Pokemon Black/White Surprises Nobody By Selling Amazingly Well

[jboking]

Good to see it being successful, but who didn't see this coming?

I'm curious whats in White that made it more successful than Black? Is it the cool looking legendary on the cover(and in the game?)

Well, while I can't speak for everyone, I will say that I bought White over Black because due to the white forest which is exclusive to white, there are around 20 more pokemon exclusive to white than there are exclusive to black. Also, the one appeal of black is that there are stores to buy things like stones and battle npc's. I'd rather battle over wireless and stones are easy to get.

 

[Yopaz]

I take it buying the white or black version gets you a special bonus that the other doesn't have?

Buying White gives you a black Pokemon on the box, that's the one everyone wants cause it looks awesome.

Good to see it being successful, but who didn't see this coming?

I'm curious whats in White that made it more successful than Black? Is it the cool looking legendary on the cover(and in the game?)

I got White because the legendary looks fucking awesome, and Dragon/Electric is so fucking badass.

I'll try not to rant on and on about what I like about this game, since that would require another half an hour that I don't have, and since I've done it twice already, lol.
Everything that I've done so far in the game, I've really enjoyed.

It certainly is more challenging than any other Pokemon game that I've played to date, and they've actually successfully done what they've been trying (and failing) to do over all these years: make alot of "WHAT THE HELL?!" type combos that every single other game has not had..

Gen 2 (Pokemon Silver/Gold/Crystal) will still always be my favorite generation, and (imo) most ground breaking game.

Agreed, Gold and Silve presented soooo much new things and is the only game up until now (Except for the remakes) that gives you 16 gym leaders to fight. I also got White because of the awesome legendary. My sister got black because she thought that was the one that had the black legendary.
It offers a lot compared to the earlier game. I love the challenge, the dynamic camera, it's really a well made game.

Edit: Also the story is better than what it used to be. A lot of it seems like a parody of the earlier games, the Team Plasma actually asks some good questions and act as the scary cult, though they are following the same formula as Team Rocket, and even a little of Team Aqua/Magama. Still it's a step in the right direction.

 

[mjc0961]

Only change I don't like so far is the "low health" music. The beeping was annoying enough in the older games. Turning it into an even more annoying song that turns off the battle's normal music is just worse.

Of course, I haven't actually gotten it yet, and when I do I'm going to wait until I get my 3DS to really play it. But for now, I'm still facepalming that they did that.

Still though, it's not really that bad compared to what GSC did, which was kill the franchise for me as a child with all its downgrades. "Oh let's put in two regions it'll be teh winnorz lol!" Yeah except there is nothing to do in either region now. "Let's put in teh phone!" Yeah that's what I love, random gameplay interruptions from random NPC idiots. I could go on for quite some time really, but I have other stuff I want to do than rant about how GSC are the third worst games of all time.

 

[Torrasque]

I take it buying the white or black version gets you a special bonus that the other doesn't have?

Buying White gives you a black Pokemon on the box, that's the one everyone wants cause it looks awesome.

Good to see it being successful, but who didn't see this coming?

I'm curious whats in White that made it more successful than Black? Is it the cool looking legendary on the cover(and in the game?)

I got White because the legendary looks fucking awesome, and Dragon/Electric is so fucking badass.

I'll try not to rant on and on about what I like about this game, since that would require another half an hour that I don't have, and since I've done it twice already, lol.
Everything that I've done so far in the game, I've really enjoyed.

It certainly is more challenging than any other Pokemon game that I've played to date, and they've actually successfully done what they've been trying (and failing) to do over all these years: make alot of "WHAT THE HELL?!" type combos that every single other game has not had..

Gen 2 (Pokemon Silver/Gold/Crystal) will still always be my favorite generation, and (imo) most ground breaking game.

Agreed, Gold and Silve presented soooo much new things and is the only game up until now (Except for the remakes) that gives you 16 gym leaders to fight. I also got White because of the awesome legendary. My sister got black because she thought that was the one that had the black legendary.
It offers a lot compared to the earleir game. I love the challenge, the dynamic camera, it's really a well made game.

My friends and I (who all love and play Pokemon) were thinking about talking to Nintendo and Game Freak about a final pokemon game that would span the (now) 5 lands of Pokemon, 5 gym leader challenges, a super ultimate really difficult Elite 4, and would basically be a mash-up of every single pokemon that ever was.

You'd pick what generation you started in, the difficulty of the world pokemon, gyms/trainers/events, would scale to your progress, and by the end of the game, the final Elite 4 would all be level 100.
But we're convinced that Pokemon will either fizzle out, or end after this generation. We've already agreed that this game would be our last (we wanna quit before Pokemon gets bad) to end our Pokemon lives on a high note.

