Pokemon Black Version

 DS
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 873 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 624 out of 873
  2. Mixed: 146 out of 873
  3. Negative: 103 out of 873
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  1. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. ALTPL
    Sep 7, 2023
    8
    I first played it in 2023 so 12 years after release date. Does it hold well today? Should it be played?
    I've played it on physical console and I've had lots of fun. I've tried it previously on emulators but such approach doesn't ignite a spark of joy.
    In terms of story-telling, lore and world-building this game should get straight 10 - but after reaching some point of the game near the    I first played it in 2023 so 12 years after release date. Does it hold well today? Should it be played?
    I've played it on physical console and I've had lots of fun. I've tried it previously on emulators but such approach doesn't ignite a spark of joy.
    In terms of story-telling, lore and world-building this game should get straight 10 - but after reaching some point of the game near the end the grind becomes unbearably dull and legend hunting isn't as good as in previous (and later) installments in series.
    Even though I've spent about 150h on this game it doesn't have factor that would make me repeat whole adventure any time in the future.    … Expand
  3. Garde_Mystik
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    I was writing a review but got hit with a 403 forbidden and my review got removed. I'm just gonna leave it at this. tl;dr - Pokemon Black and White, as GAMES, are kinda mid. the climax was epic. the story was flawed and really boring much of the way through. the gameplay is super dull and barren for a pokemon game, almost as much so as the gen 1 games. this was disappointing for a game 5I was writing a review but got hit with a 403 forbidden and my review got removed. I'm just gonna leave it at this. tl;dr - Pokemon Black and White, as GAMES, are kinda mid. the climax was epic. the story was flawed and really boring much of the way through. the gameplay is super dull and barren for a pokemon game, almost as much so as the gen 1 games. this was disappointing for a game 5 generations in. Even games like XY people find are barebones have so much more to them in the gameplay aspect than Black and White. BW added detrimental features like the critical health theme, holding hostage the quality of each fight, the postgame was overrated, as it was simply 3 cities you explored with little incentive and not much reward. The Battle Subway is heavily lackluster in comparison to gens 3-4 battle facilities and gens 6-7 battle facilities, despite being the only battle facility in this game.… Expand
  4. sathvik_
    Aug 1, 2023
    6
    Good but im not too fond of the "only gen 4 pokemons in this game" thing, its a bit lack luster
  5. Squaredash
    Jul 19, 2023
    9
    After getting lambasted for making pokemon players try new things (ie not use charizard), I’m very glad that the playerbase has turned around on these games, because I truly believe that gen 5 is the best the series has to offer. They did an excellent job with the new pokemon- you’d always find a few new things in every route, making you feel like there’s always more to discover, and theAfter getting lambasted for making pokemon players try new things (ie not use charizard), I’m very glad that the playerbase has turned around on these games, because I truly believe that gen 5 is the best the series has to offer. They did an excellent job with the new pokemon- you’d always find a few new things in every route, making you feel like there’s always more to discover, and the pokemon themselves are some of the most well-designed in the series, even if some of them don’t evolve until very late. The story is excellent (a first for the series), and as formulaic as it may be, I believe these games truly mastered the formula.… Expand
  6. Autoatlas
    Jul 17, 2023
    10
    The pinnacle of 2D Pokemon Games, and most likely the best of all mainline pokemon games. Rich story, lore, good map design, banger music 11/10
  7. ND-Bringer
    Jul 11, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best way to relive the enjoyment of classic Pokemon games, by exploring a region that contains nothing but Unova Pokemon. With entertaining pseudo third dimensional graphic design, intimidating and interesting villains, and well balanced grinding mechanics, definitely one of the greatest games in the franchise.… Expand
  8. Jonnybravo222
    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Now this is a pokemon game right here. One of the very best ever made. So many new polemon. Great story. The sprite art is top tier. A game I'll always go back to for a new play through.
  9. Eterna97
    Jun 2, 2023
    10
    Il migliori giochi pokemon, quando ci mettevano ancora il cuore e le competenze tecniche
  10. miguellopez99
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    96/100 .
