Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Eevee!
» System: Switch » Buy it from: Online, retail » Buy it for: £49.99
A set of remakes of 1998’s Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! do a superb job of refreshing a familiar game 20 years on. The bones of the original game remain, which means it’s back to basics. Which means no abilities, breeding, held items and day/night cycle of the more recent entries in the series, and just the first generation of 151 ‘mon. That’s not to say it’s a complete nostalgic retread, though. Following its roaring success, a number of mechanics are borrowed from Pokémon Go. Using candy to increase your Pokémons’ stats, Combat Power as an overall measure of strength and, most noticeably different from previous Pokémon games, the catching system.
Gone are the wild encounter battles and merely catching the roaming critters grants your party experience, which is sometimes easier said than done. Either a flick of the wrist with the Joy-con or pressing A whilst aiming with the gyro in handheld mode will throw your Poké Ball. Whilst the former awards extra XP, it also suffers from some quirky motion control. Stray Poké Balls and mistimed throws become an increasing annoyance as the game progresses.
Like the 20-year-old original, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! will rarely challenge you. That is until you tackle the post-game, where you vie to become a master trainer of specific species – say, a Snorlax Master Trainer. And catching the entire 151 Pokémon has never been easier, but you’ll only get the best if you use Catch Combos (consecutively catching the same Pokémon) to increase your chances of finding ‘mon with top stats, or even an illusive shiny.
Omissions such as cycling, fishing and the Safari Zone will come as a disappointment to some, but are not sorely missed. But conversely, some new nods to the series’ history (such as Team Rocket’s Jessie and James, being as incompetent as ever) will raise some smiles.
The game is a beautiful reimagining of Kanto. Watching wild Pokémon roam the overworld around you, listening to the reorchestrated soundtrack and interacting with your eponymous buddy (in a dapper waistcoat and shades if you wish) is a joy. There’s plenty here for new players and veteran fans alike.
Score 84%