You’re standing in the aisle of a store, or maybe just hovering your thumb over the "Buy" button on the eShop, and you’re paralyzed. It’s the same choice we’ve been making since 1996. Pikachu or Eevee? Red or Blue? In the case of the Switch’s first foray into Kanto, the Pokémon Let’s Go version exclusives are the only thing that should actually dictate which $60 purchase you make.
Unless you just really, really love Eevee’s voice. Then buy that one.
But for everyone else, the decision is tactical. You aren't just picking a starter that sits on your shoulder and wears hats; you’re picking the entire ecosystem of the tall grass. If you want a Growlithe, you can’t buy Let’s Go, Eevee!. It’s literally not there. You’ll be searching for hours until you realize you’ve been lied to by your own desire for a fire dog.
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The Core Philosophy of Kanto Exclusives
Game Freak didn't reinvent the wheel here. They stuck remarkably close to the original 1998 distribution patterns, which is both a blessing for nostalgia and a headache for modern completionists. The split is designed to force interaction. If you have Pikachu, your friend needs Eevee. That’s the "Let’s Go" pitch.
Here is the breakdown of who shows up where.
In Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu!, you’re looking at the Sandshrew line, the Oddish line, Mankey, Growlithe, Grimer, and Scyther. These are the "heavy hitters" in a sense. Arcanine is a fan favorite for a reason—it’s fast, it hits like a truck, and it looks majestic. If you want that classic Fire-type presence without relying on Charizard, Pikachu is your version.
Now, flip the coin. Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! gives you Ekans, Vulpix, Meowth, Bellsprout, Koffing, and Pinsir. It’s a bit more "Team Rocket" flavored, honestly. You get the Alolan forms for these too, which is a massive detail people often overlook. If you want an Alolan Vulpix—that beautiful ice fox—you absolutely must have the Eevee version. You can’t trade for the Alolan form in-game if your base species isn't native to your cartridge.
Why the Alolan Factor Changes Everything
Let's talk about the Alolan forms for a second because this is where the Pokémon Let’s Go version exclusives get complicated. In these games, you trade standard Kanto Pokémon to NPCs in Pokémon Centers to get their Alolan counterparts.
If you’re playing Pikachu, you can get Alolan Sandshrew and Alolan Grimer. Alolan Muk is actually a competitive beast. It’s Poison/Dark, which means it only has one weakness (Ground). It’s a tank. If you’re a player who cares about the "meta" or just wants a Pokémon that can soak up hits while you're battling your friends, Pikachu version has the edge there.
Conversely, Eevee players get Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Meowth. Alolan Ninetales is a Fairy/Ice type. It’s gorgeous. It’s also incredibly useful for taking down the late-game Dragon-type threats like Lance’s Dragonite. If you don't have a Lapras or a Cloyster, Alolan Ninetales is your best friend.
It’s about trade-offs. Do you want the defensive utility of a Dark/Poison Muk, or the offensive glass-cannon vibe of an Ice/Fairy Ninetales?
The Scyther vs. Pinsir Debate
This is the big one. The Bug-type titans.
Scyther is exclusive to Pikachu. Pinsir is exclusive to Eevee.
In the original Red and Blue, Scyther was the undisputed king of cool. In Let’s Go, things are a bit more balanced, but Scyther still feels like the "premium" get. However, you have to remember that there is no Scizor in this game. None. Zero. Pokémon Let’s Go only features the original 151 plus Meltan and Melmetal. So, if you’re buying Pikachu version thinking you’re going to get a cool Steel-type bug later, you’re going to be disappointed. You’re stuck with the green mantis.
Pinsir, on the other hand, is a physical powerhouse. It’s often underrated because it doesn't have wings, but its movepool in this game is surprisingly deep.
Arcanine or Ninetales: The Fire-Type Dilemma
Most people pick their version based on the dog vs. the fox.
Growlithe (Pikachu) and Vulpix (Eevee) are the quintessential version counterparts. Honestly, Arcanine is statistically superior in almost every way that matters for a casual playthrough. It has higher base stats and better coverage. Vulpix is adorable, and Ninetales is elegant, but in a game where you’re just trying to blast through Gym Leaders, Arcanine’s Flare Blitz is a delete button.
But wait. There’s a catch.
In Let’s Go, you can actually ride some of your Pokémon. You can ride on the back of an Arcanine. It’s fast. It feels cool. You can’t ride a Ninetales. You just walk beside it. For some people, that’s a dealbreaker. If you want to traverse Kanto at high speeds without using the Secret Technique "Sky Dash" (this game's version of Fly), being on the back of a giant fire dog is the way to go.
