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Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! new trailer; catching, battling, gyms, and more detailed

The latest on the upcoming Pokemon RPG.

The Pokemon Company has released a new trailer, information, and screenshots of Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! detailing version differences, catching Pokemon, battling Pokemon trainers, the Kanto region, cities and Pokemon gyms, interacting with Pokemon, and playing with friends.

Get the details below.

Version Differences
Although the storyline is the same in both Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, there are some differences between the two versions. Of course, your first partner Pokemon will be either Pikachu or Eevee depending on which version you get, but the types and rarity of the wild Pokemon that you encounter also differ between the two games. For example, Pokemon like Oddish, Sandshrew, and Growlithe only appear in the wild in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, while Bellsprout, Vulpix, and Meowth are only found in the wild in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
Catching Pokemon

If you’re familiar with previous Pokemon RPGs, you’ll find that catching Pokemon works a bit differently in this game. As you wander through the game’s world, you’ll encounter wild Pokemon wandering around in fields of tall grass. If you see a Pokemon you want to attempt to catch, simply approach it.
Once you touch the Pokemon, you’ll get a chance to throw Poke Balls at it in a manner very similar to the mobile game Pokemon GO. The wild Pokemon will move around and may try to intimidate you, but don’t get distracted! Just wave your Joy-Con controller with proper timing to throw a Poke Ball. If you’re playing the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, you’ll move the system around to aim and then throw the Poke Ball by pressing the A Button.
Your chances of catching a Pokemon increase depending on your timing and where your Poke Ball hits the target. Throwing a Poke Ball inside the moving ring will increase the chances of a successful catch, especially if the ring is small. The color of the ring shows how easy it will be to catch the Pokemon—with green meaning easy and red meaning hard.
Catching wild Pokemon will give the Pokemon in your party Exp. Points. Once a Pokemon has gained enough Exp. Points, it will level up. Your Pokemon’s stats will increase when they level up, and sometimes the Pokemon will even learn new moves!
You can make catching Pokemon even easier by switching up the type of Poke Ball you’re using or giving the wild Pokemon a Berry. If you happen to run out of Poke Balls, you can buy more from Poke Marts throughout the region, and you’ll also receive them after defeating other Trainers in battle. As you earn Gym Badges, the lineup of products at Poke Marts will increase and you’ll be able to buy better Poke Balls that have a greater chance of catching wild Pokemon.
Battling Pokemon Trainers
It’s not just wild Pokemon that you’ll face off against in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! During your journey, there will be some Pokemon Trainers who will challenge you to a battle. If a Pokemon Trainer sees you in the field, it’s time for battle. The battles here function much like those in previous Pokemon RPGs, so longtime fans will feel right at home.
In addition to selecting moves, you can switch out a Pokemon if it’s about to faint—or use an item to support it. If you defeat a Pokemon Trainer, your Pokemon will gain Exp. Points and you’ll receive prize money and sometimes Poke Balls.
The Kanto Region
The Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! video game is based on Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, which was first released on Nintendo‘s portable Game Boy system in Japan in 1998. Like the setting of that classic RPG adventure, this game takes place in the Kanto region. It’s amazing to see how it has visually evolved after 20 years.
The Kanto region is a varied locale, filled with small towns, cities, mountains, rivers, forests, and seas. There is a wide variety of places to explore and plenty of Pokemon to be found in various habitats. You’ll begin your journey in Pallet Town, a relatively small civic center that’s also home to your friendly rival, who just so happens to be your next-door neighbor.
Pallet Town is also home to Professor Oak, whose laboratory is near your home. The kindly professor studies Pokemon for a living, and he gives you a valuable gift before you set out—your Pokedex, a high-tech encyclopedia that automatically records data on any new species of Pokemon that you catch! He hopes to one day see a Pokedex completed. Will you help him fulfill that dream?
Cities and Pokemon Gyms
After leaving Pallet Town, you’ll eventually make your way to new places, including Pewter City, which sits at the foot of a great stone mountain. This city is the home of the Pewter Museum of Science, which has many Fossils on display. You’ll also meet Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader who is sometimes referred to as the rock-solid Pokemon Trainer.
Pokemon Gyms are places for Pokemon Trainers to test their skill in battle. Before entering a Gym, you must meet certain conditions such as having Pokemon of a certain type or level. Once you qualify for entry, you’ll face off in Pokemon battles against a series of challenging opponents, culminating in a battle against the Gym Leader in the hope of earning a coveted Gym Badge.
Brock is an expert with Rock-type Pokemon, so you’ll want to be sure to have some Pokemon on your team that will give you a type advantage in battle.
After leaving Pewter City, it won’t be long before you arrive in Cerulean City, a place that’s bordered by waterways. When visiting this city, be on the lookout for a mischievous Squirtle that has been spotted in the area. The Gym Leader Misty waits in the Cerulean City Gym for Trainers to challenge her to battle. Also known as the tomboyish mermaid, it should come as no surprise to learn that Misty is an expert with Water-type Pokemon. Defeat her, and another Gym Badge is yours!
Interact with Pokemon
In between exploring and battling, it’s a good idea to relax with your Pokemon buddies. In Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, you can enjoy a little playtime with Pikachu or Eevee to strengthen your bond with them. Your partner Pokemon will sit on your arm, allowing you to pet, feed, and even tickle it. Not only is this little diversion adorable, but good things are likely to happen as the two of you become closer.
You can also feel closer to your partner Pokemon by dressing alike! Yes, you can dress up your partner Pokemon in various outfits, give it accessories, and change its hairstyle. Coordinate your wardrobes by matching their outfit to yours or mix and match different items to give your partner its own style.
It’s not just your partner Pokemon that you can interact with, though. Any Pokemon in the game can be your traveling companion. When you take a Pokemon out of its Poke Ball, it will walk with you to make your journey even more fun. As you explore the Kanto region with them, your Pokemon might even find hidden items. Plus, different Pokemon can travel in different ways. Some Pokemon will even let you ride them, allowing you to move faster around the Pokemon world. It’s a great way to experience the adventure with your favorite Pokemon!
Play with Friends
One of the things that makes the world of Pokemon so engaging is the ability to interact with other Trainers during your adventure. In this sense, Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! do not disappoint thanks to their Support Play, which allows two players to explore the world together. (Both players can have a Pokemon travel alongside them as well!)
You can boost your chances of catching a wild Pokemon by throwing Poke Balls at the same time as your Support Trainer during Support Play. You can join in as a Support Trainer by waving the second controller, even after a wild Pokemon has already been encountered! Throwing the Poke Ball at the right time makes it more likely you’ll catch the Pokemon, and it will earn your party more Exp. Points, too.
Support Play can even give you an advantage in Pokemon battles against other Trainers. Team up with a friend, and you’ll both be able to control a Pokemon and issue it commands during the match.
You’ll also be able to connect with other players and battle them, too! There are two communication features to use for battles: local communication, which connects two nearby Nintendo Switch consoles, and internet communication, which lets you connect to players who may be far away.
And battling isn’t the only way to play with your friends. You can also trade Pokemon using these communication features to gather Pokemon you’ve never seen before and complete your Pokedex.
Please note that in order to use the internet-based communication features for battling and trading, you will need to enroll in the Nintendo Switch Online service that officially starts in September.