Pokémon's "gotta catch 'em all" fever never gets old. And, that is exactly what Developer Game Freak had in mind when they created Pokémon White for the Nintendo DS. Instead of trying to break the paradigm with an entirely new type of game like the Pokémon Ranger series (which ended up not breaking any paradigms), Game Freak stuck with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" model. Why mess with perfection? Pokémon White stays true to everything that has made the franchise popular for over a decade. Gamers can train a seemingly endless variety of new Pokémon, engage in simple but excellently executed turn-based battles, challenge other trainers and trade Pokémon. These features and a few minor tweaks make Pokémon White instantly addictive and insanely engaging. If you're looking for innovation, you won't find it here, but that's why Pokémon trainers the world over love it.

If you've seen one Pokémon exposition, you've seen them all. You choose a boy or girl character, meet up with some friends and a scientist sends you off into the world to fill your Pokédex with information about Pokémon. This is the one downer in playing a game like Pokémon that you have seen countless times before. Would it have hurt Game Freak in the least bit to add something different onto the exposition? I've played both Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver just last year so the story and all its verbosity is still fresh in my head. I wish I could just press a button to skip through the reused intro sequence. Then, of course, your mom has problems with you leaving the nest, but still finds time to give you running shoes so that you can move faster through the vast world of Unova and explore.

The difference in this game versus past versions comes primarily in the Pokémon. Once again, you start off with your choice of three Pokémon: the Grass-type Pokémon Snivy, the Fire-type Pokémon Tepig and the Water-type Pokémon Oshawott. Your choice is more a matter of preference, but it will affect your game slightly when you go up against your first Gym Trainer.

Similar to the cartoon, there's a menacing anti-team that's working against your Pokémon training efforts and the team somehow threatens the worldwide bond between master and Pokémon. In Pokémon White, Team Plasma hopes to free Pokémon from human servitude, even if they have to do it by force. It kind of makes you reflect briefly, as you wonder if catching Pokémon is somehow cruel and inhumane. Then Team Plasma shows just how despicable they are and you realize that Pokémon training is the right way to live life.

The story is more or less forgettable. Typically, I'm a stickler for a good story. However, the JRPG style gameplay is so engrossing that the story actually gets in the way. This game is all about battling various types of Pokémon, catching them and then training them for more battles. Each Pokémon has a different element, which can affect how it responds in a battle with a Pokémon of a different element. For instance, Water Pokémon have an advantage over fire Pokémon. Similarly, Fire Pokémon have an advantage over Grass Pokémon. Gamers can have up to six Pokémon in their active roster as they travel the world, with each Pokémon having up to four abilities. If you want a Pokémon to learn a new ability after maxing out at four, it must first forget one of its other abilities. However, you can always find multiple versions of the same Pokémon if you look hard enough so it is possible to train two versions of the same Pokémon so that they can each have different battle skills.

Gamers can play through Pokémon White for countless hours before beating the game. Yet, the hours seem to pass by like a stroll in the park. Fans of dungeon crawlers and leveling games will immediately love this game, as well as casual gamers who like to train virtual pets. Even after you beat the game, you can continue your Pokémon training into new areas of Unova that are available through seasonal changes.

Of course, Pokémon's heart has always been in collecting and trading Pokémon with other gamers. You want the bragging rights of having a limited Pokémon that no one else found and you'll trade away your juiced up Pokémon to gain it. Newly added in Pokémon White is the C-Gear system, which shows up on your touch screen. You can use this interface to easily connect to other gamers on the Wifi network or locally. There's also a bizarre mini game called Feeling Check, which allows you to see how compatible one Pokémon is with another.

Pokémon White is an instant win for RPG fans and Pokémon lovers. This game whittles down RPGs to their core: great gameplay and character development. Then it adds in a vast array of characters that makes the game non-stop enjoyment. It may lack nuance, but it more than makes up for it through a robust training system.

Final Score A-