Pokémon Black and White Review - AOL Kids POV

by Micheal Mullen Mar 4th 2011 at 1:00PM

Will 150 new Pokémon, better graphics and new online connections be enough to make you buy Pokémon Black or White?

Pokémon Black and White Versions on Nintendo DS delivers more than just 150 new Pokémon, the new games deliver a whole list of improvements that make it easier to learn for first-time players, and yet, offers new challenges to fans of the previous games.
A full review, detailing the game, follows the ratings!

AOL Kids Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Monsters!

Detailed Ratings:

Full Review: Within the first few moments, players realize that this Pokémon game is different as they're asked to choose one of three Pokémon (Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott). This choice has later consequences during the game, as discovered during the first Gym Leader battle for the Trio Badge where that selection determines which of three Gym Leaders the trainer will fight.

The goal of the game remains the same, become the best Pokémon trainer, yet the new enemies -- Team Plasma and the Mysterious N -- give a new take on the classic story as the group seeks to liberate Pokémon from their trainers. Early on in the storyline there's even talk about discovering what and where Pokémon came from.

Visually, the Unova region's graphics are sharp with nice building details with spinning tops on buildings and the use of seasons to make areas hidden or accessible based on the time of year. A new 3D-like mode brings players down to Pokémon level to see scrolling news updates about your latest win and road-level views of skyscrapers. One big change is the new Pokémon Center, which offers both a Poké Mart and a healing desk in the same room – a welcome change.

Compared to the speed of the last Pokémon games (HeartGold/SoulSilver), battles feel and look better with more animated moves, especially Tepig's fire moves. A new three-on-three battle mode has been added and the new battles are bigger, but feel similar to regular play.

For fans who like to trade their Pokémon with friends, a new touch screen option called C-Gear gives players quick access to IR, WiFi and Online access, where they can monitor the progress of friends (after exchanging friend codes), battle and trade.

Overall, Pokémon Black and White sticks to the same gameplay that has made the game series so popular and that's not a bad thing. Better graphics, new Pokémon and a hint at what may be Pokémon's big leap to online make Pokémon Black and White a nearly perfect addition to any DS player's library.
More Great Stuff AOL Kids