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

While initially I was inclined to the Black version of the original Gen V Pokémon game and its sequel. My curiosity led me to want to play the White versions as well. Simply because I wanted to see how the four versions compared. Luckily a friend of mine had Pokémon White and White 2 and was willing to switch with me.

I’ve already done a comparison of Pokémon Black and White, as well as compared each version to its sequel. But I also wanted to pit the dual versions of the sequels against each other to objectively see which one would come out on top. In case, you’ve been going back and forth on which version of the sequel to go with, in this article I will share my insights on both games, to help you reach the right conclusion. So, keep reading to the end to see my final verdict.

Pokémon White 2 vs. Black 2 – How They Compare.

Let’s kick off with a quick summary of the comparison we will be discussing in detail later in the article:

Features	Black 2	White 2
Locations and Aesthetics	A predominantly black color palette A futuristic theme featuring modern buildings and cities Black City (Black Tower)	A predominantly white color palette Rustic theme inspired by nature and past era White Forest (White Treehollow)
Gameplay Mechanics	Access to Challenge Mode Access to Black City key Access to Steal Head key Noisy Hidden Grottos FunFest Missions	Access to Assist Mode Access to White Forest Key Access to Iceberg key Quiet Hidden Grottos FunFest Missions
Version Exclusive Pokémon	Gothita/Gothorita/Gothitelle Magby/Magmar/Magmortar Weedle/Kakuna/Beedrill Buneary/Lopunny Spoink/Grumpig Vullaby/Mandibuzz Bonsly Heracross Latios Plusle Sudowoodo Volbeat Zekrom Black Kyurem	Solosis/Duosion/Reuniclus Elekid/Electabuzz/Electivire Caterpie/Metapod/Butterfree Skitty/Delcatty Rufflet/Braviary Numel/Camerupt Mime Jr./Mr. Mime Regice Pinsir Minun Latias Illumise Reshiram White Kyurem

What are the differences between Pokémon White 2 and Black 2?

Pokémon Black and White had some interesting differences despite being dual versions of the same generation. In the sequels, I felt there were more similarities, but the dual versions also had some significant differences, not just in the aesthetics but also in the mechanics of the game. The following are the differences I noted:

Locations and Aesthetics

Like in the original versions, there were some notable differences in terms of locations and the aesthetic of either version. For instance, in terms of aesthetics, both Black 2 and White 2 remain true to their titles, with Black 2 having a predominantly dark color theme and White 2 having a brighter color theme.

Additionally, Black 2 followed a futuristic theme as you would notice through most of its structures, especially in Black City. Unlike in the original Black version, however, the Black City in Black 2 also features a Black Tower, where the battles between opponents become tougher with each floor. White 2 on the other hand had White Forest in place of Black City and White Treehollow instead of Black Tower. The White version also followed a more rustic theme in the game inspired by nature and the past.

In both games, I also noticed some significant differences in certain locations that were in both versions. For example, in Reversal Mountain, the route through Heatran’s home had a water-based stroll in Black 2 and a magma/lava-based stroll in White 2. Additionally, Route 4 in Black 2 looks like a developed Modern area, whereas in White 2 it looks like an excavated desert area with many ruins.

Overall, I would say, both games have great locations and aesthetics that give the game a slightly different feel while playing (not that it would have any significant effect on your gameplay experience). It would, therefore, depend on your preference when choosing which version is better under this category.

Game Play Mechanics

Before we get into the nitty-gritty that sets the two versions apart, it is worth noting that the core mechanics of the game remain the same for both of them. There are only some slight differences in the mechanics that may very slightly affect your gameplay. The biggest difference that I felt was significant was the difficult mode.

In the sequels, a difficulty mode setting was introduced that wasn’t present in the original games. But in both versions, I could only unlock the mode after defeating the Champion. The only difference was that in Black 2 I unlocked the Challenge/difficult Mode, which increased the difficulty of all trainers in the game, making the battles more challenging. In White 2, however, I unlocked Assist/easy mode which could reduce the difficulty of all trainers in the game, making battles much easier. This came in handy in the World Tournament.

Another key difference worth noting is that, unlike in the original games, in the sequels you can get access to Black City or White Forest eventually. If you manage to win the battle on the fifth floor of either Black Tower or White Treehollow, you will receive either the Black City key or White Forest Key respectively. By exchanging these keys through the Unova link, you can access the location of the opposite version (i.e., Black City can gain access to White Forest and vice versa).

