User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 753 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 95 out of 753
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  1. 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.
  2. Nov 25, 2020
    10
    The best in the mainline Pokemon series beyond a shadow of a doubt. It's got the greatest number of original Pokemon introduced and the best story of the main Pokemon games.
  3. Jun 11, 2020
    10
    Nowadays all of us agree that Pokémon peaked in gen 5. Black and White 2 were greatly acclaimed but Black and White themselves are no exception. An original story with interesting characters, the Pokémon soft reboot concept, the perfect soundtrack and aesthetic appeal of 2D sprite design on it's peak compared to the disaster that is Pokémon 3D models all help drive this point home.
  4. Nov 25, 2012
    6
    I tried my hardest to not be a purist and yes, I enjoyed the game and developed affection for six pixellated representations of data like the loser I am. But I really, really can't help but hear the screams of "INNOVATION" that come from the business meetings of whoever's in charge of making these games. It's not a problem becuase "changes suck", and not even "THESE changes suck". It'sI tried my hardest to not be a purist and yes, I enjoyed the game and developed affection for six pixellated representations of data like the loser I am. But I really, really can't help but hear the screams of "INNOVATION" that come from the business meetings of whoever's in charge of making these games. It's not a problem becuase "changes suck", and not even "THESE changes suck". It's just that they are all so unnecessary. Pokémon is already very, very commercial, and already has this terrible tendency to make a very good feature and then remove it in the next installment (which I guess is a good excuse to go and replay the older titles), and along with that with each generation the Pokémon designs get worse and worse to the point that the fan-made ones are starting to look like popsicles in a desert to me, while the official one start to look... like popsicles. Literally. Before you rant about this last complaint, let me get this straight: Pokémon has always had at least some bad designs, since Generation I, all I mean is that the percentage of badly thought Pokémon in each new generation is CONSTANTLY INCREASING. So with all these "periodic flaws", I feel like this title is not only natural culmination of those, but deals the final blow with unimpressive changes. The graphics are better and without having switched to some 3D gimmick, however, and I'd also like to stress that with this new wave of Pokémon the metagame is refreshed, and that's never a bad thing. Changing the mechanics of sleep was an interesting choice, for instance. Expand
  5. Apr 28, 2017
    6
    In my opinion, the 5th gen is the worst pokemon gen, simply because the game isn't as fun as the other games. That does't mean it's a bad game, it's just that this game simply lacks originality, and at the time, pokemon was starting to get repetitive (until the 7th gen).
  6. Mar 10, 2012
    6
    Get this one instead of Black version. The bonus feature is a forest that works seasonally, while the bonus feature in Black is a city tht works depending on how fast you beat the game. If you're ike me, you spend a lot of time really building a team and beat Pokemon games pretty slowly, and Black loses the bonus feature almost entirely if you're like that. Still can only give it a 6. ReadGet this one instead of Black version. The bonus feature is a forest that works seasonally, while the bonus feature in Black is a city tht works depending on how fast you beat the game. If you're ike me, you spend a lot of time really building a team and beat Pokemon games pretty slowly, and Black loses the bonus feature almost entirely if you're like that. Still can only give it a 6. Read my review for Black version for all of the details on that. Expand
  7. Jun 4, 2014
    6
    Pokemon White is a big disappointment in comparison to the other Pokemon games in the series. The graphics look messy and are unfriendly. The Pokemon look fake and basically almost every aspect of the game looks rushed. The good thing about this game is the storyline which is very deep and the reason I enjoyed playing this. If you're a hardcore Pokemon fan you cannot skip this game,Pokemon White is a big disappointment in comparison to the other Pokemon games in the series. The graphics look messy and are unfriendly. The Pokemon look fake and basically almost every aspect of the game looks rushed. The good thing about this game is the storyline which is very deep and the reason I enjoyed playing this. If you're a hardcore Pokemon fan you cannot skip this game, especially if you want to transfer you old Pokemon from previous generations to the much better X & Y versions. Expand
  8. Nov 24, 2017
