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. flypenguin62
    Nov 16, 2018
    4
    The game removed a lot of key features from the previous games and left this feeling very bare and miserable. There are no wild Pokemon battles at all. Only battles happen with gyms and with other trainers. While this is ok, it's not a preference of mine and I enjoyed battling wild Pokemon. They also removed Pokemon abilities. On top of this, they force you to use a single joy conThe game removed a lot of key features from the previous games and left this feeling very bare and miserable. There are no wild Pokemon battles at all. Only battles happen with gyms and with other trainers. While this is ok, it's not a preference of mine and I enjoyed battling wild Pokemon. They also removed Pokemon abilities. On top of this, they force you to use a single joy con controller unless you are playing in handheld mode. I prefer a two Joycon setup, but that's too bad. You can't even use a pro controller. Did you spend an extra $70 for that pro controller? That's too bad, because you can't use it at all. They wanted to cash grab with the Pokeball plus sales to force you into their gimmick of spending an extra $45 for a stupid Pokeball controller that will only be useful for this game. It's a good business strategy, but does a terrible job at keeping customer loyalty. They completely disrespected the long time fans with this installment and The last company that I trusted with a string title every time has finally lost my trust. I cannot recommend this game to anyone, unless you've never played Pokemon or you only play Pokemon Go. That's 100% the audience they were targeting and they obviously stopped caring about their true fans.

    I just can't help but feel like the company didn't care very much with what they were doing this time around. It's a back to basics Pokemon game that removes around 50% of what makes Pokemon fun. If you're a Pokemon fan, then I would highly recommend waiting and buying their core version coming in late 2019. This won't tide you over, this will make you mad.    … Expand
  2. greenblock
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    The game is definitely not for everyone but it's a nice reboot. I wish they din't use the catching mechanics from Go but the other additions are nice!
  3. bigpokemonboy
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Amazing. This game taught me how to love again. I have played this game and will continue to do so until the day of death. Got to catch all of them.
  4. luke9977
    Nov 16, 2018
    3
    Lgpe has received positive reviews, but how is it possible that in 2018 it will be promoted a title that has the same story of yellow pokemon and fire red / green leaf pokemon without any difference, and with a ridiculous postgame also accentuated by the lack of online? I can understand the introduction of the new mechanics of go and in a sense I can also appreciate them, but this title isLgpe has received positive reviews, but how is it possible that in 2018 it will be promoted a title that has the same story of yellow pokemon and fire red / green leaf pokemon without any difference, and with a ridiculous postgame also accentuated by the lack of online? I can understand the introduction of the new mechanics of go and in a sense I can also appreciate them, but this title is a lack of respect for all old fans who have supported that other **** of usum and also for the new ones. they are going to buy a product identical to one of 20 years ago.… Expand
  5. lgalindo2
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Horrible, game lacks any sort of soul, effort and content. Do yourself a favor and buy anything else.
  6. kickedUp
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    i used to have unwavering faith in the franchise, went in almost blind expecting great things from this lastest new installation. Not anymore. All that waited me was a washed out experience of a game I already played removing and worsening the mechanics of the games I fell in love with as a child. Do we actually need pokemon go catching, what was wrong with the previous method. This justi used to have unwavering faith in the franchise, went in almost blind expecting great things from this lastest new installation. Not anymore. All that waited me was a washed out experience of a game I already played removing and worsening the mechanics of the games I fell in love with as a child. Do we actually need pokemon go catching, what was wrong with the previous method. This just feels like getting rewarded for minimum effort, which is what masuda and game freak expect this game to do honestly. Bring back traditional pokemon, if anybody wanted mechanics from the mobile game they'd play the mobile game. Please reconsider gamefreak.… Expand
  7. Leo-Bv
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    horrible game this is a trash for pokemon this game is a jokey for the others game with pokemon
  8. ArthurClark
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    If you buy this game you're saying you're ok with paywalls, ok with saying a big **** off to competitive players, ok with removing core mechanics, ok with going to the same region over and over because blind nostalgia sells, ok with names like splishy splash and baddy bad, ok with never having actual postgame again, ok with garbage graphics when the switch is capable of much more, ok withIf you buy this game you're saying you're ok with paywalls, ok with saying a big **** off to competitive players, ok with removing core mechanics, ok with going to the same region over and over because blind nostalgia sells, ok with names like splishy splash and baddy bad, ok with never having actual postgame again, ok with garbage graphics when the switch is capable of much more, ok with the franchise dieing in spirit to become a soulless cashgrab machine.… Expand
  9. emjoria
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    Pokemon: Let's Go was my third most anticipated game for the switch this year, following Smash Ultimate and Civ VI on Switch. I picked it up yesterday at the prerelease event. I have played and beat every main series Pokemon game a few times each, and consider myself experienced enough to write this review.
