So far, we've had three generations of Pokemon represented on the DS: gen 2 (HeartGold and SoulSilver,) gen 4 (Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum,) and gen 5 (Black and White.) Each of these uses the Nintendo DS's bottom screen in a different fashion. Which do you prefer?
Here's a summary of the three types of bottom screen:
The Menu
Seen in: Pokemon HeartGold/Pokemon SoulSilver
The standard menu screen is constantly displayed on the bottom. This allows for quicker menu access, and lets you register two items instead of the standard one by displaying your registered items as icons on the right side of the screen.
The Poketch
Seen in: Pokemon Diamond/Pokemon Pearl/Pokemon Platinum
This feature displays "apps" you can get from characters in game, ranging from a basic digital clock to a dowsing machine. A full list of Poketch features is here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Poketch
The C-Gear
Seen in: Pokemon Black/Pokemon White
This allows various online functions that would normally require the player to find a Pokemon Center to use. It also allows access to the "Dream World" feature on pokemon-gl.com. A full list of C-Gear features is here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/C-Gear
So which do you prefer, and why? Personally, I favor the poketch. Its versatility made it a staple during my D/P/Pt time, though I think it could use a graphical upgrade (it emulates an old-school black-on-green screen.)
(Note: I'm aware that HeartGold and SoulSilver are technically part pf generation 4, but I'm referring to them as gen 2 because that makes the poll a bit simpler. That, and they're based on gen 2 games.)
Here's a summary of the three types of bottom screen:
The Menu
Seen in: Pokemon HeartGold/Pokemon SoulSilver
The standard menu screen is constantly displayed on the bottom. This allows for quicker menu access, and lets you register two items instead of the standard one by displaying your registered items as icons on the right side of the screen.
The Poketch
Seen in: Pokemon Diamond/Pokemon Pearl/Pokemon Platinum
This feature displays "apps" you can get from characters in game, ranging from a basic digital clock to a dowsing machine. A full list of Poketch features is here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Poketch
The C-Gear
Seen in: Pokemon Black/Pokemon White
This allows various online functions that would normally require the player to find a Pokemon Center to use. It also allows access to the "Dream World" feature on pokemon-gl.com. A full list of C-Gear features is here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/C-Gear
So which do you prefer, and why? Personally, I favor the poketch. Its versatility made it a staple during my D/P/Pt time, though I think it could use a graphical upgrade (it emulates an old-school black-on-green screen.)
(Note: I'm aware that HeartGold and SoulSilver are technically part pf generation 4, but I'm referring to them as gen 2 because that makes the poll a bit simpler. That, and they're based on gen 2 games.)
