Unlike Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver--released in Japan in September 2009 then North America and Europe in March 2010--Black and White aren't remakes or revamps of any existing Pokemon title, instead packing "a new storyline and the next generation of Pokemon" for the popular role-playing series and its various pocket monsters.

In keeping with tradition, Pokemon Black and White are expected to be nearly identical in terms of content, the difference being how often and which kinds of Pokemon appear.