    Pokemon: Let's Go is for children and people who have never touched a Pokemon    Pokemon: Let's Go was my third most anticipated game for the switch this year, following Smash Ultimate and Civ VI on Switch. I picked it up yesterday at the prerelease event. I have played and beat every main series Pokemon game a few times each, and consider myself experienced enough to write this review.
    Pokemon: Let's Go is for children and people who have never touched a Pokemon game before, not counting Pokemon Go. Nintendo promised a few times that this game would accommodate old fans of the series and still provide a fun experience. I can affirm that that is false. This is the easiest, most watered down game in the series, even if it is supposed to not count as a main series game. The game refuses to respect the intelligence of the player by not permitting you to challenge gyms if you don't have a Pokemon that is strong against the gym on your team. You are given Poke balls after nearly every battle in the overworld for no repercussions, and there are additionally a few NPCS that will refill your balls for free if you run out, like the one in Mount Moon. Your partner Pokemon is likely the most powerful creature on your side, which is odd seeing as Pikachu and Eevee both lack competitive viability. In order to improve this, the game allows you to teach some powerful, exclusive moves of any type to your partner Pokemon ensuring that you will never get stuck once during the entire game. IVs are now completely invalidated as you can pay an NPC 10,000 pokecoins to change the nature of every wild Pokemon you encounter for the next while. After every battle and wild encounter, your Pokemon automatically share experience points, a feature that you CANNOT turn off. This makes the game even easier, ensuring nobody will ever be challenged or underleveled once during their playthrough.
    Breeding, which was my favorite feature in past games, has been removed entirely. Held items and abilities are out, removing nearly every nuance from competitive battling aside from type advantages.
    There are a few things in this game I enjoy, however. The two positive points in this review are for them. The remastered music is very well done and is very immersive. I will also say that this game has the best implementation of the Switch's trademark "HD Rumble" to date. The vibrations that the joycon and the Pokeball Plus make are very convincing and realistic. I usually enjoy capturing Pokemon in the new system for the most part, and I'm sure children will adore it, but it is NOT a replacement for the old one. The gameplay when capturing Pokemon is very unengaging. In practically all of my encounters I just alternated between throwing a Razz Berry and a Poke ball each time until I captured the Pokemon. The nuance is completely gone.
    Do not buy this game. Do not buy this game for your child. Do not buy this game for a friend who likes Pokemon Go. Show these people a good Pokemon game and introduce them to the series properly. If this game sells well, and Nintendo refuses to listen to the community, I truly hate to think of what the next Pokemon game will bring.    … Expand
  10. caIamari
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Let's Go Pikachu Eevee, are bland games that do nothing but hold your hand the entire way though, at no point does this game give me the freedom to catch what I want use, instead it just forces me find Pokemon good against the gyms, even if my Pikachu is able to solo her way though the gym, it feels like none of the choices I make matter in terms of the team I want to create, we have 152Let's Go Pikachu Eevee, are bland games that do nothing but hold your hand the entire way though, at no point does this game give me the freedom to catch what I want use, instead it just forces me find Pokemon good against the gyms, even if my Pikachu is able to solo her way though the gym, it feels like none of the choices I make matter in terms of the team I want to create, we have 152 pokemon in this game, why can't I just pick whatever I want instead of being told to capture a water or grass type Pokemon, or forcing me to level up my Pokemon to level 45 to fight a gym leader, even when the gym leader would still be a joke at level 35, this game is way to easy for it's own good, it just becomes a boring slog to get though, and the candy system is straight up broken to the point I was able to use them to make my level 30 Pikachu strong enough to beat a level 70 one, the master trainers are all a joke, and are just useless padding for the game, and the graphics for this sucks, anyone who said it looks good just baffles me, has nobody seen Mario Odyssey? That's a good looking game, Let's Go just looks like the phone game Pokemon Go, what works on a phone doesn't work on a console, and yet game despite looking awful still lags, it's clear that this game is nothing more then a cheap cash grab, that's barely worth $15, if your looking for a gift for Christmas, I suggest waiting Smash Bro's Ultimate so you don't waste your money.… Expand
  11. GOLOGARO
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    The game is really the best Pokémon since the Game Boy era : it's really a modern vision of Pokémon, it's beautiful, it's magnificent..it's Pokémon!
