Black, while the Douse and Chill Drives are exclusive to White.
• While Cottonee and Petilil are only available in the wild in Black and White respectively, there is an in-game trade in Nacrene City for the Pokémon which is exclusive to the other game. By extension, this also allows Whimsicott and Lilligant to be obtained in the versions they are otherwise unobtainable in.
• While Volbeat and Illumise are only available in the wild in Black and White respectively, Illumise can breed with any male Pokémon in the Bug Egg Group, Human-Like Egg Group or Ditto to produce Eggs that have an 50% chance of hatching into Volbeat. Likewise, breeding Volbeat with Ditto may produce Illumise Eggs.
• Wild Huntail are exclusive to Black, while wild Gorebyss are exclusive to White, but Clamperl can be found and evolved in both games.
• Several Version-exclusive Pokémon could also be obtained via the Pokémon Dream World.

Compatibility

Black and White are able to connect with all fourth generation core series games, as well as their sequels Black 2 and White 2. Pokémon from Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver are able to be sent to these games using the Poké Transfer. Like the transfer available in Pal Park, Pokémon sent to Black and White from Generation IV games cannot be returned to their original games. Some event Pokémon released in Generation IV have the ability to unlock more events in Generation V: Raikou, Entei, Suicune and Celebi, transferable via an exclusive method called the Relocator, unlock Zorua and Zoroark. Additionally, the Lock Capsule is a Key Item that is not legitimately available, which could theoretically be transferred from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver to obtain TM95 (Snarl).

Black and White also have the ability to connect to the Internet, accessing the Pokémon Dream World; Pokémon acquired in this manner are obtained in the Entree Forest. Although the game cartridges contain infrared technology similar to that used in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Black and White are unable to connect with the Pokéwalker.

The Korean versions, unlike the Korean Generation IV games, can communicate with international versions without any issues.

DSi features

Pokémon Black and White Versions are DSi-enhanced games, meaning that they have certain features which are only enabled when played on a system in the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo 3DS family. These features include the following:

• These games can recognize and connect to routers with WPA connections.
• The user-facing camera can be used during Xtransceiver communications with other players.
• The C-Gear shows the system power using three bars in a battery icon, rather than two on older Nintendo DS systems.
• The game icon is animated when viewed on the Nintendo DSi or 3DS home screen—the Poké Ball inside the icon wiggles.
• Various menus scroll more quickly (such as the Pokédex and Bag), and they take slightly less time to load.
• Japanese versions of Pokémon Black and White are region-locked, so can only be played on Japanese-region Nintendo DSi and Nintendo 3DS systems; however, because the Nintendo DS and DS Lite do not support region-locking, they can be played on these systems regardless of region. The Korean and Western language releases are not region-locked, so can be played on any Nintendo DS or 3DS system regardless of region, but can't be play on iQue DSi and iQue 3DS XL systems .

Localization changes

• The Online Battle name differs between regions.
• The chance that Poison Touch will poison the target was changed from 20% to 30% in international versions.
• The symbol used in the move Imprison was changed in the international versions.
• The amount of C-Gear skins distributed differed between regions; Japanese versions had 31 skins, North American versions had 22 skins, and European versions had 25 skins.
• As Victini is a Shiny Locked Pokémon, its shiny form can never be obtained. In Japanese versions if the game generated a value that would cause Victini to be shiny, the battle would never begin, this was fixed in international versions.
• The male player character is able to ride the Rondez-View Ferris Wheel with Hiker Andy during the summer. However, Hiker Andy's dialogue was considerably changed between language versions. In particular, Hiker Andy invites the player to the Ferris wheel in the Japanese version, but Hiker Andy appears to be have been invited by the player instead in the English version. Hiker Andy appears to be afraid of heights in the English version, but not in Japanese.
  • Before battle: 「いやあ！　そこの　少年(しょうねん)！　まいにち　ムシムシと　暑(あつ)いな！　こんな　イケない　夏(なつ)を　満喫(まんきつ)　しないわけには　いかないよ！　な？　そこでだ！　ボクと　一緒(いっしょ)に　観覧車(かんらんしゃ)に　つきあわないか！　もちろん　タダとは　いわんぞ！　ボク　自慢(じまん)の　ポケモンで　少年(しょうねん)を　もんであげよう！」 (Hey! You, boy! It's hot and humid everyday! We can't help but to fully enjoy the summer! Right? Will you come along and ride the Ferris wheel together with me? Of course I'm not saying that's all! I'll proudly show you my Pokémon, boy!)

    English version: "Hi, Trainer. Enjoying the summer? It's sure hot today. That's summer for ya. What? You wanna ride the Ferris wheel? It's for two at a time, so take a friend. What? You want me to ride it with you? Sure, I guess. I'll ride with ya... But you gotta win a Pokémon battle!"

