Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

 Switch
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1782 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 952 out of 1782
  2. Mixed: 283 out of 1782
  3. Negative: 547 out of 1782
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  1. XR4000
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    You can't judge the game if you doesn't even know the target audience. Many "Pokémon fans" are complaining about this title, but in reality, it's awesome. I played almost every game since the original Red, and im loving Let's Go. It's a newer and cleaner system to play with different concepts, and works flawlessly. Very balanced, with cool new features and focused to NEW GENERATIONS OFYou can't judge the game if you doesn't even know the target audience. Many "Pokémon fans" are complaining about this title, but in reality, it's awesome. I played almost every game since the original Red, and im loving Let's Go. It's a newer and cleaner system to play with different concepts, and works flawlessly. Very balanced, with cool new features and focused to NEW GENERATIONS OF FANS. Being simple make the game attractive to younger people, introducing them to the main series (whose come out next year). It's fun, it's balanced, it's beautiful, it's simple. It's the new Let's Go series. Im hoping they release future Let's Go games for other generations.… Expand
  2. CDizzness
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    Ignore negative reviews from people who pretend like they know what this game is about. Its Pokemon Yellow Remastered. Random encounters still exist, except now you can pick which Pokemon you want. The game is still challenging after the second gym, the graphics are gorgeous and the frame rate is solid. The Poke ball plus is a fun addition too. Tired of sh*** reviews from people whoIgnore negative reviews from people who pretend like they know what this game is about. Its Pokemon Yellow Remastered. Random encounters still exist, except now you can pick which Pokemon you want. The game is still challenging after the second gym, the graphics are gorgeous and the frame rate is solid. The Poke ball plus is a fun addition too. Tired of sh*** reviews from people who probably are not true fans, ive played since 1998, and this is my fav Pokemon game besides Sapphire version.… Expand
  3. Barb1
    Nov 18, 2018
    9
    This game is growing on me. I felt a bit disappointed at first with catching Pokémon in the wild like in Pokemon GO, I missed the battles, and I got a sore arm from throwing a pokeball with motion controls. I was almost afraid it was going to be a kiddies game. But the game has really opened up for me, especially after choosing to play it in handheld mode the game got good! There are soThis game is growing on me. I felt a bit disappointed at first with catching Pokémon in the wild like in Pokemon GO, I missed the battles, and I got a sore arm from throwing a pokeball with motion controls. I was almost afraid it was going to be a kiddies game. But the game has really opened up for me, especially after choosing to play it in handheld mode the game got good! There are so many trainers you battle, that there’s no shortage there. There’s a lot more that was taken from GO, and I have to say, I’m liking it a lot! It’s the beginning of a new era in the Pokemon series, and there might be some initial resistance, but I think it will win over many people in the end. I admit I was wanting to give it a low rating yesterday, as I sometimes struggle with change, but I’m glad I held off and gave it another chance.… Expand
  4. Sugoi_boi
    Nov 18, 2018
    8
    I wouldn’t listen to the negative reviews about this game. The Pokémon fan base has become so toxic over the past few years that they set out to destroy this game before it was even released because “hardcore mechanics” were removed. While this game offers little to no challenge it is very accessible and has a real “pick up and play” air about it. I would highly recommend this title toI wouldn’t listen to the negative reviews about this game. The Pokémon fan base has become so toxic over the past few years that they set out to destroy this game before it was even released because “hardcore mechanics” were removed. While this game offers little to no challenge it is very accessible and has a real “pick up and play” air about it. I would highly recommend this title to fans of the series who are willing to accept that Game Freak and Nintendo set out to make a much more casual experience for the latest Kanto revisit. Online battles can satisfy the players seeking some competition. The game looks crisp, however it doesn’t push the switch to it graphical limits, and some areas suffer from frame rate dips. This is a great way to fill the console Pokémon void until generation 8 arrives in 2019.… Expand
  5. le_reddit_face
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    This is EASILY the best Pokemon game since Heartgold/Soulsilver. - Reddit Gold Premium User
  6. mstingm
    Nov 19, 2018
    9
    Lots of fun to explore Kanto again with my trusted companions at my side. I really love the details of how each pokemon follows (or leads) you around when let out of their ball. The new capture mechanics make so much more sense rather than leaving a trail of dead pokemon in your wake. It took a lot longer before I felt I needed to grind XP (compared to original red/blue/yellow), which ILots of fun to explore Kanto again with my trusted companions at my side. I really love the details of how each pokemon follows (or leads) you around when let out of their ball. The new capture mechanics make so much more sense rather than leaving a trail of dead pokemon in your wake. It took a lot longer before I felt I needed to grind XP (compared to original red/blue/yellow), which I just really hate grinding, so.. could there ever be a pokemon game without any grinding at all? I think it's against the core nature of the game, but maybe.