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The 5th gen of Pokemon attempted to soft-reboot the franchise, both in the games and the anime. In Pokemon White, you can only catch Pokemon originating in the Unova region. This forces you to build new teams and stategies, which is a pro, espescially for returning players. However, the graphics look awkwardly mixed between 2D and 3D. Many of the areas in Unova lack a distinct atmosphere, unlike in Johto or Sinnoh. White Forest is a memorable area, though, allowing you to catch certain Pokemon not found in Unova otherwise. The story was a mixed bag. It was somewhat more interesting than previous entries, but in the end, it was still a Pokemon story. N could have been an interesting character, but instead, he felt like he was forced in to give these games a more serious overtone; he lacked enough development for me to care for him much. White wasn't bad, just not as good as previous titles in the series for me. Expand
  9. May 28, 2013
    6
    I Based this score on the fact that this game was nowhere near as good as the other Pokemon Games. The same goes for Black & White 2. I've played every other main Pokemon game, and this comes nowhere near. This does not mean to say I didn't enjoy the game, but it was just a little disappointing.
  10. Aug 30, 2013
    7
    An essential reboot of the Pokémon handheld titles, Pokémon Black and Pokémon White are not so innovative as they might aspire to be. The same mechanics are utilized, and little to nothing new is brought to the table. Attempting to attract attention of leading the edge in modernization, by adding over a 150 new species to the Pokémon roster, it fails by doing little more than this. TripleAn essential reboot of the Pokémon handheld titles, Pokémon Black and Pokémon White are not so innovative as they might aspire to be. The same mechanics are utilized, and little to nothing new is brought to the table. Attempting to attract attention of leading the edge in modernization, by adding over a 150 new species to the Pokémon roster, it fails by doing little more than this. Triple battles and rotation battles, while a nice addition, are barely featured and almost a backdoor surprise feature that you don't unearth unless you go looking for them. The Unova region is heavily grotesque in that it fails in its forced marriage of nature and urbanization. Within 30 seconds you are able to travel from a forest, to a bridge, to a metropolis, to a desert. The inspiration of New York City bares little resemblance outside of the trivial skyscrapers and harbors in Castelia City. Perhaps the only redeeming and general progression in the Pokémon series is the beautifully crafted soundtrack. However, outside of this there is little if anything new to the series. Expand
  11. Mar 22, 2018
    7
    I've been playing this games recently. For me, one of the best Pokémon games, story is great and lovely, the second best for me (it was the best until Sun and Moon). The bad thing is the easy it is, bad designs and simple region. But it has a great postgame and routes, i love this game and its one of the best of the pixel era, the thing was that it was just the same as always, just GameI've been playing this games recently. For me, one of the best Pokémon games, story is great and lovely, the second best for me (it was the best until Sun and Moon). The bad thing is the easy it is, bad designs and simple region. But it has a great postgame and routes, i love this game and its one of the best of the pixel era, the thing was that it was just the same as always, just Game Freak being afraid to change anything. Expand
  12. Sep 25, 2013
    3
    Sorry for such a harsh rating for such a popular title, but this game just did not impress me. Being the long term pokemon fan I am (since pokemon originated), i just found this one lacking and being aggravating in so many ways. Not to mention some of the new pokemon just seem pathetic and look like something the makers just whipped up because they were running out of ideas. I mean, an iceSorry for such a harsh rating for such a popular title, but this game just did not impress me. Being the long term pokemon fan I am (since pokemon originated), i just found this one lacking and being aggravating in so many ways. Not to mention some of the new pokemon just seem pathetic and look like something the makers just whipped up because they were running out of ideas. I mean, an ice cream cone pokemon? Really? I sold this game before even reaching the ending to it. Yes, the main pokemon (on the cover) is cool and all but that's about it, Expand
  13. Apr 1, 2017
    7
    7.8 - Definitely not my favourite Gen, but regardless, still pokemon and well-done. One of the favourite parts in this one is the final boss battle where it's back-to-back boss battle which can be challenging.
  14. May 8, 2011
    6
    OK game, not much has changed, better graphics, cool new pokemon. Great game, although once you complete the game and start over, it's quite boring. It's not a game you can play over and over and over. I would like to see something different in the pokemon games, such as "customizing your character", "choosing your own path" instead of following the same routine like in all the otherOK game, not much has changed, better graphics, cool new pokemon. Great game, although once you complete the game and start over, it's quite boring. It's not a game you can play over and over and over. I would like to see something different in the pokemon games, such as "customizing your character", "choosing your own path" instead of following the same routine like in all the other games.
    I would recommend this game to someone.

