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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Iaksok
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    A step backwards in more than one way Let's Go fails to have more content than a previous remake that came out 15 years ago. Far too easy, needlessly streamlined, core elemnts of battling removed, core catching mechanics exchanged for a mobile game's mechanics, subpar graphics compared to other big titles like Odyssey and BotW, and you can't really catch them all unless you buy theA step backwards in more than one way Let's Go fails to have more content than a previous remake that came out 15 years ago. Far too easy, needlessly streamlined, core elemnts of battling removed, core catching mechanics exchanged for a mobile game's mechanics, subpar graphics compared to other big titles like Odyssey and BotW, and you can't really catch them all unless you buy the accessory they paywalled mew to. Lazy and mediocre games that could spell the end of the franchise actually caring about its games if enabled.… Expand
  2. TheBinderGuy
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    If you looked up the phrase "By trying to please everybody, they had pleased nobody" on a quotation website it would have three things: a citation for Aesop's fables, a picture of this game, and a picture of its sister version. Let's start by getting into the knitty-gritty of of the matter...

    GAMEPLAY Gameplay is largely the same as past entries. You get a starter Pokemon, travel a    If you looked up the phrase "By trying to please everybody, they had pleased nobody" on a quotation website it would have three things: a citation for Aesop's fables, a picture of this game, and a picture of its sister version. Let's start by getting into the knitty-gritty of of the matter...

    GAMEPLAY
    Gameplay is largely the same as past entries. You get a starter Pokemon, travel a region, catch more Pokemon and raise them, battle other characters with said Pokemon, become Champion of the region, and eventually become a Pokemon Master. But unlike past games you no longer encounter Pokemon in certain areas at random you can now see the Pokemon on the overworld and interact with them in the same way you do in a similar manner to Pokemon Go, wild battles only exist in a few notable instances. Your Pokemon gain experience Some Pokemon species are not present in this version (as is the case for a vast majority of past games) and must be obtained via trading or transferring the Pokemon from Go. The original 151 Pokemon (plus Meltan and Melmetal, which must be caught in Go and transferred) are the only Pokemon present in the game. All other species, including ones that evolve from the original 151, are not obtainable at all.

    STORY
    The story is retread of the one present in Yellow (which this game and its sister version are remakes of). Once you complete it that's the end of it outside of Master Trainers (of which here are are 153, one for each Pokemon species available in the game), and battling certain Trainers after certain conditions are met.

    GRAPHICS
    One of two things that these games have above most Pokemon games, they're a step up quality-wise when compared to the 3DS entries (X/Y, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Sun/Moon, and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon) but it's somewhat tarnished when compared to other Switch games. One half-point for trying.

    MUSIC
    The second thing that his game gets right. The new orchestral takes on classic tunes is good, but the choices of instruments and feeling of certain tracks (Lavender Town's theme and the Pokemon Tower theme have lost a bit of their creepiness and the lack of Japanese instruments is iffy) can leave one wanting something more pleasing to the ear holes. One half-point for trying.

    PRICE
    $60 is way too hefty a price tag considering what these games offer. This problem also exacerbated when other items like the Poke Ball Plus (needed to get Mew), Pokemon GO (needed for Meltan and, if you're willing to wait a LONG time to get it due to single Candy payouts from catching Meltan at low spawn rates and 20km Buddy distances, Melmetal), and the Switch itself (if you don't have one already) are needed to truly complete the game. Bundles of containing the first and third items along with game are available, but they are limited in supply and are most certainly being scalped in the resale market like the Pokemon Go Plus was when it first came out.

