The long-running series of handheld console Pokemon games have traditionally released in pairs, i.e. Pokemon Green and Pokemon Red, Pokemon Silver and Pokemon Gold, and traditionally, each half of the pair contains content unique to that game, usually limited to exclusive Pokemon that you can only capture if you play a particular version.

When Pokemon Black and Pokemon White release later this year in Japan (and in the Fall next year around the rest of the world), the differences between the two won’t just be limited to exclusive Pokemon, but entire playable areas.

Two areas, namely ‘White Forest’ and ‘Black City,’ will feature in Pokemon Black and White, but each area will be unique to a single version of the game. It would be cool if ‘Black City’ appeared in Pokemon White and ‘White Forest’ appeared in Pokemon Black, but it’s more likely that this order is, in reality, reversed.

New features on the way to Pokemon Black and White include something called ‘Passing By’ (or ‘Passer By’) mode, which will allow owners of the games to automatically connect to other Pokemon players who happen to have their DS consoles on. Once connected, you’ll be able to help other players in the game.

In keeping with the connectivity features, there is also a ‘High Link’ mission mode where you’ll be able to accept missions (from a central location in the game) to help other players who are in trouble.

One last neat connectivity feature to be included in Pokemon Black and White (but exclusive to owners of the DSi and the upcoming 3DS) is the ability to partake in video chats with up to three other people locally, and one other person online over WiFi.

With regards to the gameplay of Pokemon Black and White, a few morsels of information were dished out on the new 3-on-3 battles, revealing that the placement and set-up of your Pokemon in these events will be key to victory (and convincing victory, too).

Attack efficiency will change depending on which of your Pokemon are in the front, middle or back of the party, so you’ll need to constantly switch up the order of the magical creatures to strategically overcome opponents.

Pokemon Black and White really is sounding like an all-new addition to the franchise!

Until the next information dump, you can watch a bit of in-game action below (including battles), and you can also leaf through El33tonline’s previous coverage of Pokemon Black and White for more information, videos and screenshots.

Pokemon Black and White - Battles

Source: PokeBeach