    Overall great game. I'd just like to see something different.
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  15. Jul 18, 2012
    5
    Dear pokemon creaters if I could speak to one. Take pokemon and make it a LEGIT RPG! Its that easy and kids will even love it. Make a more unique leveling up system, make each pokemon capable of being unique. People who play pokemon like there pokemon and want them to be around for a long time instead of starting all over each time we turn a new game on. Go to console, create a newDear pokemon creaters if I could speak to one. Take pokemon and make it a LEGIT RPG! Its that easy and kids will even love it. Make a more unique leveling up system, make each pokemon capable of being unique. People who play pokemon like there pokemon and want them to be around for a long time instead of starting all over each time we turn a new game on. Go to console, create a new universe, and become pairable with the haindheld scene. It would blow up and that's what y'all want right, to make money? Expand
  16. Aug 16, 2015
    6
    Truly, The worst duo of the franchise. Where the prior games had challenge, Black and White has none. The tutorial is far too long, Gym's far too easy, and the story incredibly dull. With the addition of Audino, Grinding is far too easy and removes any sense of accomplishment when you actually beat anything that could be considered "Challenging". Black and White also lacks any endgameTruly, The worst duo of the franchise. Where the prior games had challenge, Black and White has none. The tutorial is far too long, Gym's far too easy, and the story incredibly dull. With the addition of Audino, Grinding is far too easy and removes any sense of accomplishment when you actually beat anything that could be considered "Challenging". Black and White also lacks any endgame content worth your time after the Elite four, So you end up with a plastic brick with a logo. If you encounter Pokemon Black/White in a store - Avoid it and buy Black/White 2. or you know.. Maybe the Gen 6 games. It's Bloody 2015. Expand
  17. Aug 26, 2013
    10
    With Pokémon being one of my favorite franchises of all times, I was a bit worried with the 3rd and 4th generation not quite living up to my expectation. Generation IV disappointed me greatly with an absurd over-the-top mess of a story and I was afraid the games were heading in the wrong direction.