  • If the player accepts: 「そうかァ！　少年！　キミは　見所(みどころ)　アリ　だな！　さあ　早速　あいさつ代わりに　イッパツ　勝負と　いこうか！」 (I see! Boy! You are interesting! Then let's have one quick match instead of an introduction!)

    English version: "Sure enough. A little battle practice is a good way to spend a summer's day."

  • If the player refuses: 「ああ　残念(ざんねん)だ　少年(しょうねん)！　暑苦(あつくる)しい　夏(なつ)の　ひととき　キミのような　若(わか)い　つぼみと　エンジョイ　したかったのだが！」 (Ah, what a pity, boy! In this sweltering summer, I wanted to enjoy some time with with a young blossom like you!)

    English version: "Oh well. Didn't feel like wasting my time riding a Ferris wheel anyway."

  • After the battle: 「いやあ　よかったよ！　少年(しょうねん)！　キミも　キミの　ポケモンも　立派(りっぱ)！　結構(けっこう)！　タマランよ！　さあて……　２人(ふたり)の　身体(からだ)も　心(こころ)も　必要(ひつよう)　以上(いじょう)に　温(あたた)まった　ところで……　観覧車(かんらんしゃ)に　突入(とつにゅう)だ！　さあ　ついて来(こ)い　少年(しょうねん)！」 (Wow, that was good! Boy! You and your Pokémon are splendid! Wonderful! Awesome! Now then... We'll both warm our bodies and hearts even more somewhere... Let's rush into the Ferris wheel! Come on, follow me, boy!)

    English version: "Nice job. I'm impressed. You and your Pokémon make a great team. Thanks, that was fun. See ya! What? That's not what I promised? You still want to ride the Ferris wheel? OK, sure enough, I guess..."

  • During the ride: 「オオウ……　ムシムシとして……　まるで　サウナだな　少年(しょうねん)！　アアア　熱(あ)いなァ……　少年(しょうねん)の　肌(はだ)を　汗(あせ)が　伝(つた)っているぞ……　ところでだ……　少年(しょうねん)……　恋人(すきなひ)　とか　いないのか？」 (Oow... This is hot and humid... Quite like a sauna, boy! Aah, so hot... There is sweat dripping from your skin, boy... By the way... Boy... You don't have a lover, right?)

    English version: "I thought I'd enjoy this ride, but I feel like I'm enclosed in a tiny little space... Luckily, I'm not scared of heights. That would not be cool for a Hiker. I'm gonna stay cool. Feel cool on the inside, look cool on the outside."

  • After the ride: 「いやあ　想像(そうぞう)を　こえて　アツく　ムシムシした　空間(くうかん)だったなあ！　だが　これで　ボクと　少年(しょうねん)の　あいだは　進展(しんてん)したな！　な！　ボクは　しばらく　この辺(あた)りで　ウロウロする　予定(よてい)だ！　２人(ふたり)の　あいだを　進展(しんてん)　させたい　ときは　遠慮(えんりょ)なく　声(こえ)を　かけて　くれたまえ！　な！　では　また会(あ)おうな！　少年(しょうねん)！」 (Wow, that room was even more intensely hot and humid than I imagined! But this helped closing the gap between me and you, boy! Right? I plan to wander this vicinity for a while! When you want to close the gap between us two even more, feel free to call me out! Right? Well, let's meet again sometime! Boy!)

    English version: "It...uh...it was fun... Yeah, great view... What? I wasn't looking at the view? I was looking at my feet the whole time? What are you talking about? You think I'm scared of heights? Nah. That would be lame. I hike on mountains way higher than a silly little Ferris wh-wheel. C-catch ya later, Trainer!"

• In the Japanese version, a female Swimmer claims that the place in her bikini where she stores her Poké Balls is a woman's secret. However, this was censored in the English version.
  • 「ビキニの　わたしが　どこに　モンスターボールを　しまうのか？　フフフ……　女(おんな)の　秘密(ひみつ)よ」 (Where in my bikini do I store my Poké Balls? Fufufu... Woman's secret!)

    English version: "I'm a girl with everything... Well, everything but a place to put my Poké Balls!"

Localization changes shared by Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2

• In all Generation V core games, Pokémon such as Cofagrigus, Froslass, Nosepass, and Probopass that originate from English-language games cannot be traded through the GTS unless they are given a nickname due to the word filter in the games. This was fixed from Generation VI onwards so that they did not need a name change to be traded.
• In the English version, one of Aha's questions is "Which one can a Pokémon hold, Mail or Marill?"
  • In the Japanese version, the choice is between 「メール」(Mail) or 「カメール」(Kameil, the Japanese name of Wartortle).
  • In the French version, the choice is between "Courrier" (Mail) or "Coudlangue" (the French name of Lickilicky).
  • In the German version, the choice is between "Post" (Mail) or "Kompost" (compost).
  • In the Italian version, the choice is between "messaggio" (Mail) or "massaggio" (massage).