  12. Mabosaha
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    This game does NOT deserve such a low user score (in my honest opinion). I created an account solely to contribute my opinion on this matter. Although I do wish wild battles were kept in-game, I find the game a nostalgic infused journey, with the game remaining faithful to the old R/B/Y games, combined with many new features. You do not endlessly fling Pokemon balls at Pokemon with nothingThis game does NOT deserve such a low user score (in my honest opinion). I created an account solely to contribute my opinion on this matter. Although I do wish wild battles were kept in-game, I find the game a nostalgic infused journey, with the game remaining faithful to the old R/B/Y games, combined with many new features. You do not endlessly fling Pokemon balls at Pokemon with nothing else to do. Trainer battles are frequent enough for me to scratch my "battle itch".

    All in all, this game is beautiful (for a Pokemon game...), offers a much less tedious IV chaining technique and, technologically speaking, nicely lifts the series from the 3DS to the Switch.

    I advise everyone that is disgruntled, to try the game for a couple of hours. And I'm sure many will feel less bitter - currently there is a popular internet trend of auto-hating this game because of various changes...    … Expand
  13. ElsaAnnaMoana
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Pokémon is back on Switch in HD and it's also the most fun and modern pokémon game ever made, wow it's amazing! You really need to try it, you'll fall in love right away!
  14. sampsonj
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Really fun, very adorable, best looking pokemon game to date, music is really nice too. No random encounters is a blessing.
  15. ilenes
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    i expected nothing and im still disappointed by this blatant cash grab by game freak.
  16. moonlightsonata
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Ok, first off does anybody even new to the series actually think abilities and items are overwhelming for new players? A simple concept of innate passives and equippable items present in most rpgs, something as basilar as that is somehow hard for people to grasp? When it worked just fine for over 20 years without seeing kids gouging their eyes out at how difficult the mechanics of baby'sOk, first off does anybody even new to the series actually think abilities and items are overwhelming for new players? A simple concept of innate passives and equippable items present in most rpgs, something as basilar as that is somehow hard for people to grasp? When it worked just fine for over 20 years without seeing kids gouging their eyes out at how difficult the mechanics of baby's first jrpg are? Gamefreak apparently thinks they do. Terribly out of touch and having a track record for not listening to players and removing the features they like this time they're insulting the intelligence of kids and go players alike. Masuda is a delirious hack and should resign, I'm a passionate competitive player and I fear and I quote ''let's go will become the pillar of the franchise for the next 20 years''. that would ruin the competitive scene completely, please sends a message to gamefreak to remind them not only this is unneeded but there's a noticeable competitive fanbase that loves the game as it is.… Expand
  17. PandaJavi
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    After 17 years uninterruptedly buying every single Pokémon mainline game and lving every "hype season", excited to see the new features, new designs and new ideas, this is the first time that I'm going to skip it, looking forward to the 2019 games. I can understand Game Freak trying to simplify the things or whatever, but come on, removing over 600 creatures, more than two thirds of theAfter 17 years uninterruptedly buying every single Pokémon mainline game and lving every "hype season", excited to see the new features, new designs and new ideas, this is the first time that I'm going to skip it, looking forward to the 2019 games. I can understand Game Freak trying to simplify the things or whatever, but come on, removing over 600 creatures, more than two thirds of the moves, abilities, held items and making it one of the games with less post game content since GB era, lacking features than a 2004 GBA release had like Sevii Islands, using the same engine from ORAS, not reaching even S/M level and going back to the grid system, when the game has been on developement for years... that's not casualization, that's pure laziness, and as a lifelong fan, I'm sad to see the direction Pokémon is talking and I hope next year's games to have a serious graphic update and a lot of content, because I guess these pair of games have been very dissapointing for many of us.… Expand
  18. Spymander
    Nov 16, 2018
    4
    Play FireRed or LeafGreen instead; they're better Kanto games with more content.

