Let's Go Pikachu vs Let's Go Eevee: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Buy Let's Go Pikachu if you prefer version exclusives like Oddish, Growlithe, and Scyther, or if you want a partner with a focused move set. Buy Let's Go Eevee if you want Bellsprout, Vulpix, and Pinsir, or if you prefer a partner Pokémon with far more type versatility out of the box.
Both games launched on November 16, 2018 for the Nintendo Switch at $59.99 MSRP each. They share the same map, the same story, the same Gym leaders, and the same catch-focused mechanics. The original MSRP was $59.99 each; secondhand copies are currently observed at $39.99 and up (Oct 8, 2026), roughly 33% below the launch price.
The choice comes down to three things: which version-exclusive Pokémon you care about, which partner Pokémon suits your playstyle, and who you're buying for.
On this page 6 sections
At a glance
| Let's Go Pikachu | Let's Go Eevee | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 16, 2018 | November 16, 2018 |
| Original MSRP | $59.99 (Nintendo) | $59.99 (Nintendo) |
| Observed price | From $39.99 (Oct 8, 2026) | From $39.99 (Oct 8, 2026) |
| Partner Pokémon | Pikachu (Electric) | Eevee (Normal) |
| Partner exclusive moves | 3 moves covering Electric, Water, Flying | 8 moves covering Water, Electric, Fire, Psychic, Dark, Grass, Ice, Fairy |
| Key version exclusives | Oddish line, Sandshrew line, Growlithe, Mankey line, Grimer line, Scyther | Ekans line, Vulpix line, Meowth line, Bellsprout line, Koffing line, Pinsir |
| Pokémon GO connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Two-player co-op | Yes (two Joy-Con) | Yes (two Joy-Con) |
| Poke Ball Plus compatible | Yes (sold separately) | Yes (sold separately) |
Where Let's Go Pikachu wins
The partner Pokémon most people picture
Pikachu has been the face of the franchise since the original 1998 Pokémon Yellow, and Let's Go Pikachu leans into that directly. Your Pikachu rides your shoulder, reacts to your actions, and refuses to sit in a Poké Ball. For anyone whose first Pokémon was the anime or Yellow, this framing lands differently than Eevee's.
Partner Pikachu gets three exclusive moves: Zippy Zap (Electric), Splishy Splash (Water), and Floaty Fall (Flying). They cover three common coverage slots. The move set is tighter and easier to think about for younger players or gift recipients who don't want to manage many move options.
Version exclusives: Oddish, Growlithe, and Scyther
Let's Go Pikachu's exclusives skew toward Pokémon with strong Kanto nostalgia value. Growlithe and Arcanine are Pikachu-exclusive, as are Scyther, the Oddish line (Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume), and the Mankey line (Mankey, Primeape). Alolan Sandshrew and Alolan Sandslash are also Pikachu-only in the base game.
Scyther is the practical pick here. It has no natural Kanto equivalent in Let's Go Eevee, and Scizor (its evolution via trade with a Metal Coat) is useful in later gameplay. If Scyther matters to you, this is the version.
Where Let's Go Eevee wins
The partner with eight move types
Partner Eevee's move set is the most important mechanical difference between the two games. Eevee gets eight exclusive partner moves: Bouncy Bubble (Water), Buzzy Buzz (Electric), Sizzly Slide (Fire), Glitzy Glow (Psychic), Baddy Bad (Dark), Sappy Seed (Grass), Freezy Frost (Ice), and Sparkly Swirl (Fairy).
That covers eight types from one Pokémon. Pikachu covers three.
Before you've caught a full team, Eevee handles type matchups that Pikachu can't touch. For players who enjoy flexible coverage early, Eevee is the mechanically stronger partner choice.
None of these moves are available on wild or traded Eevees. They are exclusive to the partner Eevee you start with, so the advantage is real and persistent through the whole game.
Version exclusives: Vulpix, Meowth, and Pinsir
Let's Go Eevee's exclusives include Ekans and Arbok, the Vulpix line (including Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales), Meowth and Persian, the Bellsprout line (Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel), Koffing and Weezing, and Pinsir.