I'd still like to see our idea come to fruit as a Pokemon rainbow/crome (or JUST Pokemon), but I'm not getting my hopes up.
I really wish they did the "go back to the old world!" thing with every game, but I guess the game would just be way too long for casual pokemon trainers =(

 

[Torrasque]

Only change I don't like so far is the "low health" music. The beeping was annoying enough in the older games. Turning it into an even more annoying song that turns off the battle's normal music is just worse.

Of course, I haven't actually gotten it yet, and when I do I'm going to wait until I get my 3DS to really play it. But for now, I'm still facepalming that they did that.

Still though, it's not really that bad compared to what GSC did, which was kill the franchise for me as a child with all its downgrades. "Oh let's put in two regions it'll be teh winnorz lol!" Yeah except there is nothing to do in either region now. "Let's put in teh phone!" Yeah that's what I love, random gameplay interruptions from random NPC idiots. I could go on for quite some time really, but I have other stuff I want to do than rant about how GSC are the third worst games of all time.

I actually enjoy that change.
The BEdoBEdoBEdoBEdo that existed in every other game, was annoying as fuck.
Now, its more of a "Oh shit! You're pokemon is almost dead! Beat that other pokemon quick!" kind of thing, that creates tension, instead of an annoying notification that you already know.

Edit: Fixing my post to properly quote you, and talk about your other addition.

So, the addition of Steel and Dark, to balance the super overpowered Psychic types that existed in Gen 1, was bad?
The creation of a REAL Ghost type that was effective against Psychic types, was bad?
The beefing up of Bug types so they can actually do what they were supposed to do, and be a real type with some real bug moves, instead of stupid String Shot, was bad?
The creation of plastic legendaries that moved around the land and were difficult to catch, was bad?
The fact that you could go back to old world and relive a bit of nostalgia, and keep on training, was bad?

It seems to me, your biggest problem, is you miss out on all the good things that were added to the game, because the OLD WORLD of Kanto was not fleshed out to your standards. And you hate the phone THAT much? Seriously, phone calls lasted about 30 seconds, and they were never spammed that much, holy shit.

Go back and play the games, or develop a real appreciation for Pokemon, before you bash the best generation over pebbles.

 

[Yopaz]

I take it buying the white or black version gets you a special bonus that the other doesn't have?

Buying White gives you a black Pokemon on the box, that's the one everyone wants cause it looks awesome.

Good to see it being successful, but who didn't see this coming?

I'm curious whats in White that made it more successful than Black? Is it the cool looking legendary on the cover(and in the game?)

I got White because the legendary looks fucking awesome, and Dragon/Electric is so fucking badass.

I'll try not to rant on and on about what I like about this game, since that would require another half an hour that I don't have, and since I've done it twice already, lol.
Everything that I've done so far in the game, I've really enjoyed.

It certainly is more challenging than any other Pokemon game that I've played to date, and they've actually successfully done what they've been trying (and failing) to do over all these years: make alot of "WHAT THE HELL?!" type combos that every single other game has not had..

Gen 2 (Pokemon Silver/Gold/Crystal) will still always be my favorite generation, and (imo) most ground breaking game.

Agreed, Gold and Silve presented soooo much new things and is the only game up until now (Except for the remakes) that gives you 16 gym leaders to fight. I also got White because of the awesome legendary. My sister got black because she thought that was the one that had the black legendary.
It offers a lot compared to the earleir game. I love the challenge, the dynamic camera, it's really a well made game.

My friends and I (who all love and play Pokemon) were thinking about talking to Nintendo and Game Freak about a final pokemon game that would span the (now) 5 lands of Pokemon, 5 gym leader challenges, a super ultimate really difficult Elite 4, and would basically be a mash-up of every single pokemon that ever was.

You'd pick what generation you started in, the difficulty of the world pokemon, gyms/trainers/events, would scale to your progress, and by the end of the game, the final Elite 4 would all be level 100.
But we're convinced that Pokemon will either fizzle out, or end after this generation. We've already agreed that this game would be our last (we wanna quit before Pokemon gets bad) to end our Pokemon lives on a high note.

I'd still like to see our idea come to fruit as a Pokemon rainbow/crome (or JUST Pokemon), but I'm not getting my hopes up.
I really wish they did the "go back to the old world!" thing with every game, but I guess the game would just be way too long for casual pokemon trainers =(

Sounds great, and I am sure they have considered it, they had planned Heart Gold/Soul Silver to contain 3 regions, but they canned the idea for some reason. It could really be interesting. I was not really planning on buying this game, at least not on release, but I ended up with it after going to 3 places where they were sold out. PErhaps I'll stop at this one, but I wont count on it. What you are talking about could might as well be the Longest game Nintendo will ever publish, even without that much grinding. 5 regions should give at least 200 hours of gameplay. Let's all hope it will happen .

