Pokemon Black and White Version 2 coming this fall to North America

by JC Fletcher on Feb 27th 2012 9:30AM

Nintendo of America officially announced plans to release Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2, the mysterious sequels revealed over the weekend in Japan. A brief press release from the publisher said that the DS sequels will arrive in North America this fall -- ensuring one more crazy holiday season for the Nintendo DS. Nintendo didn't offer any more details about the content of the games, or what it means to have a "Version 2" of a previously released Pokemon game.

Alongside this announcement, Nintendo issued slightly bigger character art of the new Black Kyurem and White Kyurem Pokemon -- but didn't label them! How will we ever figure out which is which?

Pokemon Black Version 2/White Version 2 (DS)

Show full PR text

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Announced

Two New Highly Anticipated Pokémon Video Games Coming This Fall

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Coming off the record-breaking popularity of the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games, Nintendo of America Inc. announced today that two new Pokémon titles, Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, are coming to North America in 2012. Fans can anticipate plenty of new surprises when the games launch this fall.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will be available for the Nintendo DS family of systems. The games can also be played in 2D on Nintendo 3DS systems. More game details will be announced throughout the year. For more information and a first look at new character art of Black Kyurem and White Kyurem from Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, visit www.pokemon.com.

About Nintendo

The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.9 billion video games and more than 620 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™, and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known household names, such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™, and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

About Pokémon

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.

Tags: ds, nintendo, pokemon, pokemon-black-2-white-2, pokemon-black-version-2, pokemon-white-version-2, q4-2012, release-date

Reader Comments (48)

...the European Autumn release was confirmed hours ago and the US release news is fairly recent, why you no mention the EU release?

they've finally done it.... they ran out of colors/minerals to name their games after. also, that pokemon looks like Zekrom and Kyurem did the nasty and this is what popped out

@ExplosiveBananas
This has nothing to do with colors, I'm guessing they needed a lot more time to work on their 3DS game engine so they decided to do some numbered sequels to keep the series going. Besides, it's Nintendo doing something new with the main Pokemon series which is something people are always begging for.

I'd say my biggest dissapointment in black/white was the lack of 3v3 battles. I might not have wanted them in the first place, but then there was like 2 in the entire game. Maybe the sequels will fix that.

@KaBob799
This isn't CoD. We don't need a new release each year (Black and White are less than a year old right). And god knows we don't need another DS game when the 3DS is so readily available. They should focus their resources on that, because let's be honest; Pokemon battles in 3D would be a colossial selling point.

@Vic Fontaine
Actually, B&W will be technically almost 2 years old by the time B&W2 comes out in japan.

@Vic Fontaine Think though, there are plenty more people with DS's right now then 3DS's. Rather then take a chance and HOPE a ton of new people will buy the 3DS just for Pokemon, they can just about guarantee huge sales with the people who already bought Black and White already.

@KaBob799 personally i'd rather wait for another full blown pokemon game, rather than a re-hash fixing a couple gameplay issues, but that's just my opinion.

Can't wait for this here Pokemon Blackish and Whitish?

I said that we would have these games by March 2013, and I was right. Didn't expect a FALL release, though.

I hope they have an event at Nintendo World again! I will be there!

So... no Pokémon Gray?

@EIranzer

Nope. Black and White were supposed to be a reboot to the design of Pokemon games, and it appears that this is expanding into the actual production of said games. So, instead of two games followed by a loose "anime adaptation" game, you've got two games followed by two more games.

I always get my hopes up that there's going to be some revolutionary new additions when they do the third game of a particular Pokemon generation, like when I was a kid I dreamed of 3D battles, having the pokemon follow you HG and SS style, and a whole list I can't think of.

But then they come out, and they're the Pokemon games I know and love with the same 'ol tropes. And I play them for about 200 hours. And forget all the things I dreamed of a Pokemon game being. And get sucked up and lost training my new teams, and this will probably happen again.

I've figured you out Nintendo. I've figured you out.

@Ryuk My only hope is that they fix the wifi play and make it more like Platinum.
I hate the new rules for BW wifi, I want Level 100, 6v6 battles, and I don't want to know the other players team beforehand or vice versa.