  11. Triblue
    May 21, 2023
    7
    Très sympa. C'est un Pokémon classique mais un Pokémon est toujours sympa et amusant au point que je pourrais presque mettre le même commentaire à tous les Pokémons.
  12. AnthonyStf
    May 18, 2023
    4
    This an BORING GAME! B2W2 is so much better. The progeinsoions is so slow. The fire starter suck, the anime suck, this sucks. Pokemon black is not a good game, probaly one of the worst. 4/10, and B2W2 is a 10/10
  13. Dialga236
    May 18, 2023
    8
    A fantastic game that was given a hard time due to people's refusal to accept change. With a brand-new cast of 156 Pokémon to catch, the largest amount introduced before or after, many people grew hostile to many of the monsters due to not being allowed to use any old favorites in the main story, which is a shame as Pokémon Black and White have the strongest story out of the entire seriesA fantastic game that was given a hard time due to people's refusal to accept change. With a brand-new cast of 156 Pokémon to catch, the largest amount introduced before or after, many people grew hostile to many of the monsters due to not being allowed to use any old favorites in the main story, which is a shame as Pokémon Black and White have the strongest story out of the entire series with the best engine to date both in and outside of battle. A region brimming with life and diversity of location and people alike, Pokémon Black and White are fantastic games that are deserving of being the series' penultimate sendoff for the Nintendo DS.… Expand
  14. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 13, 2023
    0
    Lo peor en toda la saga, pokémon feos, una historia pretenciosa y mal escrita, y es la región de las barreras y los bloqueos absurdos, no hay lugar a donde ir sin que el juego no sepa justificar adonde puedes ir y adonde no, ademas que es fácil en todos sus lideres de gimnasio, no existe reto alguno.
  15. DegenerateKeith
    May 8, 2023
    8
    This is my first pokemon game and I say I had a pretty ok experience. It's fun to discover new pokemon, new evolution etc. The gyms are creative and the soundtrack is good. But it doesn't have the deepest gameplay of all time it's mainly to chill and have fun with your siblings and friends.
  16. JasonFajardo
    May 4, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My personal favorite of the franchise. The beginning of the game it's fast passed, the story it's great for the basic standard of Pokémon, hell even the game surprices you with the evil team invading the Pokémon league and N defeating Alder becoming "champion" technically. The ending it's beautiful, the post game it's basically defeat the Pokémon league again and the soundtrack it's outstanding. The visuals are just great, the game just knew how to get the 100% of the Nintendo DS. It also has bad things like the designs of 80% of the Unova's Pokémon it´s terrible to say the least.… Expand
  17. Christian_TV
    Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Pokémon sucks in 2023.This game,it's instead the best of the main line. N is the best character of the series and even Komor and Belle are perfect rivals.
  18. Jerem8
    Apr 14, 2023
    9
    Best history, best antagonists, and my favorite Pokemon as legendary of the game.
  19. TehWaffl
    Mar 15, 2023
    9
    Without a doubt the best game in the Pokemon series. The decision to limit the Pokedex to only new Pokemon definitely helps freshen the experience. The characters are all interesting and the game has the best story in the series. The only downsides that come up are the sometimes questionable level curve and the occasionally lacking Pokemon designs.
  20. frightopia
    Mar 6, 2023
    9
    I would give this game a 10 but the sequel honestly is a bit better. Still an amazing game though!
