I picked up my copy of Pokemon Black on Sunday, as well as my Collector's Edition Guide. It was hard cover. *O*
Though the pages aren't paper and are instead made of that magazine-ish stuff and for some odd reason the pages have gotten a bit wavy and the top cover has curled slightly. Though that may be because it was in Tezuka-buchou's backseat with Jirou and possibly under something that caused it to bend.
It's nothing to cry over though as it isn't ruined, just slightly worn at less than a week old. XD
Anyway! Pokemon Black is awesome. I was able to connect it with Jirou-chan's JPN version and have that game of hers registered as a friend. I was even able to call her, although since she has a DS Lite, it only supported audio. If she had a DSi, there'd be audio AND video. So she could see me, but I couldn't see her. XD (And at the time, I didn't know which button to push to get the audio to work, but now I do! I just have to try it out with her again.)
I only have three badges so far, but I have been going pretty slowly and actually trying to get Pokemon leveled that would be effective against the gym leaders, rather than just relying on my starter. As a result, my Pokemon are usually at the same level or a few below the gym leaders, but they finish them off in 2-3 hits.
Old badge set, but who cares? XD