Honestly, when Pokemon Let's Go Eevee first dropped back in 2018, the "hardcore" crowd was kind of losing it. People were worried that the simplified catching mechanics—you know, the Pokemon GO style flicking—would basically ruin the soul of the Kanto region. I get it. We grew up on Red and Blue, grinding through tall grass and praying for a lucky crit.
But looking back years later, those critics were mostly wrong.
The game is a masterpiece of cozy gaming before "cozy gaming" was even a mainstream marketing term. It’s vibrant. It’s weirdly emotional. And having a giant Eevee sitting on your head while you dismantle Team Rocket is a specific kind of joy that the mainline entries like Scarlet or Violet haven't quite replicated.
The Eevee Factor: Not Just a Mascot
In this version, your Eevee isn't just a standard monster you'd find in the wild. It’s a supercharged, high-IV partner that flat-out refuses to evolve. At first, that sounds like a letdown. Why wouldn't I want a Jolteon or an Umbreon?
Because of the move set.
The developers gave this specific Eevee "Secret Techniques" and exclusive moves that are honestly broken in the best way possible. Bouncy Bubble? Sizzly Slide? Buzzy Buzz? These moves have 90 power and 100% accuracy, plus they heal you or guarantee status effects. It turns your fluffy little friend into a tactical nuke. It’s hilarious to watch a literal god-tier Dragonite get humbled by a small fox-thing using a move called "Sparkly Swirl."
Why the Catching Mechanic Actually Works
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the lack of wild battles. In Pokemon Let's Go Eevee, you don't fight wild Pidgeys to weaken them. You just throw berries and aim your Joy-Con.
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A lot of people hated this. They felt it stripped the strategy away.
But think about the pacing. In traditional games, crossing Mt. Moon is a slog. You’re constantly interrupted by Zubats every three steps. In Let's Go, you see the Pokemon spawning on the overworld. You can weave through them. If you see a Chansey—which is rare and gives massive XP—you go for it. If not? You just walk past. It makes the world feel alive rather than a series of invisible traps.
Plus, the "Catch Combo" system is addicting. Catching 30 Geodudes in a row doesn't just give you candy; it spikes your odds of finding a Shiny. This was the first time Shiny hunting felt accessible to people who didn't have 400 hours of free time to spend on "Masuda Method" breeding.
Kanto Reimagined with Heart
The visuals in Pokemon Let's Go Eevee are still, in my opinion, some of the cleanest on the Switch. They didn't try to go for hyper-realism. They went for a "living toybox" aesthetic.
Everything glows.
The colors in Viridian Forest are lush. The neon lights of Celadon City feel like a dream. Unlike the more recent open-world titles that struggle with frame rates and jagged textures, Let's Go runs like butter because the scope is contained. It’s a reminder that bigger isn't always better.
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And then there's the following mechanic.
Seeing your Pokemon scale to their actual size behind you is incredible. If you take out an Onix, you literally ride on its head. If you take out a Haunter, it floats spookily alongside you. It adds a layer of immersion that makes you feel like a trainer, not just a menu navigator.
The Nuance of the Difficulty Spike
Don't let the cute face fool you. While the early game is a breeze, the "Master Trainers" that appear after you beat the Elite Four are genuinely tough.
These NPCs specialize in one specific Pokemon. To beat the Eevee Master Trainer, you have to use your Eevee against theirs. No items. No switching. It forces you to actually understand the mechanics of EVs (Effort Values) and IVs (Individual Values), even if the game calls them "Awakening Values" via the candy system. It’s a clever way to bridge the gap between casual fans and competitive players.
The Pokemon GO Connectivity Problem
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The GO Park in Fuchsia City is... a bit of a mess.
If you're trying to transfer your Kanto shinies from your phone to your Switch, be prepared for some technical headaches. The Bluetooth connection can be finicky. I’ve spent twenty minutes just trying to get my phone to "see" my Switch. It’s a great feature in theory, especially for completing the Pokedex and getting Meltan, but the execution feels very 2018.
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Also, the lack of Pro Controller support is still baffling. You are forced to use a single Joy-Con or the Poke Ball Plus accessory. For players with larger hands, holding a tiny Joy-Con sideways for a three-hour session is a recipe for cramps. It’s a weird restriction that Nintendo never patched, likely because they wanted to push the motion-control "immersion."
Real Talk: Is It Worth It in 2026?
You might be wondering if you should bother with Pokemon Let's Go Eevee now that we have Legends: Arceus and the newer Gen 9 games.
The answer is a loud yes.
It serves a different purpose. It’s the "comfort food" of the franchise. It’s what you play when you’re stressed and just want to see some beautiful colors and hear a remastered version of the classic Kanto soundtrack.
- For Parents: This is the absolute best entry point for a kid. The co-op mode lets a second player drop in and out instantly to help with catches or double-team gym leaders.
- For Shiny Hunters: It remains one of the fastest ways to build a "Living Shiny Dex" for the Kanto region to move over to Pokemon HOME.
- For Nostalgia Seekers: It’s a more faithful recreation of the Yellow Version vibes than the FireRed/LeafGreen remakes ever were.
Actionable Next Steps for New Players
If you're just starting out or jumping back in, keep these three things in mind to make your life easier:
- Don't ignore the Candy: Unlike other games where you just level up via battle, "Let's Go" relies heavily on the candy you get from sending Pokemon to Professor Oak. Feeding your Eevee these candies makes it significantly tankier.
- Get the Judge Function: Talk to one of Professor Oak’s assistants in the gatehouse on Route 11 after catching 30 species. This lets you see your Pokemon's stats (IVs) directly from the menu. It saves you so much time.
- Play in Handheld Mode for Better Aim: If the motion controls are annoying you, play in handheld mode. You can use the gyro to aim and just press a button to throw. It’s way more precise than flailing your arm at the TV.
The game isn't trying to be the next revolutionary RPG. It's a love letter to the beginning of the phenomenon. It’s simple, sure, but it’s polished in a way that many modern games just aren't. Grab a snack, sit back, and let yourself enjoy the low-stakes charm of Kanto one more time.