Using Go Park, you can transfer previously captured Gen 1 creatures from Pokémon Go into Let’s Go. My personal favorite, Safari Zone, has been replaced by Go Park, which lets you connect your Let’s Go save file with your Pokémon Go account. You can now use lures to draw out rare Pokémon, but I’m disappointed the Game Corner no longer lets you play for items and Pokémon. While you can find rare Pokémon in places you couldn’t before, other avenues of collecting uncommon species have been removed.
This makes handheld mode the best way to play Let’s Go, effectively deflating the excitement of the series being on consoles for the first time. Playing in handheld mode tones down the motion controls you just aim with the gyroscope, then press a button to throw a ball. On multiple occasions, I flicked my controller directly at the screen, only to have the ball sail in the wrong direction.
However, the motion controls for catching Pokémon, whether you’re using a Joy-Con or the Poké Ball Plus peripheral, are unreliable. Not only does this separation make wild encounters feel distinct from trainer battles, but it makes the few wild Pokémon you do need to battle first feel special. Some players may miss having to weaken wild Pokémon you intend to catch, but after the initial shock of the simplification, I appreciated how it kept the pace of the game up. Instead, you simply flick your Joy-Con in their direction to land as accurate of a throw as possible – no battling necessary. Not only are random encounters gone (now you see wild Pokémon roaming in the map), but you no longer must battle wild Pokémon to weaken them prior to catching (with a few exceptions). This updated approach is further demonstrated in Let’s Go’s modern evolution of one of Pokémon’s oldest conventions: wild Pokémon encounters. Let’s Go isn’t challenging, but if you need an extra hand, a second player can shake a second Joy-Con to drop in and out of local cooperative multiplayer. From riding Pokémon for faster travel to swapping your party on the fly without having to visit a Pokémon Center, myriad modern conveniences make these remakes feel right at home in 2018. In addition to upgrading the visuals and sound, Let’s Go streamlines many of the more tedious elements of the original games.ĭespite tasking you with exploring a faithfully recreated version of Kanto, a few surprises and tweaks keep the experience fresh. Seeing the battles play out how I originally pictured them in my head is a thrill. Despite being remakes, the Let’s Go games effectively move the Pokémon franchise forward with crisp visuals that recreate the familiar creatures and cities of the Kanto region. I knew exactly where to go to complete optional quests, and still remembered the solutions to most puzzles.
Let’s Go remains faithful to the first-gen Pokémon games (specifically Yellow).
The series mantra of “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” holds true to this day, as finding a ton of unique monsters remains rewarding as you fill in your Pokédex and build your dream party. Let’s Go pulls you in with the same hooks as every other Pokémon game: You travel the region, collecting Pokémon, battling trainers in fun, turn-based combat, and earning your place in the Pokémon League in a lighthearted adventure. Exploring Kanto, building your team, fighting Team Rocket, and challenging gym leaders remains as thrilling as it was 20 years ago, but inconsistent motion controls ensure the transition to Switch isn’t seamless. While we wait for the first full-fledged RPG to hit Switch, Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee are remakes of the first generation of the series with modern graphics and updated gameplay.
After two decades on dedicated handheld platforms, the Pokémon franchise is finally relocating to the big screen.