Nintendo announced Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee! for the Nintendo Switch during a press conference in Japan today. The games will launch on November 16, 2018. They also clarified that the Generation 8 main Pokemon RPG titles are still under development and are scheduled for the second half of next year.
The games are set in the Kanto region, based on the original Pokemon Yellow game which came out in Japan 20 years ago. The graphics and the Pokeball throwing mechanics are reminiscent of those in Pokemon GO. A new feature also allows you to play co-op with friends locally. Additionally, a new controller called the PokeBall Plus lets you catch Pokemon in the game and bring them with you as you walk around in the real world, similar to how PokeWalkers function in Heart Gold and Soul Silver. The games will also be integrated with Pokemon GO for mobile so you can bring your Pokemon GO team over.
Here are some of the information that were revealed so far:
- The games target younger people and new players who know Pokemon GO or the animated series but not the core games.
- These are separate titles from the "Pokemon Switch" previously announced last E3 2017.
- The "Pokemon Switch" core RPG games are scheduled to come out around the 2nd half of 2019.
- They are not exactly remakes of Pokemon Yellow, but were heavily inspired on it.
- The games connect to Pokemon GO via Bluetooth.
- Transferred Pokemon are sent to an area where you can re-catch them in the Switch games.
- It is still unclear how stats and moves will be streamlined but shiny Pokemon will remain shiny.
- Pokemon transferred can no longer go back to Pokemon GO.
- It is currently unknown if they will be compatible with Pokemon Bank or with the other core games.
- You can trade Pokemon between the Let's Go games via local wireless and WiFi.
- Nintendo Switch Online service will be needed to be able to trade and battle online.
- Pokemon breeding and eggs are not in the games.
- There are no longer random encounters. Wild Pokemon appear visibly on the map.
- You can't battle wild Pokemon like in previous core games, you can only catch them using Pokeballs.
- You can still battle NPCs and other players using the classic turn-based system.
- The first 151 Pokemon as well as their Alolan forms will appear in the games but it is unclear if the National Pokedex will be expanded.
You can also watch the trailer below:
Is this enough to convince you to buy a Nintendo Switch or will you wait for the actual Gen 8 game?
Source: Pokemon