The Oddish and Bellsprout Divide
This is the "utility" slot of the Pokémon Let’s Go version exclusives.
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Oddish leads to Vileplume. Bellsprout leads to Victreebel. Both are Grass/Poison. Both fulfill almost the exact same niche in a team. Vileplume is slightly tankier; Victreebel is slightly more offensive.
If you’re playing through the game, you’ll probably find a Bulbasaur in Viridian Forest anyway, so these two often get benched. But if you're a "Living Dex" collector, you need to be aware that these evolutionary lines are locked tight. You won't see a single Bellsprout in the wild if you’re rocking the Pikachu hat.
Don't Forget the "Hidden" Exclusives
Technically, the starter Pokémon themselves are exclusives.
The Pikachu you get at the start of Let’s Go, Pikachu! is not a normal Pikachu. It has higher base stats. It can’t evolve. It can learn special moves that no other Pokémon can, like Pika Papow and Splishy Splash. The same goes for the Partner Eevee, which gets moves like Veevee Volley and a suite of elemental attacks that cover almost every type disadvantage.
Here’s the thing: you can catch wild Pikachu and wild Eevee in both versions.
If you buy Pikachu version, you can still go to Viridian Forest and catch a regular Pikachu. You can also go to Route 17 and catch a wild Eevee. But these wild catches are "standard" Pokémon. They have lower stats, they don't ride on your head, and they can evolve.
So, if you really want a Jolteon but you bought the Pikachu version, don't sweat it. You can just catch a wild Eevee and use a Thunder Stone. The "exclusive" part is specifically the Partner version of the Pokémon and the specific wild encounters of the other species mentioned earlier.
How Pokémon GO Changes the Rules
There is a massive "cheat code" for the Pokémon Let’s Go version exclusives, and it involves your phone.
The GO Park in Fuchsia City allows you to transfer Pokémon from the Pokémon GO mobile app into your Switch game. This completely breaks the version exclusivity wall. If you have a thousand Mankey candies in Pokémon GO, you can just send a Mankey to your Let’s Go, Eevee! save file.
This is the only way to get version exclusives without trading with another human being.
However, there is a caveat. Once you move a Pokémon from GO to Let’s Go, it can never go back to your phone. It’s a one-way trip. Also, you have to reach Fuchsia City first, which is about two-thirds of the way through the game. So, if you wanted a Growlithe for your early-game team in Eevee version, Pokémon GO won't help you for the first several hours.
Making the Final Choice
Which one should you actually get?
If you care about power and speed, Pikachu is generally considered the "stronger" version because of Arcanine, Scyther, and Muk. It’s a very aggressive lineup.
If you care about aesthetics, rare types (like Ice/Fairy), and perhaps a slightly more "cute" roster, Eevee is the winner. Plus, the Partner Eevee is arguably more "broken" in battle than the Partner Pikachu because of its move variety.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you’ve already bought your copy, or you’re about to, here’s how to handle the exclusivity:
- Check your Pokémon GO storage. Before you start, see if you have the opposite version's exclusives ready to transfer. It’ll save you the hassle of finding a trading partner later.
- Plan your Alolan trades. Remember that you need the base Kanto form to trade for the Alolan form. If you want Alolan Vulpix, make sure you're in the Eevee version and catch extra Vulpix to trade with the NPC in the Celadon City Pokémon Center.
- Don’t evolve your starter. You can’t anyway, but some people try. Your partner is your best asset; keep them in your party even if you think you don't need them. Their special moves are essential for clearing the game's tougher challenges.
- Use the trade codes. If you don't have Pokémon GO, use the universal trade codes. Players often use "Pikachu-Eevee-Pikachu" or similar strings in the online link trade menu to find people looking to swap version exclusives. It’s a community-driven system that still works years after launch.
Buying one of these games isn't just about the mascot on the box. It’s about the specific 151-piece puzzle you're trying to put together. Whether you want the fierce bite of an Arcanine or the icy grace of an Alolan Ninetales, just make sure you know what you’re signing up for before you leave Pallet Town.
Next Steps for Completionists
- Audit your Pokédex: Open your map and identify which routes house your version's exclusive spawns.
- Connect to GO: Set up your Nintendo Account link to your mobile device before reaching Fuchsia City to streamline the transfer process.
- Locate the Alolan NPCs: Note that Alolan trades are found in specific Pokémon Centers (e.g., Grimer/Meowth in Cinnabar Island, Sandshrew/Vulpix in Celadon City).