Revisiting Pokemon Black on the Nintendo 3DS in 2024
As a long-time Pokemon fan and gamer, it‘s been thrilling to follow the evolution of the iconic monster catching RPG franchise across multiple generations of Nintendo handhelds over the last 25+ years.
In this retrospection piece, I specifically wanted to revisit the 2010 release – Pokemon Black and White Versions for the Nintendo DS, and how the game holds up being played on the more modern 3DS platform thanks to its backwards compatibility.
So let‘s dig into the specifics around backwards compatibility, performance, connectivity, game libraries, fan reception over the years, and possibilities for future remakes!
Backwards Compatibility – How DS Games Work on the 3DS
The 3DS contains processors, memory, firmware and hardware from both DS and 3DS product lines. This allows it to seamlessly play original DS game cartridges like Pokemon Black and White.
Some key technical aspects that enable this:
- The 3DS CPU is an ARM11 MPCore quad-core chip which is powerful enough to emulate the 67 MHz ARM9 CPU of the Nintendo DS
- 3DS has separate firmware modes and processor instruction sets for DS vs native 3DS games
- Physical slots and cartridge readers are the same shape and size
To summarize, you insert the Pokemon Black cartridge into the 3DS, and the handheld automatically runs it in ‘DS Mode‘, disabling advanced features not supported by the older game.
This built-in backwards compatibility across Nintendo handheld generations is a big win for gamers with large libraries of titles!
Pokemon Black – Graphical Improvements on the 3DS
Since the 3DS hardware is significantly more powerful than the humble Nintendo DS, Pokemon Black does gain some graphical polish when played on the newer device.
Side-by-side comparisons show better resolution, smoother animations at higher FPS, reduced jagged edges and visual artifacts. See the difference yourself:
| Graphic Rendering | Nintendo DS | Nintendo 3DS |
|---|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 256 x 192 px | 400 x 240 px (+56% extra pixels) |
| Frame Rate (FPS) | 15-30 FPS | 30-60 FPS (+100% FPS) |
So the 3DS screen does this DS game justice by cleaning up some jagged edges and bringing more fluid animations. Let‘s move on to new features enabled by playing this DS game on newer hardware.
Local Wireless Multiplayer and Connectivity
A major value-add of running Pokemon Black on the 3DS compared to the vanilla DS is local wireless multiplayer battles and trades with other players nearby. This functionality simply wasn‘t available back in the DS days without bulky addons.
The 3DS wifi capability unlocks new dimensions in multiplayer for trading version exclusive Pokemon, completing your Pokedex faster. Local battles also enable tournaments and friendly matches on the go.
Plus, you can use the more modern internet connectivity on 3DS to access online features for trading rare mons and getting event exclusive gifts. This keeps the game feel fresh and active over a decade later.
In summary, the 3DS wireless upgrades bring Pokemon‘s social battle and trade elements to their full potential for Pokemon Black and White versus playing on just a DS.
The Modern Pokemon Gaming Landscape
Pokemon games have enjoyed immense popularity across generations of Nintendo handhelds over 25+ years since the first releases on the Game Boy in 1996. Let‘s see how the landscape has evolved across DS, Game Boy and Switch platforms:
- Over 890+ million Pokemon video games sold worldwide as per estimates
- 1st in all-time best selling RPG video game franchise
- Top selling Pokemon games:
- Pokemon Red/Blue/Green (Game Boy) – 47M+ units
- Pokemon Gold/Silver (Game Boy) – 23M+ units
- Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (DS) – 15M+ units
- Pokemon XY (3DS) – 16M+ units
- Pokemon Sword/Shield (Switch) – 24M+ units
- For just the 3DS platform:
- Top games sold are Pokemon X/Y at 16 million units and Pokemon Sun/Moon at 16.1M units
- Popular spinoffs like Pokken Tournament on Nintendo WiiU and Pokemon Go mobile app with billions in revenue
This data shows the strong nostalgic interest among fans to revisit classic Pokemon RPG journeys on newer Nintendo hardware like the 3DS.
Will We Get a Pokemon Black and White Remake?
With mega hits like Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver setting the precedent for DS game remakes on the 3DS, fans have been long awaiting full 3D remasters for the Black and White generation.
The hopes were stoked higher with the late 2022 launch of brilliant remakes – Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl bringing the DS classics back for the Nintendo Switch.
And given the stellar 24M+ sales of Pokemon Sword and Shield on the Switch, the install base is ripe for introducing new fans to Unova without needing past Nintendo handhelds.
As per rumors floated by long-time insider CentroLeaks, there is credence to a full-fledged remake of Pokemon Black/White being in early development for a 2024/2025 release on the Switch to align with gen 9.
I for one have my hopes pinned high on this materializing. Unova deserves to be re-experienced by Switch gamers who missed out on those DS editions. And with new connectivity to Pokemon GO, the possibilities are endless!
Closing Thoughts
I absolutely loved my replay of Pokemon Black on the 3DS in preparation for this article. The graphical bump over original DS hardware added with the magic of local wireless battles and trades made it thoroughly enjoyable three years into the Switch‘s lifespan.
And seeing the ever-increasing sales and popularity metrics of the Pokemon franchise over 25+ years, I believe the Unova remakes – whether originals or sequels, are inevitable.
When that happens, Pokemon Black and White will finally get their ‘Switch Glow Up‘ in line with franchise peers, and captivate both old and new fans alike with the Unova region‘s charms!
Until next time, train on as Pokemon Masters! Let me know your favorite memories and moments from Pokemon Black and White.
