Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version arrive in Europe March 4th!

New Legendary Pokémon, new heroes, a surprising new region, plus new ways for players to have fun and communicate locally are just a few of the innovative and exciting gameplay features offered by Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, which launch across Europe on 4th March 2011, exclusively for the Nintendo DS family of portable systems.

Redefining the Pokémon series, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version offer fans and newcomers alike a completely new adventure to discover and enjoy - and for the first time ever in the series, the two games feature their own individual areas to explore. Set in the Unova region, which is located far away from the Kanto and Johto regions Pokémon fans will be familiar with, both games also feature all-new action-packed locations, such as the bustling urban environment of Castelia City.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version also mark the first time in the Pokémon series that the seasons will change in the game world. The result sees specific Pokémon appearing more frequently during particular seasons and also changing in colour or form. Furthermore, players can only access some areas during a specific season.

As if that wasn’t enough, players will also encounter more than 150 never-seen-before Pokémon, some of which can only be caught in each version of the game. Two such are Legendary Pokémon, called Reshiram and Zekrom. Reshiram can engulf its surroundings in flames and it is rumoured the heat from the flames can cause the very atmosphere to move, while Zekrom can produce electricity from within its own body, fly and disappear inside thunderclouds! Reshiram can only be caught in Pokémon Black Version whilst Zekrom can only be caught in Pokémon White Version.

At the start of the game, players can choose between new, older boy and girl Trainers, as well as from three new starter Pokémon – a Grass-type Pokémon, Snivy, a Fire-type Pokémon, Tepig or, a Water-type Pokémon, Oshawott – before departing on their adventure with two childhood friends.

In Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version the player is tasked with completing two quests. One is to complete the Unova Pokédex by finding and catching every Pokémon in the region – however, in order to fully complete the Unova Pokédex, players will need to trade Pokémon between both versions. The other is to become the Pokémon League Champion by battling with wild Pokémon and other Trainers in the region. Players will train their Pokémon with the ultimate goal of taking on the Elite Four and the Unova Champion! Thanks to some all-new connectivity features you will be able to hone your fighting skills via the Random Matchup mode, using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Great news too for existing players of Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond and Pearl Version games is the chance for them to catch the Mythical Pokémon Celebi! Keep checking www.PokemonBlackWhite.com for details on where you can catch this elusive Pokémon! And that’s not all! Starting from 7th February players of these games will also have the chance to capture the Legendary Pokémon Raikou, Entei and Suicune. These are all Shiny Pokémon – meaning they are a different colour than normal – and are available only via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.  Keep checking www.pokemongoldsilver.com for more details on how to get these special Pokémon and how they’ll help you encounter the all-new Pokémon Zoroark and Zorua in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version.

Two bundle packs with specially created Nintendo DSi systems, each printed with images of both Reshiram and Zekrom, will be available – choose from either Pokémon Black Version with the Nintendo DSi Reshiram + Zekrom Edition (Black) or Pokémon White Version with the Nintendo DSi Reshiram + Zekrom Edition (White) and prepare for battle.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version was the fastest-selling Nintendo DS game ever in Japan during its first week of sales.  Packed with new features, new Pokémon and a new world to explore, you’ll be able to see first-hand why it has proved so popular with fans new and old when it launches across Europe on 4th March for the Nintendo DS family of portable systems.

For more information, visit www.PokemonBlackWhite.com.