The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo provided further details on the highly anticipated games Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, releasing later this year on the Nintendo Switch™ system.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will both feature a variety of exclusive Pokémon which are unique to each game. In Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! Trainers will be able to capture Pokémon including Oddish, Sandshrew and Growlithe; while players of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will be able to capture Pokémon such as Bellsprout, Vulpix and Meowth.

At the start of players’ adventures, they will receive their first partner Pokémon, either Pikachu or Eevee. Unlike regular Pokémon, their first partner Pokémon is not interested in evolving and instead prefers to stay out of its Poké Ball. It will travel with players throughout their journey by hanging on their shoulder or riding on their head. Players can become best friends with their Pikachu or Eevee and can pet, feed and even tickle them. Not only that, but players can dress up their Trainer and partner Pokémon in a wide variety of cool and cute outfits, accessories and even hairstyles to become the perfect style duo with their new best friend.

As players travel throughout the Kanto region, they will meet some familiar faces as well as a few new ones. Professor Oak returns, alongside a new Rival, to present the Pokédex—a high-tech encyclopedia that records data on any new species of Pokémon that players catch in the games. Players will be able to battle Gym leaders across Kanto, including fan favourites Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City, and Misty, the Gym Leader of Cerulean City, as they strive to become the Pokémon League champion. In-game Pokémon Trainers aren’t the only ones who can be battled. Players will be able to connect with other players online* or via local wireless communication between Nintendo Switch consoles to enjoy intense Pokémon battles. They will also be able to trade Pokémon with each other using these communication features to help complete their Pokédex.

For the first time in a mainline Pokémon game, two people can now play together on one system! By shaking a second Joy-Con, another player can join the fray. There are some real benefits to adventuring together as well, including making it easier to catch Pokémon and even battling against tough Trainers as a tag team in Pokémon battles. Grab a friend, explore Kanto and experience an adventure like no other.

The Poké Ball Plus is a device that can be used to play Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! in place of a Joy-Con or alongside Pokémon GO instead of the Pokémon GO Plus**. The Poké Ball Plus also allows players to bring one of their Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! with them as they explore the real world. The Mythical Pokémon Mew will be available in the Poké Ball Plus, and players will be able to transfer it to their version of these new games.*** The Poké Ball Plus will be available to purchase separately at retail alongside Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! on November 16.

*In order to use the internet-based communication features for battling and trading, players will need to enrol in the paid Nintendo Switch Online service that officially launches in September.

** Using as a Pokémon GO Plus requires installation of the Pokémon GO application on a compatible smartphone. See www.pokemongo.com for details.

***At the time of its release, Poké Ball Plus will only be compatible as a controller for Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! It cannot be used for other Nintendo Switch software titles.