Reception

Black and White's perfect score

Gaming magazine Famitsu gave Pokémon Black and White a perfect score. The reviewers were highly impressed with the fresh approach that the game has taken, from the graphics to the new features to the diversity of the Pokémon. The reviewers were also impressed by the Wi-Fi and PC features. Very few games have received a perfect score of 40/40, the first of which was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Game Informer gave the games 8.75 out of 10. Nintendo Power gave the games a 9.0 out of 10, calling them "as addictive as ever." IGN rated the games an "Amazing" 9.0/10. Both Pokémon Black and White hold a rating of 87% on Metacritic.

Sales

In the fiscal year of their release, they sold 11.51 million units. As of March 31, 2021, Pokémon Black and White have sold 15.64 million copies worldwide, making these games the lowest selling primary core series games.

Japanese sales

Pokémon Black and White sold 2,557,779 units on their first week on the Japanese market, being 1,323,423 from Pokémon Black and 1,234,356 from Pokémon White, with a sell-through of 89.21% and 86.09% respectively. By December 29, 2013, the end of their 172nd week, they had sold 5,516,542 copies, being 2,887,325 from Pokémon Black and 2,629,217 from Pokémon White.

Week	Week ending	Ranking	Units sold	Total units sold
1	September 19, 2010	1st	2,557,779	2,557,779
2	September 26, 2010	1st	828,580	3,386,358
3	October 3, 2010	1st	374,859	3,761,217
4	October 10, 2010	1st	231,638	3,992,855
5	October 17, 2010	1st	168,541	4,161,397
6	October 24, 2010	2nd	81,915	4,243,312
7	October 31, 2010	4th	68,686	4,311,998
8	November 7, 2010	3rd	56,719	4,368,717
9	November 14, 2010	4th	42,279	4,410,996
10	November 21, 2010	3rd	39,883	4,450,879
11	November 28, 2010	5th	43,227	4,494,106
12	December 5, 2010	6th	54,848	4,548,954
13	December 12, 2010	4th	79,819	4,628,773
14	December 19, 2010	5th	115,438	4,744,211
15	December 26, 2010	4th	164,950	4,909,161
16	January 2, 2011	6th	57,576	4,966,738
17	January 9, 2011	4th	45,590	5,012,327
18	January 16, 2011	8th	15,542	5,027,870
19	January 23, 2011	8th	12,115	5,039,984
20	January 30, 2011	16th	10,654	5,050,638
68	January 1, 2012	50th	-	5,400,613
120	December 30, 2012	-	-	5,504,495
172	December 29, 2013	-	-	5,516,542

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Black and White

Music

Main article: Pokémon Black & Pokémon White: Super Music Collection

The soundtrack contains all of the background music from the games, composed by Shota Kageyama, Junichi Masuda, Hitomi Satō, Gō Ichinose, Morikazu Aoki, Minako Adachi, and Satoshi Nohara. The music is arranged by Shota Kageyama, Hitomi Satō, Gō Ichinose, and Minako Adachi.

Beta elements

Main article: Pokémon Black and White beta

Pre-order bonuses

• In Japan, people could receive a Reshiram sound drop by pre-ordering Pokémon Black and a Zekrom sound drop by pre-ordering Pokémon White.
• In the USA, Toys "R" Us offered Reshiram and Zekrom wall clings to anyone who pre-ordered the game.
• In the UK, Gamestation offered three styluses for the DS, each one featuring one of the Unova first partner Pokémon to anyone who pre-ordered the game.
• In the UK, GAME offered an exclusive poster to anyone who pre-ordered the game.
• In Australia, JB Hi-Fi offered a Nintendo DS case featuring Reshiram and Zekrom to anyone who pre-ordered the game.
• In Mexico, Gameplanet offered a white T-shirt featuring Zekrom for pre-ordering Pokémon White and a black T-shirt featuring Reshiram for pre-ordering Pokémon Black. Each T-shirt had their corresponding version logos, the Nintendo DS logo and the Gameplanet store logo. The event Celebi for Generation IV games was also promoted as a pre-order exclusive, but in reality it could be obtained by anyone with a Generation IV game in the store.

Pokémon Black and White Game Art Folio

Main article: Pokémon Black and White Game Art Folio

During the game's release, Target stores in the United States gave out a box of cards with stock art on them and a short description of the art's subject on the back with every purchase of Pokémon Black or Pokémon White.