    However, generation V changed all of this, instantly becoming my favorite. The story was
    With Pokémon being one of my favorite franchises of all times, I was a bit worried with the 3rd and 4th generation not quite living up to my expectation. Generation IV disappointed me greatly with an absurd over-the-top mess of a story and I was afraid the games were heading in the wrong direction.

    However, generation V changed all of this, instantly becoming my favorite. The story was simpler but also more mature, the new Pokémon, while criticized, I think are fantastic and creative, the characters incredibly likable and more complex than ever before, the graphics very good and new game mechanics, moves, items, online functionalities are all improvements.

    I can't quite put into words how much I enjoy Pokémon Black&White, so I'll just say this: I've played Pokémon ever since generation I, being a kid back then. And yet despite the huge nostalgia boost the first generation has, gen V easily wins in my ranking.

    Personally I recommend White version, as it has, in my opinion, more interesting version-exclusive Pokémon and locations.
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  18. May 23, 2015
    9
    This game is awesome!! It is one of the best DS games out there The one complaint i have are It is EASY i beat it in a month and yes im not a hard core gamer i usualy beat a game a year ps this is my first review
  19. Dec 2, 2018
    8
    It's comparatively unambitious and plays safe compared to previous and later games, and I personally prefer Black's urban theme better than White's rural one since all pokemon games are already nature-bound in their layouts but as I said about Black, it did a good job with the story, which is now a staple in the series with later games even surpassing it but not something they riskedIt's comparatively unambitious and plays safe compared to previous and later games, and I personally prefer Black's urban theme better than White's rural one since all pokemon games are already nature-bound in their layouts but as I said about Black, it did a good job with the story, which is now a staple in the series with later games even surpassing it but not something they risked meddling with before. Expand
  20. Mar 14, 2011
    9
    I have played Pokemon for a very long time. I told myself that this game would be no different to the ones that came before it. I can't believe I ever thought that. This game is new and fun and full of surprises! I can't wait to get my 3DS in the mail and pop this into it, that will be the first thing I do. This game has replay value out the back and I can't wait to buy my second copy.I have played Pokemon for a very long time. I told myself that this game would be no different to the ones that came before it. I can't believe I ever thought that. This game is new and fun and full of surprises! I can't wait to get my 3DS in the mail and pop this into it, that will be the first thing I do. This game has replay value out the back and I can't wait to buy my second copy. Well done Nintendo. Expand
  21. Feb 28, 2014
    3
    Things I liked:
    + Its still the same Pokémon combat.
    + Bulbapedia documented this game this game better than all other games until X and Y came out. + The dual-screen cutscene was cool. Things I didn't like: - Pokémon games kept getting more complex while not making gameplay more fun than Gen 2 in my opinion. - There was way more of this beauty contest, grooming, etc **** in your
    Things I liked:
    + Its still the same Pokémon combat.
    + Bulbapedia documented this game this game better than all other games until X and Y came out.
    + The dual-screen cutscene was cool.

    Things I didn't like:
    - Pokémon games kept getting more complex while not making gameplay more fun than Gen 2 in my opinion.
    - There was way more of this beauty contest, grooming, etc **** in your face.
    - ENCOUNTERS EVERY 2 GOD DAMN STEPS.
    - The story was ridiculous.
    - The game felt slow. I play Crystal on emulator with speedup, so it might be me, but progress just doesn't feel fast. So even if I emulated it, it wouldn't be my choice based on progression.
    - The dual-screen Cutscene. :P It slowed the game down so it can be a plus and a neg.
    - Double Battles. Now they're not just with trainers, they're in the wild.
    - No clear instructions post beating elite four for first time.
    - One ROM still only gets you 1 save slot. C'mon Nintendo. Just c'mon.

    Overall, I don't want to go back to the game. I know the majority of people love what's been changing in Pokémon, but I think the game designers went wrong a few ways. They tried to fix things that didn't need fixing. And all the things they actually improved on were the things I didn't care about or didn't like. The ROM I played it on doesn't need to burn or anything. But the game shall go ignored by me if its lucky. =P Score: 3/10

