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

Between Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, I originally chose Black and Black 2. But after reading several reviews on White and White 2, I was curious to see what I missed out on and if these versions were better. More importantly, I wanted to know if White was better than White 2 or vice versa.

Luckily, I had a friend who had gone with the White versions and was more than willing to trade with me. Now that I’ve played both of original and sequel of Pokémon White, I decided to write this article to share my analysis based on my experience. Therefore, if you’ve been wondering what the difference between the two is and which version is worth getting, this article will shed some light on that, so keep reading until the end.

Pokémon White 2 vs. White – How They Compare.

Let’s start with a quick summary of the comparison between Pokémon White and White 2 as tabulated below:

Features	Pokémon White	Pokémon White 2
Story-line	Set 2 years before White 2 Has a more wholesome plot without playing White 2	Set 2 years after White Has more locations and new characters.
Difficulty	Doesn’t have difficulty mode setting Fewer challenges compared to White 2	Has difficulty mode setting Has more challenges and areas to explore
Post-game content	Decent post-game content Doesn’t have World Tournament	Expanded post-game content Has World Tournament.
Pokedex	Pokémon limited to Unova Region Fewer legendries to catch Has Zekrom	Expanded Pokedex with Pokémon from other regions available. More legendries to catch Has Reshiram and Kreyum

What are the differences between Pokémon White 2 and White?

Pokémon Black and White was already one of the defining games in the Pokémon game series. There were a lot of significant differences between them and other generations. For instance, it was based on a non-Japanese region. Additionally, it was one of the few Gens that got sequels instead of remakes or combo enhancements.

Pokémon White 2 is a sequel to the original, meaning that while there are some similarities between the two, there are some significant differences as well. The following are the differences I noted:

Storyline

As someone who gives significance to the storyline of the game, this is what I loved most about Gen V’s Black and White. Unlike in some of the earlier games, I felt Game Freak gave more focus to the story in this generation. So much so that they even chose to make a sequel to expound more on the story, rather than the usual remakes or enhanced versions.

The first thing you should know is that while the plot in White and White to is set in the same region, White 2’s plot is actually set 2 years after the White happened. Therefore White 2 is a continuation of White’s story. So, you can expect to see new characters and locations as well as developments in the plot. For example, in White 2 some gym leaders have new teams while others have advanced. Iris for example is no longer a gym leader in White 2 but has advanced to being Champion.

Still, while I enjoyed the build-up of the story in White 2, I felt that if I was to play it first, I would have been walking into the middle of the story. In my opinion, the storyline in White is more wholesome, with a beginning, middle, and end. And even though you may be left with some questions, you don’t really feel the need to go on past where the story has ended in Pokémon White.

In White 2 however, along the story, there will be flashbacks, some mentioning old characters from White. So, you may end up feeling like you missed out on some content if you were to play White 2 only. Furthermore, I found that playing White first, gave White 2’s storyline more context improving the overall quality of the plot.

Therefore, I would say, Pokémon White had a more wholesome story because you had to play it first to get the full context of White 2’s storyline. Of course, this doesn’t matter if you don’t give any significance to the game’s plot.

Difficulty

Both White and White 2 present their respective challenges. But generally, since White 2 is a development of the original, with the new locations and expanded Pokedex, it is only natural that the sequel would be more challenging than the original.

Not only that, but I also found that the trainers, gym leader, and Elite Four in White 2 were higher leveled compared to those in Pokémon White. That made them slightly harder to beat. Additionally, with the introduction of the World Tournament, battling champions from different regions like Cynthia was a new challenge that wasn’t present in Pokémon White. I personally only managed to beat Cynthia because I had three legendries in my team.

But what made the sequel even better is that the game introduced a difficulty mode in its mechanics. Unlike in Black 2, in White 2 after defeating the Champion the first time, you unlock the Easy/Assist mode. So, if you were having a hard time getting past tougher battles, this mode would reduce the difficulty of all the trainers moving forward. I loved this because I felt it gave the game more dynamic.

So, overall, I would say, pick White 2 if you are looking for a better challenge, plus you can always switch to Easy mode after the League if the battles get too tough.

Post-Game Content

Another big difference is the post-game content in the two versions. As expected, White 2 being the sequel, has extended post-game content compared to Pokémon White. To start with is the introduction of the Pokémon World Tournament, a new area that was not available in the original Gen V versions.

