Boo, No Classics

Today, the Japanese are rejoicing over the release of the new games Pokémon Black and Pokémon White. However, I've noticed quite a few things that shatter traditions from third and fourth generations into a million pieces. First and foremost, the new Pokédex consists of entirely new Pokémon, not a single classic from generations one through four. However, these 156 new Pokémon now brings the final total number of species up to 649! Another thing that breaks tradition is two less HMs, being replaced with three additional TMs, making a game-breaking record of 101 machine moves. Also, it seems that the Gym Leader's rosters as well as those of Elite Four seem to be cutting back, Gym Leaders having only three Pokémon and the Elite Four having... four. Although all the gyms have some kind of puzzle-solving stuff on the inside, there still must be a good reason why the top trainers of the new region are not coming at the player with an army. But what's interesting to note is that the Gym Leaders are more variant than in previous games. The first Gym Leader will vary depending on your starter Pokémon, naturally using the special type yours is weak against a la rival style. The eighth Gym Leader will vary depending on the version and it turns out the one in Pokémon White is the same girl who is to accompany Ash on his travels in the new region! It'll be interesting to see where the anime turns from there, especially if Ash still has the goal of collecting eight badges and participating in the region's League tournament. Based on previous outcomes in previous leagues in previous seasons, I bet he'll lose again. Ha, ha! So although tradition is somewhat no longer tradition, there's still much to look forward to, especially since Famitsu has proven to give the games a perfect score.

...I still want Pokémon Black...