Gallery

Logos

• 

  English Black logo

• 

  English White logo

• 

  Japanese Black logo

• 

  Japanese White logo

• 

  Korean Black logo

• 

  Korean White logo

Title screens

• 

  English Black title screen

• 

  English White title screen

• 

  Japanese Black title screen

• 

  Japanese White title screen

Trivia

• The developers included antiwar ideas in Pokémon Black and White. Game Freak also spent about a year and a half developing the story and characters.
• The non-English European versions of Black and White were translated directly from the original Japanese version, rather than being translated from the English version like with previous games.
• The credits of the Japanese versions are shown in English if character mode is set to kanji.
• Black and White were the first core series games since the Generation I games to be named after colors, as generations II through IV were named after minerals. Following Generation V, there would not be any games named after colors until Scarlet and Violet, four generations later.
• These are the first core series games to require the version mascot to be specifically caught; if the battle ends by any other means (such as causing Reshiram^B or Zekrom^W to faint), the story will not proceed and the player will have to try again. If the player is unable to catch their mascot because of a full party and PC boxes, the story will proceed anyway, and the Pokémon will be waiting for them at Dragonspiral Tower later.
• These are the only core series games to have a mascot of the color of their counterpart version.
• The font used in the text of dialogues by the Japanese versions is the same one seen in pre-release media of the Japanese versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
• When the games were advertised or reported on Pokémon Sunday, the song Black or White by Michael Jackson was played multiple times as a reference to the titles of the games.
• These are the only core series games to be available in Europe before the United States, being released 2 days earlier. However, these are not the only Pokémon titles in general, as this was also the case with the spin-off games Pokémon Dash and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.
• These are the first core series games in which the final battle of the main story cannot be rematched an infinite number of times in the post-game.
  • These are also the first core series games in which the final main game Trainer is not a Champion.
• Due to the DSi-enhanced cartridges being black in color, Pokémon Black is technically the first Pokémon game since Pokémon Emerald to have its cartridge match the color of the game.
• Both the English/European language and Japanese logos of Black and White feature white and black borders, respectively, to represent Reshiram and Zekrom (who are the opposite color from the game they are featured in). The sequels' logos feature black and white borders matching the game version, the legendary mascot (Black or White Kyurem), and the rest of the logo.
• These are the only core series games to receive a direct sequel.
• These are the only Pokémon games in which no Pokémon from previous generations appear in the regional Pokédex.
• The slogan used in the commercials for these games is "Start From a New Beginning".
• These are the first paired games to be released in Hong Kong.
• Excluding digital sales, these games hold the record for the highest first week sales in Japan, topping over 2.63 million units.
• The titles of Pokémon Black and White were already registered as trademarks by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak in 2009, and kanji versions of the titles were unused trademarks registered in 2008.
  • Pocket Monsters Black (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ブラック) [application number 2009-060072, registration number 5341300]
  • Pocket Monsters White (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ホワイト) [application number 2009-060074, registration number 5341301]
  • Pocket Monsters Black (Japanese: ポケットモンスター黒) [application number 2008-093269, registration number 5222904]
  • Pocket Monsters White (Japanese: ポケットモンスター白) [application number 2008-093271, registration number 5222906]

In other languages

Language Title Japanese ポケットモンスター ブラック・ホワイト Chinese Cantonese 精靈寶可夢 黑／白 Mandarin 精靈寶可夢 黑／白 精灵宝可梦 黑／白 French Canada Pokémon Version Noire et Version Blanche Pokémon Black Version et White Version* Europe Pokémon Version Noire et Version Blanche German Pokémon Schwarze Edition und Weiße Edition Italian Pokémon Versione Nera e Versione Bianca Korean 포켓몬스터 블랙·화이트 Pocket Monsters Black and White European Spanish Pokémon Edición Negra y Edición Blanca

See also

• Black and White walkthrough

External links

• Official PDF-file manual for Pokémon Black Version (English, via Internet Archive)
• Official PDF-file manual for Pokémon White Version (English, via Internet Archive)

References

Core series games and DLC

Gen I

Red

Green

Blue^JP

Red

Blue

Yellow

Gen II

Gold

Silver

Crystal

Gen III

Ruby

Sapphire

FireRed

LeafGreen

Emerald

Gen IV

Diamond

Pearl

Platinum

HeartGold

SoulSilver

Gen V

Black

White

Black 2

White 2

Gen VI

X

Y

Omega Ruby

Alpha Sapphire

Gen VII

Sun

Moon

Ultra Sun

Ultra Moon

Let's Go, Pikachu!

Let's Go, Eevee!

Gen VIII

Sword

Shield

+

Sword and Shield Expansion Pass (DLC)

The Isle of Armor

The Crown Tundra

Brilliant Diamond

Shining Pearl

Legends: Arceus

Gen IX

Scarlet

Violet

+

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (DLC)

The Teal Mask

The Indigo Disk

Legends: Z-A

Pokémon games

Core series • Side series • Spin-off series • Pokémon mini • Individual spin-offs • Betas • Demos

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.