B2W2 drops Black and White's Unova-only restriction. Old favorites like Arcanine and Lucario are available from the early game alongside Gen 5 picks. New areas and different gym leaders change where you find Pokemon compared to the originals. Same 649 total roster, much wider team options from the start.

C
Bisharp
#0625

Bisharp

darksteel
C
Bouffalant
#0626

Bouffalant

normal
D
Rufflet
#0627

Rufflet

normalflying
C
Braviary
#0628

Braviary

normalflying
D
Vullaby
#0629

Vullaby

darkflying
C
Mandibuzz
#0630

Mandibuzz

darkflying
C
Heatmor
#0631

Heatmor

fire
C
Durant
#0632

Durant

bugsteel
D
Deino
#0633

Deino

darkdragon
D
Zweilous
#0634

Zweilous

darkdragon
B
Hydreigon
#0635

Hydreigon

darkdragon
D
Larvesta
#0636

Larvesta

bugfire
A
Volcarona
#0637

Volcarona

bugfire
C
Cobalion
#0638

Cobalion

steelfighting
A
Terrakion
#0639

Terrakion

rockfighting
C
Virizion
#0640

Virizion

grassfighting
B
Tornadus
#0641

Tornadus

flying
C
Thundurus
#0642

Thundurus

electricflying
S
Reshiram
#0643

Reshiram

dragonfire
S
Zekrom
#0644

Zekrom

dragonelectric
A
Landorus
#0645

Landorus

groundflying
B
Kyurem
#0646

Kyurem

dragonice
A
Keldeo
#0647

Keldeo

waterfighting
B
Meloetta
#0648

Meloetta

normalpsychic
A
Genesect
#0649

Genesect

bugsteel
  • 649 total, same as the originals. The big difference: old Pokemon are available from the start this time. Arcanine, Lucario, Eevee, and dozens of other pre-Gen 5 species show up in the regional dex.

  • It's a direct sequel set two years later, not an enhanced version. New protagonist, new rival, partially different gym leaders, and new areas like Humilau City and the Pokemon World Tournament. Old Pokemon are mixed into the regional dex from the start. The story continues from where BW left off.

  • Same three starters as BW. Oshawott is still the most flexible. But the starter matters less in B2W2 because you have access to a much wider pool of Pokemon early. You can catch an Riolu in Floccesy Ranch before the first gym.

  • A postgame facility in Driftveil City where you battle gym leaders and champions from every past region. Red, Blue, Lance, Steven, Cynthia, and every other major trainer appears. Each uses their signature teams. It's a fan-service gauntlet with real challenge.

  • Still Generation 5, released in 2012 for the Nintendo DS. B2W2 are the only numbered sequels in the main Pokemon series. They use the same engine and national dex as Black and White but tell a new story with expanded content.

  • Black 2 gets Reshiram and White 2 gets Zekrom (swapped from the originals). Black 2 has Black Tower (postgame trainer gauntlet), White 2 has White Treehollow (same concept, different layout). The non-legendary exclusives are minor. Pick based on which legendary you want.

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Pokemon Comparison