As I mentioned earlier, this is a special facility where you can battle Champions, Gym leaders, and other well-known characters from different regions. Although I found this part of the game challenging, I thought it was a great way to test my skills as a trainer.

In addition to the World Tournament, White 2 also had several new legendary Pokémon to catch, which only added to the excitement and challenge. It also helped me strengthen my team enough for battles in the World Tournament.

In as much as Pokémon White’s post-game content wasn’t bad either, the expanded content in White 2 just gives you more areas to explore and more exciting challenges to take up, making the latter’s post-game content better.

Pokedex

Finally, one of my favorite differences between the two versions is the Pokedex. While Pokémon White had a good selection of Pokémon you could capture in-game, they were limited to the Unova region. In White 2 however, I loved that the game provided an expanded Pokedex. Not only were there more Pokémon to catch in-game, but you could also catch Pokémon from different regions without having to get to post-game.

Additionally, I loved that Reshiram was available in White 2, along with additional Legendries like Kreyum (main legendary) and Keldeo among others that weren’t available in the original version. The availability of more Pokémon and a wider variety made it much easier to build teams and gave me more options to choose from.

As such, Pokémon White 2 had a far better Pokedex compared to the original version.

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

All things considered, what is the objective answer to the question, “Which version is better between Pokémon White and Pokémon White 2?” I would have to say White 2 is the better version for many reasons, including an expanded Pokedex, better post-game content, and not to mention improved overall graphics and mechanics.

But, being that White 2 is a sequel, story-wise, it would only make sense to play both games in the order in which they were released. That way you would get the full context of the game’s plot. But if you can’t afford to get both but care about the storyline, then you’re better off getting White. Otherwise, if you mostly care about battling and game mechanics, then like I said at the start, Pokémon White 2 is your best choice.

FAQ Section

Which is more popular Pokémon White 2 or White?

It depends on who you ask. Some players preferred White over White 2 because of the storyline while others preferred White 2 because of the improved mechanics and expanded Pokedex.

Is Pokémon White 2 more successful than Pokémon White?

Based on sales it would seem Pokémon White was more successful than Pokémon White 2. According to Statista’s report updated in March 2023, Pokémon Black and White sold 15.6 million units in total. On the other hand, according to Bulbapedia, by January 2013, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 had sold 7.81 million units. While there is no clear information on how much White and White 2 have specifically sold to date, it still stands to reason that based on the information above, the originals did better than the sequels.

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

For Pokémon White, if you focus on the main objectives, it should take you approximately 32 hours, whereas to fully complete the game, that would take 160 hours. As for Pokémon White 2 achieving the main objectives should take about 34 hours while achieving 100% completion will take about 191 hours.

Which game is longer between Pokémon White 2 and White?

Based on how long it would take you to fully complete the game, I would say, Pokémon White 2 is a longer game, also given that it has an expanded story with new locations and a larger Pokedex.

Can you replace Pokémon White 2 with White?

Pokémon White 2 is a sequel to Pokémon White. While they are based on the same region, one is a continuation of the other. Therefore, it would be better to play both games for the complete experience. However, if you find a willing player you can always switch games.

Is Pokémon White 2 an upgrade of Pokémon White?

Technically it is. Although, unlike other generations, Pokémon White 2 is not a remake of Pokémon White, it does have improved graphics and mechanics, not to mention new locations and more Pokémon.

Is Pokémon White 2 and White the same story?

Not entirely. While the main plot is similar, Pokémon White 2’s story is set 2 years after Pokémon White. Therefore, White 2 is a continuation of White in terms of the story.

Which is more expensive Pokémon White 2 or White?

Both games could be expensive depending on where you buy them now and the demand and supply in the market. Given that both White and White 2 are no longer being sold by Game Freak, it would mean that their demand is higher than their supply, which could mean both versions are equally expensive.

Which is the best starter in White and White 2?

Oshawott is recommended as the best starter by most players for both versions since it’s strong against early and frequent Rock Pokémon and it gets better as the game progresses. Other players would also recommend Snivy for both versions since it is faster. In the end, it depends on your preference and playstyle.

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

It depends on who you ask. Some players would say White 2 because it has better mechanics and newer challenges, while others would say White because the storyline is more wholesome. Alternatively, playing White and then White 2 will give you a more complete game experience and paint the whole picture of the Gen 5 game plot.