Pokémon Black 2 & White 2: Version Differences

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 have small differences in available Pokémon, locations and other small areas.

Exclusive Pokémon

Pokémon Black 2 Exclusives

  • Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill
  • Magby, Magmar, Magmortar
  • Sudowoodo
  • Heracross
  • Plusle
  • Volbeat
  • Spoink, Grumpig
  • Registeel (Available to White 2 through Steel Head Key)
  • Latios
  • Buneary, Lopunny
  • Stunky, Skuntank (Available to White 2 through FunFest Mission)
  • Bonsly
  • Cottonee, Whimsicott (Available to White 2 through in-game Trade)
  • Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle
  • Vullaby, Mandibuzz
  • Zekrom
  • Black Kyurem (Forme can be switched freely)

Pokémon White 2 Exclusives

  • Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree
  • Mime Jr., Mr. Mime
  • Elekid, Electabuzz, Electivire
  • Pinsir
  • Skitty, Delcatty
  • Minun
  • Illumise
  • Numel, Camerupt
  • Regice (Available to Black 2 through Iceberg Key)
  • Latias
  • Glameow, Purugly (Available to Black 2 through FunFest Mission)
  • Petilil, Lilligant (Available to Black 2 through in-game trade)
  • Solosis, Duosion, Reuniclus
  • Rufflet, Braviary
  • Reshiram
  • White Kyurem (Forme can be switched freely)

Location Differences

Pokémon Black 2 Locations

  • Black City: Although Black City made its debut in Pokémon Black, it has returned with a brand new look and some new features. In addition to new trainers who inhabit the city, there’s also a Black Tower which enables you to battle increasingly tough opponents floor after floor and win items. You earn experience during these battles and cannot use items in or between battles. Black City may also be accessed from White 2 after receiving the key as a reward for beating Floor 5 of the Black Tower and transferring the key via the Unova Link.
  • Reversal Mountain: The cave shown above on the left shows Reversal Mountain as it appears in Pokémon Black 2. Although the change is just aesthetic, players can still enjoy the refreshing water-based stroll through Heatran’s home.
  • Opelucid City: A futuristic version of Opelucid awaits players of Black 2, but only the appearance differs from white 2.  All else is the same.
  • Route 4: In Black 2, Route 4 features a heavily developed area with modern buildings (seen below, left).

Pokémon White 2 Locations

  • White Forest: Like Black City, White Forest first appeared in the previous game, Pokémon White. It too has seen an upgrade and now contains new NPCs and Pokémon to catch. As an added bonus, White Forest has been given a battle facility called White Treehollow which functions similarly to the Black Tower, allowing you to face floors of trainers without being able to use items, but gaining experience from battle.  After a certain number of victories you may win items. White Forest may also be accessed from Black 2 after receiving the key as a reward for beating Floor 5 of the White Treehollow and transferring the key via the Unova Link.
  • Reversal Mountain: The cave shown above on the left shows Reversal Mountain as it appears in Pokémon White 2. Although the change is just aesthetic, players can still enjoy the burning magma-based stroll through Heatran’s home.
  • Opelucid City: In this version, Opelucid features a rustic aesthetic, but features the same NPCs and facilities.
  • Route 4: In White 2, Route 4 has many ruins which have been discovered through the excavation of the desert area (seen below, right).

 

Other Differences

Keys: Throughout the course of the game you can unlock certain “keys” which can grant access to new Pokémon, areas, or features. What keys you can obtain first depend on what version of the game you buy.  Both versions can obtain all the keys by utilizing the Unova Link feature and granting a player with the opposite version access to that key.  Listed below are the keys that can be received without having to use the Unova Link:

Pokémon Black 2 Differences

  • Challenge Mode Key: By beating the Champion of the Elite 4 you can unlock this key which will raise the difficulty of all trainers in the game (both level and AI)
  • Steel Head Key: By catching Regirock you may unlock this key which allows you to go to some underground ruins to catch Registeel
  • Black City Key: By winning Floor 5 of Black Tower you can unlock the ability to let your friends with White 2 access Black City

Pokémon White 2 Differences

  • Assist Mode Key:  By beating the Champion of the Elite 4 you can unlock this key which will lower the difficulty of all trainers in the game (both level and AI)
  • Iceberg Key: By catching Regirock you may unlock this key which allows you to go to some underground ruins to catch Regice
  • White Forest Key: By winning Floor 5 of White Treehollow you can unlock the ability to let your friends with Black 2 access White Forest

FunFest Missions: Depending on your game version, the missions can vary.  These are wireless multiplayer quests which have different goals, ranging from finding an item one player has hid to battling NPCs.

Join Avenue: This is a road in which new shops can open depending on who you pass while having your C-Gear on. Some shops differ depending on whether you’re playing Black 2 or White 2.

Game Aesthetics: Black 2 and White 2 both feature their flagship color heavily in the user interface.  For example, the HP bars of Pokémon have a black or white background depending on which version you’re playing.  The backgrounds also change for the screen that lists the name of the location you walk into.