@Ryuk: That's what I'd like to see as well. Maybe even an alternate combat system where you can fight by using the moves in real-time rather than passive "turn based". Given how many times you have to fight other pokemon in a typical game, something more engaging would be nice. I'd even settle for Pokemon Stadium style combat as it's far more interesting to watch than cheap animations that vaguely represent the attack. Sadly, nothing will change as long as this game keeps making a lot of money.

Another thing. I wish they'd do away with the low-fi pokemon sounds. It made sense on the Gameboy when sound hardware was very limited but the DS is perfectly capable of re-producing the same audio you would hear in the cartoons.

@Ryuk Or is it the other way around? Nintendo knows the secret formula to make everyone empty out their wallets....

Pokemon Azure Sapphire and Crimson Ruby, anyone?

@Darklink2009
Hopefully not. Why do we need constant remakes of games that are always so similar?

It's not like there's been a massive leap in the graphics OR gameplay mechanics to make it worthwhile. If you want to see the region again, it should just be included as a second location, like they did with Kanto back in Gold & Silver.

@Snowblind The Physical/Special split is reason enough to remake RS.

Plus, I would love to play through it with Gen IV and V Pokémon.

@Snowblind

Actually, the last major leaps in Graphics and mechanics was after R/S/E. I would like to play those games with the modified Special and Physical attacks and defenses.

@Snowblind For me, it's also partially because I fell off the Pokemon bandwagon with Generation 3, and didn't really climb back on until Diamond and Pearl came out.

I don't know why everyone is shitting on these games. I for one can't wait to continue the story of Black and White.

@Comet 20
I'd like it to take the approach like Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal. I'd like to revisit other regions and fight more difficult gym leaders. And Bidoofs. Many, many Bidoofs.

@Comet 20
I dunno, I couldn't get into these. Its like I finally got fed up with these fancy new pokemon designs.

@Comet 20

I haven't played B/W, but I've played every other one. I started to lose interest in D/P/Pl but it wasn't too bad. My biggest issue with what I saw with B/W was that it looked like they had finally ran out of ideas for pokemon. What's the major reasoning for why B/W are better than say SS/HG?

@manbearchef

I think the biggest thing in B/W were 3 on 3 battles. Personally, HG/SS are my favorites from gen iv , with gen v being meh.
(im currently replaying SS, my party is basically all the eeveelutions except for glaceon, flareon and jolteon, and im loving it XD)
;-/

just don't point out thats its the same game

@PR0F3TA

I'm still mildly optimistic that its a different story in the same region. Black and White had some of the best pokemon, story, gyms, and side stuff since Gold and Silver, but IMO, it was very linear.

Even if its just the subtle changes like Platinum was to D/P, I'd bet happy with it.

Pokemon: Back in Black .... and White

@A Sandwich

Combine both Black and White to symbolize Nintendo's support of a racially-diverse world.

Maybe you play as Black/White Kyurem trying to free your fellow Pokemon by fighting other trainers to the death and releasing them from their Pokeballs!

Actually, considering Black/White's story line, it's not impossible...

Because Heart Gold and Soul Silver was a fantastic Pokemin game.

Interesting. I have only really been following the series since Diamond/Pearl, but every one of those games has come out in March or April. Now Nintendo is finally positioning it to come out before Christmas? Good move.

@Hoops It makes sense considering Nintendo blew their Mario load last Christmas and need another big title for Christmas sales. I was hoping for a Smash Bros launching on both the 3DS and Wii U for their holiday season.

@Hoops

I feel like Nintendo is being incredibly savvy and undercutting the Vita at every turn. Dropping two Mario games and a Monster Hunter right around when Vita launches in Japan, adding the option for dual circle pads to support certain game types, and then releasing a new Pokemon during Vita's first holiday season. It's going to be fun to watch.

@A Sandwich There's nothing savy about the circle pad pro, that is being handled very poorly, at least here in the US. The rest of your points I agree with, although I'm sure Sony will return the favor when Nintendo is trying to launch the WiiU.

@Hoops

Ooh, that WILL be fun to watch!

WoW you think pokemon would of died by now and it is only getting stronger!

What more can they do with pokemon make a BP oil pokemon or a Santrum or Ron Paul like pokemon

Republicanite attacks you with super conservativeness ;)

@lazerbyte

World of Warcraft?

I don't understand all this bitching about no grey version. I'd rather have a new game then a remake of an existing one I just played a year ago. Also we don't have to wait 4 years for another one and I still have some unfinished business with N!

