Pokemon White Version

Pokémon Black Version^[a] and Pokémon White Version^[b] are 2010 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the Pokémon video game series.^[6] First released in Japan on 18 September 2010, they were later released in Europe, North America and Australia in 2011. Sequels to Black and White, Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, were released for the Nintendo DS in 2012.

Similar to previous installments of the series, the two games follow the journey of a young Pokémon trainer through the region of Unova, as they train Pokémon used to compete against other trainers while thwarting the schemes of the criminal organization Team Plasma. Black and White introduced 156 new Pokémon to the franchise, 5 more than the previous record holder Pokémon Red and Blue, as well as many new features, including a seasonal cycle, rotation battles, fully animated Pokémon sprites, and triple battles. 

Gameplay – Pokemon White Version

See also: Gameplay of Pokémon

Pokémon Black and White are role-playing video games with adventure elements, presented in a third-person, overhead perspective.^[8] There are three basic screens: an overworld, in which the player navigates the main character; a battle screen; and the menu, in which the player configures their party, items, or gameplay settings. The player controls a Pokémon Trainer who begins the game with a single Pokémon^[9] and is able to capture more using Poké Balls.^[10]

Like all other Trainers, the player can carry up to six Pokémon at one time. However, the game also includes a network of PCs to store hundreds of Pokémon. PCs are found in certain buildings—named, “Pokémon Centers”, where the player can heal their Pokémon when they have low health or have fainted.^[11]

Connectivity to other devices – Pokemon White Version

The C-Gear^[d] replaces the Pokétech from Diamond and Pearl on the Nintendo DS’s bottom screen. It controls the game’s wireless capabilities, including infrared (IR) communication for battling and trading, wireless communications in the Xtranceiver^[e] video chat^[33] access to the Entralink to transfer content from the Pokémon Dream World, using the Wi-Fi to sync with the Pokémon Global Link servers, and the new “Pass By mode” which allows the game to communicate with other copies through infrared while the DS is asleep.^[17]

Development – Pokemon White Version

On 29 January 2010, The Pokémon Company announced that a new game was in development for the Nintendo DS to be released later that year.^[47][48] Director Junichi Masuda stated that several aspects of the series were being revamped for the new generation.^[49] On 9 April 2010, the Japanese website updated with the titles of the versions as Pokémon Black and White and announced a Q3 2010 release date.^[50] 

Reception – Pokemon White Version

Critical response – Pokemon White Version

Pokémon Black and White have received largely positive reviews by critics, having an aggregate score of 87% on Metacritic, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.^[102] Japanese magazine Famitsu Weekly awarded the game a perfect 40/40 score, becoming the 15th game to receive such a distinction, as well as obtaining the highest score ever given to a Pokémon video game by the publication.^[104] Game Informer‘s Annette Gonzalez remarked that “Pokémon Black and White do a great job building upon already solid features and taking them to the next level.”^[105]