Pokemon Black Version 2

 DS
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 656 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 495 out of 656
  2. Mixed: 76 out of 656
  3. Negative: 85 out of 656
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  1. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. Alarchou
    Sep 6, 2023
    9
    Je crois que c'est le 1er jeu Pokemon que j'ai fini et j'en garde toujours un bon souvenir. 18/20
  3. Garde_Mystik
    Aug 30, 2023
    7
    Solid game but in retrospect it's overrated. While Generation 5 comes with a lot of PvE battling content, it's ultimate quantity over quality as there's so much that held it back from its full potential. For one, the story is not so great, as the only real direction in narrative was to show Team Plasma off as terrorists. We needed this game to be about Kyurem. We needed the Unova sequelsSolid game but in retrospect it's overrated. While Generation 5 comes with a lot of PvE battling content, it's ultimate quantity over quality as there's so much that held it back from its full potential. For one, the story is not so great, as the only real direction in narrative was to show Team Plasma off as terrorists. We needed this game to be about Kyurem. We needed the Unova sequels to flesh out further on Unova lore and try its best to complete it all the way. In the end, in 2023, Zygarde got more fleshed out without ever having a game than Kyurem did with two games. Kyurem is also still one of the most misunderstood Pokemon to this very day. Black 2 White 2 are good games, they just aren't good sequels. The fact many people are "optimistic about waiting for Unova remakes to complete the set altogether" expresses part of my point. These SHOULD HAVE been the games to give Unova a proper conclusion. We shouldn't have to wait for remakes to come out in an era where Pokemon probably doesn't care anymore. As we've been with BDSP and Scarlet and Violet, I don't even have faith in Unova remakes to be any good anymore.

    Another point I have to make is the content itself. The standout features here are the Battle Subway, the PWT, the Pokestar Studios, the White Treehallow, and the Black Tower. While Generation 5 has a lot of content catering to one aspect of the game, it's not necessarily diverse. This game lacks the external features many other generations have. They have nothing like the Pokeathalon, the Poke Amie, Super Training, the Poke Pelago, Pokemon Contests, or anything where you can really see your Pokemon in a different light and get to connect with them more. They have musicals but that's just watching your Pokemon dance for 1 minute after dressing them up, and it's not necessarily anywhere near the levels of the fleshed out content other Pokemon games have.

    The battles themselves aren't the best of quality in Gen 5, as the critical health theme legitimately holds the quality of each match hostage, and the most you're getting out of these games are repetitive cycles of restricted Champion teams. I remember when playing as a kid, feeling frustrated by how held back the AI trainers were in games as late as Gen 5. Unlike with the 3DS games, there's not really a way for you to get a full 6v6 battle against level 100s at all unless you battled friends in real life. Even then, the overall battle mechanics are much better in the 3DS games, as you don't have to deal with endless weather strategies, sleep counter resets, copycat roar, Sky Drop glitch, etc. It gets boring after battling Cynthia and her level 78 Garchomp all the time for example, without her ever keeping up with my level 100s and legendaries. The 3DS offered a tool within those games to greatly help with this in the Vs. Recorder, an overlooked feature that's essentially a sandbox for how you could set up battles for your game. I can hardly care about facing off against repetitive Champion teams in the overworld or in PWT when I can get so much more off later generations of Pokemon games overall, and with better battling mechanics.

    Black 2 White 2 are also the most money-hungry main series Pokemon games before the Nintendo Switch. Do I even have to explain? They installed a key system, which made the difficulty setting version exclusive. Challenge Mode is exclusive to completed Black 2 saves, Easy Mode is exclusive to completed White 2 saves. If you wanted to Challenge Mode to White 2 you will need to link with a completed Black 2 save. This resets upon resetting the save file. The White Treehallow and the Black Tower were also version exclusive. Many people overlook the severity of this in particular. The White Treehallow had Breeders who often carried Chansey and Blissey, making it the most efficient method of grinding levels in the 2D era of Pokemon games. The Black Tower did not have this, because they made the EV distributions of trainers you fought in Black Tower/White Treehallow version exclusive.(HP/Atk/Def - White Treehallow) (SpA/Spe/Spe - Black Tower). Both the difficulty setting and most efficient grinding methods were version exclusive. You were also required to have Black or White to access unique content via Memory Link, and were required to have Gen 4 games for National Dex completion. Black 2 White 2 are certainly not worth the high price they sell for second-hand today when they're tied in these chains.