    Overall I really love this game, and my kids love it too. In a lot of ways I think this is how pokemon always should have been. I hope to get more Lets Go games for other generations.    … Expand
  7. RiftSilver
    Nov 19, 2018
    9
    Feel the need to write a review here because of all the zeros, which the game absolutely does not deserve.

    First off, I think many fail to realize that this game was meant to be a different Pokemon game, and in that respect it shines. Having some concerns myself before the game was released, I was pleasantly surprised, the game is much more fun than myself and many of my friends    Feel the need to write a review here because of all the zeros, which the game absolutely does not deserve.

    First off, I think many fail to realize that this game was meant to be a different Pokemon game, and in that respect it shines. Having some concerns myself before the game was released, I was pleasantly surprised, the game is much more fun than myself and many of my friends anticipated, and it really knows how to immerse yourself in the game world. The world has never felt more alive, and the graphics while nothing next gen, are clean and bright in their own right. Performance is great in TV mode while handheld exhibits a few oddities, but nothing severe, and it's definitely playable and rare.

    Catching Pokemon was a big concern for many, but I'd be lying if i said I didn't prefer this to pushing a button over and over with no effort on my part to try and do a good catch. No wild battles is actually a lot less of an issue than I thought as well, there are plenty of trainer battles, and without all the wild battles it actually makes battles feel more meaningful. Which brings me to my next point, having overworld encounters instead of random grass encounters is an absolute game changer. I never want to go back to a random encounter system, being able to see the Pokemon you encounter and actually run away from them real time, is something I would very much dislike if the series did not carry forward. A capture mechanic similar to this also helps the game become more dynamic, as you can encounter evolved forms of Pokemon that were previously absent from the game, locked to different areas because catching them was too easy.

    The difficulty of the games has very much been understated. There are ways to grind your Pokemon or feed them candies to make them stronger, but permitting you want the game to be difficult, and do not feed them candy and go through the game normally, you will run into some trouble spots. Your starter has many versatile moves at their disposal and is very strong, so if you want some extra difficulty, I would recommend not using it as well. With the absence of passive EV gain, this becomes one of the more difficult games as your Pokemon are not automatically stronger than any trainers you encounter, sometimes being weaker or right on par with them.

    Gym's will sometimes require you to meet a certain requirement to enter, but this has also been blown out of proportion, the very first gym requires you to know about type matchups. The second gym requires you to meet a level requirement (which is below the gym leaders level) and the rest of the gyms don't require any sort of advantage requirement, one Gym's requirement is that you have to have a cute Pokemon to enter, the game holds your hand much less than the previous entry in the series, Sun and Moon.

    Abilities and hold items are absent, but I didn't see this as much of an issue, and contrary to what some are saying, this can actually increase difficulty. Many Pokemon trainers in the previous entries would never make their Pokemon hold items, so yours was at an advantage at all times if holding an item. This returns to a simpler time of Pokemon, one where battling at its core was choosing your team and the moves, and that was it. While I would like abilities and items in the future, this was actually a breath of fresh air.

