Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! is a reinvention of the Pokémon story, made for new Nintendo console and new gamer generation. Download Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and relive the story of acquaintance with Pikachu, catching Pokémon and battling for supremacy in Pokéworld.

Graphics 5/5

Though there have been Pokémon installments for generic platforms (like mobile games for iOS and Android), this one seems to have the best graphical part in the whole franchise. The landscapes of Kanto are detailed and wide, the Pokémon are almost alive in 3D, and the game looks good even on screens with greater definition than Switch’s original. That’s another reason why the game tastes better if played on TV.

Gameplay 5/5

The story of Pokémon is the same each time, and still, it’s fun. Again you start as Ash Ketchum, a boy who wants to become a Pokémon trainer. Again you visit Professor Oak’s lab, and the first Pokémon you befriend is – who do you think? – Pikachu!

So you start your long adventure. Ash wanders through forests and fields of Kanto to catch the wild Pokémon and train them to battle other trainers’ Pokémon. The evolution follows the rules Nintendo has set once in its series. The pleasant bonus is the possibility to import your first level Pokémon from Pokémon GO through your Nintendo account (but you’ll have to catch them again).

The battle system is similar to that of Pokémon GO, though a bit simplified, with the same Combat Power points. As you get connected to another player, you can either fight or exchange your Pokémon.

By the way, your original Pikachu is the only one that can’t evolve. All the other Pokémon do it the regular way. This process can be endless, as you catch more and more of them. There are also exclusive Pokémon, an achievement system and all those things that keep the gameplay from getting dull.

Controls 5/5

As the game is made exclusively for Switch, it utilizes all the features of JoyCons. If you’re playing with pads attached to the console, on its own screen, you need to use buttons and joysticks to control your movements, like throwing Pokéballs or controlling your Pokémon in the battle. But it gets more interesting when the console is connected to your TV. To throw the Pokéball, say, you need to imitate the throwing movements, and the gyroscope and accelerometer will interpret your movement and translate it into your character. So, if you have this option, better play it on a TV.

As it only requires one JoyCon (no matter which), Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! supports local multiplayer with just two players. For complete pleasure you can additionally purchase Poké Ball Plus controller you throw physically.

Replay Value 5/5

Do you know how durable the idea of Pokémon is? These creatures have been around for more than two decades, and this madness isn’t likely to cease. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! review should mention that this one becomes the fastest-sold game for Switch, so pocket monsters are a part of modern culture rather than an object of fashion. So the game is rested on a solid rustproof basement. You’ll have endless hours of fun with it.

Conclusion

Did the franchise need another installment? We guess that’s exactly what Pokémon series lacked: a quality game for both mobile and home entertainment. Luckily, Switch format allows for that. It’s a shame that the game isn’t available for other platforms, but due to hardware difference, the control system is impossible to recreate on anything else. If you hesitated about buying Switch, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! is a solid argument.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Traditional gameplay base;
Integration with Pokémon GO;
Flexible control system;
The best visuals in the whole franchise

Cons

Simplified combat system;
Controls need some getting used