IIRC, they also did something similar with AG, where they aired the first episode of it as a "preview" several months before OS actually ended in the US. I remember that leaving me so confused as a kid.
Well slight nitpick right off the bat: why does TPC hate dudes with long hair? Not limited to this game or anything, but just seems like a weird thing that I can't make my character look vaguely like me. XD
It really hurts not to give it to XD: Gale of Darkness for the sake of nostalgia, but it has to go to the first Mystery Dungeon for me. So many great memories playing it, and I was beyond pumped when the remake came out. The ending of the main story is also the first time I remember a video game...
Although BW was the series that confirmed Ash's lack of aging, I think any real hope of seeing Ash and Misty growing older in canon was dashed once Takeshi Shudo left as head writer. It's a shame that we never got to see it, no doubt. But on the bright side, we can end all the petty shipping...