The incredibly popular video game series Pokémon makes its first full debut on the Nintendo Switch with “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!”

While there have been many spin-off titles such as “Pokkén Tournament” and “Pokémon Colosseum,” this is the first time that a traditional Pokémon game has been on a home console. The game was advertised as a casual experience, catering toward newcomers or fans who have not played a game in many years.

“Pokémon: Let’s Go” is a remake of 1999’s “Pokémon Yellow” for the Gameboy Color. It follows a young trainer and their journey to become the Pokémon league champion in the Kanto region.

Players that grew up playing Pokémon will undoubtedly be hit with a rush of nostalgia when playing “Let’s Go.” Almost everything from the original game is present in the remake, including all 151 original Pokémon. “Let’s Go” comes in two versions: “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” The only difference between the two is the partner Pokémon. Other than that, they are relatively the same game.

The game makes a major change to cater towards casual audiences that has especially upset hardcore fans: it removes wild Pokémon battles. Instead of battling wild Pokémon in order to defeat them or catch them, you can now only catch wild Pokémon. The catching system is almost identical to the one present in the popular mobile game “Pokémon Go.” This was intentional, as the two games can connect. You can send Pokémon caught in “Pokémon Go” into “Let’s Go” once you reach a certain part of the game.

While this detail has upset many fans, I found the experience of catching Pokémon very fun and engaging. While playing the Switch in docked mode, you can physically throw your Pokéball with your controller, which really immerses players in the gameplay.

Traditional trainer battles have not been changed whatsoever in this new entry. The battles have become much easier, however. Catching Pokémon now gives experience to every Pokémon in your party, making them level up much faster. Your starter Pokémon (either Pikachu or Eevee) is almost unstoppable, gaining overpowered moves exclusive to this game. This fact did not bother me, but I understand that fans looking for a challenge might be disappointed.

As it is a remake of one of the original Pokémon games, “Let’s Go” is overflowing with nostalgia for fans of the series. The game’s music has been beautifully recreated and the visuals look stunning, giving a whole new life to the world that many fell in love with almost twenty years ago. The developers also went out of their way to include fan favorites from the classic Pokémon television show, such as Jesse and James from Team Rocket and Officer Jenny. These small touches don’t do much to change the game but make the experience much more enjoyable for old school fans.

The game is overflowing with charm and personality. You connect with your partner Pokémon immediately. Being able to pet them whenever you want and give them a costume adds to the charm of the game. “Let’s Go” has also added multiple cutscenes featuring Pikachu or Eevee throughout the story which are simply adorable. Being able to not only have your partner Pokémon with you throughout the whole game but also have a Pokémon of your choice follow behind you is also another great touch that fans have been wanting back since 2009’s “HeartGold” and “SoulSilver.”

The game has a two-player feature, allowing a second player to catch Pokémon and battle along with you. This makes the already easy game even easier, improving your chances of catching wild Pokémon and making every battle a double battle. While it is fun for a while, the lowered difficulty made it hard for me to want another person to join me on my adventures.

Overall, “Pokémon: Let’s Go” is an enjoyable experience for those looking for a more casual Pokémon experience. The removal of wild battles and the decreased difficulty certainly hold the game back from being great. The game’s undeniable charm and core gameplay, however, still provide an enjoyable experience that Pokémon fans and newcomers alike will be able to enjoy.

7/10