Just in time for the launch of Pokemon Black & White 2, animal activist group PETA has released a parody game called Pokemon Black & Blue.

The organization claims that the animal-on-animal fighting gameplay central to the Pokemon series teaches children the wrong message on how animals should be treated. "The difference between real life and this fictional world full of organized animal fighting is that Pokemon games paint rosy pictures of things that are actually horrible."

Play: Pokemon Black & Blue »

Pokemon games tend to thrive on minor iteration. Through its long history, each game has added just a handful of new features. Even as an adult, I've been excited to try out each new game. I've been eager to pick my starter Pokemon and begin exploring, catching new monsters, and engaging in battles. I say all this to point out the sad truth: Black 2 is the first time I've felt so utterly fatigued with Pokemon.

Read more: An especially iterative iteration »

Many lifelong Pokemon fans have been frustrated to see their beloved monster-collecting franchise never make the jump into a proper console adventure. With the impending launch of Pokemon Black & White Version 2 for Nintendo DS, one has to wonder: why hasn't developer Game Freak pursued making a 3D adventure?

Producer Junichi Masuda said that moving to 3D would make the franchise lose its distinct flavor. "The feeling and the control of the character is also very important to us. There is definitely a certain feeling you have when you control these 2D characters. It may be different if we switched over to 3D," he said.

Read more: Pokemon team wants game to 'look like an animation' »

Like their predecessors, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 will feature a rare Pokemon for early purchasers. If you connect through to Nintendo WiFi sometime within roughly a month of the game's launch, you can get your hands on the mythical Genesect. The Bug and Steel type has its own signature move, the Techno Blast.

Read more: Connect before November 12 »

Pokémaniacs, get your calendars out and draw a big circle around October 7. That's the day revamped Poké 'em ups Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will launch for DS, Nintendo announced today, as well as 3DS augmented reality tie-in Pokémon Dream Radar.

Watch: A new Black & White V2 trailer »

Two downloadable 3DS Pokemon applications recently announced in Japan are making the trek to North America, Nintendo has announced. The Pokemon Dream Radar and Pokedex 3D Pro, announced in Japan as the Pokemon AR Searcher and Pokemon Zengoku Zukan Pro, are coming this fall to the 3DS.

Read more: Radar transfers to B&W2, Pokedex includes all 600 »

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 carry the dubious distinction of being the first main series Pokemon games to carry a numbered sequel. The announcement even called them "Version 2," so it's fair to wonder how much new content will be included. Some new details from a Japanese magazine shed more light on that subject.

Read more: New characters and a new city »

Remakes and revamps are staples of cutesty collect-o-RPG series Pokémon, so it's no surprise that Nintendo has announced new versions of Pokémon Black and White are on the way. Breaking the tradition of upgrading the name's colours to something a little snazzier, they're named simply Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2.

Read more: "Plenty of new surprises" promised »