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. Muimumnut
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    As a hard core fan of the pokemon series this was a major disappointment. the fact that they cut so many key features to appeal to a demographic of people that downloaded the app simply because they had a phone. Main stream features that have been in the series since day one have since been scrapped because the kids couldn't understand it. honestly quite sad to see such a series fall.
  2. lseedeadpeople
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Terrible game
    I'm a long-time gamer who enjoyed Pokemon, but I'm disappointed
  3. AzureThunder
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    The only new mechanics this games have are pokemon spawning in the overworld and the capture method, they are ideas that i'd like in a right game design.
    On the other hand this games step back on a lot of other mechanics: deformed art style, day-night cycle removed, all the competitive aspects of the game has been removed (abilities, breeding, items). I don't care about the target of    The only new mechanics this games have are pokemon spawning in the overworld and the capture method, they are ideas that i'd like in a right game design.
    On the other hand this games step back on a lot of other mechanics: deformed art style, day-night cycle removed, all the competitive aspects of the game has been removed (abilities, breeding, items). I don't care about the target of these games but in my eyes this is unacceptable and a symptom of laziness on GF's part.
    I don't want GF to hold my hand during the entire game, i want challenge. They should have made a game where competitive is accessible by more people, they should have introduced mechanics to make the training of competitive pokemon faster. i don't want to talk about pokeball plus and GO connectivity, i think they are garbage.
    I feel GF is making fun of us veterans, i can't see anything of what i love about pokemon in these games which recycle an old region, only add a few new mechanics and trashes a lot of consolidated mechanics from 20 years of franchise.
    I think I'll play Zelda BOTW since i didn't finish it, perhaps i'll start master mode (yes GF that is a game, and i'm not talking about the open world, i am talking about the technical aspects of that game, if pokemon ever reached that level i would be the happiest man in the world. I know it will never happen but dreaming is beautiful). I'm waiting with pleasure the 2019 titles with little hope for a change compared to the last years.    … Expand
  4. Erlox
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    easy game for casual and go player, i expected nothing and i'm still disappointed
  5. talon245
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    A shallow cashgrab to the core this game appears to focus more on removing rehashing and neutering rather than trying to add. Too simplistic to appeal to veterans of the series and too needlessly patronizing and handholdy to serve as a meaningful introduction to the series for new players rather than a frustrating and superficial one, Let's Go can only be described as an unsolicitedA shallow cashgrab to the core this game appears to focus more on removing rehashing and neutering rather than trying to add. Too simplistic to appeal to veterans of the series and too needlessly patronizing and handholdy to serve as a meaningful introduction to the series for new players rather than a frustrating and superficial one, Let's Go can only be described as an unsolicited stripped down version of what already is one of the most newcomer-friendly series on the market and a walking contradiction failing to entice anybody by trying to excessively cater to only one side of the new/veteran spectrum. Abilities, Items, Wild Encounters, Traditional Catching, Breeding, and most notably any Pokemon not part of the original 151 are not present in the game and alternatives to act as a substitute are mostly not provided or do not feel substantial enough to warrant the change in the first place. Additions that weren't present in Yellow are very scarce compared to other remakes and even then they are mostly friviolities that while cutesy and cheerful they don't suffice to quell the irritation caused by the game's barren and unchanged Kanto trying to ride on the coattails of nostalgia out of rapacious greed instead of attempting to improve the experience.… Expand
  6. mariotpoop
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Series that thought it had lost all difficulty loses last additional bit of difficulty it didn't know it still had.
  7. Goonga
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    This is honestly a spit on the face to fans of the franchise. Charging $60usd for literally Pokemon Yellow with HD graphics does not seem like a good business decision on Gamefreak's end. There's less content than FireRed and LeafGreen, take that into consideration.
  8. Yamilord
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Can I ask what the **** the people who are rating this a 10 are smoking? And can I have some

    The game has taken major steps back, looks like an upscaled 3DS game, removes many of the mechanics of a Pokémon Game, and simply doesn't know who it's trying to target. The game is 'comfy', but it's sure as hell not worth its price. Oh and Mew is locked behind a 50$ paywall because Gamefreak is    Can I ask what the **** the people who are rating this a 10 are smoking? And can I have some

    The game has taken major steps back, looks like an upscaled 3DS game, removes many of the mechanics of a Pokémon Game, and simply doesn't know who it's trying to target. The game is 'comfy', but it's sure as hell not worth its price. Oh and Mew is locked behind a 50$ paywall because Gamefreak is being greedy. Cannot even transfer Mew from Go.    … Expand
  9. delgaucho
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    This game is horrible.
    Game Freak cut all the enjoyable things,like the safari Zone or the postgame introduced in Fire Red/Leaf Green(14 years ago.)
    Too easy and the 3d models are really bad.
  10. yshdmt
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Can't be played with Pro Controller. Beware. Game is too easy. Feels slow..
  11. Junichimasuda
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Worst game ever made, do not buy this **** please!!
    No battle encounter, no ability, no moves, broken stats, bad story, phone game on a great console!
    This game was for phone store
  12. avemaria
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    BADDY BAD!

