New features, Switch bundle announced for Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu, and Let's Go Eevee

Partner-exclusive moves, secret techniques, and ways to befriend your Pokemon have been announced for Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee.

Nintendo announced more features for Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu, and Let's Go Eevee alongside a new trailer showing off some exclusive moves.

Players will find both Eevee and Pikachu can use exclusive moves unavailable to other Pokemon. These are Partner Powers which are used when a sign appears during battle. The power of these moves will increase depending on how strong the player’s bond is with their partner.

Both Pokemon will also aid their Trainer when confronted with obstacles. One of these moves is called Sea Skim, and it glides the Pokemon and its Trainer across water.

The newly announced features for Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee are posted below, courtesy of Nintendo.

Pokemon, Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee features

Clear the Way: Secret Techniques

• Pikachu or Eevee can help players overcome obstacles they encounter and make travel easier by learning Secret Techniques. These special skills can be used by the player’s partner Pokemon outside of battle to clear away trees (Chop Down), glide across water (Sea Skim), and quickly revisit towns and cities that have already been explored (Sky Dash).

Powerful Partner-Exclusive Moves

• The player’s partner Pikachu or Eevee can use exclusive moves that no other Pokemon can use. These exclusive moves will help players face any challenge during their adventures. And once the player’s relationship with their partner reaches a certain level, the partner Pokemon will occasionally send a sign during battle that its partner power (one of its exclusive moves) can be used. Even if the partner Pokemon is not in the battle, it may still send a sign. If the player responds, the partner will bolster the Pokemon in battle by boosting its stats.

• Two of Pikachu’s exclusive moves are Pika Papow and Splishy Splash. Pika Papow is also a partner power, so it’s performed when the partner sign appears during battle. The power of Pika Papow can increase depending on how strong the player’s bond is with their partner Pikachu. The Water-type move Splishy Splash can paralyze opponents.

• Eevee’s exclusive moves are partner power Veevee Volley as well as Bouncy Bubble, Buzzy Buzz, and Sizzly Slide. When Eevee uses Veevee Volley, its power can increase depending on Eevee’s relationship with the player. Bouncy Bubble, a Water-type move, will heal Eevee for half the damage dealt to the opponent. The Electric-type move Buzzy Buzz paralyzes the opponent. An opponent will always be left with the burned status condition if it is hit with Eevee’s Fire-type move, Sizzly Slide.

Best of Friends: Befriending a Partner Pokemon

• Players can interact with their partner Pokemon when they are not in battle by selecting the Pikachu or Eevee icon on the main menu. By petting and playing with their partner Pokemon, players will improve their relationship with Pikachu or Eevee and can receive in-game benefits such as presents. When the game is in handheld mode, players can use the touch screen to play directly with their partner Pokemon.

Explore the Kanto Region: Celadon City

• Celadon City is one of the many locations in the Kanto region that players can explore. This large city, known as the “City of Rainbow Dreams,” has an arcade and even a department store. Erika, sometimes called “the Nature-Loving Princess,” is the Gym Leader of the Celadon City Gym and specializes in Grass-type Pokemon.

In additional news, Nintendo announced a Switch Bundle which features Pikachu and Eevee-themed controllers, and a Poke Ball Plus.  The front of the dock features Eevee and Pikachu, while the back of the console has silhouettes of both Pokemon.

Releasing November 16 alongside the game, the bundle also includes a digital copy of either Let's Go, Pikachu or Eevee. It is available for pre-order now and will run you $399.99 or the regional equivalent.