    Graphics are fine but nothing to write home about (not that they've ever been an important part of the series). The re-imagined songs are good but basic, could've definitely had more thought put into them. The lack of polish in other areas, such as animations, is laughable at times. The following Pokemon    Play FireRed or LeafGreen instead; they're better Kanto games with more content.

    Graphics are fine but nothing to write home about (not that they've ever been an important part of the series). The re-imagined songs are good but basic, could've definitely had more thought put into them. The lack of polish in other areas, such as animations, is laughable at times. The following Pokemon and character cameos are both really cool, but don't justify the 60$ price tag. If you really want to interact with your Pokemon, I'd recommend playing the 3DS games and using Amie/Refresh.

    The point is, there's nothing that makes this game worth more than FireRed, a game that came out over a decade ago. If you don't already have FRLG or something to play GBA games and you just really like the look of this game more, then sure, you'll have fun. If you don't fit that description, then I'd only recommend the game if you play GO and have children to play with, since I imagine that would elevate the experience a bit. Although, while we're on children, I'd still recommend you get them FRLG instead. If you're a parent and you don't really get Pokemon, don't be fooled by people who say this game is better for kids; Pokemon has ALWAYS been a good fit for children, so the additions that make this game more childish and easy were completely unnecessary. I enjoyed FRLG as a kid, and I still come back to it. I would've enjoyed this game too, but I'm not so sure about that second part.

    For veteran Pokemon fans, the game is fun as long as you don't think too hard about all the stuff that's missing or where they went wrong, and the fact that that's the most positive thing I can say about it should tell you all you need to know.    … Expand
  19. Rad_Dudesman
    Nov 16, 2018
    5
    It's a decent game for newcomers, but it's no doubt stripped down and simplified.
  20. ellub
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Vou escrever em português mesmo: Jogo extremamente tedioso, enjoativo e feito de maneira preguiçosa. As sombras do jogo são ridículas, a mecânica que retiraram de batalhar com pokemon selvagens foi a pior escolha que já fizeram, pois ficar capturando incansáveis pokemon enjoa logo nas primeiras horas de gameplay. Apesar de mudarem alguns elementos na historia, é extremamente enjoativa poisVou escrever em português mesmo: Jogo extremamente tedioso, enjoativo e feito de maneira preguiçosa. As sombras do jogo são ridículas, a mecânica que retiraram de batalhar com pokemon selvagens foi a pior escolha que já fizeram, pois ficar capturando incansáveis pokemon enjoa logo nas primeiras horas de gameplay. Apesar de mudarem alguns elementos na historia, é extremamente enjoativa pois já joguei incontáveis vezes jogos que se passam na região de Kanto, fora que o jogo, apesar de ser para o publico infantil, está exageradamente infantilizado. Os modelos dos personagens estão em modo "chibi" que é algo ridículo de ver em um jogo para o NIntendo Switch. E o principal, O JOGO NÃO TEM TRADUÇÃO PARA O PORTUGUÊS!!… Expand
  21. LastOrigin21
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    Only 153 Pokemon, and a few alternate forms despite previous remake FRLG having all Pokemon from Gen 1-3
    No Sevii Islands despite FRLG having them
    Is for kids, but requires them to pay $50 and/or $20 and/or walk several miles with a phone draining battery app that also needs cellular data to 100% the game (Super Sonic being $2 doesn’t seem so bad now) Despite an annual subscription for    Only 153 Pokemon, and a few alternate forms despite previous remake FRLG having all Pokemon from Gen 1-3
    No Sevii Islands despite FRLG having them
    Is for kids, but requires them to pay $50 and/or $20 and/or walk several miles with a phone draining battery app that also needs cellular data to 100% the game (Super Sonic being $2 doesn’t seem so bad now)
    Despite an annual subscription for online play, there are less features than the 3DS games such as wonder trade, battle spot, and the GTS
    No wild battles
    No Safari
    No games at the game corner, just text
    Animations are completely recycled from USUM, including the walking animations for Pokemon
    Blastoise shoots Hydro Pump from its forehead
    Gym Requirements force you to have an advantage over the gym
    They also made traditional nuzlocke rules impossible
    Exp share can not be turned off
    Lance uses Seadra simply because Kingdra isn’t in the game, as with the case with many bosses
    The champion has no Pokemon with 4 moves
    Red himself uses a Fire Blast Machamp without No Guard or Specs
    AVs increase stats beyond what stats normally can be and can be maxed out in every stat, making Mega Slowbro+Chansey Core nearly unbreakable
    Btw Megas don’t require items since no Pokemon can hold items
    No abilities either
    They didn’t bother making a skeleton aerodactyl for the museum
    Co op is wasted potential with it making battle 2v1s with P1’s team and no other functions
    Following Pokemon and Co-op will likely be dropped in Gen 8    … Expand
  22. zenosmon
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    No weather, no day&night, no fishing, no ability, no Pokemon breeding.
