Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee/Pikachu!

Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!/Let's Go, Pikachu!
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	The Pokémon Company Nintendo
System	Nintendo Switch
Release Date	November 16, 2018
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! are a pair of Pokémon roleplaying games that were released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. They are remakes of the original first generation Pokémon games, with a focus on elements of Pokémon: Yellow Version. Unlike other mainstream Pokémon games, these games feature a simplified gameplay style largely inspired by Pokémon GO and a limited Pokémon roster, while still incorporating some features from the recent Pokémon generations.

Story

The game follows the story of a young trainer from Pallet Town. They were supposed to receive a Pokémon from Professor Oak, but they ended up encountering and catching a wild Pokémon with Oak's help. This acted as their starter Pokémon. From there, the trainer embarked on a journey to defeat all eight gym leaders and challenge the Elite Four in order to become champion of the Kanto region. Along the way, they also had encounters with their friendly rival, Trace and the former champion Blue, in addition to being coming up against the schemes of Team Rocket.

Gameplay

In these games, the player's starter Pokémon is determined based on the game. As indicated by the title, the player starts with Pikachu in Let's Go, Pikachu! or Eevee in Let's Go, Eevee!, while the rival starts with the other of the two Pokémon. The player's Pokémon acts as a partner Pokémon who does not stay in a Poké Ball. The Pokémon also will not evolve, but in exchange, they are capable of learning some moves that other Pokémon of the same species cannot. On the menu screen, it is possible to pet and play with the Partner Pokémon. The player can also obtain various outfits for both the player character and Partner Pokémon to wear. Throughout the game, the Partner Pokémon can also learn Secret Techniques from certain characters. These Secret Techniques are non-battle moves that act as replacements for the overworld usage of HM moves from past generations. It is also possible to let one other Pokémon out of the Poké Ball to follow the player around. Depending on the Pokémon, the player may end up riding it, which acts as a replacement for the bike item.

These games contain some notable deviations from standard Pokémon games. Battles against other trainers are largely the same, but encounters with wild Pokémon are changed completely. WIld Pokémon now spawn in the overworld instead of battles being randomly triggered by walking through wild grass. Wild Pokémon are no longer battled; instead, similar to the gameplay of Pokémon GO, the player's only choices are to throw a Poké Ball at the player or to throw berries that can make the Pokémon easier to catch or move more slowly. When throwing either option at the Pokémon, the player must aim it before throwing it, and ball tosses are graded depending on how well the toss fits into a closing circle. Wild Pokémon encounters have time limits, at the end of which they'll run away. There are still several Pokémon that can be battled: the Legendary Pokémon and several special overworld Pokémon, such as the disguised Electrode at the Power Plant. Even in those cases, the Pokémon must be defeated in battle, and then the gameplay will transition into a capture scenario like those of the other wild Pokémon. At the end of any wild Pokémon encounter, the player will be graded on various factors, which also has an effect on the experience points amassed by the party. By amassing catch combos (catching the same species of Pokémon multiple times in a row), the player can also increase changes of rare Pokémon spawns or a Shiny Pokémon appearing.

Other elements incorporated from Pokémon GO include the presence of candy items and CP (combat points). This game also retains some features from recent Pokémon generations, such as Mega Evolution and the Alolan forms of Pokémon, the latter of which are available through in-game trades. Other features, such as Pokémon breeding, are left out. The games also include some attempts at unique challenges. These include Coach Trainers, who are stronger than other trainers in an area and will give out special rewards when defeated. After completing the main game, it is possible to have rematches with gym leaders, and Master Trainers will also appear throughout Kanto. There is one Master Trainer for each species of Pokémon available in the game. With the majority of Master Trainers, the player will have to defeat that trainer's Pokémon with a Pokémon of the same species in order to earn a title as being the master of that Pokémon. For Legendary Pokémon, there are no battles, but their Master Trainers instead wish to see a Pokémon of that species with a high enough CP. Another feature unlocked after the game is the ability for some flying Pokémon to ascend up into the sky of routes, where different Flying-type Pokémon can be encountered, including rare chances of encountering the Legendary Birds.

This game utilizes motion controls to throw Poké Balls and berries in battle. These can be accomplished with docked/handheld controls, the Joy-Con controller or a special Poké Ball Plus peripheral. A second player can also play cooperatively, in which case they will deploy and control the second Pokémon in the player's party during battles alongside the first player's Pokémon. The game also has online connectivity, through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

The only Pokémon available in this game are the original 151 Pokémon (with Mew being available as a Mystery Gift if the player has a Poké Ball Plus) peripheral as well as the special Pokémon Meltan and Melmetal, which are available through Pokémon Go.

Connectivity

'The two versions of the game are capable of connecting either locally or online for battles and trading. Players can connect with each other by entering the same code. Like other Pokémon versions, there are some Pokémon that are exclusive to each version, although in this instance, it is possible in each version to obtain the second stage of a certain Pokémon that is otherwise exclusive to the other version (Persian in Let's Go, Pikachu! or Arcanine in Let's Go, Eevee!). These games lack some of the online features of other Pokémon games, such as the Global Trade System, Wonder Trades and Battle Spots. However, the games do have connectivity to Pokémon HOME, which does have the GTS and a version of Wonder Trades. Through Pokémon HOME, Pokémon from Let's Go! can be transferred into Pokémon Sword and Shield, but after being sent to one of those games, they can no longer be transferred to any of the Let's Go! games.

These games are also known for connectivity with Pokémon GO. Once connected, a player can transfer any Kanto Pokémon from Pokémon GO (including Alolan forms but not including Mew) as well as the special Mythical Pokémon Meltan and Melmetal into Let's Go!, where they then have to be caught within an in-game area known as the Go Park. Any transfers from Pokémon GO are one-way and cannot be sent back. It is also possible to send Mystery Boxes from Let's Go! to Pokémon GO, which will allow the player to catch more Meltan in GO.

Legacy

This pair of games established a new type of Pokémon remake that was known for being simplified and geared more towards newcomers. Some elements from these games (such as Wild Pokémon appearing in the overworld) would be used for the next Pokémon generation, Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Save data from the Let's Go! games could also unlock certain things for other games on the same Switch system, matching whichever version the player had: a Support Spirit for Partner Pikachu or Eevee in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and a Gigantamax Pikachu or Eevee in Sword and Shield.