The experts speak: Pokemon Black and White wishlist

Nintendo is set to announce the latest instalment in its critter hunting RPG today, with the epically titled Pokemon Black and White. That's right: no more girly colours, no more precious minerals - its back to basics, and it could be the most radically different monster nabbing game yet.

Who are we kidding? It'll probably be the same formula, the same story, and the same mechanics all over again. Three starters, eight badges, and a rival. Add in a handful of new legendary creatures, give the world a new name, and you're good to go.

But humour us for a while. Here's what we'd ask for if Nintendo came to Pocket Gamer's resident Pokemaniacs, news editor Mark Brown and intern Mike Rose, for suggestions on how to inject a little life into the increasingly creatively bankrupt franchise.

A more engaging storyline Mark: The Pokemon storyline was a little boring the first time around, and it went downhill from there. You're a young scamp who dreams of being a Pokemaster, you choose a starting critter from Professor Oak, Ivy, Elm, or Birch, beat eight increasingly more difficult gym leaders and then claim your title of Grand General Poobah of the Pokemon world from the Elite Four.

I wouldn't admit it in polite company, but the Pokemon anime was pretty cool. It managed to pack in some real storylines that went beyond Team Rocket being a bit naughty and Ash single-mindedly aiming for the coveted top spot of Pokemasters. There was a bit of romance, some tragedy and when all the Pokemon were crying over Ash's body in the Pokemovie... I shed a Poketear.

I don't expect Shakespeare, but some more engaging dialogue than "I like shorts; they're comfy and easy to wear!" wouldn't go amiss.

Mike: How about bringing back some old faces? Meeting Ash (or 'Red') at the end of Gold/Silver made hairs stand up on the back of my neck - we need more back stories coming into play! Perhaps even bring Ash back as the main character, in a more grown-up '10 years on' tale? Mix up the old routine Mark: If there's one thing more recycled and stale than Pokemon's storyline, its the game's formula. Much like The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo is seemingly petrified at introducing any real change.

I'm going to fume if Pokemon Black and White offers three different starter Pokemon, my rival chooses the exact critter which is effective against my faithful Pokepal, and I pop off to fight eight gym leaders for eight shiny broaches.

Let's mix it up a little, and I don't mean four starter Pokemon instead of three.

Mike: It was interesting in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon how the questionaire at the start determined which Pokemon you became. Why not use a similar method for Black/White? Ask me my favourite colour and fighting style, and give me a Pokemon based around my answers. Go back to basics with the Pokemon Mark: Pokemon are too complicated and difficult to remember these days. What ever happened to good old Vileplume?

Now we've got devil dogs who shoot lightning from their butts and diamond encrusted sauropods. While the original 151 critters looked like something you'd find in your back garden, the latest additions to the Pokedex look like a manga artist's drug fuelled nightmare.

Just look at the front covers: you quickly go from a good old Dragon versus Tortoise combo to a series of ugly monsters who'd be rejected from a Digimon line-up.

Do we even need new Pokemon? There are just under 500 of the damned things, which could be the basis for an awesome "greatest hits" package for Black and White.

First to be cut is definitely "Nosepass". What is that thing, anyway?

Mike: Yeah, Nosepass is definitely out. A greatest hits could work, but I'd even go as far as saying cut out everything after Gold/Silver. As you rightly point out, after that the Pokemon designs became a little too surreal and therefore difficult to remember.

I say go back to the Pokemon roots and take the original bunch out for another, proper spin.

A little more customisation Mark: Here's a fun fact for you. The Pokemon you caught in Red and Blue had just 44 bytes of storage to keep all its moves and stats. By Diamond and Pearl, each monster had a massive 136 bytes, which catalogues all its contest prizes, avalanche of stats, and all that confusing EV training all the cool kids talk about.

Well, I want more! More storage to give our Pokemon even more personalisation. A funny name ain't going to cut it any more - I want to give my favourite Pikachu different colour fur, a jaunty hat, and a dapper waistcoat.

Okay, so maybe that's going a little too far, but it would be cool to have a little bit of extra customisation. Allow me to have different looking heroes, some unique variations for fan-favourite Pokemon, and bring back the secret hideout that you can decorate with a giant stuffed Snorlax.

Mike: I don't know, it started to feel a little overkill for me when I could give my Pokemon haircuts and clothes. I think I'd rather just stick to the essentials.

How about more rare Pokemon to mix your team up a little? Finding the red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage was a wonderful moment, but finding other shiny Pokemon was like finding a needle in a haystack. Give us more strange coloured monsters!

Give it a unique theme Mark: You know what was cool about Gold and Silver? The fact that it had an original theme.

In fact, put it alongside all the other adventures and it stands out. While most Pokemon games exist in a cute and sickly coloured candy land, Gold and Silver were filled with ancient Japanese architecture and splashed with an autumnal palette.

I want something fresh and new for Black and White. Set it in a bustling Tokyo-esque metropolis or a tropical island or a post apocalyptic wasteland. I've explored enough dank caves, waded through enough inhospitable forests, and stopped off at enough perfectly built urban pitstops.

Mike: The metropolis setting is exactly what I'm hoping for. Imagine fighting other Pokemon trainers in the streets of a 'The World Ends With You'-esque backdrop. We need more adult elements - maybe corruption, love, even Pokemon slavery at the hands of Team Rocket? Let's get rid of the HMs Mark: This is a simple one, but it's something that's plagued the series for far too long. At one point or another, you need to learn a move like Cut or Flash to get through to the game's next area.

That means wasting a super precious move slot on a Pokemon, just for the sake of progress. Try and use cut in a battle, see how "super effective" that thing is.

Okay, I'll admit surf is a pretty killer water attack. But seriously: flash?

You know what would be easier? Finding an axe. Have the characters in Pokemon never heard of a torch? Or just relegate HMs to a special slot that you can't use in battle. It's not too much to ask, is it?

Mike: Cut was the bane of my Pokemon existence. Here's an idea: add a 5th HM move slot, so as not to waste one of the regular slots. Or just give us a chainsaw as an item. Mark: Yeah, but then I'll complain that my Jigglypuff can't equip the chainsaw and go to town on a Mr. Mime. Swings and roundabouts, my friend. Pokemon Black and White will be formally announced later today. Any more burning desires? Let us know in the comments below.