 

[Torrasque]

Proof that people only like more of the same. More rehashes please!

Which is a shame because the series could do well with an overhaul.

I think that Pokémon could easily have a better story, which would vastly improve things. GameFreak really missed an opportunity with Team Plasma - they finally questioned the ethics of forcing pokémon to fight each other in game, but once again demonized Team Plasma as if they were the same as Team Rocket. They could have a revolution occur, in which people begin fighting for the rights of pokémon, and the player could choose a side. However, they insist on using the same story telling formula.

Ahhh, this argument.
Game Freak will always stick to the Pokemon + Pokemon Trainer > all, motive, because it promotes friendship and cooperation. The two coolest things about my childhood.
And Team will always be the bad guys, thats just how Pokemon games work.

The story may be the same, but I don't really care.
I care more about the mechanics of fights, the new pokemon that have been developed, and the new difficulties of wild pokemon and gyms.

 

[Torrasque]

5 regions should give at least 200 hours of gameplay. Let's all hope it will happen .

lol, every pokemon game that I've ever played, has at LEAST 200 hours on it already, soo.... I wouldn't mind

 

[Adam28]

Pokemon Black..... *whistles* I'm lovin' it

Good to see it is selling well.

 

[ultrachicken]

Proof that people only like more of the same. More rehashes please!

Which is a shame because the series could do well with an overhaul.

I think that Pokémon could easily have a better story, which would vastly improve things. GameFreak really missed an opportunity with Team Plasma - they finally questioned the ethics of forcing pokémon to fight each other in game, but once again demonized Team Plasma as if they were the same as Team Rocket. They could have a revolution occur, in which people begin fighting for the rights of pokémon, and the player could choose a side. However, they insist on using the same story telling formula.

Ahhh, this argument.
Game Freak will always stick to the Pokemon + Pokemon Trainer > all, motive, because it promotes friendship and cooperation. The two coolest things about my childhood.
And Team will always be the bad guys, thats just how Pokemon games work.

The story may be the same, but I don't really care.
I care more about the mechanics of fights, the new pokemon that have been developed, and the new difficulties of wild pokemon and gyms.

Well, I care. Adding complexity to the plot does not mean that it has to lose its overarching message of friendship.

 

[Unrulyhandbag]

I just wish they'd do something to make pokeballs less expensive. This has ALWAYS been a problem in pokemon because you simply don't get much money. Exasperated by there being some pokemon who cannot be caught without some specialized ball (and absolutely no way to tell I've found playing it straight).

Actually, apparently in this game, money is a lot more abundent. Also, equip an Amulet Coin on your slot1 pokemon. Even if it's knocked out, because it was in the battle, you get double cash from trainers.

As for what the add-on game (aka Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum) will be called... Maybe "Chrome" (as in monochrome) or some offshoot name for "Grey" will be used.

A lot more abundant? Before reaching the second gym my daughter bought 50 heal balls. I'd say the 'pokéballs too expensive' issue is gone; not that I think it's ever been an issue you'd have to be wasting your money to run out in any pokémon game.

 

[ModReap]

Waiting for eventual third special edition.

 

[Koroviev]

I wasn't going to buy it*, but then everyone came along and said it was Jesus in a cartridge, so I bought it. A couple trade-ins made it less painful, though at $35, it really isn't too bad.

*Pokemon White

 

[Scott Bullock]

Wow. And Pokemon White's better? Hurray for no equality bull about white being better than black! I was worried that racist people would blame Nintendo. I'm hopefully getting White today.

On an off note, Scott, if you typed the title, you mispelled "surprise" =/. Sorry for being a grammar nazi.

Thanks, my bad. Quite embarrassing, that.

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

Every third option we have ever gotten had a 4th that stayed in japan for some damn reason.

thats so not even close to true. this is how it went down. pokemon launched in japan with red and green. then blue was released in japan, blue was an updated version of green and blue that fixed some glitches and had minor graphics upgrades. Then came pokemon yellow which was designed to be more like the anime and had better graphics and less glitches. these games were all released in japan.

flipping over to the rest of the world: first we got red and blue which were running on the code of the pokemon blue game released in japan. next we got yellow and from this point on weve gotten every main series game that japan has gotten. Outside of the glitchy as hell original "red and green" weve gotten the same games japan has gotten. there are no mysterious fourth versions that havnt been translated.

