Parents' Guide to Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee/Pikachu!

This updated version of a gaming classic brings the collection series into the 21st century, making it more accessible and engaging than before, even if it makes it easier at the same time. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! take a fresh new look at the gameplay of Pokémon Yellow with many new updates, making the title very accessible for newcomers. For one thing, random battles have been eliminated in favor of seeing the creatures on a map, so players can pick and choose which fights to engage in (or track creatures that haven't been captured yet to add to their collection). You also get tons of Poké balls to capture monsters, whether they're found in the environment or as a reward for beating trainers. Unless you mistime a throw, it's almost impossible to lose a creature. But most striking with the Let's Go games is that they focus more on bonding and building relationships with your Pokémon. You'll be able to feed, clothe, and play with Pikachu (or Eevee), which builds trust. Similarly, you can take other captured Pokémon out of their shells to follow you around the world. Spending this time gives the creatures the ability to shrug off attacks and even heal themselves of harmful status conditions, which makes your investment in your stable of creatures extremely valuable. Plus, it's almost impossible to stop smiling when your Eevee (or Pikachu) purrs and smiles at you as you scratch its ears.

The expanded play carries over to the Poké Ball Plus controller peripheral, which allows you to control the game with one hand and "toss" Poké balls out to capture creatures. For any kid that's imagined capturing monsters, this peripheral is the closest thing to putting you in the cartoon, complete with its sounds and light-up LEDs. But it also syncs up with Pokémon Go, allowing you to train your creatures with each step and get items if you hit Poké Stops without using a cell phone. If you have big hands, the controller can be slightly uncomfortable over prolonged gameplay, but that's a minor problem. In fact, the only issue with Let's Go is that the game's a bit too easy, especially for experienced players, who may be bored aside from a taste of nostalgia. For instance, the ability to gang up on trainers through co-op play means that you won't face a challenge during fights, and you have twice the opportunities to capture creatures. It's also easy to get stat boosting candies and experience from gathering Pokémon (even if they're duplicates), so the challenge of leveling or evolving your creatures is almost nonexistent. Ease of gameplay aside, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! are still lots of fun for the franchise's first steps on the Switch, especially for players who have never explored the original games.