    In short, while Kanto has been remade and revisited before, the added story beats, character interactions, overworld encounters and more really help the game feel more alive than it ever has before. This is in a very real sense, a full return to Pokemon Yellow, with many of it's quirks, and strengths of the original games in place. The game has a lot of heart, and despite it's flaws, it has to be one of my favorite Pokemon games in the last 10 years, the positives far outweight the negatives here, and I hope the series see's more creativity and solid direction as this game did.    … Expand
  8. beefpie
    Nov 19, 2018
    8
    While it may not be ground breaking, it is a solid release and a good entry point into the franchise. The use of the Go mechanics freshen up what had become monotonous battling in caves, which I think is a fantastic quality of life addition.
  9. zeldaafan
    Nov 19, 2018
    0
    Gamefreak's laziest Pokemon title yet. No difficulty, bad graphics and it reuses the awful animations from the 3DS game. Look at Pikachu's double kick and Blastoise's hydro pump- unacceptable.
  10. tetsuoo
    Nov 28, 2018
    10
    Fantastic game which is unfortunately being slammed by trolls...
    Highly recommend this game!
  11. likdatatertot
    Nov 20, 2018
    0
    dumbed down pokemon, a shame they have to waste resources on such a terrible game when they should be focusing on the next big pokemon games for 2019
  12. Themaximumexp
    Nov 21, 2018
    0
    Juego decepcionante, por favor, no hacer caso a las notas tan infladas, de verdad que no merece la pena.
  13. tigrock
    Dec 9, 2018
    0
    Well, this game is pure garbage. Why? Because you can't battle wild pokemon as always, you're forced to do the **** PoGo mechanic. Also, there aren't abilities. It's the same **** game from 1996 but much worse. I hope the 2019 game to be better because this is a shame to de Pokemon franchise
  14. charganium
    Dec 3, 2018
    0
    cons:
    -less content than the 20-year-old game it's based on
    -worse graphics than the 3DS Pokémon games -only gen 1 Pokémon -Go-style catching -Mew locked behind a $50 paywall -forced motion controls that don't even work -most features from gen 2 onward, like held items and abilities, have been removed -poor online -chibi oversaturated artstyle -terrible animations -overall a    cons:
    -less content than the 20-year-old game it's based on
    -worse graphics than the 3DS Pokémon games
    -only gen 1 Pokémon
    -Go-style catching
    -Mew locked behind a $50 paywall
    -forced motion controls that don't even work
    -most features from gen 2 onward, like held items and abilities, have been removed
    -poor online
    -chibi oversaturated artstyle
    -terrible animations
    -overall a soulless cashgrab designed to appeal to Go players and genwunners
    pros:
    -KANTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    … Expand
  15. StabWaifu
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    When I first saw the trailer for this, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. It didn't matter that it was "another" remake. It didn't matter that it was very much geared towards kids of this generation. What mattered is that it was Pokémon. I maintained that thought process through the reveals, always sharing them with my seven year old son. I can't tell you how moved I was when he realized heWhen I first saw the trailer for this, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. It didn't matter that it was "another" remake. It didn't matter that it was very much geared towards kids of this generation. What mattered is that it was Pokémon. I maintained that thought process through the reveals, always sharing them with my seven year old son. I can't tell you how moved I was when he realized he could put Psyduck in the Pokeball and take it for a walk with him.

    We waited, patiently for the day that it came out. We stood outside GameStop for nearly two hours, just to make sure we got our copy as soon as possible. And we've both been so happy. We've been playing it non-stop, except to go for walks with Psyduck!

    The mechanics are simpler. Feed a berry, throw a ball. It's not complicated. This is actually good in my opinion. I could try and explain IVs/EVs and stuff to my son, and he wouldn't understand it now. What he does understand is "That's a big Psyduck", and "That Psyduck has a blue number for speed so that means it's faster!" Simple. Easy. Clear. It's a good way to ease the newer generation into a franchise that's been going since we were kids.

    There's enough new things to keep it exciting while being nostalgic (at least in my opinion).

    I get that a lot of people have reviewed this game and given it a negative score because it's a "dumbed down" version of Yellow. But think about it from a younger child's perspective, and remember that this IS a kid game. It was advertised as being a kid game.

    Go back to when you were a kid and none of those things mattered. None of them existed. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee is this generations Blue/Red/Yellow. Think of it from that angle and you'll realize why this game is so amazing.    … Expand
  16. Sgtkeebler
    Nov 19, 2018
    10
    I have played every single Pokemon game since red & blue (literally), so I am a veteran of the series I even remember countless nights playing pokemon snap, and I really like what they did to Let's Go. This game brings back nostalgia from yellow with the original 150 Pokemon. It does get rid of somethings that the classics had like battling wild Pokemon, but the content in the game is notI have played every single Pokemon game since red & blue (literally), so I am a veteran of the series I even remember countless nights playing pokemon snap, and I really like what they did to Let's Go. This game brings back nostalgia from yellow with the original 150 Pokemon. It does get rid of somethings that the classics had like battling wild Pokemon, but the content in the game is not lacking. If you read some of the reviews that people have left a lot of them don't even make sense. There are a FEW low rating that seem like they have taken the time to actually play, but remember the keyword is a FEW. I think this is another case of people bombing a game because the developers took the game in a different direction then what they felt entitled too.

