Released in Japan in June 2012 and in Europe on October 12, 2012, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are an exception in the series: the only true direct sequels in the main series. Two years after Black and White, they revisit Unova from a new angle, with a rare generosity of content. Many players still consider them one of the series’ high points on a handheld console.
A true sequel
Black 2 and White 2 take place two years after Black and White. The hero, from Aspertia City in southwestern Unova, helps Professor Juniper complete the Pokédex. Bianca has become her assistant, Cheren is a Gym Leader, N has given up on Team Plasma… but a new Team Plasma, led by Ghetsis, wants to harness Kyurem’s power. The story continues that of Black and White with consistency and makes Black Kyurem and White Kyurem, fusions of Kyurem with Zekrom or Reshiram, its mascots.
The region itself has changed: southwestern Unova opens up with new cities, such as Aspertia City, Virbank City or Humilau City, while other places have evolved over two years. Returning to a familiar region and seeing time having passed is an experience the series has almost never offered.
A Pokédex finally opened up
Black and White only offered fifth-generation Pokémon before the end of the game. Their sequels fix that choice: the regional Pokédex includes 301 Pokémon from every generation, right from the start of the adventure. The Hidden Grottoes offer Pokémon with their Hidden Abilities, and many legendary Pokémon from Hoenn and Sinnoh can be caught after the League.
Immense content
This is these versions’ greatest strength. The Pokémon World Tournament lets you face all the Gym Leaders and Champions of the series, from Brock to Cynthia. PokéStar Studios lets you shoot movies with your Pokémon. Medals reward hundreds of feats. The Black Tower and the White Treehollow offer ten-zone challenges, the Nature Sanctuary hides a shiny Haxorus, and the Battle Subway remains open. For the first time, difficulty modes appear: a Challenge Mode and an Easy Mode, unlocked after the League.
The Memory Link and the Unova Link tie the games together: you swap keys to open locations in the other version, and unlock scenes by connecting to a Black and White save.
A better-paced adventure
The Gyms have been redesigned, each with its own music, a first for the series. The Gym Leaders field coherent teams, and the rival Hugh, obsessed with the Team Plasma that stole his sister’s Purrloin, carries a more personal story than many others. The difficulty remains classic during the adventure, but Challenge Mode brings a real challenge for veterans on a second playthrough.
The limits
These games remain Nintendo DS titles, in 2D: on 3DS, they benefit from neither 3D depth nor improved display. The way difficulty modes are split between the versions, which requires the Unova Link, has been criticized. Finally, some new locations, such as Join Avenue or the Marine Tube, are more scenery than genuine dungeons.
Playing today
Black 2 and White 2 exist only on Nintendo DS cartridge, playable on the DS, DSi and 3DS. They have never been re-released, and cartridges are expensive second-hand. The DS online features shut down in 2014. To transfer your Pokémon to recent games, you must go through Poké Transporter and Pokémon Bank on 3DS, then Pokémon HOME; Pokémon Bank is announced to close on February 26, 2027.
Our verdict
One of the most complete entries in the series, and a sequel the way Pokémon has never made one since. A must-have for the Nintendo DS, provided you can get your hands on a cartridge.
What we like
- A true sequel that makes Unova and its characters evolve
- A regional Pokédex of 301 Pokémon from every generation
- Immense content: PWT, PokéStar Studios, Medals, Nature Sanctuary
- Difficulty modes, a first for the series
What we like less
- Difficulty modes split between the two versions
- Nintendo DS technology, with no 3DS enhancements
- No re-release, expensive cartridges today