/endrant

 

[Nostalgia]

So, the addition of Steel and Dark, to balance the super overpowered Psychic types that existed in Gen 1, was bad?
The creation of a REAL Ghost type that was effective against Psychic types, was bad?
The beefing up of Bug types so they can actually do what they were supposed to do, and be a real type with some real bug moves, instead of stupid String Shot, was bad?
The creation of plastic legendaries that moved around the land and were difficult to catch, was bad?
The fact that you could go back to old world and relive a bit of nostalgia, and keep on training, was bad?

It seems to me, your biggest problem, is you miss out on all the good things that were added to the game, because the OLD WORLD of Kanto was not fleshed out to your standards. And you hate the phone THAT much? Seriously, phone calls lasted about 30 seconds, and they were never spammed that much, holy shit.

Go back and play the games, or develop a real appreciation for Pokemon, before you bash the best generation over pebbles.

The second generation, imo, was the most abundant in overall changes that still hold today. It introduced breeding, items, day/night cycles, roaming, new typings, etc, but it was fundamentally flawed at the time. Reliance on the internal battery for the day/night system would one day destroy your save file and require you to open the cart and change the battery for it to ever work again. Amazing idea that was too far ahead of its time for its platform. Two regions? How about the watered down regions. Kanto was slimmed out and Johto felt more like Kanto's countryside than anything else.
Yeah. I'm bitter, but not about Kanto having shorter routes and just basically being fancy looking training zone, but because there wasn't really anything interesting there except fighting gym leaders that you've already dealt with previously. Yeah, you might be champ, but those gym leaders in Kanto are still a challenge and you'll need the experience to fight Red! Also, the Ecruteak fork butchers levels for that portion of the game for no goddamn reason. Why not just make Mahogany Town inaccessible? I mean, it's not like you could battle Pryce anyway til you have done everything else, so why are the levels so messed up?

Most of your examples were merely steps in the right direction and didn't make that much of an impact as you want to make them sound.

Dark-types were a great addition, but the special split was one of the other things that crippled psychic. Dark moves were all special attacks then. How much would that do if Alakazam still had 135 special defense?
Ghost was a nice change, even though it would have been completely useless if Shadow Ball was never put out in gen 2.
Bug-types still sucked up til arguable generation three, but if you asked me, I'd say generation four. It is a highly resisted and low-quality pool of Pokemon. Besides psychic and dark, there were grass, but bug-type effectiveness was normally ruled out anyway due to the abundance of grass/poison.
Love roaming legendaries. Makes things more interesting to catch.
And the last is purely opinion. I liked visiting Kanto, but I would have gladly taken a more-fleshed out Johto.


Also, the phone is terrible. Maybe not then, but it is now. After playing Platinum, I can safely say that I do not miss phones.
It creates such an arbitrary lock-out on who and what you can battle a day and requires you to be playing to find opponents. Maybe if you could call people and ask for a battle, it'd be different, but NOPE.

 

[Yopaz]

5 regions should give at least 200 hours of gameplay. Let's all hope it will happen .

lol, every pokemon game that I've ever played, has at LEAST 200 hours on it already, soo.... I wouldn't mind

Yeah, that was a very low estimate. I used to rack up 3-400 hours on the early games. It all comes down to how well they can pull it off I guess. It would be a game worth buying in any case. Especially if they actually made it possible to catch all of the Pokemon and not keep some great Japan only events (such as Mew given out when they celebrated that Pokemon was 10 years old).

 

[James Raynor]

Gamefreak always one up's itself.

Also on the note of changing core mechanics, my friend is going nuts over it being 'too samey'. Just goes to show that fans will never be happy.

 

[Cadapalo]

Anyone could have seen this from a mile awhile. But I have to say its so refreshing to see nothing but new pokemon. Since I'm not looking at anything online regarding the game it makes it feel like brand new despite using the same formula. Best thing about it the game so far is TMs that never finish. Best Decision Ever.

 

[Azmael Silverlance]

I got both of them.....actually now that i think about it im not sure why
But WHITE is more popular cuz the Theme Pokemon is cooler And when you are at the intro screen he has a bad ass music and vibe that well...its just LEGEN......waiiit for it...DARY! (all puns intended)

Althou im playing Dragon Age 1 at the moment so i wont be finishing Pokemon soon. And then i have to transfer my pokemons from HG over...and capture them all X_X
I hate how there is no way to transfer your pokedex....sheesh ppl would get mighty pissed if they have to re-cap pokemons every new generation