    I really like the way you have to catch Pokemon now, by actually throwing the Pokeball just like Pokemon go. This game is not for everyone but coming from a veteran who has played every Pokemon game created I really enjoy the game's simple feeling but I still get to relive my childhood. This review bombing is the reason why Metacritic is a horrible site. It seems like lately whenever game devs take a series in a different direction a huge fit must be thrown    … Expand
  17. Phienix666
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    Un juego excelente y que revive la region de kanton de una manera sublime..
  18. Christ29297
    Nov 19, 2018
    10
    Este es un juego perfecto para quien adore a la saga pokemon en sus principios y para los que aprecien las nuevas mecánicas del juego como la nueva forma de captura los movimientos técnicas que para mi han mejorado y el estilo visual del juego dándole un nuevo aire .
    posdata este juego no influirá demasiado al pokemon que saldrá futura mente
  19. ArcticShrike
    Nov 21, 2018
    0
    One time, when I was 7 years old, my parents promised to throw me an amazing birthday party. Then two days before my birthday I got a bad grade on an exam and got grounded for a week, the whole birthday thing went down the toilet. I thought that would be the most disappointing moment of my life.
    Then I played this game.
  20. Mando44646
    Nov 19, 2018
    8
    "It's fine" is the best summary I can give. Nothing is terrible, but there *are* forced motion gimmicks which are entirely unnecessary and should be optional, period.

    I like having Pokemon seen on the overworld and no longer having random encounters. On the other hand, I HATE the catching mechanics (the lack of an actual battle, and the required motion gimmicks). Its also too easy -    "It's fine" is the best summary I can give. Nothing is terrible, but there *are* forced motion gimmicks which are entirely unnecessary and should be optional, period.

    I like having Pokemon seen on the overworld and no longer having random encounters. On the other hand, I HATE the catching mechanics (the lack of an actual battle, and the required motion gimmicks). Its also too easy - easier than normal. But the wild encounters are really the only thing blatantly not-fun about the game    … Expand
  21. covcha
    Nov 22, 2018
    0
    The game is very casual and lacks content. If you do not have the name and characters of Pokémon the game would not have obtained the sales you have. I really do not recommend it and especially to your fans, I tell them to get as far away as possible from this game.
  22. Fabio
    Nov 20, 2018
    0
    I love pokemon games but I hate this one. Cannot understand why Nintendo changed the formula used in the franchising. You can not battle wild pokemon, not exist in random battles. The game have very few in-game contents and the game. Is not worth the money.
  23. BrushedRed
    Nov 19, 2018
    8
    Not nearly as bad as everyone is making it out to be. It was never planned to be a "mainline" game (that will come next year). It was just made to be a placeholder between Gen 7 and Gen 8. That's all. And for what it is, it is such a joy to play. It is so fun to go back and revisit the Kanto region in new, HD graphics. It sends me on a nostalgia trip. However, the downfall here that I seeNot nearly as bad as everyone is making it out to be. It was never planned to be a "mainline" game (that will come next year). It was just made to be a placeholder between Gen 7 and Gen 8. That's all. And for what it is, it is such a joy to play. It is so fun to go back and revisit the Kanto region in new, HD graphics. It sends me on a nostalgia trip. However, the downfall here that I see is the leveling system is kind off. It seems you gain a lot less exp than in previous games, either that or the bar moves slower (can't figure it out), but it took me a while to level up and get some of my pokemon to evolve. But other than that, I don't really see a flaw. The ordinary battle system will come back in the next game next year. It is not gone for good. This was just a spin-off and placeholder, and for that I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. I just enjoy having a new pokemon game to sink into.… Expand
  24. Veiled
    Nov 20, 2018
    0
    Una basura como un piano, un insulto a la saga Pokemon con el único objetivo de atraer casuals encima usando el efecto nostalgia de la manera mas rastrera posible. No se merecen ni un 1 de valoración, que se centren en hacer un Pokemon de verdad y no esta porqueria.
  25. gus3656
    Nov 18, 2018
    7
    Great entry game for beginner or young kids as excellent interaction between player and pokemon, but bit stressful to keep trying to catch pokemon (too much time spending compare to battle) and too much pressure on budget to buy pokeballs :(
  26. Goawayfatman
    Nov 19, 2018
    10
    Pokémon Let's Go is an extremely well made game that appeals to trainers new and old. The game is a spin off of the original Red, Blue, and Yellow. All of these negative reviews are from Pokémon fans that have no adaptability or recognition of games outside of their comfort zone. I grew up playing the original Pokémon games on Gameboy (pre-color) and 100% vouch for these two newest PokémonPokémon Let's Go is an extremely well made game that appeals to trainers new and old. The game is a spin off of the original Red, Blue, and Yellow. All of these negative reviews are from Pokémon fans that have no adaptability or recognition of games outside of their comfort zone. I grew up playing the original Pokémon games on Gameboy (pre-color) and 100% vouch for these two newest Pokémon games as arguably the best in the series. Although these are GREAT games, I am excited for the more traditional game that is supposed to be release in 2019.… Expand
  27. DanielMagna
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    I been playing the whole day with my kids and is one of my favorite Pokemon games. Is great for 2 players and also is a nice entry title, if you like pokemon concept but you are new to games, this is an awesome game to start before move to the RPG games.
  28. Geadaan
    Nov 18, 2018
    8
    I absolutely love this game. A lot of complaints have been that there aren't enough pokemon or not enough features. For me those are two of the biggest reasons I enjoy this game. Pokemon games of late have been over burdened with too many features and new flashy mechanics. This game takes you back to when I fell in love with pokemon, traveling around Kanto and being part of what madeI absolutely love this game. A lot of complaints have been that there aren't enough pokemon or not enough features. For me those are two of the biggest reasons I enjoy this game. Pokemon games of late have been over burdened with too many features and new flashy mechanics. This game takes you back to when I fell in love with pokemon, traveling around Kanto and being part of what made pokemon so great as a kid.

