If you're staring at the Nintendo eShop or standing in a game store aisle, the choice between Pikachu and Eevee feels like a personality test. It’s not. Well, not entirely. While the partner Pokémon on your shoulder is the big draw, the real headache comes down to the Let's Go Eevee version exclusives. You don’t want to realize forty hours in that the Arcanine you’ve always wanted is literally impossible to find because you picked the "wrong" version.
It’s a classic Nintendo move. They’ve been doing this since 1996 with Red and Blue. By splitting the Pokédex, they force you to talk to other humans. Or, more realistically in 2026, they force you to hunt down strangers on Reddit for a trade.
The Pokémon You Can Only Get in Eevee
Let’s get into the weeds. If you’re playing Let's Go Eevee, your wild encounters are going to look different than your friends' playing the Pikachu version. We’re talking about a specific handful of evolutionary lines that just won't show up in the tall grass for you.
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First up, the Bellsprout line. You’ll find Bellsprout, Weepinbell, and Victreebel. They’re fine. Honestly, Victreebel is a decent Grass/Poison type, but let’s be real: most people are here for the Vulpix. That’s the big one. In this version, you get Vulpix and Ninetales. They are sleek, they are majestic, and they have that fire-type utility that is surprisingly hard to come by in the early Kanto game if you didn't pick Charmander as your "secret" starter.
Then there’s Meowth and Persian. If you’re a fan of the "Pay Day" move and racking up extra cash, this is your lane. You also get the Alolan forms for these through in-game trades with NPCs, which is a nice little bonus. The Alolan Persian looks like it swallowed a bowling ball, but hey, it’s a Dark-type in a game where those are rare.
Don't forget the bugs and the weirdos. Pinsir is an Eevee exclusive. It’s a beast in physical attack, though it lacks a Mega Stone in this specific game format compared to some other entries. You also get Koffing and Weezing. They’re the quintessential "bad guy" Pokémon, but Weezing’s Levitate ability (historically) and its massive physical defense make it a tanky addition to a team that might be a bit too "cute" otherwise.
Finally, there’s Magmar. It’s ugly. It’s powerful. It’s found in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. If you want that forehead-with-butt-cheeks aesthetic, Eevee is the version for you.
Why the Pikachu Version Might Make You Jealous
It’s only fair to look at the other side of the fence. While you’re cuddling your Vulpix, the Pikachu players are running around with Growlithe and Arcanine. That’s a tough trade-off. Arcanine is arguably one of the coolest designs in the entire first generation.
They also get Oddish, Gloom, and Vileplume. While you have the Bellsprout line, they have the mushroom-head flower line. It’s a wash, really. But they also get Scyther. Scyther is the direct counterpart to Pinsir, and most fans would argue Scyther is the cooler of the two. It has blades for hands. It’s hard to beat blades for hands.
Pikachu players also get Grimer and Muk, which are the counterparts to your Koffing and Weezing. They get Sandshrew and Sandslash too. If you grew up watching the anime and loved AJ’s Sandshrew, you might feel a pang of regret here. Lastly, they get Mankey and Primeape. If you need a Fighting-type early on to smash through Brock’s rocks, you’re going to miss Mankey in the Eevee version. You'll have to rely on Nidoran’s Double Kick or catching a Mankey via trade.
The Alolan Factor and Regional Variants
One thing people often overlook when discussing Let's Go Eevee version exclusives is how it impacts the Alolan variants. In Let’s Go, you can’t catch Alolan forms in the wild. You have to trade regular Kanto versions to specific NPCs in Pokémon Centers.
Because Vulpix is exclusive to Eevee, that means Alolan Vulpix and its stunning evolution, Alolan Ninetales, are also exclusive to Eevee. This is a massive win for the Eevee side. Alolan Ninetales is an Ice/Fairy type. In a game dominated by Dragon-types at the end (looking at you, Lance), having a fast Ice/Fairy type is basically a cheat code.
Pikachu players get Alolan Sandshrew and Alolan Grimer. They’re cool, sure. But they aren't "Ice Fairy fox" cool. If you care about the competitive meta—or just having the prettiest team—this one detail might settle the debate for you right now.
Does it Really Matter for the Post-Game?
Kanto is a small region. Once you finish the Elite Four, your goals shift. You're looking for Master Trainers, hunting shiny Pokémon, and trying to complete the Pokédex to get the Shiny Charm from the game director at Celadon City.
This is where the exclusivity bites. You cannot get the Shiny Charm without those Pikachu-version Pokémon.
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There are three ways to solve this.
- Pokémon GO integration. This is the "get out of jail free" card. If you have Pokémon GO on your phone, you can catch a Growlithe or a Sandshrew there and transfer it into your Let’s Go Eevee game via the GO Park in Fuchsia City. This completely bypasses the version exclusivity.
- Online Trading. You need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. You go into the communication menu, put in a code (usually three Pikachus or three Eevees), and hope the person on the other end wants to swap exclusives. It’s chaotic. It’s frustrating. But it works.
- Having a friend. Remember those? If you have a friend with the other version, you can just sit on a couch and trade via local wireless. No internet required.
