Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 vs. Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee: Full Comparison

What’s better: a remake or a sequel? Many people have asked this question multiple times when it comes to Pokemon. Today, we will examine two of the franchise’s most iconic remakes and sequels, Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee, and Black 2/White 2, and break down their differences. By the end, you will better understand which game to play next and answer the question once and for all.

Games 

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee were remakes of the original Pokemon games Red, Blue, and Yellow. It was a way to bring a classic game into the modern world. While there were differences between the two games, Let’s Go used the original games as a foundation and built an optimized version for fans who don’t have access to a Game Boy.

The game, released in 2018, sold over 15 million copies worldwide. These two games also had the honor of being the first mainline Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch, ushering in a new age for the franchise.   

While there have been sequels in the past, Pokemon Black/White 2 were the first numbered sequels in the franchise. Developers often enhance the original games when creating sequels, like they did with Emerald or Platinum. These tell the same story but make tweaks to improve the quality and performance.

However, Black/White 2 told a new story taking place two years after Black/White and made significant changes to the game. Although the games didn’t sell as well, 7 million copies compared to 16 million, they made a lasting impact on the series. 

Regions

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee are both set in the Kanto region, inspired by the real-life Japanese region. It was the first region to be created and featured in a Pokemon title. Players begin in Pallet Town and have eight other cities to explore and one island. The region consists of caves, forests, water routes, and the end game Indigo Plateau.

Black/White 2 takes place in the Unova region, the same as Black/White. The region has one of the greatest ranges in the franchise, with small rural towns and large metropolis areas. This inspiration stems from New York and New York City, which blend residential neighborhoods and industrial zones significantly.

The sequels include new areas not present in the original games and expand on the territory. Since the developers wanted to make Generation V as unique as possible, they set Unova far away from other regions like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh.

Features

Many mechanics from the original Black/White games return to the sequel. However, Black/White 2 has many new features that make for a unique experience.

• They introduced a Challenge Mode and an Easy Mode, which raise and lower the strength of opposing Trainers.
• Pokemon World Tournament: Players can battle Gym Leaders and Champions from all five regions, bringing back classic characters. 
• Pokestar Studios: A new feature that allows players to make their own movies with Pokemon. 
• Trainers can earn medals, which act as achievements in-game. 
• Every Trainer in the game has their own battle animations, along with the Pokemon.
• Move Tutors return from Pokemon Platinum that teaches moves for Shards. 
• During the two-year time skip, Ghetsis formed a new Team Plasma and led the team again.
• Several areas previously limited to the post-game of Black/White are now part of the main story.

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee added various new features, making the games stand out. While not all of these features and mechanics were well-received, it showed a new way the series was headed. The best way to view these remakes is as simplified original versions.

• No Wild Battles: Players can only capture wild Pokemon instead of battling wild Pokemon. 
• Pokemon GO: The game is integrated with the Pokemon GO app, complete with a transfer feature. 
• Poke Ball Controller: Players can use a new controller shaped like a Poke Ball for catching Pokemon. 
• Co-Op: Players can play Let’s Go with one other friend and explore the world together and battle.
• No Evolution Items: They removed the items required to evolve Pokemon.
• Customization: Players can customize the look of their character instead of choosing one of two base options. 

Gym Battles

The standard eight Gym Battles and Elite Four are present in both titles, following the format created in Pokemon Red/Blue. One benefit Black/White 2 has is that it features Leaders and Champions from previous Generations. So not only can players battle Unova Trainers but also Trainers from other regions as well, expanding the gameplay.

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee will be significantly easier, however, due to Exp. Share. You cannot turn off this feature, and it will grant experience to every Pokémon in your party. While it does take away hours of grinding for levels, it often means they will be over-leveled come the Elite Four and Pokemon Champion.

Pokemon

The Pokemon in these Generations are some of the most unique and exciting. Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee features the original 151 Pokemon with updated models and textures. Being the first roster created, these Pokemon have been burned into pop culture for their originality.

Black/White 2 has a unique roaster since Gen V didn’t want to have previous Pokemon in the base game. Unlike previous games, which featured a mixture of old and new, Gen V was ambitious, and there hasn’t been anything like it since.

Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee Pokemon

Black/White 2 Pokemon