    1) Horrible aesthetics: outdated graphics, recycled animations for both pokemon and human NPC's, iconic pokemon didn't get their battle animations fixed (pikachu moving on the z axis, not even hopping, for kicking moves and floaty fall; blastoise shooting water from his forehead instead of using its cannons). 2) Lame OST: Generic orchestral arrangements that don't even reach    BADDY BAD!

    1) Horrible aesthetics: outdated graphics, recycled animations for both pokemon and human NPC's, iconic pokemon didn't get their battle animations fixed (pikachu moving on the z axis, not even hopping, for kicking moves and floaty fall; blastoise shooting water from his forehead instead of using its cannons).
    2) Lame OST: Generic orchestral arrangements that don't even reach the quality of fan made remixes that can be found on YouTube.
    3) Performance issues: FPS drops when there are too many pokemon in the screen or during co-op despite the subpar visuals.
    4) Boring campaign: The game gives you no reason to use other pokemon than your starter to get through battles, as it can stomp on everything you find. Probably why some parts of the game require you to have caught a number of pokemon to advance or get something extra. You have out of your way to lose in this game. No challenge whatsoever. No gratification.
    5) Assumes kids are stupid: Probably the most terrible aspect of this game. It's aimed at children, but doesn't try to stimulate them in any way. It's thoroughly condescending from the very beginning, from the lack of suitable challenges for them to the constant, over the top hand holding. CHILDREN ARE YOUNG, NOT STUPID. Seriously, giving this game to a child is insulting their intelligence. Pokemon Let's Go is all about instant, fake gratification and the reason it teaches is "You're too stupid to learn and get better at things, but don't worry! Making any sort of effort is bad!" Most likely detrimental for any kid's development.
    6) Full Price game that has less content than remakes of the same games that came out over a decade ago: Kanto is exactly the same. Scarce post game. Scarce online features which require a paid subscription to be accessed.
    7) Confusing design philosophy: Junichi Masuda has stated that these games have been simplified because kids play games on their smartphones now. He has also stated that Let's Go is aimed at kids because they haven't been able to play go, as they don't have smartphones. You also need a smartphone to unlock and evolve Meltan and Melmetal. So what is it, mr. Masuda?
    8) Just straight out disappointing: A lot of long time pokemon fans have dreamed about the day there would be a pokemon game on a home console. GF's debut on a system like that has shown poor graphics, poor gameplay, cut content, and general blatant laziness in development.

    To sum up: Pokemon Let's Go is a $60 console game which believes kids are stupid, has had little effort put on it, and tries to hide its faults behind confusing and contradicting statements. NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY!    … Expand
  13. kalser
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    - The graphics are on par with XY/ORAS games, not even SM when it could easily be Pokken since the switch is able to handle it
    - Paid online, which said paid online removes features like wonder trade and GTS
    - $50 toy and trading are the only way to get Mew legitimately when HGSS gave players a very similar toy with the game and didn’t make it impossible to 100% the game without someone    - The graphics are on par with XY/ORAS games, not even SM when it could easily be Pokken since the switch is able to handle it
    - Paid online, which said paid online removes features like wonder trade and GTS
    - $50 toy and trading are the only way to get Mew legitimately when HGSS gave players a very similar toy with the game and didn’t make it impossible to 100% the game without someone paying extra
    - Similarly, the only way to get Gengar, Alakazam, Golem/Golem-A, and Machamp are though trading (the likes of which is harder do to previous factors and that the fact that 2 switches are required) or by playing Pokemon GO on a smart phone where you catch hundreds of Pokemon in that line or walk/drive thousands of kilometers while its on or getting lucky with encounters
    - Several animations are literally copy&pasted from SM
    - Blastoise, a flagship pokemon, still shoots hydro pump from its forehead
    - Many Pokemon just move on the axis during attack animations
    - Aerodactyl in the museum is literally just an aerodactyl model and no modifications to make it appear as a skeleton
    - Gym Requirements break traditional nuzlocke rules just so that GameFreak had a lazy way to make the game easier
    - The one of the downsides of having a Mega on a Pokemon, being the item they hold preventing you from hold other items, is now gone, and there is no downside to using most megas like Alakazam, Slowbro, Gengar, Charizard-Y, Blastoise, ect.
    - Because of how AVs work, the EVs of these games, everything is bulkier than what they were in Gen 2, likely being less balanced than Gen 2 and 3
    - Co-op makes battles 2v1s in your favor and offers nothing else in gameplay when the possibilities are infinite
    - The Champion has a Jolteon with 3 moves, 2 of which are Quick Attack and Pin Missile
    - In fact, the Champion only has 3 moves for each Pokemon
    - So do many Master Trainers
    - Some master trainers will have a flying type with a ground type move
    - Since there is a Master Trainer for every Pokemon, you will need a living dex or fight the NFE Pokemon first even though they are post game
    - Chikorita to Zeraora are all missing entirely. No transfer from the real mainline games or even GO
    - With the former, many Gen 2 and Gen 4 cross evolutions are gone
    - No Day and Night cycle what so ever
    - You can run from trainers
    - Wild Battles are now just GO like catching
    - EXP Share can’t be turned off at all
    - With how hard they deliberately made making competitive teams, the Nintendo Switch is now more likely to be hacked as no one is realisticly going to build a legitimate team
    - With how hard the games are and how many Gen 1 references there are, the games are somehow meant for little japanese kids
    - Despite what paid shills have said, Musada says he hope the future of Pokemon is more like LGPE
    - It took them 5 years to let you ride Kangaskahn, and your starter is the one in its pouch
    - Machamp doesn’t princess carry you even though it did in SM
    Baddy Bad/10    … Expand
  14. Brickk
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    My birthday is literally the day after this game was released, and I was given it as an early gift "so I could enjoy it at the same time as everyone else".