    Lastly, I have no clue why people call these the most replayable Pokemon games. The story is lackluster and flooded with missed opportunities, and you lose so much off resetting them. You lose PWT progress (which was annoying to get back, and if you downloaded PWT content, it's now gone forever), you lose Pokestar Studios progress, you lose Medal progress (which you can now never complete), you lose the keys, and you lose Join Avenue progress. All the best things about B2W2 require not resetting them.    … Expand
  4. Thunderfury1208
    Aug 10, 2023
    10
    One of the very few games that was a 10/10. The story was very well made and the gameplay mechanics were gorgeous. The 2D sprite animations will never get old as opposed to when the series decided to become 3D. Tons of after story stuff to do and tons of pokemon to find to fill the pokedex. I always recommend this version to anyone who has a DS or 3DS as one of the must play pokemon gamesOne of the very few games that was a 10/10. The story was very well made and the gameplay mechanics were gorgeous. The 2D sprite animations will never get old as opposed to when the series decided to become 3D. Tons of after story stuff to do and tons of pokemon to find to fill the pokedex. I always recommend this version to anyone who has a DS or 3DS as one of the must play pokemon games to this day.… Expand
  5. Antonil
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    The best Pokémon game I've ever played.
    - Explorig the Unova region a second time but now with more pokémons to encounter.
    - Some parts of the map have evolved due to the 2 years between the two episodes plots. - 3 new Gym Leaders and a new Champion to keep refreshed. And the old ones have updated their gyms. - A perfect story thanks to the antagonist's personality. - This generation    The best Pokémon game I've ever played.
    - Explorig the Unova region a second time but now with more pokémons to encounter.
    - Some parts of the map have evolved due to the 2 years between the two episodes plots.
    - 3 new Gym Leaders and a new Champion to keep refreshed. And the old ones have updated their gyms.
    - A perfect story thanks to the antagonist's personality.
    - This generation introduced the Shiny Charm, great for shiny hunters when the base rate is at 1/8192.

    These games may be 10 years old but it's still time to discover them !    … Expand
  6. ND-Bringer
    Jul 11, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really wanted to fall in love with this game, I tried really hard. Most call it the Pokemon game that has it all, and they're right, regarding the post game. But much like Heart Gold and Soul Silver, there is little reason to reset this game, and replay the main story. And unlike those games, the grinding mechanics aren't annoying here, I have no trouble beating the game with well thought out strategy, thematically, the levels can feel occasionally stale.

    Cheren for instance, returning as a Gym Leader sounds like an interesting concept, but his team only consists of boring, first stage normal types. It's very odd, you think with all the returning Pokemon from other games being added to the new Unova Pokedex, the Gym Leaders would have more variety in there teams. And I know this game is supposed to be a deluxe version and sequel hybrid of Black and White, but the cheaper designed levels make me wish that Game Freak simply make a Pokemon Grey Version.

    Maybe if story theme had more interesting elements besides Team Plasma just getting revenge and Hugh trying to get his sister's Pokemon back, I would have been able to keep my inspiration fresh. But because this is a game where the only focus is to defeat Pokemon villains that want to take over the world using the Legendary Pokemon and maybe win the Pokemon League, the trope was becoming really tired at this point, and Black and White 2 were failing to breathe any new life into this popular plot point.

    In the last games, Team Plasma was much more interesting. They were trying to take over the region by convincing everyone that Pokemon were treated like slaves and needed to be released into the wild in order to truly be free. With half of the team being made up of people who loved Pokemon while the other half consisting of power hungry villains. And in order to obtain the Legendary Pokemon, their leader recruits N, and trains him to become the fabled hero of Unova, causing the Legendary Pokemon to actually join them willingly.

    And its gets dicier when a much more threatening conflict is introduced with the defeat of the champion followed by a monstrous castle towering over the Pokemon League, as the King of Team Plasma prepares to command everyone to release their Pokémon for good. But here though, I've seen it a hundred times in the both the games and the anime, the cutscenes showing the Legendaries and the airship attack are nice, but it doesn't change the fact that experienced Pokemon players have seen this many times before.

    The post game is still worth checking out though. The Pokemon World Tournament allows you challenge every Gym Leader and Champion from the entire Pokemon series at the time. Iris isn't there though, she's just too busy not stopping the return of Team Plasma. Yeah, fighting her is fun, but she doesn't do that much as a Champion in reality. This battle facility is still a very enjoyable time, it feels like a modern take on Pokemon Stadium on the go.

