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
File:Black box EN-US.png Pokémon Black Version's boxart, featuring Reshiram.
Pokémon White Version ポケットモンスター ホワイト
File:White box EN-US.png Pokémon White Version's boxart, featuring Zekrom.
Basic info
Platform:	Nintendo DS
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 main series
Ratings
CERO:	A
ESRB:	E
ACB:	N/A
OFLC:	G
PEGI:	3+
GRAC:	N/A
GSRR:	N/A
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:	N/A
Taiwan:	N/A
Websites
Japanese:	Official subsite
English:	Official minisite
Japanese boxart File:Pokemon Black Boxart JP.png Boxart of Pocket Monsters Black. File:Pokemon White Boxart JP.png 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 the primary paired versions of Generation V.

Black and White follow the trends set up by previous games in the series. Two player characters (one male and one female) travel a new region, Unova, on their Pokémon journeys. This region is inhabited by various Pokémon, and unlike before, none of those available prior to Generation V can be obtained before defeating the Elite Four. The first of the new Pokémon to be featured in these games, Zorua and Zoroark, were revealed on February 10, 2010 in CoroCoro magazine, and the starter Pokémon were revealed in May.

The games' names were revealed on the official Japanese Pokémon website on April 9, and scans from the subsequent issue of the magazine were leaked on April 10. These scans revealed some of the graphical enhancements that are featured in these games. There is a higher level of 3D graphics than in previous games, as shown in some shots of the overworld. Initial sprites could be seen for Zorua, Zoroark, and the player characters.

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 as simply a dialog box.

Black and White are compatible with all five Generation IV games through use of the Poké Transfer—unlike Pal Park, items cannot be held by Pokémon being sent over. Pokémon can be sent from Generation III games, as well, by transfer through Generation IV. The games also have the capability of connecting to the Internet.

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 mother 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 starter 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.

However, unlike previous games, the player will not be battling the Champion of the Unova region after first defeating the Elite Four. Once the player enters the Champion's room, N is seen triumphantly boasting over 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^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}/Dark Stone^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.} in the player's bag is released and summons the second dragon hero, Reshiram^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}/Zekrom^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}, which the player captures 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; beginning with releasing his Zekrom^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}/Reshiram^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}.

After defeating N and Ghetsis, however, the game is not over, as there are further activities to be done. After beating the game, the player will return to their house and see his/her mother next to Looker, who will be disguised 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 storms^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}/thunderstorms^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.} will occur across routes, indicating the presence of a roaming Tornadus^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}/Thundurus^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}, 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.

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.

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.

Pokémon Global Link

Main article: Pokémon Global Link

The Pokémon Global Link is a multiplayer feature that makes use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and is the equivalent of the fourth generation GTS. In addition to providing the features of the GTS, it allows players to upload their save files to the Pokémon Global Link website to access the Pokémon Dream World. Players can also go to the Pokémon Center to enter Random Matchup where they can battle a random person also connected to Random Matchup. The Global Link is also the place where players can download exclusive content including C-Gear and Pokédex skins and additional Pokémon Musical songs.

Pokémon Dream World

Main article: Pokémon Dream World

The Pokémon Dream World is a special feature of Black and White which is operated via an Internet website, Pokémon-GL.com. The Dream World allows 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 are given Dream World-exclusive Hidden Abilities that their species cannot have by normal means.

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: Seasons

Much like Generation II introduced a system of time, Generation V features a system of seasons. Seasons change every month, which cycles thrice for each 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 effecting the time each part of the day is; for example, in winter, night from is 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. All Trainers, on the other hand, with the exception of Bianca, Cheren and N, return to sprites with no animations.

Changing music

Whereas in previous games, the music was the same during entire battles (other than when the player's Pokémon has less than ¼ health remaining), in Generation V, things such as 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 less than ¼ of its maximum HP remaining has also been remixed into its own music. "Rare" Pokémon also get their own theme. Although this isn't technically new, the seasons change the music in certain places as well, though these changes are mostly the instruments heard. This is similar to the day/night cycle in Generation IV.

Triple battles

Main article: Triple battle

In a triple battle, three Pokémon on each side are sent out at once. There are restrictions as to which Pokémon can attack which opponent. The Pokémon in the middle can attack all three on the other side, but the ones on either side cannot attack the Pokémon on the far side of the opposite end. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, through the use of moves such as Acrobatics. The Pokémon Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour were introduced to showcase this new feature. The position of each Pokémon can be changed during the battle; however, a turn will be used up.