    I'm disappointed to say that I didn't. I'd read so many negative things online on Twitter and elsewhere, and I was still determined to enjoy it in spite of the evidence before my eyes "because it's cute", "because it's Kanto",    My birthday is literally the day after this game was released, and I was given it as an early gift "so I could enjoy it at the same time as everyone else".

    I'm disappointed to say that I didn't.

    I'd read so many negative things online on Twitter and elsewhere, and I was still determined to enjoy it in spite of the evidence before my eyes "because it's cute", "because it's Kanto", "because nostalgia". And I did, at first. Meeting Pikachu for the 'first' time, Pikachu meeting MC's Mom, was all very cute, but then it dwindled.

    After the first half dozen or so Pokemon encounters, the process felt repetitive. A half dozen later, it felt like a chore. I figured I could get by with just catching what I intended to use, but no. The game enforces capture quotas for you to continue past certain points.I would honestly prefer mindless fetch-quests over this.

    I stopped playing. No amount of willpower to enjoy it made me enjoy it. Pokemon has been part of my life since childhood, and the loyalty that roots in you still wasn't enough to make me enjoy this insulting cash-grab of a game.

    I am genuinely disappointed that someone else wasted their money on this in my name.

    One can only wonder how much was paid to those 37 critics for "generally favorable reviews", because my experience left me with barely anything positive to say.    … Expand
  15. 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
  16. SrSamuel
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    This game is not that bad, if you are 10 or lower. The problem relies with GF trying to sell this game as a core game, and if this is a core game, then it's plain bad. Re-remake with rivals made even friendlier with no reason at all. The capture method is a port from GO, which will be funny for children, but after playing and capturing hundreds of Pokémon just to level up, you get prettyThis game is not that bad, if you are 10 or lower. The problem relies with GF trying to sell this game as a core game, and if this is a core game, then it's plain bad. Re-remake with rivals made even friendlier with no reason at all. The capture method is a port from GO, which will be funny for children, but after playing and capturing hundreds of Pokémon just to level up, you get pretty tired.
    Oh, yeah, and I forgot the reuse of animations, models and looks like textures too. At this point I'd preffer just to wait and emulate it on Yuzu or the other Switch emulator. Doesn't look that bad though, but the shadows are just a pixelated mess, and the animation to run just feels off, and then the fps drops.
    Well, let's take this as a beta test for the next Switch game.    … Expand
  17. Mikess
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    This is the worst game of pokémon, with only 153 pokémon, without abilities, without battles vs Wild Pokémon
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. averageVP
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Game is too easy and miss like 700+ pokemon and features from older games. Don't buy.
  21. 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
  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. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. ilenes
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    i expected nothing and im still disappointed by this blatant cash grab by game freak.
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. lgalindo2
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    Horrible, game lacks any sort of soul, effort and content. Do yourself a favor and buy anything else.
  30. stormriderXS
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    A remake with less to offer than FRLG which came out a decade and an half ago, there's no need to say much else. Vote with your vallet so we may see better games
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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 »