How you’ll get your old critters into Pokemon Black and White

As with pretty much every other Pokemon game in existence, you’ll be able to import your favourite old critters from earlier titles into Black and White, so you can have your dream team ready and waiting as your start your latest adventure.

For this process, you’ll need a second DS and a copy of either Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver. In Black and White’s region of Isshu, you’ll find a building (similar to the Pal Park of the last games) that lets you engage in PokeShifting.

Boot up your old game on a second DS and pair them wirelessly. When you connect, you’ll have to the option to hook up with the new game and send six Pokemon at a time from your boxes of evolutionary pals.

Back on the Black or White DS, things aren’t as easy as just filling your pockets with balls of genetically modified warriors. You’ll need to play a mini-game as you shoot Pokeballs (from a bow) at bushes, where your new buddies are cowering in fear. Snap ‘em up fast, though, because you’re on the clock.

Pokemon Black and White will hit DS later this year in Japan, and in early 2011 in North America and Europe. Just don’t throw out your old Pokegames yet - you’ll need them.