    The art style is exactly what I expected it to be, bright, colorful and cartoony.

    The story and dialogue is fine and what I'd expect from pokemon.

    New way to catch pokemon, while I can think of a few improvements, is fun.

    My biggest critique, and why it's only a 8/10, is sometimes the controls are just awkward to use. While not in handheld, using just one controller is just something that I am not used to and makes me a little restless with my unused hand.

    I think a lot of bad reviews are coming from people who expected a new generation of pokemon and would not be happy with anything less. If you look at this game for what it is, a remake of the original, I don't think you will be disappointed.

    Let's start work on a Pokemon: Let's Go to Johto    … Expand
  29. kazumats
    Nov 18, 2018
    10
    Simply amazed by how beautiful the game looks, it is a great filler game while the main pokemon game is under development and a nice attempt at trying to get pokemon go players into the community even though I'm not sure how effective it will be.
    This game brings back memories from the original pokemon yellow and I truely think it does not deserve so much hate from the hardcore pokemon    Simply amazed by how beautiful the game looks, it is a great filler game while the main pokemon game is under development and a nice attempt at trying to get pokemon go players into the community even though I'm not sure how effective it will be.
    This game brings back memories from the original pokemon yellow and I truely think it does not deserve so much hate from the hardcore pokemon fans, it might be considerably easier and many of the mechanisms have been changed but just relax and have some fun and learn to appreciate what we have for now.    … Expand
  30. Inktec
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    This game may not be what everyone wants but most have to remember gamefreak like to test the waters first when working on a new system i found the hd models excellent the catching mechanic became addictive its not as easy as some reviewers
    Think the late game can be quite difficult the nostagia is there
    But i will say this is just a taste of how much more they can do when gen 8 comes    This game may not be what everyone wants but most have to remember gamefreak like to test the waters first when working on a new system i found the hd models excellent the catching mechanic became addictive its not as easy as some reviewers
    Think the late game can be quite difficult the nostagia is there
    But i will say this is just a taste of how much more they can do when gen 8 comes next year it has charm there is challenge
    The story is well you'll know if you played pokemon yellow theres some changes all in all its good fun i played it for 13hrs
    And loved every minute    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
1
#1 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 84 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 84
  3. Negative: 0 out of 84
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 5, 2019
    85
    A simple, nostalgic return to the Kanto region, offers little if you are a series veteran eager for complexity and challenge. But if that's not your main interest, Pokemon Let's Go has it all! It's a simple, cute and fun game that will keep you hooked for hours. An excellent starting point for newcomers, and a great nostalgia trip for those in a search for one.
    Read full review
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 26, 2019
    85
    If you've got a kid in your life who's never played Pokémon before? Buy this game immediately. [Issue #37 – January/February 2019, p. 67]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Feb 8, 2019
    78
    It’s hard to make sense of the game that’s basically a Switch port of iOS/Android remake of Pokemon Red/Green. Is it a step forward, step backward – or maybe just a shameless cash-in? Turns out, it’s a great remake – the world looks exactly as we imagined it back when we were staring at black and white pixels of original Red/Green. [Issue#235, p.44]
See all critic reviews »