[Nemokins]

I'm so excited for these games! The pokedex looks fantastic - wild eevees near the beginning of the game!
The one thing that's irritating is that its the same starters as black and white...these 5th generation starters are my least faves! Gonna use a staryu this time round and then 5 completely different pokemon such as ones like koffing :P

P.S Love your site Serebii

[Ænima]

Originally Posted by Serebii

While these are sequels, they are set in the same region and only two years have passed so the locales haven't had that much of a change but I can assure you, they are sequels. The story is completely different. There is a LOT completely different. It runs off the same engine, yes, but why would a sequel have to look entirely different?

I didn't say it had to look entirely different, I said I was a little disappointed at just how similar it looked. All other pokemon sequels I remember added new regions, new features, new starters, new pokemon in general etc...

So far, this just looks like Black with a different story and some slight tweaks here and there. After seeing the gameplay, I presumed it was more like what Platinum is to Diamond than a proper sequel. If it is a sequel, it looks a little half baked if you ask me.

[Serebii]

Ah, but those weren't sequels. Those were new iterations. These are the first direct sequels to any Pokémon game to the point that things unlock if you link with your copy of Black & White.

They're direct in that they continue the narrative. This is unprecedented as Black & White were the first to include a decent narrative

Originally Posted by Nemokins

I'm so excited for these games! The pokedex looks fantastic - wild eevees near the beginning of the game!
The one thing that's irritating is that its the same starters as black and white...these 5th generation starters are my least faves! Gonna use a staryu this time round and then 5 completely different pokemon such as ones like koffing :P

P.S Love your site Serebii

Riolu at the start of the game is also pretty nifty.

Glad you like the site

[Ænima]

deleted

[Ænima]

I'm not too fussed at the fact this is the first 'direct' sequel tbh. I see new pokemon games as sequels anyway. I'd have been more excited by a new 'iteration' if that's what you want to call it than a direct sequel.

Also, I'm a tad disapointed it is being made for the DS and not the 3DS. I'm not saying it would have to be 3D and I'd still want the traditional top down view, but with the more advanced 3DS hardware, they could have made the game look a lot better- things like the battle scenes could be made more spectacular with better sounds etc...

I mean, it'd be like them making a game boy advance game when the DS had already come out. Sort of annoying for all those who shelled out for a 3DS because they thought they'd be getting some new, exclusive pokemon games.

Do you know if Black 2 will be able to be played on the 3DS without being stretched?

[Serebii]

All DS games can be played on the 3DS without being stretched by pressing Start and Select as you load the game.

The reason why this was on the DS rather than the 3DS is because it's still a part of Generation V. As such, if they were to make it on the 3DS, the games wouldn't be compatible online with eachother. The online services for the DS and 3DS are completely independant and the only way they could have done it is to make the 3DS game run off of the Nintendo WiFi Connection which would cause hassle from people expecting their unified 3DS friend code to work on the game.

Having it this way is better because when the next generation begins, we'll have a game that's built up for the 3DS, not a port of a DS game but enhanced for the 3DS.

Generations always last 3-4 years and we're only one and a half years into this generation. this replaces the need for the "Enhanced" version. Yes, it's the same generation, but this is a new spin on things providing a new story and far more changes than the Enhanced Versions would do.

We're still at least a year and a half away from a new generation. Most likely 2 years away

[Ænima]

I think they should have made a new iteration for the 3DS instead. I think the reason it's 'Black 2' for the DS and not some new gen version for the 3DS is more to do with marketing- more people own a DS, the 3DS was a bit of a flop, so they can sell more games if they make it for the DS and tbh, I think it's a cop out. They have a new console out yet the new game is still on the old platform?! A new iteration with improved graphics for the 3DS would bring more people to the new system- it's a shame they took this backward step and released it for an obsolete system.

As for the screen stretching- it seems you either stretch the game, or run it at its native resolution which means it won't use all the 3DS screen- kind of silly considering they just brought out a 3DS with a larger screen, yet they are still releasing one of the best franchises on the DS and fitting it to that screen...

I'm not asking for a port, they should have scrapped Black and White 2 and developed a new generation 3DS pokemon game from the start, not one for a system that has now been replaced and is years old. Now you're saying people will probably have to wait years for a current, 3DS version of one of the most popular franchises for any nintendo handheld? I'm not even sure the 3DS has that long! Even if it does, you can bet several better versions will be released by then- we already have the 'xl'. Not great for people who bothered to buy the 3DS at launch with it's handful of current exlusive titles and the best and most popular is still being released for the DS...

[Nemokins]

I'd assume our first 3DS pokemon game will be a ruby/sapphire remake. I also assumed the reason this was being released on DS instead of 3DS was due to the 3DS being remotely new and therefore not everyone would have the hardware to continue the story...could people have justified buying a 3DS to do this? From a business point of view, I'd believe releasing this on the DS was their best choice.

[Serebii]

Originally Posted by Ænima

I think they should have made a new iteration for the 3DS instead. I think the reason it's 'Black 2' for the DS and not some new gen version for the 3DS is more to do with marketing- more people own a DS, the 3DS was a bit of a flop, so they can sell more games if they make it for the DS and tbh, I think it's a cop out. They have a new console out yet the new game is still on the old platform?! A new iteration with improved graphics for the 3DS would bring more people to the new system- it's a shame they took this backward step and released it for an obsolete system.

