The Pokemon franchise makes its debut on the Nintendo Switch with a nod to the past and a look to the future.

The new “Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” titles bring players back to the Kanto region that were explored when the series made its debut on the Game Boy back in 1996. But they are not total throwbacks, as they incorporate the simplified monster catching mechanics of the more recent “Pokemon Go!” mobile game.

The result is a nice entry point into role-playing games for younger players and genre novices, with enough nostalgia to interest veteran Pokemon fans. And with a core Pokemon game expected to come out next year, “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” serve as a bridge between the casual world of “Pokemon Go!” and the more mechanics-driven main series.

via GIPHY

Like other games in the series, the main goal of the “Let’s Go” titles is to hunt and catch monsters known as Pokemon by trapping the wild creatures in little spherical cages, then train them. Critters ranging from cute and cuddly to bizarre and menacing are among the more than 150 Pokemon that can be acquired.

In core Pokemon games, players need to first weaken a target creature before a capture attempt by fighting it with beasts already in their roster. In the “Let’s Go” games, players instead will simply throw a “pokeball” at the monster just like in “Pokemon Go!”. This means when an interesting creature pops up on the screen, players won’t have to worry if they have a powerful enough roster to catch it.

Players can have six Pokemon active at a time, and they will gain experience every time a new monster is caught. And while the “Let’s Go” games are less demanding than core Pokemon titles, it is still necessary to power up Pokemon and construct a balanced party of six.

As players wander the Kanto region, they will frequently do battle with other Pokemon trainers. Each Pokemon has four moves at its disposal, and most are either stronger or weaker against specific types of opposing Pokemon. An electricity-based creature like Pikachu, for example, will tear through water-based opponents but struggle against grass-based foes.

Some trainers bring multiple types of Pokemon to the fight, so players with a poorly constructed roster may have some tough fights. Generally, however, those who keep catching wild Pokemon and training their existing monsters will have little trouble figuring out an easy path to victory.

Along the way players will encounter tougher opponents, notably gym masters and agents of Team Rocket, the Pokemon-thieving crew who make up the games’ comically inept antagonists. By then even novice players should have a good grasp of the battle mechanics and a decent number of options on their rosters. And if some rivals still prove too difficult to defeat, a second trainer can join in to stack the odd sin the player’s favour.

When not catching wild Pokemon and foiling the plans of Team Rocket, players can connect with other players to trade and battle. The “Let’s Go” games support both online and local-area connections to link up with other trainers. In fact, trading is the only way to completely fill out the roster, as each “Let’s Go” title features Pokemon exclusive to that game.

Other than exclusive Pokemon, the only real difference between the games is the titular star. Players will either start their adventure with Pikachu or Eevee. Pikachu is a well-known pop culture icon, famous enough to be voiced by Canadian star Ryan Reynolds in an upcoming live-action movie. Eevee is less well-known out of Pokemon circles, but is among the more adorable critters in the series and should win over new fans.

With players who cut their teeth on “Pokemon Yellow” now well into adulthood, producer Junichi Masuda has said a goal for the “Let’s Go” games is to hook new fans by introducing the series to young gamers and casual “Pokemon Go” users. “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” are user-friendly enough to do just that. And while the hard-core fans may be looking ahead to the next game in the main series, there’s plenty of charm to tide them over until then.

“Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” are rated E, meaning suitable for all audiences and each game retails for around $80.

Curtis Withers, The Canadian Press


Filed under: eevee, Nintendo Switch, Pikachu, Pokemon, pokemon lets go