Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

"Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!" is a role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo Switch. Released in 2018, it is a remake of the 1998 game "Pokémon Yellow," integrating gameplay elements from the mobile game "Pokémon GO."GameplayMechanics: The game combines traditional Pokémon RPG mechanics with simplified controls and the capturing system from "Pokémon GO." Players explore the Kanto region, battle trainers, and catch Pokémon.Catching Pokémon: Instead of battling wild Pokémon, players catch them using a throwing mechanic similar to "Pokémon GO," which can be done using motion controls or handheld mode.Battles: Trainer battles retain the turn-based system from classic Pokémon games, allowing players to use strategy to defeat opponents.Pikachu Partner: Pikachu is the player’s constant companion, riding on their shoulder and participating in battles. Pikachu can learn exclusive moves and interact with the player.Graphics and DesignVisuals: The game features bright, colorful graphics with a chibi-style design. The Kanto region is beautifully rendered, bringing a nostalgic yet fresh look to familiar locations.Animation: Pokémon animations are smooth and expressive, adding personality to each creature. Pikachu’s interactions with the player are particularly charming.Story and SettingPlot: The storyline closely follows "Pokémon Yellow," with the player starting their journey in Pallet Town, aiming to become the Pokémon Champion by defeating the Elite Four and Team Rocket.Region: The game is set in the Kanto region, with all original 151 Pokémon available, plus their Alolan forms.FeaturesCo-op Play: A second player can join the game at any time, allowing for cooperative gameplay. This feature is great for playing with friends or family.Poké Ball Plus: An optional accessory that can be used as a controller. It enhances the catching experience and can store a Pokémon to take on walks in the real world.Integration with Pokémon GO: Players can transfer Pokémon caught in "Pokémon GO" to "Let's Go, Pikachu!" via Bluetooth, adding an extra layer of connectivity between the games.Pros and ConsPros:Nostalgic appeal with modern updatesSimplified gameplay suitable for new playersHigh-quality graphics and animationsIntegration with "Pokémon GO"Co-op mode for shared play experiencesCons:Simplified mechanics may not appeal to veteran playersMotion controls can be imprecise at timesLimited to the original 151 Pokémon, which might feel restrictive to some playersReception"Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!" received generally positive reviews from both critics and players. It was praised for its nostalgic value, charming graphics, and accessibility for newcomers. However, some longtime fans felt the simplified mechanics were a step back from the more complex systems of recent mainline Pokémon games.Conclusion"Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!" is a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern gaming, making it an excellent entry point for new players and a charming revisit for longtime fans. Its simplified mechanics and integration with "Pokémon GO" offer a fresh take on a classic adventure, even if it might not fully satisfy those seeking a more traditional Pokémon experience.

For parents/family buying it for kids: A very cute little game with a lot of features for kids. Pokemon games have always been a long-standing family-friendly choice and this installment is no different.Your character moves through the world with a little story (same as all the others really) about starting your own adventure as a Pokemon trainer, and you find wild Pokemon in the environment and use the Switch's motion-sensing aiming functionality to throw Pokeballs to catch them to add to your team. This is also how your team gets stronger. Other trainers in the game can and will challenge you to fight with your team of Pokemon, and when you win you get money and more Pokeballs.The Pokeball Plus is a great addon item for this game, as it will simulate the throwing motion (HOWEVER a word of warning to parents; be sure your kid knows to use the wriststraps securely and only make the throwing motion with it, don't actually throw the Pokeball Plus as it could break! I don't recommend it for smaller children who don't know any better).You can also use the Pokeball Plus to level up Pokemon when you aren't playing the game. If you use the Save menu, you can put a Pokemon of your choice into the ball, then as you carry the ball around with you and take steps it will level up.For more hardcore Pokemon fans: The first thing you have to keep in mind is that this really is a remake of Red and Blue. I kept thinking that a lot of their newer features from the latest games would be here but they were not. It's not a bad thing, because they definitely added a lot of other features that weren't even present in other games, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.As a result, you don't have breeding. If you want a pokemon with good IVs you'll have to keep catching them over and over until you get one. The nicest new feature so far is the portable Judge system to allow you to immediately check IVs on new 'mons you capture (however, you don't unlock it until a little after Cerulean/Vermilion City). Pokemon given to you through the game itself from NPCs will generally always have amazing IVs, which is nice.They also made the Pokemon Box usable on the go, so you can switch out your team wherever you are.EV training is handled by catching certain types of Pokemon over and over again in "combos". You get candies reflecting a stat that Pokemon represents which you can then feed to your 'mon of choice. If your 'mon is one easily caught in the wild, catch a lot of that same one and send them to Professor Oak to get a candy for that Pokemon that ups all its stats.A neat way they handled HMs in this game was to have your partner Pokemon learn the majority of them without them taking up move slots. So Cut, Flash, etc get learned by your partner. Surf is handled by a few water-types like Gyarados and Lapras (who you get for free when you unlock the ability) as, again, additional features instead of actual moves. I haven't gotten this far yet but I believe Fly isn't gotten until after the Elite Four, and again will only be handled by specific Pokemon, Charizard being one.All in all, some fancy new stuff to check out, the Switch controls are fun imo, I love the Pokeball Plus for catching and powerleveling 'mons.

Purchased as a Birthday gift- arrived in perfect condition and my son has enjoyed playing the game!