Nintendo says Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee works without motion controls in handheld mode, but uncertainty remains
There’s been some uncertainty surrounding Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee regarding motion controls. It was previously thought that you’d need to physically move your Switch system around in handheld mode to catch Pokemon. However, this isn’t entirely true.
IGN obtained a statement from Nintendo which states that motion controls or physical gestures aren’t needed when playing in handheld mode. The full note reads:
“Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! do not require players to use motion controls or physical gestures when in Handheld Mode. Instead, players can use the joystick on the left Joy-Con controller to aim and press the A button to throw a Poké Ball. The simulated throwing motion associated with the Joy-Con controllers or Poké Ball Plus are intended to enhance the gameplay experience, but are not required to play these games.”
Nintendo added that “there is no function to turn off motion controls,” but “this does not impact that player’s ability to use the buttons and joysticks to play the game in handheld mode.”
As for IGN, the site has reported its own findings after viewing a video demo from The Pokemon Company which makes the situation somewhat unclear:
– Since motion controls cannot be turned off, it’s still unclear if motion controls will kick in automatically when the system is moved while Pokemon Let’s Go is played in handheld mode
– While playing with the Switch stationary in this video, the Pokemon was automatically centered on the screen when an encounter began, requiring only a press of the button to accurately throw a Poke Ball to catch it
– Correct timing was needed to hit the center of the Pokemon and accomplish a “Good” or “Great” throw, but not necessary to complete a catch
– However, the Pokemon caught in our demo was mostly stationary and good timing could technically be harder on a Pokemon with more erratic movements and dodges
– Representatives at the demo did not confirm if Pokemon will aggressively dodge attacks, or if pressing the A button will throw a Poke Ball in docked mode
– IGN asked representatives for The Pokemon Company if moving the camera will ever be necessary since Pokemon are automatically centered in your Poke Ball’s crosshairs, so to speak, at the start of each encounter
– This also brings into question why motion controls cannot be turned off if it seems they will interfere with joystick inputs if the system is moved
In summary:
– At the start of a Pokemon catching encounter, the only input needed is choosing an item and pressing the A button to throw a Poke Ball; motion controls not required
– This is easily accomplished if the Switch is completely stationary, such as when flat on a table
– If you want, you can move the camera while in a catching encounter with the left joystick, though there is no obvious reason to do so
– However, motion controls cannot be turned off
– If the Switch in handheld mode is physically moved, the movement would trigger the motion controls, causing the camera to move with it