    OVERALL
    Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu (and Let's Go Eevee) is an entry that feels like, and is, a bare-bones game of which only the most desperate of Pokemon players (and children) will not feel buyer's remorse over regardless of how much cash they paid to get them. If you're a Pokemon player that wants a little more meat in terms of everything else, wait for the 2019 entry and PRAY that the parties involved keep their word on saying that Go/Let's Go mechanics stay separate from these and future non-Let's Go entries.    … Expand
  3. Booniesx
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    Well, if this ain't a disappointment I don't know what is.
    Listen, I understand they're trying something different for once in the franchise, sure. But "different" doesn't always equate to good, and this is a perfect example. I know what GameFreak is up to, though. Don't expect GO players to buy a Switch for one game; this ain't necessarily smart from a business standpoint.
    Why would you    Well, if this ain't a disappointment I don't know what is.
    Listen, I understand they're trying something different for once in the franchise, sure. But "different" doesn't always equate to good, and this is a perfect example. I know what GameFreak is up to, though. Don't expect GO players to buy a Switch for one game; this ain't necessarily smart from a business standpoint.
    Why would you casualize a game in a franchise that is already casual? I don't understand. This game is easy, too easy and it doesn't make it any less worse.
    I can say for certain that this is a HUGE step down from previous entries, and definitely not worth the $60 USD.
    This sucks.    … Expand
  4. UniversalReview
    Nov 16, 2018
    4
    Pokemon Let's Go is an entertaining, lighthearted Pokemon experience, ripe for newcomers to the series and fans returning to it after many years. Kanto's graphics have been updated. The presentation and music quality is greater than ever before. The return of following Pokemon brings a certain magic to exploring the overworld and the game is filled is with loving homages to the franchise'sPokemon Let's Go is an entertaining, lighthearted Pokemon experience, ripe for newcomers to the series and fans returning to it after many years. Kanto's graphics have been updated. The presentation and music quality is greater than ever before. The return of following Pokemon brings a certain magic to exploring the overworld and the game is filled is with loving homages to the franchise's early days, both for casual and more dedicated fans.

    So why is my score so low?

    Because for all the effort the games put into style, accessibility and a warm feeling of nostalgia, the core experience under the hood feels strikingly shallow - a problem many have had with the series as a whole lately.

    The removal of wild battles in favour of a Pokemon Go style system, and the availability of only the original 151 Pokemon + 2 newcomers are the most striking changes, enough to put off many fans by themselves, but ultimately only the tip of the iceberg. The difficulty has been lowered compared to both the original Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow and their remakes Fire-Red and Leaf-Green years prior. The post-game content, the pride of some of the most well renowned Pokemon experiences like Gold/Silver and their even better remakes, Emerald and Black 2/White 2 is particularly barren, with the aforementioned remakes of the same game: FR/LG doing more in this regard in 2004. The wireless features the franchise has had since 2006 have been stripped back: random wireless battles and the Global Trading System are no more. The removal of various layers of battling complexity: held items, abilities and more have also put a major dampener on the competitive side of things, an aspect of the franchise that has only been growing in recent years.

    I think the shallow feeling of the games as a whole can be summarised with one analogy to another Pokemon remake many years back. The original Pokemon red and blue were ripe with speculation surrounding the mysterious 151st Pokemon Mew - all playground rumours aside, Mew was unattainable aside from very sparse, inaccessible events. Then came Pokemon Emerald in 2005: in it Gamefreak put the effort into crafting a special event in which you could finally catch Mew with some special in-game story content. Players had been curious for years and were finally rewarded. Now compare that to Mew's availability in Let's Go. With the game's efforts to reignite nostalgia and the magic of the early franchise, it would've been all to easy to implement a special Mew event: maybe as a reward for catching all 150 Pokemon, or as a homage to many of the rumors back in the day: the perfect cherry on top of a game. Instead, Mew was locked behind a paywall: an accessory that cost real world money to attain, all for the privelage of obtaining Mew with no extra bells or whistles, story content or magic to speak of.

    This is a problem many, myself included, have had with the franchise to various degrees in the past five or so years. Constant alluding to days past instead of moving forward. Cutting out difficulty and depth in favour of adding extra style over substance. An ever shrinking amount of content per game owed to misconceptions about what the children of today want, completely ignoring that the franchise attracted so many newcomers throughout its history with exactly the opposite - and it is many of those fans in particular that feel left behind with Let's Go.

    The games look, sound and play impressively. No doubt by themselves they are a fun, harmless Pokemon experience, and will reignite the magic in many, But in the context of Gamefreak's current approach when developing the franchise and the milestones set by previous instalments, Let's Go feels like a hollow "return to form" and foray onto the Nintendo Switch, wowing on the surface but offering little underneath. This is Pokemon far from its best.    … Expand
  5. FQueen
    Nov 16, 2018
    3
    Not worth 60.00 USD *I understand this is a spin off game* ^Not for core players^ (Opinion based) (( Was hoping for something more)) --When looking at the face of this game it seems inviting and has a pleasant nostalgic appeal as it should to most Pokemon fans.. when in actuality this game is extremely hand holding and removes core aspects from itself when compared toNot worth 60.00 USD *I understand this is a spin off game* ^Not for core players^ (Opinion based) (( Was hoping for something more)) --When looking at the face of this game it seems inviting and has a pleasant nostalgic appeal as it should to most Pokemon fans.. when in actuality this game is extremely hand holding and removes core aspects from itself when compared to of many of the other Pokemon games. I understand the idea/creation of this game was to mix Pokemon Go and core game-play mechanics; with the "Catching mechanic" and Pokemon Go connectivity aspect it succeeded. But this game at its core fell short in game-play. Yes the game is very hand holding. Yes this game is very short with a lackluster post-game. But for newer player (younger kids) i see that this would be a good Pokemon game to start with.… Expand
  6. 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
  7. Robert95
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    It's a **** game for to the casual people but really horrible, it's like an ORAS in HD but with much less content.
  8. ReiAyanami
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    80 Billion Dollars & yet Gamefreak still manages to release the same outdated piece of **** that we've been given for the past 20 years. **** this game & the franchise, there's really nothing to say about this game other then it's a literal rehash & reskin of Pokemon Yellow except somehow with even less features then past Pokemon games. How did we go from Black & White 2 to this piece of80 Billion Dollars & yet Gamefreak still manages to release the same outdated piece of **** that we've been given for the past 20 years. **** this game & the franchise, there's really nothing to say about this game other then it's a literal rehash & reskin of Pokemon Yellow except somehow with even less features then past Pokemon games. How did we go from Black & White 2 to this piece of ****?
    Cute Girls are literally the games only redeeming factor    … Expand
  9. Steelball
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    Not worth the money and is an embarrassment for GF. Full priced game that is an obvious cash grab, all the things that have made the series fun are gimped or removed. This is the latest installment and is on the strongest hardware that Pokemon has been on to date, yet its content pails in comparison to all previous installments. Pokemon has never been really challenging, but this gameNot worth the money and is an embarrassment for GF. Full priced game that is an obvious cash grab, all the things that have made the series fun are gimped or removed. This is the latest installment and is on the strongest hardware that Pokemon has been on to date, yet its content pails in comparison to all previous installments. Pokemon has never been really challenging, but this game literally makes it hard to lose, animations are recycled from previous games on the 3DS, overall I am extremely disappointed. I was hoping all the haters would be wrong but they were all right. These people giving 10's are delusional.… Expand
  10. KOX3D
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    It's been awhile since i've used Metacritic account. However i can't just put up with this disappointing release of a new Pokemon game and if this is how future installments will go, I will probably lose my interest in a franchise. Let's Go Pikachu gives me less content than a game that is 10 years old, which has the same region and pokemon, while adding another bunch from other mons fromIt's been awhile since i've used Metacritic account. However i can't just put up with this disappointing release of a new Pokemon game and if this is how future installments will go, I will probably lose my interest in a franchise. Let's Go Pikachu gives me less content than a game that is 10 years old, which has the same region and pokemon, while adding another bunch from other mons from second generations and a transfer mechanic from third. As graphics go, this game looks like a Chinese mobile game from 2016 with blur effects and no Online support for in-game movement, speaking of movements, other Pokemon games especially if we compare with sun and moon installments are thumbed down, probably for nostalgia goggles purposes to make parents buy this game for their children due to it's simplicity. Game's simplicity makes it look like much worse than any other newer installments, that people ignored. If you want a better experience, but never played a pokemon game before, I would suggest start from Pokemon X and Y on 3DS and play from there and it costs much less.
    As for this game, Avoid.    … Expand
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Dtizet
    Nov 16, 2018
    4
    All pretty but, damn pokemon snap was more difficult, i know it's a casual spin off, but again it is so easy to beat the game that you get bored quick, there is no challenge at all and without challenge one simply start to ask why im pkaying this? And it cost 60 bucks!! I truly recommend you to watch some streaming or walkthrough and then decide if it worth for you
  14. Marioboy
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very weak graphics, monotonous gameplay, bad design of the world, not an interesting story, very overpriced. It is a shame that Nintendo releases such weak and cheap games.… Expand
  15. 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
  16. Waluigi4Smash
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    m*bile games are ruining the videogame industry
    once games were about overcoming a challenge, now they're instant gratification simulators that basically play themselves
    and would you look at that, GO success directly caused an easier, casualized, kanto pandering, low effort cashgrab completely deviod of passion
    pokemon is a zombie series
  17. WorriedDenizen
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    No, no, NO, NO, NO!!! THIS IS TERRIBLE!!!

    Where do I even begin with this? Well lets start with the biggest problem with this game, it is a full priced Switch game, for how little content there is. A Kanto rehash for $60 USD? I might as well just replay Fire Red and Leaf Green, or Heartgold and SoulSilver. Now as for the game itself, oh god almighty... It carries the flaws that Game    No, no, NO, NO, NO!!! THIS IS TERRIBLE!!!

    Where do I even begin with this? Well lets start with the biggest problem with this game, it is a full priced Switch game, for how little content there is. A Kanto rehash for $60 USD? I might as well just replay Fire Red and Leaf Green, or Heartgold and SoulSilver.
    Now as for the game itself, oh god almighty... It carries the flaws that Game Freak never bothered to fix (thanks Masuda) while TAKING OUT features.
    This game keeps the nature system while it retcons abilities, and hold items, and takes out a lot of attacks notably Dragon Dance, Giga Drain which is merged with mega drain, and rapid spin, and defog, btw for competitive players Stealth Rocks is still in the game so have fun. Oh and the EV system changed from being maxed out at 252, I can't necessarily explain it's like 200 in every stat if possible. YET THEY LEAVE IN THE IV SYSTEM, THANKS GAME FREAK.

    This game also LAGS when there are too many pokemon on the screen, ya you noticed in the trailers when they showed Co-op the FPS dropped? Well you weren't crazy, this game is HORRIBLY OPTIMIZED, while looking like the ORAS chibi models, but somehow being even **** It was bad enough when they removed Triple, and Rotation battles in Generation 7. But dear god Lets Go makes those games look like solid Pokemon games... Seriously, how many generations of taking out features, yet they can't even fix the goddamn FPS? AND implement multiple save features. No wonder why Game Freak had to go to HAL for help back in the day. ABSOLUTE INCOMPETENCE, and it really shows with this game.

    Main story is just Kanto... Again, and again... except with no Game Corner, with another friendly rival, with worse graphics than the 3ds games. Gym leaders don't even have full movesets sometimes. Seriously? An Alakazam with just Psychic and Nightshade? Wheres Shadow Ball, and Focus Blast, and some other coverage attack!??!? Also the Elite Four first match got deleveled slightly.

    Rivalwise, HE'S ANOTHER FRIEND YET AGAIN, ya know for a company that really loves Kanto so much, you would think they would actually implement a proper rival like Blue, or Silver. But no of course not just like in Generation 5-7 seriously Game Freak piss off with this trend. He heals you up, and gives you items. Oh and btw Cerulean Cave is really disappointing.

    Now a lot of people already went off on the stupid GO style of capturing, which is just stupid since it's taking out a core aspect of Pokemon since GEN 1, the capturing mechanics in GO weren't even the liked aspects of it. It was the exploration and going to different real life locations to get a rare mon. Anyhow it's braindead as hell, and there is almost no challenge with the actual capturing. Seriously Mewtwo should be kicking your ass, not a wrist-flicker fest.

    Endgame is extremely barebones, even more so than X/Y, and Sun and Moon. You rematch the gym leaders, fight the e4 again, and capture Mewtwo, and fight more elite trainers, the fight Green, and Red? Blue is already a new gym leader so I didn't count him, but that's it for content? And again this is being charged as a full priced triple-a Nintendo game???

    The animations are lazy. Look at any kick related attacks in Pokemon Stadium 1, and 2. Both games that were made during the N64 days, and compare it to say... Double Kick in Let's Go. Also Blastoise still doesn't use his cannons. Come on Game Freak you retcon the other gens and left it as strictly Gen Wun, yet you don't take the time to make the animations less **** This is even worse than in Gen 6, and 7.

    No Switch Pro Controller support, are you serious Game Freak? Just why... WHY WHY WHY.
    On a side note I forgot to mention that if you want Melmetal, have fun getting it since you have to feed Meltan 400 candies in GO. Also the Mew unlock, don't even bother spending $50 on that... Also paid online is a thing. just in other words, if you want Kanto skip these games entirely and just play Fire Red/Leaf Green, or Heartgold/Soulsilver.

    Overall the excuse "for casual players" is a stupid excuse that just doesn't work. The original Gen 1, and 2. Were for kids but they still had some degree of freedom and didn't hold your hand every step of the way. Of course Masuda is a senile out of touch incompetent idiot, and clearly doesn't see this. (Look at the guys director track record) This game is somehow more dumbed down than Sun and Moon was. That's an impressive feat. Plus they continued to take out features, yet for some reason they kept in Mega evolutions??? While taking out held items, and abilities? Again as I stated repeatedly, Generation 3, and 4, are more worth your time if you want Kanto. This is a shameless disgusting rip off of a "game" I honestly would go as far as to calling it **** Save your money for Smash Ultimate, don't blow it on this. Hell I would say this isn't even worth pirating it's just that ****    … Expand
  18. Zharkos
    Nov 16, 2018
    3
    B-but its just for kids!
    Think about that for a minute
    This is a game aimed at kids that lacks a VERY good portion of the depth from previous games in the franchise, that were also aimed at kids. The lack of items, abilities, wild battles, being able to evolve your starter, and well over 600 pokemon isn't made up for by the "new" addition of ride/following pokemon. Not to mention despite    B-but its just for kids!
    Think about that for a minute
    This is a game aimed at kids that lacks a VERY good portion of the depth from previous games in the franchise, that were also aimed at kids. The lack of items, abilities, wild battles, being able to evolve your starter, and well over 600 pokemon isn't made up for by the "new" addition of ride/following pokemon. Not to mention despite only having 151+2 pokemon to make animations for you still have pikachu jumping in place basically t-posing for half its moves. Compare it to a game like digimon cyber sleuth which had a fraction of a fraction of the budget this game did and still managed to give every one of its 250+ digimon unique animations. The low quality from this game and the amount of features they've added and removed from pokemon over time is unforgivable for a franchise that's grossed 60 billion dollars.
    That being said if you're 3 years old or didn't play any pokemon games outside of yellow? Sure, go nuts. But keep in mind when you buy that even if you enjoy the game you're supporting lazy development and developers that don't have the slightest clue what the fanbase wants outside of nostalgia pandering    … Expand
  19. Lycanroc
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    Pokemon Let's Go has LITERALLY less content than Pokemon FireRed/Leafgreen that came out back in 2004, and it's all being priced at $60. And that is not even taking into account the graphical and framerate issues with the game, seeing as how the engine Let's Go is running on is directly ported from the Pokemon games on the 3DS. So essentially, you're not only being overcharged for lessPokemon Let's Go has LITERALLY less content than Pokemon FireRed/Leafgreen that came out back in 2004, and it's all being priced at $60. And that is not even taking into account the graphical and framerate issues with the game, seeing as how the engine Let's Go is running on is directly ported from the Pokemon games on the 3DS. So essentially, you're not only being overcharged for less content and features, you are being overcharged by paying more for a game that was developed and made for a cheaper system. This isn't just the worst Pokemon game of all time, it's a bad and lazily produced Nintendo Switch game.… Expand
  20. 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
  21. mariomario190
    Nov 16, 2018
    0
    I am painfully disappointed with this cash grab Nintendo’s decided to shove up all up in our faces. Shameless cash grab with little effort put into any of it. This game is Baddy Bad.
    /
  22. 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
  23. 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!
  24. 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
  25. Tronerfull
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really tried to give this game the chance, but it just keep disapointing me.
    Hear me out, this isnt a hate review like most, I really played it.

    I was on board with all the pokemon following you and the fact that they were visible in the overworld, but after playing it and complete it... It doesnt felt like a pokemon game, sure I may not have all the pokedex (because im unwilling to pay 60bucks for another joycon) but Its feels CHEAP.

    Controls: First negative point, what is this?. The controls are worse than the TWEWY remix for switch and thats saying a lot, Was it to much to allow us to disable the movement controls if I play on a train?.

