With all the success Nintendo yields with the Pokemon series of portable RPGs, one has to wonder why the series constantly shies away from 3D graphics. Sure the tried and true 2D visuals maintain a certain charm or flair, but after seeing Pokedex 3D and other impressive titles on the DS/3DS, the flat 2D sprites come off feeling cheap or safe.

Producer Junichi Masuda recently disclosed to Game Informer that the "feeling" of controlling a 2D character compared to a 3D character is very important to the development team. He also said that the 2D art style is very close to the appearance of the animated Pokemon that appear on the game covers and in the Pokemon animated series. Mirroring that distinct style in 3D seems to be a mystery that they haven't quite solved.

Pokemon Black and White 2 will be available in all their 2D glory on October 7th.