  21. Beatsaberzzz
    Feb 6, 2023
    9
    Just started playing this last week and I have to say I am impressed. This is still shocking how such a good looking game as this is working on a DS but the gameplay is what seals it all together. Its truly the final Pokemon game thats not brain dead easy like the new ones which is something I miss from the older games. Would recommend if you can afford it considering it is one of if notJust started playing this last week and I have to say I am impressed. This is still shocking how such a good looking game as this is working on a DS but the gameplay is what seals it all together. Its truly the final Pokemon game thats not brain dead easy like the new ones which is something I miss from the older games. Would recommend if you can afford it considering it is one of if not the best game in the series.… Expand
  22. ZangBang
    Feb 5, 2023
    5
    UPDATE
    Pokémon Black introduces us to the Unova region, a bustling melting pot of diverse cities, settlements, folklore and ideas. That is the stage of the player's adventure as playfully vibrant, resounding musical pieces accentuate the lively nature of the region and permeate the journey with an endearingly exuberant feel. A journey characterized by a surprising amount of interesting    UPDATE
    Pokémon Black introduces us to the Unova region, a bustling melting pot of diverse cities, settlements, folklore and ideas. That is the stage of the player's adventure as playfully vibrant, resounding musical pieces accentuate the lively nature of the region and permeate the journey with an endearingly exuberant feel. A journey characterized by a surprising amount of interesting character arcs, in a much more story-driven experience tackling unusually mature topics for the series like one's purpose in life, the clash of different ideologies, abuse and propaganda. Regrettably, all of this is done in a pretty simplistic way to avoid straying too far from the intended target audience, but it's nonetheless the most engaging plot and cast of characters in the series yet. Gameplay on the other hand doesn't do much to innovate the series' core formula, which can often be quite monotonous and repetitive especially by today's standards, but at least a pleasant level of challenge keeps the player on edge against the strongest adversaries, and the layered level design provides some rich, engaging exploration. Pokémon Contests do not make a return to leave room for Musicals, which are a dramatically worse side-activity with less depth, content and player agency.    … Expand
  23. amonium
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    The BEST game from the franchise that was ever released. The designs and the story were so cool, and the fact that none of the old Pokemon are there before the post game is very, very clever to make an old game feel fresh. Recommended to everyone who wants to play some DS games.
  24. AlexMakesToast
    Dec 16, 2022
    5
    Black = 5/10
    ...............................................................
  25. ColeEngo
    Nov 30, 2022
    4
    Was not a fan and made me kinda drop pokemon entirely for a while. Nothing memorable.
  26. Mikeligi
    Nov 13, 2022
    10
    I just finished beating Pokémon Scarlet (believe it or not), and I, naturally, started to wonder "Is this really Pokémon at its best?","Should this be the direction for all of the future games?,"Do I want it to be?". I just want to say, that Pokémon Black
  27. hector_bcn98
    Nov 7, 2022
    9
    La generación pokémon con la dificultad más alta de toda la saga y una banda sonora de locos. Lástima que, al compartir plataforma con la anterior, no innovó tanto, y aún con esas, sacaron una segunda parte de ellas. Sería utópico pedir otra generación que rete tanto al jugador como lo hizo está. Son otros tiempos...
  28. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    8
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  29. Gold_Clord_175
    Jun 30, 2022
    9
    Damn, what a game.
    This was my second pokemon game, but the first non ranger i have ever played. Can't really explain why but training my pokemon and the realization i felt when ending the game are feelings i will never forget. The story is not that memorable and the graphics just nowhere close to what you can get in a semi-decent game nowadays but i will never forget the experience. A    Damn, what a game.
    This was my second pokemon game, but the first non ranger i have ever played. Can't really explain why but training my pokemon and the realization i felt when ending the game are feelings i will never forget. The story is not that memorable and the graphics just nowhere close to what you can get in a semi-decent game nowadays but i will never forget the experience. A must play for all the pokemon fans.    … Expand
  30. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    8
    Easily the best story Game Freak has ever written, with the most compelling characters in the franchise.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best DS Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2011
2
#2 Most Shared DS Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 63
  3. Negative: 0 out of 63
  1. Universo Nintendo
    Jun 5, 2011
    92
    Learning from the past without ever taking his eyes off the present, this is the pinnacle of the series to date and proof that sometimes you don't need a revolution to give new life to a franchise.
    Read full review
  2. GameOver.gr
    Apr 30, 2011
    90
    Game Freak did it again. Pokemon Black Version is a masterpiece, delivering all the superb gameplay elements that fans of the series learned to love over the years. The only drawback is the dated technology it uses, something that will surely be addressed in the future versions for the 3DS.
    Read full review
  3. Level7.nu
    Apr 18, 2011
    90
    Actually a Pokémon game with some news. The online modes have been polished, there's new pokémons, quick, better animated battles and better graphics.
    Read full review
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