    PS. You know what would be cool? A drive-thru combination PokéCenter and -Mart. It would just take 1 pump of a defibrillator and you're back on your journey. Might not make actual health sense, but it is an idea that I have for making healing less time consuming and the game more fun.
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  22. Sep 5, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's the best Pokemon game, personally. It has the Pokemon charm but taken even further. It may not be possible to have all Pokemon catchable, but they can be obtained. The music is 10/10, the story is something never done before (or after) in a Pokemon game. The Pokemon are lovely and balanced. The map is really big and , the battles are challenging if you choose so, and the after game is good. Do not doubt to grab it if you see it. Expand
  23. Nov 18, 2019
    8
    Very well made game. Progression is super smooth making your life very easy, basically zero grinding is needed. HM's are almost not needed to progress. Story is pretty good for pokemon game. Visually the world is really bland, concentrating all visuals around gyms. Over all nothing revolutionary for pokemon games but still fun.
  24. Oct 10, 2018
    6
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  25. Apr 28, 2012
    6
    Why GameFreak, why? Why, after the excellent HG/SS versions, you had to come out with this... thing? The best bet I have is that the team that worked on this abomination is NOT the same that worked on HG and SS. But anyway. The entire franchise got so dumbed down with Black and White it's not even funny. Poison not working outside of battle? Region being linear as crap? Gym leaders onlyWhy GameFreak, why? Why, after the excellent HG/SS versions, you had to come out with this... thing? The best bet I have is that the team that worked on this abomination is NOT the same that worked on HG and SS. But anyway. The entire franchise got so dumbed down with Black and White it's not even funny. Poison not working outside of battle? Region being linear as crap? Gym leaders only ever having 3 Pokemon max? Audinos and Lucky Egg making the game lose ANY traces of challenge it ever had? And that's only scratching the top of a mountain of problems this game has. Truth to be told, the game has some improvements. Mostly minor, and/or completely irrelevant to the franchise as a whole (like a plot) but there are still there. Still, the game left me with a really bad aftertaste (esp. with what they did to the multiplayer...) and that pushed me, a lifelong fan of the franchise, to rate this game with such an average score. Expand
  26. Jun 25, 2013
    5
    I'm going to come off as a "Gen-Oner" because what I'm going to say is going to sound like me just hating on the new and appreciating the old. that said, Generation 5 Pokemon, to me, lost a lot of small things that made the series great and left me with a less than fun experience. Pokemon White is the first Pokemon game where I stopped playing partway through and haven't picked it up sinceI'm going to come off as a "Gen-Oner" because what I'm going to say is going to sound like me just hating on the new and appreciating the old. that said, Generation 5 Pokemon, to me, lost a lot of small things that made the series great and left me with a less than fun experience. Pokemon White is the first Pokemon game where I stopped playing partway through and haven't picked it up since then. There are plenty of reasons why and because this is a review, I guess I'll just lay them out here.
    First, the franchise no longer has any teeth to it. The once terrifying moment of having a poisoned Pokemon and nothing to heal them with has lost all tension because poison status no longer hurts outside of battle. And even if it did, it feels like there is a healer on every route. There's no threat or challenge to exploring the world, which is the main reason I want to explore. To find dangerous situations and create tension by getting lost or cornered. And Pokemon has been a game franchise that, in my opinion, was all about exploration of big worlds. Generation IV (Diamond and Pearl) was perfect because the environments were bigger, had more variety, and were things you actually could get kind of lost in. Here, I never really felt like there was much variety and that I had my hand held the entire time I was going through it.
    The story is also a load of piss on my bread. The idea that the bad guys are like Pokemon PETA is a fun concept that I wish had played out better (read spoilers to see how things actually turn out... and it is kind of dumb). PETA is a terrible organization and it would have been cool to see that shown here to some degree, but it was sort of a referential nod towards those maniacs and not really more than that. So, much like Magma, Aqua, Galactic, and the rest, Team Plasma fails to live up the reputation of Team Rocket which actually killed a Pokemon, cloned a legendary Pokemon that nearly killed everyone, and forcibly evolved a Magikarp into a more enraged Gyarados. It's like you aren't even trying with this GameFreak. Next thing you'll do is make a referential character to Michael Vick who isn't really anything like Michael Vick at all beyond a mere reference when you could do so much more with that too.
    Gameplay wise, it's really more of the same. While that's normally not bad, here it seems old hat. It's a copy-paste of generation IV with a few new moves and triple battles (which I feel don't add to this game as much as I wish they did). I'm not asking for a major change in how things work, but more than a few tweaks should be done to justify the makings of a new generation. Because I hardly see any real changes here from the last one.
    On top of that, the one thing I used to go to Pokemon for (exploration) was further knee-capped by the game constantly wanting to shove a big-ol story down my throat. I get that you guys want to give us more narrative and story to these games as a flimsy justification for their existence. But I always found it more fun when the story was minimalisitic and you just learned about the world through exploration (the Lab on Cinnabar Island being the BEST example of this). But when I enter a town, the last thing I want is to not play for ten minutes while characters I don't care about spend forever explaining the game's tediously pointless plot to me. I just want to hunt animals and fight them to be the best trainer in the world. I don't have time to fight some green-haired and his stupid friends.
    To me, Generation V is a huge let down. I see lots of good ideas, especially with the Pokemon Dream World online situation they have going on. But the core game itself doesn't feel like the Pokemon I've loved for the past four generations. It has bits and pieces that seem familiar, but it has so much extra fluff and flab that the game I love is only a small fraction of what remains. So unless Generation VI can somehow reinvigorate the same level of excitement Generation IV did, then I'll just say this is where my Pokemon following ends... until Nintendo grows the balls to finally make a Pokemon MMO that we all want.
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  27. Nov 18, 2019
    6
    Pretty meh... the pokemons designs feel uninspired and the plot is pretty stupid
  28. Sep 4, 2019
    4
    Don't get me wrong, it was a good game, maybe a 4 is little note... But I expected so much from this game. Someone told me this was the BEST Pokémon game to date and I decided i had to played it... So i did it and... Well... It's FAR from the best. And i'm not talking about the ugly Pokémon designs or whatever...

