It’s been a long road since Pokémon for the Nintendo Switch was announced last June at E3 2017. The rumor floodgates opened and haven’t stopped flowing since. I’ve even covered some of these recent rumors and made predictions about what we could expect with Pokémon’s first “core” experience on a home console.
After what seems like a generation, we finally have some concrete answers thanks to a surprise press conference held Wednesday, May 30 by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. The announcement, which made it to the public via tweets and pictures trickling out from journalists confirmed some key things: Pokémon: Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee editions are real, they are coming out this November, and they are heavily influenced by Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon GO. What about the “core” game promised by Tsunekazu Ishira, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company? That title is still in development and releasing in the second half of 2019.
Let that soak in. Not only are we getting a new Pokémon game this November, but an entirely, more traditional (think Pokémon Black and White) entry into the series within a year.
After scouring the internet to soak up as much information about these new titles as possible (and, let’s be honest, to see if Amazon had posted the Eevee edition for preorder; sorry Pikachu), I saw that many people were thrilled, some were upset, and some applauded the company’s decision to bridge the gap between casual GO players and longtime versions of the franchise before releasing the “core” game in 2019.
via The Pokémon Company
The dust is still settling with the biggest gaming announcement this year. Let’s run through what we know so far about this fall’s adventure staring Pikachu and Eevee.
Pokémon: Let’s Go! focuses on all things OG
That’s right, the next Pokédex is deleting several…hundred entries and focusing on the original 151 Pokémon as you head back to the Kanto region. In an effort to draw in those less familiar with the series and those who’ve only played Pokémon GO, nothing past the first generation is making the cut. In an effort to keep things fresh, and not backtrack on the progress of the newer games, the Alolan forms of all Gen 1 Pokémon will be present.
via The Pokémon Company
As teased in the announcement trailer and press conference, a Pokémon never seen before will be featured in the game, which would technically be Gen 1, right?
The Nintendo Switch’s capabilities will be on display
via The Pokémon Company
The series has come a long way since its inception, but Pokémon: Let’s Go! aims to take things up a notch by introducing high-resolution graphics and some exciting new features not present in previous iterations.
via The Pokémon Company
Players in Pokémon: Let’s Go! need only one Joycon (or the extremely exciting Pokéball Plus peripheral) to play the game. The new titles will introduce motion controls to make catching a Pokémon more fluid and user-friendly like Pokémon GO. The one controller design makes sense, because trying to throw a Pokéball with the pro controller or both Joycons in the grip would feel disjointed.
via The Pokémon Company
Another first for the series, Pokémon: Let’s Go! introduces drop-in couch coop mode. By shaking the second Joycon, a friend or family member can drop in and help you catch, battle and explore all that Kanto has to offer. This looks like the most exciting feature to me, because this opens up the possibilities for the untitled 2019 release to take things even further.
Pokémon: Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee will connect with Pokémon GO
When Pokémon GO came out in July, 2016, two things happened: I experienced a sense of community I’ve never seen before when out searching the real world for Pokémon, and I lost a ton of weight on my quest. The series took off in a massive way and led to miles and miles ran, walked and hiked as I tried to catch ‘em all, hatch ‘em all and take over as many gyms as possible.
via The Pokémon Company
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I feel validated for all of the hours spent in the game after Pokémon: Let’s Go! was announced with trading capabilities between the Switch and Pokémon GO. All of the Kanto, Gen 1 Pokémon caught within GO can be transferred to the new games and “caught” in the Pokémon Park, which should come in handy as you progress further along in the game.
via The Pokémon Company
Did Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s announcement excite you, or did it leave you wishing that the second half of 2019 could come sooner? Sound off in the comments!
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