Alolan Vulpix is the standout here. It's an Ice/Fairy type (post-evolution as Alolan Ninetales) and the Alolan form is only obtainable in Let's Go Eevee without a Pokémon GO transfer. Meowth fans will also find their only natural source in this version.
The deciding question
The fastest way to choose: which partner do you want following you for the whole game?
If your answer is Pikachu, the version exclusives reinforce that. If your answer is Eevee, or if you want an Eeveelution plush on your shelf alongside the game, Let's Go Eevee is the natural fit. The broader Switch games guide covers the full Kanto-era lineup if you're still deciding between Let's Go and an older title.
For gift buyers
Both games are rated E for Everyone and play identically at a surface level. Random encounters are gone: you see Pokémon walking around and throw Poké Balls at them directly, which makes the game approachable for ages 6 and up. Two-player co-op works by handing a second Joy-Con to someone mid-game, no extra setup needed.
Check who the recipient's favorite Pokémon is. Pikachu fans and Eevee fans split roughly evenly, and the version you give tells the recipient you paid attention.
For completionists
You cannot catch version exclusives through normal gameplay in the opposite version. To get all 151 original Kanto Pokémon in one save file, you need either both games or a Pokémon GO account with Kanto Pokémon to transfer. Trading with someone who owns the other version also works, but requires two Switch consoles and two copies of either game.
If you only want one copy, pick the version whose exclusives you care about more. The Pokémon GO transfer path is available either way once you reach Fuchsia City in-game.
What about the Poke Ball Plus bundle?
The original Poke Ball Plus bundle shipped at $99.99 MSRP and included the Poke Ball Plus controller plus a Mew that could only be obtained through that accessory at launch. Secondhand bundles are currently observed from $209 upward (Oct 8, 2026), primarily from sellers who have the accessory and game together in the original box.
The Poke Ball Plus itself can still be purchased separately and used with either game. It replaces a Joy-Con for catching Pokémon with a wrist-flick throw motion and lets you "walk" a Pokémon in the real world, similar to Pokémon GO Plus. It works identically with both Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee.
Mew is no longer gated to the bundle. If that was your concern, the standard cartridge-only versions at $39.99 are the practical buy in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee better for beginners?
Both are excellent beginner Pokémon games. Let's Go Eevee gives a slight edge for beginners because Partner Eevee's eight exclusive move types let you handle more opponents without needing to build a diverse team early on. Let's Go Pikachu is equally accessible but the partner covers fewer types on its own.
Can you get version exclusives without buying both games?
Yes, through two routes: trade with another player who owns the other version (requires two Switch consoles and two copies of a Let's Go game), or transfer matching Kanto Pokémon from Pokémon GO once you reach Fuchsia City in-game. Without those options, you cannot catch the other version's exclusives in your own save file.
Does it matter which version you pick for Pokémon GO connectivity?
No. Both games connect to Pokémon GO in exactly the same way. Once you reach Fuchsia City, you can transfer any Kanto Pokémon (and their Alolan forms) from GO into either version.
The connectivity feature does not differ between the two games.
Are these games compatible with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Not directly. You cannot trade or transfer Pokémon between Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee and Scarlet and Violet. The transfer path goes through Pokémon HOME, which requires a paid subscription.
There are restrictions on which Pokémon can move between titles. Check the current HOME compatibility list before purchasing with that intent.
What is the current secondhand price for each game?
Both titles are observed at $39.99 and up from independent shops as of October 8, 2026. Prices vary by condition: cartridge-only copies typically list lower than complete-in-box copies.
The original MSRP at launch in 2018 was $59.99 each. DexHaul is independent and unofficial; prices reflect what independent sellers list at the time of writing.
Both games are in stock from independent shops right now. Browse all Nintendo Switch Pokémon titles at DexHaul's video games collection, where you can compare listings from dozens of independent sellers in one place. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee listings from independent shops.