    People that love this game, always talk about an 'amazing' plot, but it's
    Don't get me wrong, it was a good game, maybe a 4 is little note... But I expected so much from this game. Someone told me this was the BEST Pokémon game to date and I decided i had to played it... So i did it and... Well... It's FAR from the best. And i'm not talking about the ugly Pokémon designs or whatever...

    People that love this game, always talk about an 'amazing' plot, but it's not. It's just another Pokémon game like the previous generations but now with a green hair male talking and bothering you so much through the adventure to repeat almost the same things he said to you before. And you don't care at all, because he's not your friend, he's just a stranger, why the hell is he talking to you so much?

    The bad guy Ghetsis is... SO BAD. Maybe not the worst villain (Hello XY) but it's just a stupid that don't know how to hide a plan. He spends 90% of the game revealing you and the rest of the people that he's bad and wants to destroy the world. What the hell?

    People tend to romanticize this plot with 'the ideals', 'not everything is Black and White'... And yeah the idea is good, but it just doesn't work. You can't sell 'not everything is black or white' and then create a villain that is purely black and without reasons to be. Ghetsis it's bad because yes, because he born that way.

    N was a good innovation in 2011, he was the first character to take away some prominence from the player, and that's great. Because although he has boring and redundant speeches, he's charismatic and memorable. But let's be realistic, we are in 2019, 'Sword & Shield' is near and 'Sun & Moon' has a much more catchy and interesting story, with little plot twists, great treated relations and well developed characters. For me the best game to date is Sun & Moon, at least talking about the story, and we'll se what happens with SWSH.

    But for me, this game is good, has some problems with flaws in the Pokédex, linear map and things like that, but has great music, interesting topics, a great champion, good postgame and well... It's a Pokémon, it's a good game. The thing is that it's NOT the best, and if you're looking for the best one. For me you better play 'Sun & Moon' (not the USUM version please).

    Hope this don't offend anyone, is great if you loved this game!
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  29. Nov 20, 2019
    3
    Hand holding started here. Difficulty in this game sucks, being the final boss the only "hard" battle, and it's in fact easy. Pokémon got boring with this generation. Unova map is linear as hell.

    For me this is one of the worst Pokémon games. This game doesn't have the essence of Pokémon, even the interface is boring and dull.
  30. Feb 2, 2020
    10
    The Best Game ever. A very underrated generation in its launch year, but now, the time has put this game in its truly place.

Awards & Rankings

1
2
#2 Most Discussed DS Game of 2011
5
#5 Most Shared DS Game of 2011
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. 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.
  2. Apr 7, 2011
    90
    One of the best generations of Pokemon titles to date, Black & White take almost all of the best elements from the series and then carefully craft it into something truly wonderful; recreating that same sense of adventure from the very first titles.
  3. Mar 31, 2011
    90
    Almost a franchise reboot, Pokémon Black & White is your ultimate Pokémon experience. Overall better than previous generations by any means, this new installment manages to inspire on veteran players a sense of wonder and awe gone missing years ago. The new adventure flows better and is much more intriguing and challenging but of course you are not going to change your mind if you hate Pikachu and friends.