Pokémon Black vs. Black 2: Which Version should you get?

Pokémon Black and White was the first of the generational series, that I never managed to get on the D-day of its release due to financial constraints. It was a shame too, since I already knew, I was going to get the black version. By the time I had the finances, however, its sequel, Pokémon Black 2 had also been released. Therefore, I was once again caught up in the dilemma of which of the two to get.

Making the choice wasn’t easy, but regardless I managed to play both versions in the end. So, using my experience with both games, I wrote this article to help you decide which of the versions is better for you. In the article, I will address some key differences that may sway your decision therefore, read till the end to see my final verdict.

Pokémon Black vs. Black 2 – How They Compare.

First, here is a quick summary of the main differences that will be highlighted and discussed later in the article:

Features	Pokémon Black	Pokémon Black 2
Storyline	A richer story, with better-developed characters.	Expanded story with more characters and new locations.
Challenges	Simpler to get through Many trainer battles Shorter time to finish	More complex Harder challenges Difficulty mode setting between easy and difficult.
Pokedex	Limited by region Only catch Gen V Pokémon	Expanded region Can catch Pokémon from different regions

What are the differences between Pokémon Black and Black 2?

Pokémon Black 2 is the sequel to Pokémon Black, so many people don’t expect such a huge disparity between the two versions. Still, some key variations may help you tip the scale in one direction and they are as follows:

Storyline

I enjoy following the plot of the game as I play, I find that it makes the whole experience that much better. Therefore, the storyline is always a key factor to consider when I am deciding between two versions.

True to being a sequel, Pokémon Black 2’s story is actually set 2 years after Pokémon Black. I thought this was exciting because of the new characters introduced, new locations opened and the development of different areas, starting with the gyms. Although you may be a tad bit confused by the flashbacks that mention characters from the original version, I don’t think need to start with the original version to understand the story.

Still, I would say that I preferred Pokémon Black’s original story since I felt the characters were better developed as the story progressed. In Black 2, I felt like the story was crammed, and not much thought was given to the development of both the characters and the story.

Therefore, I would have to say Pokémon Black has a better storyline, for those who are interested in the main plot of the game.

Challenge

Being a sequel, Pokémon Black 2 is without a doubt more complex compared to Black, when it comes to the experience of playing the game. While the Black version had numerous tasks and trainers to fight, I felt that it was harder to get through the game in Black 2.

Not only were the challenges harder in the sequel, but getting past certain areas was also a task. For example, it was much easier scaling the mountains of Unova Victory Road in the Black version, as opposed to getting through the ancient maze on the same road in the Black 2 version.

Additionally, the sequel introduced the Pokémon World Tournament. Here I was allowed to battle with gym leaders and champions from different regions. While it was exciting it was also quite the task. In Black 2 after defeating the Champion the first time, you unlock the challenge mode which can raise the difficulty of the battles moving forward. This wasn’t available in Pokémon Black.

So, overall, I would say if you are looking for a challenge then Pokémon Black 2 is the better version to go with.

Pokedex

This is perhaps the biggest difference between the two versions. With Pokémon Black, I could only catch generation V Pokémon up until the post-game stage. Like many other players, I felt this was limiting. So, imagine my excitement when I realized that in Black 2, the regional Pokedex was expanded.

This meant that I could catch Pokémon from different generations as well, and I didn’t have to wait to get to the end of the game. Even so, there were still some Pokémon that were exclusive to the Black version, as much as the majority of them can be found in the sequel.

But I would have to pick Black 2 as the winner in this category because it offered a wider variety, but at the end of the day, it is more a matter of which Pokémon you wish to catch.

Final Verdict: So, Which is better? – Pokémon Black or Black 2

Being that one is the sequel of the other, the main core mechanics of the game are the same, so the experience of playing should be similar. Even so, we have looked at some key variations between the two versions. But it all boils down to what you are looking for in the game. If the storyline is a key factor, then I would advise getting the black version, to have a deeper and better understanding of the plot.

However, if you are more interested in better graphics, additional features like the World Tournament, and catching a wider variety of Pokémon, then Black 2 is the version for you. It also offers a better challenge if that is a key pointer for you, and don’t forget you can change the mode from difficult to easy if you wish.

To sum up, I am more inclined to Black 2 as the better version, since it’s an upgrade from the original versions, having fixed most of the problems that were in Pokémon Black. But for the sake of following the plot, I would encourage you to get both, if possible, then start with Pokémon Black followed by Black 2 for the full experience.

FAQ Section

Which is more popular Pokémon Black or Black 2?

Pokémon Black 2 appears to be the popular choice among players since it fixed most of the problems in the black version, including expanding the regional Pokedex in the game.

Is Pokémon Black more successful than Pokémon Black 2?

Yes, based on sales, Pokémon Black sold more copies than Pokémon Black 2, with the latter having sold less than half of the copies the original version sold over the same period.

How many hours does it take to finish Pokémon Black and Black 2?

If you stick to the main objectives, it should take you 32 hours and 30 minutes to complete Pokémon Black but 34 hours and 30 minutes to complete Pokémon Black 2. On the other hand, if you want to explore the entire game, Pokémon Black will take you 160 hours while Pokémon Black 2 will take 191 hours for 100% completion.

Which game is longer between Pokémon Black and Black 2?

Pokémon Black 2 is longer since it takes 31 extra hours to achieve 100% completion of the game, this is due to the additional features and extra challenges added to the game.

Can you replace Pokémon Black with Black 2?

It is not clear whether you can replace Pokémon Black with Black 2. Based on various sources, to get the latter you would have to buy the version unless you can find another player who wishes to trade with you.

Are Pokémon Black and Black 2 the same story?

No, Pokémon Black 2’s story is a continuation of Pokémon Black and is set 2 years after the original story.

Which is more expensive Pokémon Black and Black 2?

Both versions are equally expensive since both copies are increasingly rare to find since the last copies were made.

Which one has a better game, Pokémon Black or Black 2?

Pokémon Black has a richer story but Pokémon Black 2 has new locations, features, characters, and challenges. In the end, it depends on what your preferences are when playing the game.