So, you're standing in front of the eShop or a physical shelf, trying to figure out which version of Kanto to revisit. It’s a classic dilemma. Since 1996, Game Freak has been pulling this stunt, and Let’s Go Pikachu is no different. You want that specific bird or that weirdly aggressive monkey, but you aren't sure if your version actually has it. Honestly, the pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives are the only real reason to choose one box over the other, unless you just really, really hate Eevee for some reason.
Let’s be real. It’s about the Pokedex.
If you’re a completionist, these version differences are your biggest hurdle because you literally cannot "Catch 'Em All" without a friend or a second console. It’s annoying. But it’s also the charm of the series, I guess. You’re looking for specific monsters that only spawn in the Pikachu-branded wild. We’re talking about the Sandshrew line, the Oddish family, and a few others that feel essential to the Kanto experience.
The Big List of Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu Exclusives
If you pick up the Pikachu version, you're getting a specific set of biological diversity that the Eevee kids just don't have. First off, the Sandshrew and Sandslash duo. They are iconic. If you want a Ground-type that isn't Geodude or Onix, Sandshrew is your go-to. Then there is Oddish, Gloom, and Vileplume. These are the Grass-type staples for many. While Eevee players are stuck with Bellsprout—which, let’s be honest, is just a sentient sprout with a pained expression—you get the walking blue onion that eventually turns into a massive, stinky flower.
But wait. There's more.
Mankey and Primeape are exclusive here too. This is a big deal for the early game. Brock is the first gym leader, and his rocks will absolutely wreck a Pikachu. Having a Mankey with Low Kick is basically a cheat code for that first badge. Eevee players have to find other ways around it, but you? You just punch your way through.
Then you have the Growlithe and Arcanine line. Arcanine is arguably one of the coolest Fire-types ever designed. He’s a giant legendary dog. In the Eevee version, you get Vulpix. Ninetales is elegant, sure, but Arcanine has that raw power and "good boy" energy that makes him a fan favorite.
Finally, don't forget Grimer and Muk. And if you’re playing the Alolan forms (which you get via in-game trades), you get the Alolan versions of these exclusives too. Alolan Muk is a psychedelic pile of sludge that is surprisingly good in a fight. Scyther is the final heavy hitter on the list. No evolution for him in this game—since Scizor is a Johto thing—but Scyther is still a beast in the mid-game.
Why the Version Choice Changes Your Early Game Strategy
Choosing your game based on pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives isn't just about aesthetics. It’s about mechanics. If you have Pikachu, your early-game coverage is vastly different. Because you start with a Flying/Electric type (Pikachu learns Floaty Fall pretty early), you might think you’re set. But you need a frontline.
Mankey changes everything.
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In the original Yellow version, they actually moved Mankey's location specifically so players could beat Brock. Let's Go keeps that spirit alive. If you don't catch a Mankey on Route 22, you're going to have a rough time in Pewter City unless you’ve leveled up a Nidoran enough to learn Double Kick.
The inclusion of Growlithe also changes how you handle Erika’s gym. While Eevee players are burning through things with Ninetales or Flareon, Arcanine gives you a much bulkier Fire-type option. It’s a different "feel." Arcanine feels like a tank. Ninetales feels like a glass cannon.
The Alolan Factor and Regional Variants
People often forget that the pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives extend to the Alolan forms. You can't catch these in the wild; you have to trade a standard Kanto version to an NPC in a Pokemon Center.
If you have Let's Go Pikachu, you can get:
- Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash (Ice/Steel type)
- Alolan Grimer and Muk (Poison/Dark type)
These aren't just palette swaps. They have entirely different typing. Alolan Sandslash is a monster against Dragon-types, which makes the Elite Four (specifically Lance) a whole lot easier. If you went with Eevee, you’re looking at Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Meowth. Cool? Yes. But as useful as an Ice/Steel tank? Debatable.
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The Scyther vs. Pinsir Debate
This is the age-old playground argument. In the pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives corner, we have Scyther. In the Eevee corner, we have Pinsir.
Scyther has the cool factor. It has scythes for hands. It’s fast. It’s a Bug/Flying type. However, it has a 4x weakness to Rock. One "Rock Slide" and your bug is toast. Pinsir, on the other hand, is a pure Bug type. It’s slower but hits like a truck with physical moves.
Most people choose Scyther. Why? Because it’s Scyther. But from a tactical standpoint, Scyther’s speed in Let’s Go is actually quite high compared to the rest of the Kanto roster, making it a great lead-off Pokemon for picking off weakened enemies.
How to Get the Missing Pieces
You’re going to have gaps. That’s just the reality. Even with all the pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives, you're still missing Vulpix, Meowth, Bellsprout, Koffing, and Pinsir.
Don't panic.
You have three ways to fix this. First, find a friend. This is the "intended" way. Second, use the online trade codes. Usually, people use a triple-Pikachu or triple-Eevee code to find random trade partners. Third—and this is the pro tip—use Pokemon GO.
If you’ve played the mobile game at all, you probably have dozens of these common Kanto mons sitting in your storage. Once you reach Fuchsia City, you can dump them into the GO Park. This is the easiest way to bypass the version exclusivity entirely. You can literally just "import" the Eevee exclusives from your phone.
Breaking Down the "Power Level" of Exclusives
Let's get technical for a second. Is one version actually "stronger"?
Arcanine (Pikachu) has a higher base stat total than Ninetales (Eevee). Arcanine sits at a beefy 555, while Ninetales is at 505. That’s a 50-point difference. Arcanine is faster, stronger, and bulkier.
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On the flip side, Vileplume (Pikachu) and Victreebel (Eevee) are pretty evenly matched, though Victreebel has slightly better offensive stats.
Basically, if you want raw power, the pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives generally lean towards higher base stats. Arcanine and Scyther are heavy hitters that can carry a team through the end-game. Eevee's exclusives feel a bit more "technical" or "utility-based," like the trapping moves of Victreebel or the speed of Persian.
Final Practical Steps for Your Journey
If you've decided on the Pikachu version, here is how you should handle your team-building to make the most of what you've got.
- Catch a Mankey immediately. Go to the left of Viridian City toward the Pokemon League entrance. Catch it early. It makes the first two hours of the game significantly less stressful.
- Don't evolve Growlithe too fast. Wait until it learns Flare Blitz (around level 38) before you slap a Fire Stone on it. If you evolve it to Arcanine immediately, you’ll miss out on some of its best natural moves.
- Look for the Alolan Trade in Celadon City. The NPC in the Celadon City Pokemon Center will trade you an Alolan Sandshrew for a regular one. Do it. The Ice/Steel typing is incredibly rare in Kanto and will save your life against the late-game Flying and Dragon masters.
- Use the GO Park for Bellsprout. If you want a Grass-type but hate Oddish, just transfer a Bellsprout from your phone. It’s the easiest way to fill the gap without hunting down a trading partner.
The pokemon let's go pikachu exclusives define the flavor of your adventure. You’re trading the elegance of Ninetales for the sheer, unadulterated power of Arcanine. You're trading the stealth of Meowth for the aggressive punch of Mankey. It’s a classic "Might vs. Magic" setup, and in the world of Kanto, might often wins.
Grab your Pikachu, head into the tall grass, and make sure you have plenty of Great Balls ready for that Scyther—it’s got a low catch rate, and you don't want it running away after all that work.