Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! with Poké Ball Plus Review (Nintendo Switch)
Summary: Pokémon Let's Go Eevee! with Poké Ball Plus is fun and enjoyable game on the Switch that channels the original games well
4.0
Pokémon Switched!
Paying homage to the Pokémon of yesteryear, the series returns on the Nintendo Switch courtesy of developers Game Freak with two games (Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!) that both come with an interactive device called the Poké Ball Plus. Although the games are based on the 1998 game Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, they have been remastered on the Nintendo Switch in order to make use of its intuitive controls as you attempt to ‘catch’ these Pokémon… also with nicer graphics.
However before we get to the crux of the review, let’s talk about the Poké Ball Plus which is a ball shaped device that allows you to interact with the game through its motion controls that in turn replaces the Joy-Con. So when a Pokémon appears in the game, you pretend that you are throwing it (e.g. flicking the device) at them in order to catch them. So while you can use the Joy-Con, the Poké Ball Plus makes you feel like a REAL Pokémon trainer.
Adding to the interactive nature of the Poké Ball Plus is that this device even lights up and vibrates when you have caught them, including hearing them from inside the ball. This device is even compatible with Pokémon GO via your smartphone that allows you to capture Pokémon in the real-world. So if you are near a Pokémon, it will light up and vibrate and by pressing the button and using the motion controls, you can then attempt to capture them. If you do capture a Pokémon in the wild, the Poké Ball Plus will change colours.
At its core, the main game on the Nintendo Switch returns players to the colourful area of Kanto and the basics of the Pokémon franchise where the goal is to gotta catch em all. So by exploring this world, battling them and hopefully snaring them, including light-RPG mechanics, it makes for a fun game. As the gameplay is similar to GO and when you see a wild Pokémon appear, you need to touch the screen which starts the ‘capturing’ battle process.
By using the controller you must get the circle target around the Pokémon and then ‘throw’ the ball. There are three colours to help you ensure that you get the best shot with green being the best, yellow in the middle and red being the least chance for success. These mechanics do get tougher when you face harder Pokémon and multiplayer with a friend can be makes things easier.
Sure, it may not be the most complex games out there but its simplicity is definitely the key. Also, in relation to the two games available which are Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee, both these titles are almost identical, however each features a different Pokémon star which is either Pikachu or Eevee and there are over 150 Pokémon to catch, including legendary ones such as Moltres and Zapdos.
Also with Pikachu and Eevee, you can customise them with different styles and clothes, including the ability of playing with them, feeding them which helps with the overall immersive factor of this game. Add in gyms, fights and other Pokémon trainers and this nicely rounds out the game. As mentioned, you can play the game with either the Joy-Con or the Poké Ball Plus which both work similarly, however the aforementioned controller is much more captivating experience due to the vibration, lights and audio cues. So as you assemble your team to take on the various gym leaders in Kanto plus the Elite Four, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee is an enjoyable game, especially exploring this world on the back of one of your Pokémons.
Graphics & Audio
Graphically, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee looks impressive on the Nintendo Switch and its great seeing these little creatures look more realistic on this console then its previous incarnations. It’s also quite a colourful game and while it looks quite cartoonish, it channels a slightly retro feel. Audio is good, especially the music and the sounds of the Pokémon which all comes together well with the gameplay and the graphics.
Final Thoughts?
If you’re a fan of Pokémon, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! creates a decent experience on the Nintendo Switch that takes the series back to basics which makes for an enjoyable game as you attempt to catch all these little critters. However with the inclusion of the Poké Ball Plus, this does transcend the real-world with the virtual-world that builds a much more interactive experience on the Nintendo Switch, especially with the ability of using it with Pokémon GO and your smartphone.
Game Details
Primary Format – Games – Nintendo Switch
Game Genre – Role Playing Game
Rating – PG
Consumer Advice – Mild themes and violence, online interactivity
Game developer – GAME FREAK
Game publisher – Nintendo
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