With the October 7 release of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 nearing ever closer, Nintendo have released some new details about a couple of new features for the Pokémon titles.

A new area known as ‘Join Avenue’ has been introduced to create a rather unique multiplayer experience. Strictly speaking, it’s around as multiplayer-focused as StreetPass Quest is on the 3DS, but in Join Avenue every player you’ve interacted with through wireless tag mode, trading or battling will populate this mysterious virtual strip.

These players will then open shops and sell rare items not found anywhere else in the game. Several different types of shops can be opened in Join Avenue, including ones that offer supplies or the ability to power up Pokémon. Rarity of items depends on how populated your Join Avenue is, so we’re assuming you’ll need a lot of people to get some of the really rare items.

The other feature detailed is Memory Link. Memory link provides a bit of back story to the events that occurred in the two years between Black and White, and Black 2 and White 2, showing you the events of some specific characters in the game world.

Depending on how far you got through Black or White will determine how much of the past you manage to uncover, and consequently which special Pokémon you’ll have a chance to catch.

There is one caveat though. To access Memory Link you’ll need two Nintendo DS or 3DS systems, broadband Internet and a copy of Pokémon Black or  White that has been synced to the Pokémon Global Link website.

While Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are releasing on Nintendo DS – with support for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo are pushing for fans to pick it up on 3DS thanks to the bonus features of Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro.