Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu & Let’s Go, Eevee are the odd ducks of the Pokemon series as they’re the only mainline games based on content created by someone outside of Nintendo. These two entries embrace Pokemon Go’s catching mechanics and introduce co-op play for a unique adventure that’s great for new players, or perhaps for anyone who wants an even more relaxing version of the original titles.
While these games are similar, though, they do have a few key differences that you should know about before any purchases are made. Here are all the differences between Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee.
Updated June 17, 2022 by Cameron Roy Hall: Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee are some of the most unique entries in the Pokemon series as they're the only games designed to function similar to Pokemon GO, a mobile ARG project. They're also molded after Generation I aka Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow (and Green) with the intent of making the experience more cinematically similar to the cartoon. For anyone just now getting into these particular Nintendo gems, here's an updated article about what to expect, depending on which game you pick up. Enjoy!
The Version-Exclusive Content Boils Down To A Few Pokemon And Some Seriously Cool New Moves
The version-exclusive differences aren't particularly deep. They never are, but they are enough to warrant a list because they're always just enough to make one more worth it than the other for any given individual, such as a few unique Pokemon and some special abilities for the starter. Here are all the differences. Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect fit.
Let’s Go, Pikachu: Your Starting Partner, Exclusive Pokemon, Alolan Variants, Special Moves, & How To Get An Eevee
This might seem obvious, but picking up a copy of Let’s Go, Pikachu means that your first Pokemon will be a Pikachu. Unlike other mainline games, there’s not a choice between a Grass-type, Fire-type, and Water-type (although Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are available to find later on). The intent was mimic Pokemon Yellow which was designed to feature elements of the anime, like Team Rocket’s Jesse and James, so that players could specifically go on Ash Ketchum’s Pokemon journey. If you want the classic Pokemon experience, Let’s Go, Pikachu is the way to start.
The most common differences in any Pokemon game are the Pokemon, as some species are only available in certain entries. As always, if you really want to “catch ‘em all,” then you’ll have to do some trading, but if there are only a few specific Pokemon that you enjoy keeping around, then it’s important to know which Pokemon are exclusive to which game. Along with the standard exclusives, Let’s Go, Pikachu also features a handful of Alolan variant Pokemon, which find their origins in Generation VII games Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. These Pokemon are slightly different iterations of previously seen Pokemon, so they might have a new typing, a new color palette, or both. Here are the critters only available in Let’s Go, Pikachu…
| Kanto Pokemon | Alolan Pokemon |
|---|---|
| #027 Sandshrew (Ground) | #027 Alolan Sandshrew (Ice/Steel) |
| #028 Sandslash (Ground) | #028 Alolan Sandslash (Ice/Steel) |
| #043 Oddish (Grass/Poison) | #088 Alolan Grimer (Poison/Dark) |
| #044 Gloom (Grass/Poison) | #089 Alolan Muk (Poison/Dark) |
| #045 Vileplume (Grass/Poison) | |
| #056 Mankey (Fighting) | |
| #057 Primape (Fighting) | |
| #058 Growlithe (Fire) | |
| #059 Arcanine (Fire) | |
| #088 Grimer (Poison) | |
| #089 Muk (Poison) | |
| #123 Scyther (Bug/Flying) |
In addition to dressing your Pikachu up and having him ride around on your shoulder (excited squeaking noises) throughout your journey, one of the big advantages to choosing Let’s Go, Pikachu is that you can teach your Pikachu several version-exclusive moves. There are move tutors in Cerulean City, Celadon City, and Fuschia City who will be able to teach your Pikachu these moves. The latter two will also teach your Pikachu a Flying-type move and Water-type move, attack types that Pikachus aren’t usually able to learn. Since it’s weaker and literally impossible to evolve (a quirk carried over from Pokemon Yellow), these special abilities can ramp up your Pikachu’s power. Here are the moves…
| Move | Power | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zippy Zap | 50 | Electric | Always hits first, always critical hits |
| Splishy Splash | 90 | Water | May sometimes Paralyze opponent |
| Floaty Tail | 90 | Flying | May sometimes cause opponents to flinch |
| Pika Papow | Varies | Electric | Power depends on Friendliness. Never misses |
And, lastly, while Eevee is the mascot Pokemon for the other version, it is still possible to find one in Let’s Go, Pikachu. Eevee has a rare chance of appearing in the wild on Route 17. They’re difficult to find, but not impossible.
Let’s Go, Eevee: Your Starting Partner, Exclusive Pokemon, Alolan Variants, Special Moves, & How To Get A Pikachu
As obvious as it was for Let’s Go, Pikachu, Let’s Go, Eevee mandates that your starter Pokemon is Eevee. Unlike Pikachu, however, this is the only game so far where Eevee is a potential starter. In Pokemon Yellow, your rival started with an Eevee, but now it’s your turn with the furry little fox with a million evolution lines. That being said, your starter Eevee cannot evolve at all. That means no Vaporeon, no Umbreon, no Sylveon, nothing... unless you're willing to wait for the Route 17 wild Eevees, which can evolve. As long as you’re okay with that, Let’s Go, Eevee is the pick for you.
The version exclusives for Let’s Go, Eevee are, approximately, of the same caliber as those for Let’s Go, Pikachu, including the Alolan variants but, unlike Let’s Go, Pikachu, this entry also includes a single Mega Evolution, for which the stone can be found at the Indigo Plateau. Yes, it’s in the end-game content. Still, if you want an exceptionally powerful Bug-type, it’s worth the wait. Here are the Pokemon only available in Let’s Go, Eevee…
| Kanto Pokemon | Alolan/Mega Pokemon |
|---|---|
| #037 Vulpix (Fire) | #037 Alolan Vulpix (Ice) |
| #038 Ninetales (Fire) | #038 Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy) |
| #052 Meowth (Normal) | #052 Alolan Meowth (Normal) |
| #053 Persian (Normal) | #053 Alolan Persian (Normal) |
| #023 Ekans (Poison) | #127 Mega Pinsir (Bug/Flying) |
| #024 Arbok (Poison) | |
| #069 Bellsprout (Grass/Poison) | |
| #070 Weepinbell (Grass/Poison) | |
| #071 Victreebel (Grass/Poison) | |
| #109 Koffing (Poison) | |
| #110 Weezing (Poison) | |
| #127 Pinsir (Bug) |
With the inability to evolve Eevee, it can be significantly less powerful than you might prefer. After all, it’s just a Normal-type, and such Pokemon are often saddled with some pretty basic moves. And yet, Let’s Go, Eevee offers a massive pool of special techniques that are unique to your potential partner Pokemon. Eight of them, to be exact: one for each of the currently possible evolutions. These moves can be learned from the previously mentioned tutors, with each of them offering two to three different, powerful options. Cerulean’s tutor provides Water, Electric, and Fire-type moves, Celadon provides Dark and Psychic-type moves, and Fuschia’s tutor teaches you Ice, Grass, and Fairy-type moves. Here are the moves…
| Move | Power | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bouncy Bubble | 90 | Water | Heals for 50% of damage dealt |
| Buzzy Buzz | 90 | Electric | Always causes Paralysis |
| Sissly Slide | 90 | Fire | Always cause Burn |
| Glitzy Glow | 90 | Psychic | Creates Reflector that halves Special damage |
| Baddy Bad | 90 | Dark | Creates Reflector that halves Physical damage |
| Sappy Seed | 90 | Grass | Plants HP leeching seed |
| Freezy Frost | 90 | Ice | Resets all Stat Bonuses |
| Sparkly Swirl | 90 | Fairy | Heals ally’s Status Effects |
| Veevee Volley | 90 | Normal | Power depends on Friendliness. Never misses |
Even if you opt for Let’s Go, Eevee, it’s possible to find a Pikachu in the wild. It can’t be dressed up, that’s only for the starter versions but, just like the original games, Pikachu is available early in the game in Viridian Forest. Much like Eevee, it has a rare appearance rate, but it’s not impossible to find. Again, just like how you can evolve the Eevees found in the wild, the wild Pikachu can be turned into Raichu, which is an objectively cooler Pokemon.