Guide and Walkthrough (DS) by Drayano (5)

Discover the key differences between Pokemon Black and White versions, including exclusive areas like Black City and White Forest, version-exclusive Pokemon, and more.

This section details the differences between the paired versions of Pokemon Black and White. While previous games shared only version exclusives and legendary mascots, Black and White introduce more significant distinctions, particularly concerning a post-Elite Four location in Unova: Black City or White Forest.

Black City, exclusive to Black players, is a dark, technological urban area focused on battling. NPCs outside buildings engage in daily battles with fully evolved Pokémon from Generations I-IV, offering experience and adding to the Pokédex. The city also features a shop with high prices, selling valuable items like elemental stones, but not profitable items like Nuggets.

White Forest, exclusive to White players, is a lush forest with grass patches containing level 5 basic form Pokémon not found elsewhere in Unova. These are the base forms of Pokémon encountered in Black City. White Forest also generates 0-3 valuable items daily, locatable with the Itemfinder, including elemental stones for free.

Both Black City and White Forest offer a selection of 10-12 Pokémon out of a possible 32, with items also varying. Accessing the Entralink feature, likely requiring another player or DS with Black/White, is necessary to change these selections. Without Entralink access, players are generally stuck with their initial set.

Minor differences include:

• Visual themes: Black is more technological, White is more natural, reflected in locations like Opelucid City.
• Opelucid City Gym Leader: Different leader based on version, though the roster of Pokémon battled is the same.
• Mascots: Reshiram for Black, Zekrom for White, appearing on the box and title screen, and catchable as legendary Pokémon.
• Color schemes: Black uses more black backgrounds, White uses more white backgrounds.
• Battle types: Black favors rotation battles (except Wi-Fi), White favors triple battles (except Wi-Fi).
• Story details: Minor narrative changes reflect the opposite mascot.

Version exclusives are listed below, with Unova Pokémon on the left and older Pokémon on the right:

Note: Cottonee and Petilil can be traded for each other in Nacrene City at Level 15, allowing access to the counterpart regardless of version. This list does not include Pokémon found in White Forest.

Beyond these differences, the games are largely identical. Players are encouraged to choose based on personal preference.