    Poke Star Studios definitely inspired a great deal of fan fiction. It's incredible to see a Pokemon game that gives you the ability to battle alien battle ships and demons. And the new Black Tower and White Tree Hollow is a real treat for fans of Battle Frontier type facilities. If your interested in taking much longer Pokemon journeys, I recommend you take this game out for a spin.    … Expand
  7. Jonnybravo222
    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Best Pokemon games in the series and it's not even close. These games fix everything that the first ones had wrong with them. AmaIng selection of pokemon. Even better story. So many new elements added to this game like the pokemon world tournament for example that are just so fun with infinite replay value. Just an amazing game with so much reply value.
  8. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 4, 2023
    4
    Beloved by tamagotchi obsessives and those with the collector gene but this combat-based RPG lite bored me to tears. For me, Pokémon is one of those series in the "I don't get it" file.
  9. miguellopez99
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    99/100 peak pokemon .
  10. Marioipod13
    May 25, 2023
    10
    Excellent Pokemon game, has multiple underappreciated features like the Pokemon World Tournament, and has a challenge mode if you're playing Black 2. Has 649 total Pokemon, though you might need to play other games to catch them all.
  11. AnthonyStf
    May 18, 2023
    10
    Ok, now this is what I call an amazing game. Platinum and B2W2, aren't just amazing pokemon games. Their Amazing games. This game is an amazing.
  12. JustAGameGuy
    May 18, 2023
    10
    I am convinced that, without any doubt, this is perfection in Pokémon form. With the best story known to the series, tough battles, legendaries to hunt, and a massive list of Pokémon to collect, the sequels to Pokémon Black and White are easily the best games the series has to offer. Even if you haven’t played the originals, you can jump right in on to this one!
  13. Jerem8
    Apr 11, 2023
    10
    Best Pokémon game, with a rich history and great antagonists. A fantastic sequel for Pokemon Black !
  14. TehWaffl
    Mar 15, 2023
    9
    On par with its predecessor in nearly every way. Best gameplay the series has ever seen, and the variety of wild encounters makes teambuilding more fun than ever. The story isn't as good as the originals, but the game more than makes up for that with the new Pokémon and quality of life additions.
  15. frightopia
    Mar 6, 2023
    10
    Easily the most replayable Pokémon game in my opinion. It's a sequel that fixed any of the potential flaws of the first!
  16. CarpMagik
    Feb 18, 2023
    9
    Without a doubt the one of the best Pokémon games : dynamic battles with energetic soundtrack and moving sprites, a good story, though Pokemon isn't known for its amazing plot. It has an incredible amount of post-game content : the Black tower/white tree, the Pokemon world tournament, the pokewood and a lot of new explorable areas to capture legendaries from previous games and tons ofWithout a doubt the one of the best Pokémon games : dynamic battles with energetic soundtrack and moving sprites, a good story, though Pokemon isn't known for its amazing plot. It has an incredible amount of post-game content : the Black tower/white tree, the Pokemon world tournament, the pokewood and a lot of new explorable areas to capture legendaries from previous games and tons of little details such as the medals, O-powers and many multiplayer mini-games, although this part of the game pretty much died.… Expand
  17. LillaQwilfish
    Feb 13, 2023
    8
    3D badges are amazing. For real i love them every pokemon fangame i played till the end had them i love 3D badges. Leveling sucks tho, 8/10 no Qwilfish
  18. ZangBang
    Feb 5, 2023
    5
    UPDATE
    Pokémon Black 2 doesn't have a story as thematically rich and thought-provoking as its prequel's, but it's far from bad as it makes the most of its sequel nature, diving deeper into old characters and ideas and taking them in new directions, whilst also introducing a couple of new interesting plotlines. Gameplay-wise, the new PokéStar Studios facility is the endearing side-activity    UPDATE
    Pokémon Black 2 doesn't have a story as thematically rich and thought-provoking as its prequel's, but it's far from bad as it makes the most of its sequel nature, diving deeper into old characters and ideas and taking them in new directions, whilst also introducing a couple of new interesting plotlines. Gameplay-wise, the new PokéStar Studios facility is the endearing side-activity that Musicals failed to be, offering a really fun diversion and hours of hilarious cheesy dialogue, but the real gem of the experience is most definitely the Pokémon World Tournament. Acting both as an incredible treat for hardcore players looking for a challenge and a fanservice bomb, the World Tournament allows us to meet and fight every single Gym Leader and Champion from the entire series with remixed tracks and new teams in a variety of battle modes. It is undoubtably the richest battle-focused postgame content in the history of the main series. A beautiful way to celebrate and end the 2D era of the franchise.    … Expand
  19. amonium
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    The game is even better than Pokemon Black, which is one of the best games I have ever played. It's very great, both storywise and designwise. The graphics in those games are great, the monsters designs are good, and literally everything about the characters is just perfect!
  20. Chastizer
    Jan 24, 2023
    10
    Knowing that the Unova sequels came from a time where the franchise reached a low point in popularity makes me yearn for another period of such. More and more the modern games expand on questionable features at the behest franchise staples to cater to the average consumer. Pokémon Black and White 2 are games that were made for the hardcore Pokémon fans during a time in which the franchisesKnowing that the Unova sequels came from a time where the franchise reached a low point in popularity makes me yearn for another period of such. More and more the modern games expand on questionable features at the behest franchise staples to cater to the average consumer. Pokémon Black and White 2 are games that were made for the hardcore Pokémon fans during a time in which the franchises popularity had reached a low point before the 3D boom. As such a lot of the features, the story, and hell even the side content requires context you might not have if you haven't played all of the other games. If you are new to Pokémon skip this game and come back when you've played all the others, the time you put into the rest of the franchise only ripens this game further and makes it taste that much sweeter when you play through it.