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 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.

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 starter Pokémon, respectively. Drayden is battled in Pokémon Black while Iris is battled in Pokémon White.

Elite Four

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), Grimsley (Dark), Caitlin (Psychic), and Marshal (Fighting). However, the player is not able to battle the Champion before defeating Team Plasma. Later, after defeating them in a rematch, the player will face Champion Alder, who uses a variety of types. Caitlin is the same person present in the Battle Castle who was alongside her butler Darach in Generation IV.

New Pokémon

See Category:Generation V Pokémon

Black and White bring a total of 156 new Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 649 from the 493 present in Generation IV. While some new Pokémon may 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, who were both featured in Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Unlike previous generations, no other new Pokémon were featured in the main anime prior to the games' 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 the White Forest, which is exclusive to Pokémon White:

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 Photon Blaster 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.

Compatibility

Black and White are able to connect with all fourth generation main series games. Pokémon from Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver are able to be traded forward to these games using the Poké Transfer. Like the transfer available in Pal Park, Pokémon sent to Black and White cannot be returned to their original games. Some event Pokémon released in Generation IV have the ability to unlock more events in Generation V: specific Raikou, Entei, Suicune and Celebi, transferrable via an exclusive method called the Relocator, unlock Zorua and Zoroark. Likewise, the Lock Capsule transferred from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver yields TM95 (Snarl), but this event has yet to take place.

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.

Reception

Black and White's perfect score

Gaming magazine Famitsu has given Pokémon Black and White Versions perfect scores. 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.

Only 14 other games have received a perfect score of 40/40, the first of which was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and the most recent being Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Game Informer gave the games 8.75 out of 10. Videogamer.com gave the games a 9 out of 10. Nintendo Power gave the games a 9.0 out of 10. Edge gave the games an 8/10.

Trivia

• The developer included antiwar ideas to Pokémon Black and White.
• Pokémon Black and White each have a mascot of the color of their counterpart version.
• Black and White are the only games where the player is required to interact with other NPCs (in this case, their rivals) before proceeding downstairs to speak with their mother.
• Game Freak spent about one and a half years developing the story and characters.
• Several bonus items were available with pre-orders of the games in various countries:
  • 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 styli for the DS, each one featuring one of the Unova starter 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, they offered a white T-shirt with Zekrom on it for pre-ordering Pokémon White and a black T-shirt with Reshiram on it for pre-ordering Pokémon Black. Each T-shirt had their corresponding version logos, the Nintendo DS logo and the GamePlanet stores logo. The event Celebi for Generation IV games was also promoted as a pre-order exclusive, but in practice it could be obtained by anyone with a Generation IV game in the store.
• The credits of the Japanese versions are shown in English if kanji mode is selected.
• This is the only game where the main character has two rivals
• 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.
• Pokémon Black and White are the first main series games to require the version mascot to be specifically caught; if the battle ends by any other means (such as causing Reshiram^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.} or Zekrom^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.} to faint), the story will not proceed, and the player will have to try again.
  • However, 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.
• 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 forward, however, will keep an all-caps species name unless they are evolved in Generation V.
• 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 games are the first main series games to be available in Europe before the United States, being released 2 days earlier. However, these are not the first Pokémon titles, being preceded by the spin-off games Pokémon Dash and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.
• The slogan used in the commercials for these games is "Start From a New Beginning".
• These games are the first Pokémon games that support WPA encryption; however, they do not when played on a Nintendo DS or a Nintendo DS Lite.
• Black and White are the first handheld Pokémon games to censor certain words when attempting to nickname a Pokémon. This means that if the player gives a nickname to a Pokémon that is registered on the games' built-in blacklist, he/she will be unable to confirm the nickname as the action will be denied, requiring another, whitelisted name to be input.
• Korean versions of Black and White, unlike all Korean Generation IV games, can communicate with international versions without any issues.

In other languages

Language Title Japanese ポケットモンスター ブラック・ホワイト European French Pokémon Version Noire et Version Blanche German Pokémon Schwarze Edition und Weiße Edition Italian Pokémon Versione Nera e Versione Bianca Korean 포켓몬스터 블랙·화이트 European Spanish Pokémon Edición Negra y Edición Blanca

References

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