RobinStarwing
02-25-2012, 11:31 PM
Pokemon Black & White 2 for DS: So Backward It's Brilliant (http://www.1up.com/news/pokemon-black-white-2-backward-brilliant)
Nintendo's been pumping out the weird Pokémon-related news of late, not least of which was an absolutely baffling crossover with Koei's long-running Nobunaga's Ambition simulation series. Nevertheless, today's announcement just might take the cake: A direct sequel to last year's Pokémon Black & White is coming later this year to Japan and has already been confirmed for an indeterminate U.S. release. But it's not the remixed "Pokémon Grey" version most people expected, and it's not for 3DS like most fans hoped. Rather, say hello to Pokémon Black & White 2... for Nintendo DS.
On one hand, it's nice to see the series receiving what appears to be a much-needed shake-up. Black & White were pitched to gamers as a significant overhaul of the Pokémon formula, though in practice they didn't vary that much from previous generations of the game. The prospect of a proper sequel within a generation (rather than a glorified rehash per usual) shows a willingness by the franchise's caretakers to put their money where their mouths are. Of course, these "sequels" could prove to be little more than a standard remix by another name. [Edit: Handheld blog Tiny Cartridge has astutely noted that the U.S. title is "Pokémon Black & White Version 2," which sounds more akin to the iterative Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum updates we've come to expect from the franchise.]
Far more surprising -- and disappointing for everyone hoping to see the series make the jump to Nintendo's current handheld -- is the fact that Black & White 2 are being built for the original DS, a system that should by all rights be headed toward the retirement home. Besides being a letdown, this looks like a backward business move for Nintendo, which has been pushing hard to build its 3DS install base. A 3DS-exclusive Pokémon would sell a lot of 3DS systems, which Nintendo would love.
But of course, Nintendo may have the Pokémon brand all tied up, but the series doesn't belong to them exclusively. Black and White 2 are being developed by Game Freak, and the franchise beyond the core games is managed by The Pokémon Company. Both companies are independent entities. Their mission is to make a lot of money by selling Pokémon games and goods, and they don't necessarily care about Nintendo's hardware business so long as they're raking in dough.
And rake in dough they will: At last check, the DS is jockeying neck-and-neck with PlayStation 2 as the best-selling console of all time. The Pokémon Company stands to make far more money producing software for a system that 150 million people own than for a system that's only sold a tenth that many units -- especially since Pokémon sells to a young audience whose parents haven't necessarily been willing to fork over the requisite $170 for a 3DS yet. Sure, you may love Pokémon and maintain EV and IV breeding spreadsheets for top-level multiplayer competition, but your kid brother and sister are still the series' target audience. And, as the new games' official announcement page is quick to point out, those old DS games play just fine on 3DS, so it's not like 3DS fans are missing out on anything besides full-screen graphics.
In other words, Black & White 2 may represent the turning over of a new leaf for the series, but they're very much business as usual. And business -- at least for the franchise's caretakers -- is likely to be very good.
:wtf:
...
:3:
...
TRUE POKEMON SEQUELS? WHAT THE HELL? Did Square Enix invade Game Freak, The Pokemon Company, and Nintendo.
Not that I am complaining but my brain is broken fro this news so you guys digest this while I put it back together.
Nintendo's been pumping out the weird Pokémon-related news of late, not least of which was an absolutely baffling crossover with Koei's long-running Nobunaga's Ambition simulation series. Nevertheless, today's announcement just might take the cake: A direct sequel to last year's Pokémon Black & White is coming later this year to Japan and has already been confirmed for an indeterminate U.S. release. But it's not the remixed "Pokémon Grey" version most people expected, and it's not for 3DS like most fans hoped. Rather, say hello to Pokémon Black & White 2... for Nintendo DS.
On one hand, it's nice to see the series receiving what appears to be a much-needed shake-up. Black & White were pitched to gamers as a significant overhaul of the Pokémon formula, though in practice they didn't vary that much from previous generations of the game. The prospect of a proper sequel within a generation (rather than a glorified rehash per usual) shows a willingness by the franchise's caretakers to put their money where their mouths are. Of course, these "sequels" could prove to be little more than a standard remix by another name. [Edit: Handheld blog Tiny Cartridge has astutely noted that the U.S. title is "Pokémon Black & White Version 2," which sounds more akin to the iterative Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum updates we've come to expect from the franchise.]
Far more surprising -- and disappointing for everyone hoping to see the series make the jump to Nintendo's current handheld -- is the fact that Black & White 2 are being built for the original DS, a system that should by all rights be headed toward the retirement home. Besides being a letdown, this looks like a backward business move for Nintendo, which has been pushing hard to build its 3DS install base. A 3DS-exclusive Pokémon would sell a lot of 3DS systems, which Nintendo would love.
But of course, Nintendo may have the Pokémon brand all tied up, but the series doesn't belong to them exclusively. Black and White 2 are being developed by Game Freak, and the franchise beyond the core games is managed by The Pokémon Company. Both companies are independent entities. Their mission is to make a lot of money by selling Pokémon games and goods, and they don't necessarily care about Nintendo's hardware business so long as they're raking in dough.
And rake in dough they will: At last check, the DS is jockeying neck-and-neck with PlayStation 2 as the best-selling console of all time. The Pokémon Company stands to make far more money producing software for a system that 150 million people own than for a system that's only sold a tenth that many units -- especially since Pokémon sells to a young audience whose parents haven't necessarily been willing to fork over the requisite $170 for a 3DS yet. Sure, you may love Pokémon and maintain EV and IV breeding spreadsheets for top-level multiplayer competition, but your kid brother and sister are still the series' target audience. And, as the new games' official announcement page is quick to point out, those old DS games play just fine on 3DS, so it's not like 3DS fans are missing out on anything besides full-screen graphics.
In other words, Black & White 2 may represent the turning over of a new leaf for the series, but they're very much business as usual. And business -- at least for the franchise's caretakers -- is likely to be very good.
:wtf:
...
:3:
...
TRUE POKEMON SEQUELS? WHAT THE HELL? Did Square Enix invade Game Freak, The Pokemon Company, and Nintendo.
Not that I am complaining but my brain is broken fro this news so you guys digest this while I put it back together.