I'm sure many people will love this game, just as I have loved every Pokemon game I've played (Platinum, SS, White) but what I really want now is a 3DS Pokemon that feels more like an MMO.

The whole draw of the PKMN universe is two-fold, catching 'em all, and interacting with other trainers. The later part of that equation has not yet been fulfilled. I'm patiently waiting, GameFreak!

Hmm. I preferred the look of Zekrom over Reshiram, so I got Pokemon White.

The Reshiram/Kyurem form looks a lot better than the Zekrom/Kyurem form, though.

Looks like it's White 2 for me!

I'll be curious to see if the Kyurem forms change types. It could stay Dragon/Ice or it may be Dragon/Fire and Dragon/Electric or it could be Ice/Fire and Ice/Electric. So many possibilities. I hope it keeps the dragon type, though. Dragon is my favorite pokemon type.

Hopefully N's story is elaborated on. He had a lot of potential to be a dynamic character, but still came off as a whiney bitch in B/W.

I still don't get why everyone's pissing all over this. I LOVED Black. A bunch. It was a much-needed reboot, and I can't wait to buy this day one.

@Dooliss

I don't understand why there are so many comments of someone not getting why others are upset about this, and yet I can't seem to find all these comments about people being upset about this. I have read all the comments responding to this article, and for the most part, everyone is excited about this not just being Grey.

Sure, there will be whiners; there will always be whiners. However, I am VERY surprised as to how many people actually agree that this is a good thing. This many people agreeing on any one thing... It just doesn't happen too often.

They need to add a few Eevee evolutions this time.

Gamefreak & Nintendo have seem to add this game with some of the plot of this movie : Kyurem VS The Sacred Swordsman Kaldeo which is due to hit the theaters in Japan this summer. This movie has to do with the Legendary Deer or Dog trio or whatever they are they took on another Pokemon under their wing to create a supposed quad to the trio. I am speaking of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. And Keldeo being the fourth. I have also read the this legendary three could have possibly created Kyurem which is able to change form resembling Reshiram & Zekrom. Very interesting plot to say the least.

So not only are they releasing another movie but it should coincide with Pokemon Black & White 2.

@Eroded Fallacy check out the trailer to Pokemon Movie 15 here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3a_DH9C1jw

Pokemon Black 2/ White 2

Pokemon Black and White Version 2 coming this fall to North America

Pokemon Black Version 2/White Version 2 (DS)

Reader Comments (48)

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:36AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:45AM ExplosiveBananas said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 12:51PM KaBob799 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 2:16PM Vic Fontaine said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 3:50PM JMC611 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 6:33PM StrangeObjective said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 7:05PM ExplosiveBananas said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:50AM ColorblindMonk said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:50AM Gibbeynator said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:55AM Prince David said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:56AM EIranzer said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:30AM Gibbeynator said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:58AM Ryuk said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:13AM Helghast102 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 11:38AM djnforce9 said

Posted: Mar 3rd 2012 9:22PM Eroded Fallacy said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 9:59AM Darklink2009 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:21AM Snowblind said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:31AM Helghast102 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:35AM jph89 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:58AM Darklink2009 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:07AM Comet 20 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:16AM ColorblindMonk said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:17AM bunnyraven said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 11:28AM manbearchef said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 12:53PM bunnyraven said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:12AM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:25AM jph89 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:15AM A Sandwich said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:25AM Shadowbender said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:21AM Ferrous said

Posted: Feb 28th 2012 3:24AM conman30 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 10:53AM Hoops said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 1:33PM Roflrex said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 2:09PM A Sandwich said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 2:26PM Hoops said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 4:59PM A Sandwich said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 11:16AM lazerbyte said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 12:15PM Funkmaster General said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 12:42PM Basevi said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 4:02PM CrashMan said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 6:04PM neocloud61 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 6:48PM Trollmatic said

Posted: Feb 27th 2012 8:34PM Dooliss said

Posted: Mar 8th 2012 1:26AM Jonth said

Posted: Feb 28th 2012 2:18AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Mar 3rd 2012 9:19PM Eroded Fallacy said

Posted: Mar 3rd 2012 9:27PM Eroded Fallacy said

Pokemon Black 2/ White 2 Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Stiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition

The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Ballin

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW