If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement . Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! were announced as the first Pokémon games for Nintendo Switch. There’s been speculation about the Switch Pokémon titles for a while, and now with the official announcement, there’s even more buzz about the exact nature of the games. We’ve played and reviewed the game, but if there’s still burning questions, here’s everything else we know about Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! What is Pokémon: Let’s Go? Described by director Junichi Masuda as a remake of Pokémon Yellow, the first Pokémon titles for Switch will take us back to the Kanto region, where the original Pokémon games were set. Players will start off in Pallet Town, meet Professor Oak and encounter the 151 original Pokémon. In addition, elements of the Pokémon anime will appear, notably Team Rocket and specific characters. When is the release date? Both versions of Pokémon: Let’s Go! will launch on Nov. 16, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. The games are available for pre-order on Amazon for $59.99 each. What’s the difference between the Pikachu and Eevee versions? Each game allows you to travel with the starter Pokémon in question, either Pikachu or Eevee. Additionally, certain Pokémon will be version exclusive. So far we know that Oddish, Sandshrew and Growlithe will only appear in the wild in Let’s Go, Pikachu! while Bellsprout, Vulpix, and Meowth will only be in Let’s Go, Eevee! Update (Nov. 16): The full list of version exclusives is below. Let’s Go, Pikachu! has: Sandshrew Sandslash Oddish Gloom Vileplume Mankey Primeape Growlithe Grimer Muk Scyther Let’s Go, Eevee! has: Ekans Arbok Vulpix Ninetales Meowth Bellsprout Weepinbell Victreebell Koffing Weezing Pinsir Additionally, Pikachu and Eevee can each learn different special moves, with Eevee having more options to boost its Normal type. It’s also easier to get a Pikachu in the Eevee version than it is to get an Eevee in the Pikachu version. Which Pokémon will be available? Currently, just the first generation of Pokémon will be available in the games, though their Alolan forms will also appear. Mewtwo has been confirmed to appear, but the status of the other Legandaries is unknown. There will also be an all-new Pokémon appearing in both games. Update (Aug. 9): Mega Evolutions of the three Kanto starters (Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X and Y and Mega Blastoise) are confirmed to return. Update (Sept. 19): Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno are confirmed to be in the game. Update (Sept. 25): The all-new Pokémon has been officially revealed! The mysterious new Pokémon first appeared in Pokémon Go, though it would turn into a Ditto right after players caught it. A new trailer for Let’s Go! revealed that this little guy is a steel type named Meltan. Professor Oak sends Professor Willow off to discover more of these new friends — perfect for transferring from Go to Let’s Go! Can Pikachu and Eevee evolve? Your starter Eevee or Pikachu will not be able to evolve, but any Pokémon that you catch will. Keep in mind that since the game features first-generation Pokémon, the only available Eeveelutions will be Jolteon, Flareon and Vaporeon. Update (Nov. 27): You can purchase the stones required to evolve your not-partner Eevee and Pikachu at the Celadon Department Store (remember — Thunder Stone for Jolteon and Raichu; Water Stone for Vaporeon; Fire Stone for Flareon). But what if I want one of the original starters? Update (Nov. 16): Unlike the original Kanto games — where after you picked one starter, unlocking the others was not easy — you can obtain all three throughout the course of the game. All three can be given to you by various NPCs, though you have to catch a certain amount of Pokémon to be eligible (30 for Bulbasaur; 50 for Charmander; 60 for Squirtle). Additionally, there’s also a chance to spot them in certain places in the wild (Viridian Forest for Bulbasaur; the Rock Tunnel for Charmander; routes 24 and 25 for Squirtle). How do I get Mega Evolutions? Update (Nov. 27): After Cinnabar and before Viridian, you can swing by Pallet Town and talk to Professor Oak. He’ll give you the Mega Stones for the three Kanto starters. More Mega Stones can be purchased at the Pokémon League. How many Pokémon can I have with me? Like in the traditional games, you can have up to six Pokémon in your party (with more in your box). In addition to your partner Pokémon (Pikachu or Eevee) riding on your shoulders or hat, you can select any party Pokémon to walk behind you and interact with. All Pokémon will be to scale and you’ll be able to ride the larger ones, like Onix. Update (Nov. 15): You’ll always have your Pokémon box with you, making switching out your team easier than ever. Sending additional Pokémon in your box to Professor Oak rewards you with candies, which you can use to level up specific stats. What about Pokémon trading, battling, and breeding? Players will be able to trade Pokémon from their Let’s Go! games and battle other players via local wireless and Wi-Fi. This requires two Nintendo Switch systems, as well as an active membership to the Nintendo Switch Online service, set to begin in September of this year. The Switch’s paid online service will have subscriptions for one month (US $4 / £3.49 / AU $6), three months (US $8 / £7 / AU $12), and 12 months (US $20 / £18 / AU $30). A family plan will also be available, allowing up to eight Nintendo account holders to share a single membership for $35 / £31.49 / AU $55. While online trading and battles will be present in the Let’s Go! titles, there will not be any breeding or eggs. How do I trade? Update (Nov. 27): You’ll need to be a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber to access trading. If you’re all set on that front, navigate to main menu and chose Communicate. Hit “Play With Others.” From there, you’ll have the option to play locally or faraway. Choose whichever is applicable, then select the trade option. A menu will pop up, prompting you to enter a combination of Pokémon. If you’re communicating with someone specific, make sure you’re picking the same Pokémon! Double check to ensure that who you’re trading with is the person you think it is (else risk sending your precious Haunter to a stranger and never getting a Gengar back), and from there, pick and send off your desired Pokémon. Is there anything else you can do with your Pokémon? You’ll be able to bond with your Pikachu or Eevee by playing, feeding, and petting them in the style of Pokémon Refresh from Sun and Moon and Pokémon Amie from X and Y. You’ll also be able to dress up your partner Pokémon in various outfits and even change its hairstyle. Update (Nov. 15): Unlike with previous games, you’ll be able to change wild Pokémon’s natures by visiting a fortune teller NPC. The natures raise and lower stats and are a crucial part of competitive battling. Update (Nov. 19): Dressing your trainer and your partner Pokémon requires navigating to the Clothing Trunk inside of your bag. From there, you can select outfits and accessories. You start off with a Sporty Outfit set for both you and your partner and as you travel through Kanto, you’ll encounter NPCs who will bequeath you some new threads. Changing your partner’s hair requires playing in handheld mode. You’ll have to enter the Play menu and stroke the screen in various movements with varying amounts of fingers in order to get the desired hairstyle. Update (Nov. 27): You can select a Pokémon to walk around with you in addition to your partner Pikachu or Eevee. And if that selected Pokémon is big enough, you can even ride on it. Are there still HMs? Update (Nov. 27): Kinda.<doc-sep>After a series of leaks and rumors, The Pokemon Company has announced Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, both of which are slated for release on Nintendo Switch this year. The new Pokemon RPGs, which are not the "core" Pokemon RPG announced last year, can connect to Pokemon Go via Bluetooth and utilize Go's capture mechanics. While you won't be able to battle wild Pokemon, the games feature traditional Pokemon battle mechanics against NPC trainers and other people. Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee are designed to be a player's first Pokemon game, according to Game Freak's Junichi Masuda. The long-time Pokemon composer-turned-producer is directing the games, which are inspired by Pokemon Yellow and set in the Kanto region. As such, Pikachu or Eevee--depending on your version--stay by your side for the whole game, instead of hidden away in a Poke Ball to be brought out for battles. In keeping with the Kanto theme, the games include the original 151 Pokemon as well as their Alolan forms from Sun and Moon. The Let's Go games are Pokemon RPGs, but they draw from Pokemon Go in a number of ways. Mainly, they use Pokemon Go's capture mechanics, which means you don't battle wild Pokemon to catch them; you instead throw Poke Balls. Like in Go, you can see Pokemon in the overworld before attempting to catch them. You also have the option to transfer Pokemon from Go to Let's Go via a Bluetooth connection; Pokemon you transfer from Pokemon Go will be catchable in a specific area within the Let's Go games. While you can't transfer Pokemon in the reverse direction, you'll be able to send unspecified gifts to Go from Let's Go. Gallery The new games retain the turn-based battle system of traditional Pokemon games, and you'll get experience points both for catching Pokemon and participating in battles. You'll also be able to trade Pokemon with other players, though Masuda did not comment on whether the Let's Go games would be compatible with other Pokemon games (past or future) or Pokemon Bank. The Let's Go games also allow for two-player co-op, a new feature for the Pokemon RPGs. While playing using one Joy-Con, another player can join as a support character when in open areas or a battle by shaking the second Joy-Con. This player can help you catch Pokemon and can battle alongside you (though it doesn't appear to initiate a double battle). A new controller, the Poke Ball Plus, is launching at the same time as Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee but will be sold separately. It works like a Joy-Con, with an analog stick in the center of the Poke Ball, and can be "thrown" to catch Pokemon in the games. Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee are releasing on Switch worldwide on November 16. They are not taking the place of the core Pokemon RPG announced at E3 2017; that game is set to launch in the latter half of 2019. For even more details about the Let's Go games, check out our roundup of everything we know so far.<doc-sep>At last, your dreams of breaking a lamp throwing a Poké Ball can come true. Nintendo - Article adapted from video available on WhatCulture Gaming's Youtube channel - So yeah, I'm not alone here, but I've decided I’m buying a Nintendo Switch. Zelda looked nice, sure, and I heard great things about the Labo but come November I’ll be getting one just so I can play Pokémon Let’s Go. This is who I am, and I'm ok with it. Nintendo finally lifted the skirt on the biggest open secret in gaming this week, and unveiled the first ever proper Pokémon game on a home console. We got a lovely little trailer that teased a load of details about the game. "But what details", I hear you ask. Well, we've got them here for you so let’s take a magical journey through every single one. -- 7. There’s Pokémon Go Connectivity Nintendo Slightly obvious given the name but nonetheless surprising given the games are being made by entirely separate developers. Niantic, who made Pokémon go, are not a part of Nintendo, Game Freak are. But, yeah the game is a sequel, successor, parallel title, whatever to the mobile sensation Pokémon Go. That means that what you do on one, will relate to the other. You can effectively take the game with you everywhere. While this is genuinely groundbreaking functionality it is obviously terrible news for those who were worried about the game's potentially addictive nature. It’s a home console game, on the most portable home console ever, that also has considerable functionality on your mobile phone. I, for one, am in trouble.<doc-sep>
You'll need to use motion controls to catch Pokémon in Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, regardless of whether or not your Switch is docked, and they're compulsory throughout. There was a suggestion this was the case from the off but, in a statement passed to Eurogamer, we received the following confirmation - and clarification - of how exactly the new catching system works: We've known about the game's Pokémon Go-style catching since the announcement. "In handheld mode with both Joy-Con attached - you are still required to move around to aim, but you press a button to throw the Pokéball. "It is not touch screen like on a smartphone because the Switch is quite a bit heavier than your smart phone." In other words, if you're playing Let's Go out and about - or just handheld at home - you'll still need to wave your Switch about to aim and catch Pokémon. It's just the press of a button that actually launches the ball, presumably once you've lined it up. There is some precident for this kind of thing - certain Shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild come to mind - but it's certainly the most notable, recent use of the Switch's gyroscopic feature we can think of here, especially given there's no way to work around it. In other news, The Pokémon Company has confirmed the region of Johto will not be a bonus feature in the game (as it was back in Gold and Silver). Earlier this week, The Pokémon Company confirmed you will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee's online battling and trading functionality.