The "Partner" Paradox
We have to talk about the Eevee itself. The Eevee you start with isn't a normal Eevee. It has higher base stats and access to "secret" moves that are frankly overpowered.
While you lose out on Arcanine, your starter Eevee can learn a move called Bouncy Bubble (Water-type) that heals it, or Buzzy Buzz (Electric-type) that always paralyzes. It can even learn a Fire-type move called Sizzly Slide that always burns the opponent.
Basically, your partner Eevee is a Swiss Army knife. It can cover the types of the Pokémon you’re missing. Don't have a Growlithe? Use Eevee's fire move. Don't have a Pikachu? Use Eevee's electric move. It makes the version exclusives feel less like a mechanical handicap and more like an aesthetic choice.
A Nuanced Look at the Encounter Rates
Something that rarely gets mentioned in the basic guides is the encounter rate for these exclusives. In Let's Go Eevee, Vulpix isn't just "there." It shows up on Route 5, 6, 7, and 8. It’s relatively common.
Pinsir, on the other hand, is a nightmare. It only shows up in the Viridian Forest, and its spawn rate is low. You’ll be walking in circles, avoiding Caterpies and Weedles for ages before that beetle pops up. If you're going for a living dex (where you keep one of every Pokémon in your box), you need to be prepared for the grind.
Compare this to Pikachu version’s Scyther. Same deal. Rare spawn in the forest. It feels like the developers wanted to make sure that the "coolest" exclusives were also the hardest to actually find.
The Master Trainer Challenge
If you’re a completionist, the Let's Go Eevee version exclusives represent a specific hurdle for the Master Trainer battles. These are NPCs who appear after you beat the game and challenge you to a 1v1 battle using the exact same Pokémon.
If you want the title of "Meowth Master," you’re in luck. You can catch Meowth easily. But if you want to be the "Mankey Master," you’re stuck. You have to trade for a Mankey, and then you have to level that traded Mankey up to level 70 or 80 to beat the Master Trainer.
Traded Pokémon gain experience faster, which is a plus. But they also won't have your "Original Trainer" ID, which matters to some people who are weirdly sentimental about digital monsters. Just something to keep in mind if you have a specific favorite Pokémon you want to "master."
Why People Still Argue About This
Go to any Pokémon forum and you'll see people debating which version is "objectively" better. It usually comes down to Arcanine vs. Ninetales.
Arcanine has better raw stats. It’s a physical powerhouse. Ninetales is more of a special attacker and has that Alolan variant that is just superior in the late game.
Then there’s the "cute factor." Let’s Go Eevee is often perceived as the "cuter" version because Eevee is, well, Eevee. But don't let the big eyes fool you. Between Weezing's poison gas and Pinsir's vice grip, the Eevee exclusives can be just as mean as anything in the Pikachu version.
How to Prepare for Your Playthrough
If you’ve already bought the game, or you’re about to, here is the move.
First, check your Pokémon GO storage. See if you have those Pikachu exclusives sitting there. It will save you hours of headache. Second, don't rush to evolve your exclusives. You might need a Bellsprout for one thing and a Victreebel for another. Since you can see Pokémon on the overworld now, catching multiples is easy, but it’s still good to be mindful.
Third, look for the NPC trades. In the Pokémon Centers, there are kids who want to trade their Alolan forms for your Kanto forms.
- In Celadon City, you can trade a Vulpix for an Alolan Vulpix.
- In Vermilion City, you can trade a Meowth for an Alolan Meowth.
These are infinite trades. You can do them as many times as you want until you get a Vulpix with the "Nature" or stats you want. This is a huge advantage for Eevee players because Alolan Ninetales is a legitimate beast in the mid-to-late game.
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The Verdict on Exclusivity
At the end of the day, the Let's Go Eevee version exclusives are about flavor. Do you want the toxic smog of Weezing or the sludge of Muk? Do you want the graceful Ninetales or the legendary Arcanine?
Kanto is a nostalgic trip, and these exclusives are a big part of that. They define your journey and who you'll need to interact with to "Catch 'em All."
Actionable Steps for Eevee Players:
- Prioritize the Vulpix Trade: As soon as you hit Celadon City, trade for that Alolan Vulpix. Its Ice-typing will carry you through the late-game Dragon encounters.
- Catch an Extra Pinsir: They are rare. If you see one in Viridian Forest, catch it even if you don't plan on using it. It’s the ultimate bargaining chip for a Scyther trade later.
- Use the GO Park: Don't bang your head against the wall trying to find someone to trade you an Oddish. If you have one on your phone, just beam it into the game.
- Invest in Koffing: If you need a physical wall, Weezing is surprisingly effective in this game's simplified combat system.
- Check the "Rare Spawns": Remember that some Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle aren't exclusive—they’re just rare spawns in both versions. Don't waste your trade bait on them.
The choice is yours, but honestly? Eevee's exclusive access to Alolan Ninetales makes it the slightly smarter play for anyone looking to breeze through the Elite Four. Just be prepared to miss that fire dog.
Check your Pokémon GO account for any Kanto-region Pokémon you’re missing in Let's Go Eevee to bridge the gap immediately.