    While there isn't an insane amount of new content compared to it's predecessor, there is still quite enough here to make the second romp around Unova feel fresh and interesting. From new locations to revamped old ones they tried to take what was there and twist it just enough that you don't feel like you're playing the same game.

    In short, this game gets better and better the more Pokémon games you have played prior.    … Expand
  21. polishedrelish
    Nov 21, 2022
    10
    These games are the most fun you can have on a DS! The campaign is a blast from start to finish, offering a decent challenge with memorable characters and a great plot. Couple that with the versatile regional dex, and you have a Pokemon experience like no other.

    If you enjoyed the original Black/White, then the sequels are even more of a must-buy. The story from the originals is    These games are the most fun you can have on a DS! The campaign is a blast from start to finish, offering a decent challenge with memorable characters and a great plot. Couple that with the versatile regional dex, and you have a Pokemon experience like no other.

    If you enjoyed the original Black/White, then the sequels are even more of a must-buy. The story from the originals is excellently expanded upon here, and the new Unova region is very refreshing. There are also many new features and minigames to keep you engaged long after you finish the story, like Hidden Grottos, Pokestar Studios, the PWT, and lots of neat little events with NPCs.

    To put it simply, Pokemon Black 2/White 2 are masterful games with an insanely good soundtrack, beautiful visuals, great story, and loads of content. It really doesn't get much better than this.    … Expand
  22. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    No entendí la necesidad de hacer estas entregas, no sumaban el contenido necesario como para justificar otra compra. No podrían haber optado por la tercera entrega como se hizo siempre?
  23. Ivadro
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    This is a very good game with a great plot, but it's easy enough, so it's not the highest score.
  24. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    8
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  25. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    7
    Some cool features were added in between games (and the UI in this game is by far the best in the series) but much less compelling characters and storylines take this game down a notch from its prequel for me.
  26. fanmadeendings
    Feb 15, 2022
    9
    The pokemon game with the coolest content, a relatively good story and the best battle screen! Only flaw: It could be a little more different mapwise from its original.
  27. grimreapersims
    Jan 7, 2022
    9
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  28. Hiroshiki
    Nov 29, 2021
    10
    One of the best games from the franchise, and undoubtedly, the most complete 3rd (and 4th, in this case) version. A new plot with the Neo Plasma (which is 10x better than the old one), new areas, an updated Pokémon rooster, new rivals, new features (god bless the repel feature and the shiny charm) and other stuff.
  29. greninjaX
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    this seqeul isn't as good as the original black, but it's still one of the best pokemon games ever. unova is awesome
  30. BoopWalks
    Sep 5, 2021
    10
    An amazing postgame is what makes this for me, with crazy-powerful legendaries, an option to battle past gym leaders and trainers, and the abillity to spend hours, training and breeding for the perfect competitive pokemon. With a story which is one of pokemon's strongest, an amazing soundtrack for a ds game, and one of the last challenging games compared to it's successors, its a greatAn amazing postgame is what makes this for me, with crazy-powerful legendaries, an option to battle past gym leaders and trainers, and the abillity to spend hours, training and breeding for the perfect competitive pokemon. With a story which is one of pokemon's strongest, an amazing soundtrack for a ds game, and one of the last challenging games compared to it's successors, its a great game that I've sunk 100s of hours into. Furthermore, this games expanded pokedex, compared to its predecessors black and white, gives more team building variety, bringing back many old fan favourites. B2 and W2 are the best pokemon games on the Nintendo DS and possibly one of the greatest in the series… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. RPG Fan
    Mar 20, 2013
    78
    They're still good games, but there's nothing overtly special about them that makes them stand out from the rest of the series or, more importantly, Black and White 1.
    Read full review
  2. Worth Playing
    Jan 10, 2013
    75
    Like the first game, Pokémon Black: Version 2 is a solid title that most fans will enjoy. The addictive qualities remain, and partaking in the quest to meet and capture every Pokémon is still as exciting as it was several handheld generations ago. While the base game is still great, longtime fans will be less enthused by the restrictions, despite the many improvements and included modes. For those looking for their next series fix, this entry will do nicely.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 21, 2012
    70
    Classic collect-them-all RPG offers challenging battles and quite-a-lot Pokémons to train. [Christmas 2012]
See all critic reviews »