Oh they will. It's just they JUST started this generation. They're not going to end it after a year. Relax, a new generation will come.

Originally Posted by Ænima

As for the screen stretching- it seems you either stretch the game, or run it at its native resolution which means it won't use all the 3DS screen- kind of silly considering they just brought out a 3DS with a larger screen, yet they are still releasing one of the best franchises on the DS and fitting it to that screen...

The 3DS is an entirely new console and runs at a higher resolution. it's the only way it's possible. Hell, it's the same with PSP games on the Vita

Originally Posted by Ænima

I'm not asking for a port, they should have scrapped Black and White 2 and developed a new generation 3DS pokemon game from the start, not one for a system that has now been replaced and is years old. Now you're saying people will probably have to wait years for a current, 3DS version of one of the most popular franchises for any nintendo handheld? I'm not even sure the 3DS has that long! Even if it does, you can bet several better versions will be released by then- we already have the 'xl'. Not great for people who bothered to buy the 3DS at launch with it's handful of current exlusive titles and the best and most popular is still being released for the DS...

Again, this generation is only a year and a half old and ending it prematurely just to get a game out on the new console would be a horrible idea and would actually destroy consumer faith in Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

It's also worth noting that Ruby & Sapphire didn't come out until over a year after the GBA and Diamond & Pearl were two years after the DS launched, the DS Lite was even out by then.

The 3DS had a rough start, yes, but it's doing very well now. It could be doing better in the west, but it's doing much better than the DS was at this point in its life. It'll be around for a while and there will be Pokémon games out for it.

Patience

Originally Posted by Nemokins

I'd assume our first 3DS pokemon game will be a ruby/sapphire remake. I also assumed the reason this was being released on DS instead of 3DS was due to the 3DS being remotely new and therefore not everyone would have the hardware to continue the story...could people have justified buying a 3DS to do this? From a business point of view, I'd believe releasing this on the DS was their best choice.

Na, it's mostly compatiblity as I said before. The first 3DS main series game would be the start of a generation so as to not break online compatibility with all the games. Remakes wouldn't suffice as they'd be running mechanics of the fifth generation still.
However, they did say they kept it on the DS for the other reason, which was so that people who played Black & White could definitely play Black 2 & White 2

[TheSilentFez]

Well I haven't played the game yet as I can't read Japanese and prefer to play it for the first time in English, but I've read plenty of information about it and watched plenty of videos and I must say; I'm impressed. I was expecting just the usual re-hash with "Pokémon Grey" so was pleasantly surprised when they announced a sequel. Granted, many of the things in Black and White remain, but I'm pleased that they added some new characters, some new towns and a new storyline.

Anyway, here are my likes and dislikes:
LIKES
- New towns and new areas.
- New storyline revolving around New Team Plasma
- New characters such as Colress and the Gym Leader Marlon (Not too fond of Roxie, if I'm honest)
- Can re-battle N
- I get to battle Drayden in White 2 (Couldn't in White 1)
- All trainer sprites now have very fluid animations.
- The Pokémon World Tournament. One of Game Freak's best ever ideas. I can't wait to be able to battle many of the familiar faces from previous games, especially the Hoenn characters who were in need of a slight spruce-up with regards to appearance.
- New music; especially remixes from past games. A personal favourite being the Sinnoh Gym Leader theme.
- The return of DENNIS!

DISLIKES
- The treatment of Alder. Alder was my favourite champion so I'm not pleased with how Game Freak have treated him in BW2. They lowered the level of all his Pokémon, he can only be battled once with no rematch, he has a normal trainer battle theme rather than his signature battle music (unless you're facing him in the World Tournament) and he plays a much less prominent role than before.
- Iris being the champion. Why?! If they really had to change the champion, couldn't it have been Drayden? Even better would have been the Playable character from Black and White.
- The Gym Leaders' rosters are still pathetically small
- Most of the Gym Leaders still look the same. They could have done with a slight makeover.
- Cheren being the first Gym Leader with two pathetic normal types. He would have been better suited as the 8th Gym Leader or simply an independent trainer.
- No triple battle against Cilan, Chili and Cress.
- The absence of the playable character from Black and White.

Originally Posted by Serebii

Na, it's mostly compatiblity as I said before. The first 3DS main series game would be the start of a generation so as to not break online compatibility with all the games. Remakes wouldn't suffice as they'd be running mechanics of the fifth generation still.
However, they did say they kept it on the DS for the other reason, which was so that people who played Black & White could definitely play Black 2 & White 2

I've a feeling the may go down the route of making the Ruby and Sapphire remakes on the 3DS rather than the DS, but that's just a guess.
Anyway what will a 3DS Pokémon game be like? I'm very fond of the sprites they've always had up until now. I'd much prefer 3D battle scenes which have depth, but maintain the animated sprites rather than make all the Pokémon 3D models like in Pokédex 3D.

[Letham]

For anyone who is interested, sainsburys.com has Black 2 and White 2 for £24.99 and what's more if you use the voucher code SEGCON12 you get 20% off so the games would be £19.99 each.