Preview: Pokemon Black Version 2 / Pokemon White Version 2

Title: Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2
Platform: Nintendo DS (also compatible with DSi, 3DS)
Genre: Role-Playing
Developer: GameFreak
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: RP
Release Dates: Fall 2012 (North America), June 23 (Japan)

Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2 for the Nintendo DS are follow-up games to Pokemon Black and Pokemon White for the Nintendo DS. Pokemon has consistently remained one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises since it sprang to life in 1996, so you ought to have an idea how it all works by now. If you don’t, though, here’s a crash course: you, as a Pokemon trainer, carouse across several “regions” in order to capture new Pokemon, befriend them, and breed them to battle other trainers. Ideally, you want to “catch them all,” but there are hundreds of Pokemon varieties across the games, so that’s easier said than done.

Pokemon Black/White Version 2 are direct sequels to Pokemon Black/White, so there’s a lot that looks familiar about the games—but there are still plenty of surprises. For instance, Kyurem, a legendary Dragon/Ice Pokemon that featured in Pokemon Black/White makes a return with two new breed variations: Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. Each Pokemon features on its respective box for Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2.

As was the case in the preceding games, Pokemon Black/White Version 2 both take place in the Unova region. There is more of the region to explore this time, however, including Hiougi City, the player’s new hometown and starting point. Hiougi City is located in the southwest region of Unova, and is surrounded by forests. In this expanded version of Unova, you’ll also be able to find Pokemon that weren’t present in the first iteration of Black/White.

Pokemon Black/White Version 2 has a whole whack of new Gym Leaders, too. Some examples include Homika, a guitar-wielding punk girl whose specialty is Poison-type Pokemon, and Shizui, a kind-hearted swimmer who specializes in Water-type Pokemon. Note that both Leaders’ names may wind up being translated differently in the North American release of the game.

Pokemon Black/White Version 2 is a Nintendo DS game, but is also playable on the Nintendo 3DS. In fact, if you play the title on the 3DS, you can use the Pokemon AR Searcher app to help you catch Pokemon.

If you’re in North America, you can expect to find Pokemon Black/White Version 2 in Fall 2012. Remember—release dates are always subject to change!