It's time to catch them all again. Our Pokemon Black and White Primer Guide gets you started with info about new Pokemon, returning favorites, and brand new features. Here's what's inside:

　　New Pokemon: Found out about all 156 new Pokemon to collect Version Exclusives: Find out what's different about the Black and White versions C-Gear: Learn about multiplayer and online C-Gear features

New Pokemon

Type Strengths and Weaknesses

　　As with the previous entries of the series, each Pokemon has a type that can increase their offenses and defenses. Having a dual type can be a double edged sword: while it can some times increase a Pokemon's offensive potential, it can in turn expose them to new weaknesses or create a double weakness to another type.

New Black and White Pokemon

　　Black and White includes 156 new Pokemon, increasing the total National Pokedex to 649. Keep in mind that you can also come across previous Pokemon, some of which are exclusive to Black or White.

Exclusive Version Pokemon

　　Both Black and White have exclusive Pokemon to collect. Some of these are from older generations. Many of White's exclusive Pokemon must be caught in the White Forest. You can of course gain them all by trading with other players.

Black Exclusive

White Exclusive

White Forest Bonus Pokemon

Black City and White Forest

　　Each version of the game as an exclusive location between Routes 15 and 14 in Unova. In Pokemon Black there is the Black City, while in white there is the White Forest.

　　Black City has extra items that can be purchased. The available items can change by using Entralink and entering another player's City or Forest. The city also includes high level trainers that use Pokemon ranging from level 30 all the way to level 65. There are Backpackers and Roughnecks that have multiple Pokemon and will offer Triple and Rotation Battles. Black City is a good place for high end fights and finding difficult challenges.

　　White Forest contains exclusive Pokemon from older generations. Typically they are around level 5 when caught. As with Black City, White Forest can be changed by using Entralink to explore another person's City or Forest. There are also a handful of trainers here, but not nearly the amount in Black City. White Forest is better for catching older Pokemon that you may want to train up.

Poke Transfer

　　You can transfer Pokemon from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Head to Route 15 in Unova and over to the Poke Transfer Lab. Note that transfers will not retain held items or Hidden Machine moves.

　　A mini-game will start where six Pokemon from the previous game will appear behind several bushes. There is a time limit bar at the top of the screen signaling how long you have to catch the Pokemon. You can catch each Pokemon when they appear out of the bushes or attempt to run around the area.

　　You can also sleep several Pokemon at once by hitting the pink clouds that float by. Sleeping pokemon can be caught even if they are still behind a bush. Keep in mind that any Pokemon that are not captured will return to their previous game. However, there is no penalty for using Poke Transfer multiple times.

Seasons

　　Seasons in the game change every real world month: Spring during January, May, and September; Summer during February, June and October; Autumn during March, July, and November; and Winter in April, August, and December. Outside visual appearance and changes in music, seasons can also change parts of gameplay.

　　Several locations in the game change depending on the season. These include Route 8, Dragonspiral, Undella Bay, and Moor of Icirrus. The season in these locations can effect which wild Pokemon appear. Seasons also have an effect on some Pokemons abilities, such as Sawsbuck and Deerling.

C-Gear

　　C-Gear is a new system that can be used to access wireless, Wi-Fi, and infrared multiplayer options.

Entralink

　　C-Gear can be used to quickly warp to the Entralink forest, a location in cnetral Unova. Here you can gain Pokemon from Nintendo's official Pokemon Dream World with Dream Balls. You can also use Entralink to warp to other player's Unova and undertake various missions. These multiplayer missions reward Pass Orbs that can be used to gain exclusive Pass Powers that aid all nearby players.

Xtransceiver

　　Xtransceiver can be used to directly communicate with players via the DS' mic. If other players are also using the DSi, video phone communication can be achieved with the built in camera.

Global Link

　　Global Link can be accessed early in the game by entering the Dreamyard and collecting Dream Mist from a Munna. If you bring this item to Fennel in Striaton City she will unlock this new Wi-Fi mode.

　　You will need a Nintendo Pokemon Global Link account to access the Dream World itself. Due to server traffic, there are limits on time spent in Dream World. Most often you will only have one hour of access a day to this feature.

　　Dreamworld can be used to gain extra Pokemon, find items, and explore Dream Island. In Dream World you are also given a home which you can furnish and redesign. You can also trade and take items via the Share Shelves in your home.

Triple and Rotation Battles

　　Triple and Rotation Battles are new means of fighting Pokemon in Black and White.

　　Triple battles make use of three Pokemon at once that can be used as a team. Not only can Pokemon on a team help one another, but they are also able to harm one another if they are not careful. You can also issue orders to move your Pokemon around, changing their location and order.

　　Similar to Triple Battles are Rotation Battles. However, during these fights only one Pokemon on each team can use an action at a time, requiring more strategy. These fights mostly happen in Black City, however they can be found in various other locations to offer an interesting challenge.