Pokemon Let's Go Eevee & Pikachu Will Require Online Subscription

In order to access some key, important features in Pokemon Let’s Go, you’ll have to purchase the Nintendo Switch online subscription. Specifically, you’ll need it for battling and trading with other players. That said, those features will be fairly simplified compared to what’s common for core Pokemon games.

Pokemon Let’s Go, both Pikachu and Eevee, are going to be a throwback to the days of yore, with some Pokemon Go flavor to entice new players. It’s bound to gather a whole bunch of people. However, you’ll have to own the Nintendo Switch online subscription to access some pretty important features. As a representative told Eurogamer: “Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will have online play functionality. Battling and trading with other players over the internet or locally will be available in these games. However, the feature set will be somewhat simplified in comparison to previous games in that there is no GTS, Wonder Trade, or Battle Spot (Rating Battle, Free Battle, and Online Competition, etc.) for example. Further details will be revealed at a later date.”

So, that’s already kinda disappointing, what with no global trading system and such features. Then again, Pokemon Let’s Go is a bit of a throwback to the beginnings of Pokemon, with only 151 original Pokemon in the game. However, here’s the catch: “An active membership for the Nintendo Switch Online service, which is scheduled to begin in September of this year, will be required to access these features.” Now, that’s a little annoying, and also puzzling. It’s kinda puzzling that they’re scaling down so much of the “multiplayer” options to entice you to buy the Switch online subscription. And, on the other hand, these are some fairly key features they’re walling off. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how players respond.