# Advice on Video Game: Black & White **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499 "2004-12-07T04:53:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/1 "2004-12-07T04:53:55Z")
My grandson mentioned that he had played a little bit of the video game _Black and White_ on his PC and liked it. I am a little familiar with the game. I thought I might find it for him for a Christmas present, but Amazon is out except for copies that I suspect may not be on the up and up. And I’ve looked other places, but they don’t seem to have it either. There are newer versions. Are they as good? Could one begin with those games and skip the original? Are they based on the same general principles of “playing God” and creature care? He’s thirteen going on twenty-five. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/2 "2004-12-07T05:40:38Z")
That game’s a few years old now, so it might be hard to get ahold of a copy. Also, I only played it a little bit myself when it first came out, but from everything I heard, it was released far before its time. It was released only half-done, really. I’ll let people who know more about it than I do fill you in, but I’d say it’s probably not worth buying. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/3 "2004-12-07T05:41:21Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > I thought I might find it for him for a Christmas present, but Amazon is out except for copies that I suspect may not be on the up and up. And I’ve looked other places, but they don’t seem to have it either. > > There are newer versions. Are they as good? Could one begin with those games and skip the original? Are they based on the same general principles of “playing God” and creature care? I could definitely be wrong, but I don’t think what you’re seeing are “newer versions,” but just repackaging of the original game. Here’s all I know of that’s available: _Black and White_ – the original game _Black and White: Creature Isle_ – the expansion pack, won’t work without the original game installed [_Black and White Deluxe_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000CE1IN/qid=1102397963) – combines the original game and the expansion pack. A sequel has been announced but is not available yet. I think the “Deluxe” version is the one you want; the reason it’s difficult to find the original is because it’s been made obsolete by the Deluxe pack. ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/4 "2004-12-07T11:29:45Z")
I have, and really enjoyed, this game, but allow me to give you a word of warning: It was BUGGY. As in nearly unplayable. I myself never got past the fourth of only five levels, because of a known bug. I tried it on my new computer, and it wouldn’t run at all. But, if you can get it to work, it’s great fun. Makin’ a big ol’ cow rampage through an enemy village? Priceless! q;} ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/5 "2004-12-07T16:51:17Z")
To be honest, I found the game pretty unplayable. The general concept seemed cool, but it just wasn’t implemented well. Basically, it seemed to consist of training an animal. Naturally, YMMV. Re: the OP. My guess it that you could go to Fred Myer or some other retail store and pick it upin the bargain bin in home electronics. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/6 "2004-12-07T21:02:31Z")
Very helpful information. I think that I will provide him with something else and some additional special funding, a copy of your comments – and then let him decide. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/7 "2004-12-07T21:52:47Z")
Just to chime in - I found the game had some pretty good ideas but degenerated into me shouting at my creature: “Don’t eat the rock!” “Learn to drink you fool!” “Stop pairing off the villagers! I can’t make any more houses!” “Look, this is how you use a mega blast. Now stop frying my villages and use it on the enemy” Honestly, it was worse than babysitting. ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/8 "2004-12-07T21:56:11Z")
I had no idea it was considered buggy. Worked fine for me (for once a game worked 100% ok for me, yay!). The deluxe is pretty easy to find and available at my local EB store for $10 CAN. Check out [www.ebworld.com](http://www.ebworld.com) and do a search. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-video-game-black-white/278499/9 "2004-12-07T22:08:46Z")
I never noticed that it was buggy. My experience was that it was ‘neat’ for about an hour, while I tried to train my critter. Then I got bored and realized it was nothing more than a giant tomogotchi. Like **Rabid\_Squirrel** says, it’s worse than babysitting.