There were other minor differences like in FunFest missions, where the missions could vary depending on the version. In Join Avenue, some of the shops that opened also differed depending on the version.

But overall, despite the differences, I thought the experience playing both games was equally great, although I was more inclined to White 2 because of the access to the Easy mode, which made battles in the World Tournament.

Version Exclusive Pokémon

True to the traditions of every other generational game that came before them, one of the major differences was the type of Pokémon you could catch that were exclusive to either version. Nowadays, this isn’t such a big deal, since players can easily trade to get the Pokémon, they want. Still, this isn’t always a guarantee. As such, I believe it is important to give it some thought and go with the version that has most of the Pokémon you want.

I should mention, however, that there are some exclusives that you would be able to get regardless of the version you pick by participating in certain events or through the Unova link. For example, Regice (exclusive to White 2) and Registeel (exclusive to Black 2) are both available in opposite versions using Unova Link.

Of course, if you aren’t familiar with the different Pokémon yet, then go with the version whose exclusives present the best stats. This can sometimes be difficult to determine since it depends on which Pokémon you compare. I thought each version had some good picks. But according to most forums, most players think that White 2 has better exclusive Pokémon minus the legendries (apart from Reshiram, my personal favorite, who I think would beat Zekrom any day).

So based on the majority vote, let’s say White has the better exclusives. But in the end, what matters is your playstyle and the kind of team you want to build, that should guide you on the kind of Pokémon you want to have on your team and eventually, which version offers most of them.

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

Having played both versions of the originals and sequels, it is my humble opinion that both Black 2 and White 2 are great games. While I still prefer Black’s aesthetic, I appreciate the availability of Easy mode in White 2. Additionally, White 2 has better exclusives including Reshiram, who I think is a much better legendary than Zekrom and therefore, White Kreyum is a much better choice than Black Kreyum. So, in general, I would go with White 2 if I had to choose. But that’s just my personal opinion.

In the end, I think you should let your preference and playstyle determine which version to go with. Now that you have the information of how the two versions differ, think of which one sounds more appealing or offers more of the Pokémon you are interested in and go with that choice.

FAQ Section

Which is more popular Pokémon White 2 or Black 2?

It would depend on who you asked, but it would seem both versions were popular. While some players liked Black 2 because of its cooler aesthetics and better legendaries, some players thought that White 2 had better version exclusive Pokémon.

Is Pokémon White 2 more successful than Pokémon Black 2?

No, Pokémon Black 2 would seem to be more successful than White 2 based on the sales. According to Bulbapedia, by December 2013, Black 2 had sold about 1.6 million copies in Japan, whereas White 2 had only sold about 1.4 million copies. However, it’s not clear how many copies of each were sold worldwide as the site only reports the total sales of both versions which was 7.81 million worldwide, as of January 2013.

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

For both games, it would take you about 34 hours to complete the main objectives, but approximately 191 hours to explore every aspect of the game and achieve 100% completion.

Which game is longer between Pokémon White 2 and Black 2?

Considering both games take the same amount of time to complete, then none is longer than the other. The sequels are, however, longer games than the original, understandably, because they contain more content than the latter.

Can you replace Pokémon White 2 with Black 2?

Given the differences in the game, each one offers a slightly different experience, so I can’t say you can play one over the other and get the same experience. If you do get another willing player with the opposite version, however, you can switch games.

Is Pokémon White 2 and Black 2 the same story?

While they may have slightly different locations and mechanics, the story in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 generally follows the same plot. Only a few events would change based on the version. For example, in Black 2 you get to explore Black City first, whereas in White 2 you get to explore White Forest first.

Which is more expensive Pokémon White 2 or Black 2?

Seeing as Game Freak stopped producing and selling copies of both versions, it stands to reason that both of them could be equally expensive given that they are now rarer and harder to find. But this could vary based on several factors like from who or where you are buying the games.

Which is the best starter in Black 2 and White 2?

Oshawott is the most recommended starter amongst players because it is strong against one Gym type, neutral to six of the other gym types, and only weak against one of the gym types. Therefore, it gives you better odds, plus the Pokémon gets better as the game progresses.

Which one has a better game between Pokémon White 2 and Black 2?

This is based on personal preference. It will depend on your playstyle, what aesthetics you prefer, and which version you feel has the best exclusive Pokémon.