    Content: Its the shorter pokemon game I have played in my life. I dont know the motivation behind removing 7/8 parts of the pokedex from the game but to lock me from getting all without a joycon DLC is crossing the line. Also The postgame content is lackluster, the masters of each pokemon felt really descompensated (some hard some easy as hell) and after beating them you get a quick dialogue and a title( they keep being the masters but they share their title), maybe expecting a TM at least was too much.

    Story: I already was expecting it to be bland or non-existant but for some reason they got out of their way to make unnecesary decisions (like the league champion, that doesnt make any sense).

    Graphics: Well I never demanded good graphics but playing it like it is feels like playing a mobile game, I might not be wrong saying that is on the same level of Dragalia Lost a mobile game distributed by Nintendo (with chibi aesthetics), and I remember you this a 60 bucks game for Switch(an hybrid console) vs a F2P gacha mobile game.

    Attention to details: Feels like a miss, with only 1/8 of the pokedex you expect that game freak may have worked in new animations for games for those 171 pokemons, but you couldnt be more wrong, they reused the assets and animation of 3ds and ported them to HD, even character animations are reused. At least ( and this are the 2 points) they deepened in the following pokemon mechanic giving them special skills like different levels of flight.

    I was prepared for everything while going into this game but not this, this isnt just a short game its a scam. The game itself is worth 20 bucks max. but its sold at x3 that price +DLCs because its pokemon. After BOTW and MarioOdyssey grand start for their franchises in switch pokemon enters the hybrid console gen with a little game that couldnt live up to the expectation.

    I may have lost 60 bucks but if with this review I can prevent others from the same fat so be it.    … Expand
  26. AwooGirl
    Nov 16, 2018
    2
    I've been skeptical ever since this was announced and frankly my opinion hasn't changed from any of the things they have shown us.

    Before I start on this I must say this game is fine for someone new to the series. THAT is one thing I think everyone can agree on. It's a very basic game and is pretty much meant to be that bridge for people that haven't jumped onto mainline Pokemon yet.    I've been skeptical ever since this was announced and frankly my opinion hasn't changed from any of the things they have shown us.

    Before I start on this I must say this game is fine for someone new to the series. THAT is one thing I think everyone can agree on. It's a very basic game and is pretty much meant to be that bridge for people that haven't jumped onto mainline Pokemon yet.
    If this game were judged on its own, it may even be worthy of a better score, however that isn't the situation this game calls for.

    Let's Go Pikachu is a watered down game that's priced $20 more than Ultra Sun despite the latter having more content and overall being a better designed experience. LGP arbitrarily removes mechanics that have been a series staple, while throwing darts on the wall to choose which mechanics to keep (such as megas). There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to what gets removed and what stays. I imagine the development team for this game didn't have much direction. At its core LGP is a 20 year old game with a new coat of paint, nothing on a deeper level has really been changed in any meaningful way. It's received the most common QOL updates that the series has progressed on but nothing has really been done to make it feel like a modern Pokemon experience. About the only remarkable new thing in LGP is the interactivity with your Pokemon and more importantly your starter of choice. This game is clearly filler to stall time for gen 8, but it also strikes a chord with those people that have a weakness for nostalgia.
    If you are very desperate for a new game regardless of quality, you might as well get this. If you are new to the series, this honestly isn't a bad choice. But if you're a veteran like me then this game really offers nothing for the $60 price tag, and I would advise against purchasing it. I for one will be giving this game to my brother and he will probably enjoy it.    … Expand
  27. RJD2
    Sep 4, 2019
    2
    My real problem with this game is that they insist on calling it a "mainline game". If this is the new standard for mainline pokemon games we are all doomed.
  28. Simoncino
    Nov 18, 2018
    0
    Pokémon GO: Console Edition. Easier, simpler, tasteless.
    No abilities. No day/night cycle. No weather. No fishing. No breeding. No end-game.
    Nice graphics and such things are not enough.
  29. MikeSanBernardo
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    Tries to be a true Pokémon game.
    Tries to be a Pokémon GO game.
    And epic fails at that, losing that makes those games fun.
    Looks like a Frankestein monster of bad mechanics.
    And do we need another Kanto game? Has less content that FireRed/LeafGreen!
  30. 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.
prev
Page:

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 »