The Reason Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 Aren't 3DS Games

Throughout the generations, Pokemon has been known to release a special "third version" for every pair of new core games. Pokemon Red and Green/Blue had Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver had Pokemon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire had Pokemon Emerald, and Pokemon Diamond and Pearl had Pokemon Platinum. So respectively, fans assumed a "Pokemon Grey" would accommodate Pokemon Black and White. And seeing as those two games were released so close to the 3DS launch, it seemed obvious that this third version would be on the new handheld.

Well, neither of those is happening. Instead of having a "Pokemon Grey," Pokemon Company and developer GameFreak, Inc. decided to try something different and make two new versions. Not only that, but these two games would be direct sequels to Pokemon Black and White titled Pokemon Black 2 and White 2. And to top it all off, the two games wouldn't be released on the already year-old system at all, but instead be released on last generation's Nintendo DS.

But you already know all that. The question is, why? Why not give Pokemon a debut on the 3DS? And why is there a need to give the generation two new games instead of one? Well, the head of development over at GameFreak, Inc. has answers.

Junichi Masuda - GameFreak, Inc. development head - explained that the reasoning behind releasing two new versions in the generation stems from the addition of a key gameplay mechanic that was originally scrapped from the first Pokemon Black and White. This mysterious new mechanic being included required two games in order to work properly.

Also, the idea of having two games for this unknown feature was decided long before the decision that they would be direct sequels of Pokemon Black and White. And since they ultimately wanted these two new games to be direct sequels to the previous games, GameFreak, Inc. decided it would be more logical to release them on the Nintendo DS, which was home to the first two, rather than releasing them on the Nintendo 3DS. Furthermore, this was a good excuse for them to use a numerical number in the title, as they were considering doing that at some point to surprise fans.

Will you be picking up this game? Are you excited about this mysterious new gameplay mechanic?

Source: IGN