In a special Pokémon-only press conference, the Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak Inc. have revealed Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee!
Both games will be releasing on November 16th worldwide, coinciding with the release of the new peripheral Pokéball Plus controller. The controller will function as a Joy Con with the Switch, as well as a Pokémon GO Plus peripheral, using the same color displays as the wrist watch style controller for the mobile game.
Obviously, this shows that the game will interact with Pokémon GO. Being branded as an in-between to introduce new players to the full Pokémon series, Let’s Go will play with features from both games. Upon encountering wild Pokémon, you can swing the Joy Con or Pokéball Plus controller to throw balls to capture Pokémon just like in Pokémon GO, but trainer battles appear to play out like a normal battle from the classic series.
Another core feature between Let’s Go and GO is allowing the transfer of monsters from the mobile game to the Switch. In the trailer it is shown that the Pokémon will be dropped into what is called the GO Park, where players can interact with the creatures, but it is unclear if they can be taken into the main game. It is also unclear if this system will let you transfer Pokémon caught in Let’s Go to the mobile game.
The official Twitter account confirmed that the games will be based off of the original Gamboy title Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, though a modern Pokémon feature is seen in the trailer; the “Ride” Pokémon that are summoned from outside the party to traverse water or fly to other towns. Another feature that debuted in Yellow that is seen in the trailer is that Pikachu or Eevee will follow behind you on the world map. Some costume customization options for Pikachu and Eevee were shown as well.
Last but assuredly not least, due to a simple control scheme only requiring a single Joy Con or Pokéball Plus controller, the game introduces a jump-in and out co-op mode. Simply turning on another Joy-Con will drop your trainer in, allowing both players to navigate the map, and engage in multiplayer battles.
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! will retail for $59.99 USD / $79.99 CAD. The Pokéball Plus controller will be sold separately. There is no price revealed for the controller yet.