    Miss a lot of move, miss a lot of Pokemon.
    It is a terrible game!
  23. Zorn
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Terrible game, nothing of value to be found if you're a veteran player and if you're a newcomer you'll have better luck playing literally any other game of the series as they are accessible and not barren and stripped of content as let's go is. As someone who started with Kanto it pains me for my favourite region to be used as a medium for cheap nostalgia money and endless rehashes insteadTerrible game, nothing of value to be found if you're a veteran player and if you're a newcomer you'll have better luck playing literally any other game of the series as they are accessible and not barren and stripped of content as let's go is. As someone who started with Kanto it pains me for my favourite region to be used as a medium for cheap nostalgia money and endless rehashes instead of focusing on evolving the series.… Expand
  24. 4b4ddon
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    The most expensive Pokemon game up to date with the least amount of content. Game Freak should be ashamed of trying to pull this attempt at selling a low-effort, pretty but shallow mobile game for a price of a home console game. There is no quality in this release, everything is geared toward money - a 40$ accessory that pretty much does nothing, is useless outside of this game, and isThe most expensive Pokemon game up to date with the least amount of content. Game Freak should be ashamed of trying to pull this attempt at selling a low-effort, pretty but shallow mobile game for a price of a home console game. There is no quality in this release, everything is geared toward money - a 40$ accessory that pretty much does nothing, is useless outside of this game, and is used as a disgusting paywall for Mew. The greediness is overflowing from this game.… Expand
  25. Estatuahocico
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Wait, are they trying to sell a game which is literally the mobile game just merged with Kanto and only with the first 151 Pokémon? The graphics are good, but this doesn't make it a good game. I mean, I doubt anyone wanted it in the first place, but obviously it's Pokémon, so everyone will buy this even if the game had been one route like the Route 1 from Kalos. You are ruining the seriesWait, are they trying to sell a game which is literally the mobile game just merged with Kanto and only with the first 151 Pokémon? The graphics are good, but this doesn't make it a good game. I mean, I doubt anyone wanted it in the first place, but obviously it's Pokémon, so everyone will buy this even if the game had been one route like the Route 1 from Kalos. You are ruining the series buying this and making Game Freak lazier.… Expand
  26. Syntheziz
    Nov 16, 2018
    3
    The Pokemon Go catching mechanic was a somewhat nice change from the traditional controls. The flaw is the games removal of content. Much content was removed and not even substituted. For this being a Pokemon game on the switch, it's certainly a step backwards.
  27. averageVP
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Game is too easy and miss like 700+ pokemon and features from older games. Don't buy.
  28. LeWoop
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    Simply ridiculous.
    A literally copy/pasted map from a 20 years old Game Boy game, the same animation as USUM, no day/night cycle, zero difficulty...
    Even the "positive points" are negated by the negative ones (ridable pokemon are cool, but not when the longest route is 10 paces long because they reused a lao from a Game Boy game). Absolutly shameful coming from the highest-grossing    Simply ridiculous.
    A literally copy/pasted map from a 20 years old Game Boy game, the same animation as USUM, no day/night cycle, zero difficulty...
    Even the "positive points" are negated by the negative ones (ridable pokemon are cool, but not when the longest route is 10 paces long because they reused a lao from a Game Boy game).
    Absolutly shameful coming from the highest-grossing video game franchise.    … Expand
  29. urgirlsfav
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Pokemon has always been kid friendly and especially accessible to newcomers, dumbing down the mechanics for no reason but to see how much money they can make with a low effort game shoudn't be encouraged no matter the franchise. Please don't support companies being slimy and holding back on you
  30. the_critique
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    This game is boring, lazy, it looks bad. I don't recomment it to anyone. You're better off playing HG/SS or FR/LG.
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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 »