Pokémon Black and White beta

Like previous major releases, especially those that set a new generation, Pokémon Black and White went through multiple development stages, many of which included several elements that were eventually dropped or revised before the games' release. Some of these components can still be found within their internal data.

Pre-release

Starters

The prototype starter selection screen.

The sprite used in the starter selection screen for Tepig is different in some early videos. The prototype sprite has a more triangular hind foot, with only one being visible on the sprite, and slightly different shading. Also, the silhouettes of the unselected starters are lighter compared to the final.

VS Sprites

Early VS sprites for Hilbert and Cheren can be seen in an early video which was broadcasted on Pokémon Sunday. Whilst Cheren's VS sprite had a minor alteration with where his eyes are looking, Hilbert's sprite received a complete overhaul. An early VS sprite for Bianca, lacking her Xtransceiver, was shown in the early video footage that came with an issue of Dengeki Nintendo DS.

In Excadrill's first appearance in a promotional video, its stripes were mirrored. However, this was not long-lived, as it was changed to its current appearance in the next video.

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  Hilbert's prototype VS sprite

• Beta Cheren VS sprite.jpg

  Cheren's prototype VS sprite

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  Bianca's prototype VS sprite

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  Excadrill's prototype front sprite

Music

In some early footage of Route 4, 夢の跡地 Dreamyard can be heard playing instead of the correspondent seasonal variant of ４番道路 Route 4.

Region name

Some retailers in the United Kingdom (specifically GAME and Gamestation) used pre-release box art using the name Alleos for the region as opposed to its final English name, Unova. This name was also used at pre-release and post-release demo events in the United Kingdom.

Locations

Castelia City

In several pre-release screenshots and video footage, Castelia City's texture is noticeably different from the final version. With at least four different variations seen before the final release.

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  Image released on April 15, 2010

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  Animated view presented by Pokémon Sunday on April 18, 2010

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  Footage from the June 27, 2010 trailer that was broadcasted on Oha Suta

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  Image from a Pokemon.co.jp video

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  Image released on May 14, 2010

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  Another image from a Pokemon.co.jp video

Chargestone Cave

Pre-release screenshots of Chargestone Cave show rocks lying around the cave to be of a different shape and having a darker tone with less glow compared to the final version.

Skyarrow Bridge

On an early screenshot of within Skyarrow Bridge, a female Backpacker can be seen. This Backpacker was replaced by an Ace Trainer in the final release. However, in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, exactly the same spot is occupied by a Backpacker, just like in the screenshot. In addition, two pre-release screeshots of Skyarrow Bridge depict a slightly different skyline of Castelia City.

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  Early image of Skyarrow Bridge

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  Second early image of Skyarrow Bridge

Pokémon Center

The prototype Pokémon Center shopping item list screen.

When buying items at a Pokémon Center, the part of the screen where the player can be seen is rotated.

Post-release

Items

Since the engine that powers the games is improved upon that of the Generation IV games, all items from Generation IV, including Poké Balls, key items and unused items, are present in the internal data, with the exception of HM07 and HM08, which are now blank space "?" items. However, most of these items are unobtainable. Other leftover items, like the God Stone, are specific to Pokémon Black and White and can be likewise obtained through modification of the saved game or cheating.

Locations

P2 Laboratory

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: More information needed

If the player uses the "walk through walls" cheat, enters the P2 Laboratory and keeps walking down, there will be an untextured room with a few tables in it.

By JuiicyJake

This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.

Unused text

Several lines of unused weather effect text appear within the internal data of Black, White, Black 2, and White 2. Notably, quotes for fog exist within the text, implying that fog functionality was planned to exist in Black and White. While the final game does include foggy locations, such as Route 15, the fog weather condition does not appear in battles.

Fog crept up as thick as soup!

The fog lifted.

The sandstorm rages.

The hail crashes down.

Beta versions of Pokémon games

Generation I Red and Green • Yellow Generation II Gold and Silver (Spaceworld '97 demo) • Crystal Generation III Ruby and Sapphire • FireRed and LeafGreen • Emerald • Colosseum • XD Generation IV Diamond and Pearl • Platinum • HeartGold and SoulSilver Generation V Black and White • Black 2 and White 2 Generation VI X and Y • Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Generation VII Sun and Moon • Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Generation VIII Sword and Shield Generation IX Scarlet and Violet Unreleased Pokémon Picross

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.