Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! review on Switch

Say hello to the newest additions of the Nintendo Switch family: Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! These two games are the first main Pokémon RPG games to come to the Nintendo Switch, and are HD remakes of the 1998 Pokémon RPG, Pokémon Yellow.

With updated gameplay that mixes classic Pokémon with modern Pokémon GO gameplay mechanics, Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Evee! have been designed so that everyone can enjoy. Is this the Pokémon game fans have been waiting for on the Nintendo Switch? Let’s find out!

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! Details

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Game Freak
Publishers: The Pokémon Company, Nintendo
Genre: Role-playing
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Return to the Kanto region to challenge the Elite Four

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! takes place in the Kanto region. You assume the role as a new trainer from Pallet Town, getting ready to set out on a grand adventure. As expected, you can customize the look of your character and choose between male and female. If you’ve played the previously released Pokémon Yellow, you’ll instantly recognize some of your favourite characters that include Professor Oak, Team Rocket’s Jesse and James and Meowth.

Depending on which game you get, either Pikachu or Evee are your starter Pokémon. And, which ever one you choose, your rival will start out with the other. Your goal is to become the ultimate Pokémon Master and to do this you’ll have to travel the Kanto region and collect a total of 8 badges. Though before you get the esteemed title of Pokémon Master, you’ll have to take on the Elite Four.

Having played Pokémon Yellow all those years ago on my Gameboy, Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! brought back a ton of great gaming memories. The Kanto region is just as I remembered, gyms spread across the region and a great sense of exploration. And, if you’ve never played the game or any game in the series you won’t feel left out. The game never assume you’re a Pokémon pro and as such make these very accessible for anyone to pickup and play.

A mix of classic and modern gameplay mechanics

As I mentioned earlier, Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! contain updated gameplay mechanics. In my opinion, it’s a perfect mix between both classic and modern Pokémon GO inspired gameplay mechanics. No longer do you have to worry about random Pokémon encounters. Instead, you’ll see Pokémon on the screen and you can choose if you want to interact with them or not.

This is especially useful for those looking to fill their Pokédex in the fastest way possible. Additionally, you can use lures and berries to entice and uncover those hard to find Pokémon. The more Pokémon you catch, the more experience you gain and candies you’ll earn. If you’ve played Pokémon GO, you’ll know the candies boost the stats of your Pokémon.

Once you encounter and interact with a wild Pokémon, catching them plays out in the same manner as Pokémon GO does. In order to catch the Pokémon, you must have an empty Poké Ball, and you can either use one of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers or the new Poké Ball Plus. Using motion controls, you fling either the Joy-Con or Poké Ball Plus at the screen to try and capture the Pokémon. Both devices use the built in gyroscope and let you feel once you have caught your Pokémon.

Throughout your journey to become the ultimate Pokémon Master, you’ll encounter battles with other Trainers. This a throw back to classic Pokémon Yellow gameplay that I still find enjoyable to this day.

The all-new Poké Ball Plus peripheral

The Poké Ball Plus is a real world replica of, you guessed it, a Poké Ball. With it you can do everything you can with a Joy-Con—move, battle, and navigate menus. It fits perfectly in the size of your hand and has a wrist strap and ring to go around your finger to ensure that it doesn’t accidentally fall out of your hand or get tossed at your TV screen. Additionally, it has an analogue stick that you use to move around and can also be click to perform various functions in the game. It also has back button that you can use to cancel an action. It also comes with a USB cable to charge it.

However, the best part about the Poké Ball Plus is that it lights up different colours when trying to catch and when you’ve caught a Pokémon. In addition, not only does the Poké Ball Plus vibrate, it has a speaker so you can hear your Pokémon after you’ve caught them. As an added bonus, every Poké Ball Plus comes with Mew, which is the only way you can get him.

Additionally, you can transfer a Pokémon to the Poké Ball Plus and take it out on the go with you. By walking around you will train your Pokémon and earn value experience points and candies. Furthermore, the Poké Ball Plus is compatible with Pokémon GO. When paired with the app on your mobile phone, the Poké Ball Plus will light up when a Pokémon is nearby and pressing the button on the Poké Ball Plus will throw a Poké Ball to try and catch the Pokémon.

The most impressive looking game in the series

While Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! won’t win any awards for graphics, it’s the best looking Pokémon game to date. The Kanto region is bright, colourful and exactly how I imaged it would like with better graphics all those years ago. The Pokémon are beautifully animated and the battles with other trainers give you the feel of epicness.

Not surprising, character dialogue is not voiced. It would have been nice if it was to give it that extra little touch, but for now I am just happy to see these games on the Switch. As part of the game you interact with your starter Pokémon, either Pikachu or Evee, by showing them affection. You can rub their bellies, faces and give them fruit to eat. By doing this your relationship between you and your Pokémon grows. The way in which this is conveyed on the screen made me want to reach into the screen and pull them out to give them a great big hug, they are seriously too adorable!

Local co-op play and online multiplayer battles

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! both feature co-op play, which allows a second Trainer to drop into the game at anytime. If you are having any trouble with the game, this is without a doubt the best way to get help. You see, the enemies don’t double or become harder with a second player at all. In fact, you’ll be able to double team opponents you face and take them out with ease. Essentially, this is an easy mode for the game.

While some might be disappointed by this, I feel this was a fantastic idea. It is just one of the ways that the developers were able to make Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! more accessible to a wider audience of players.

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee! has online features which allow you to battle against other online Trainers. To find your opponent you are first presented with a screen that contains 10 different Pokémon. By selecting three of them the game will then search and connect to an online opponent. You’ll then be presented with 6 different Pokémon and you choose their order in, which you want them to fight. Overall I found the online experience to be smooth and finding other opponents to battle was quick.

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! are must have games for Nintendo Switch owners

To be honest, going into Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was unsure just how well Game Freak could incorporate modern Pokémon GO gameplay mechanics into these games. After spending time with the game, I can honestly say they did a fantastic job.

I spent about 75% of the time playing with the new Poké Ball Plus. It felt comfortable in my hand and I love the fact that it lights up, makes noises, allows you to take a Pokémon with you on the go and is compatible with Pokémon GO. If your a Pokémon fan then this is the way you’ll want to play Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Evee!

I found that the game contained gameplay that made it easy for newcomers to jump in and at the same time it was deep enough to keep long time Trainer on their toes. If you are wondering what the major difference between the two versions of the game are, it boils down to version exclusive Pokémon. Both games offer the exact same gameplay and story, so you won’t be missing out.

If you own a Switch, then you owe it to yourself to pickup either Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu! or Pokemon Let’s Go, Evee! You won’t regret it!

+ Excellent reimaging of a classic Pokémon game
+ Best looking game in the series
+ Local co-op play is fun
+ Perfect mix of classic and modern gameplay
+ Accessible gameplay make this a game anyone can enjoy
+ Poké Ball Plus is a must of Pokémon fans
+ Online multiplayer battles are fun

– Some long-time fans might find the game too easy
– Local Co-op mode doesn’t raise the game’s difficulty

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF POKEMON LET’S GO, PIKACHU!

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 5/5

Overall Rating 4.25/5 (85%)

Get Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee!
Purchase Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! with Poké Ball Plus
Buy Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! with Poké Ball Plus
Get Poké Ball Plus for Switch
Purchase Nintendo Switch Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! Edition Bundle
Buy Nintendo Switch Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! Edition Bundle

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