While Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee are essentially remakes of Generation I’s Pokémon Yellow, Game Freak also took certain liberties with these Nintendo Switch titles. Splicing Pokémon GO’s capture mechanics into the game, combined with the lack of the Safari Zone and so on, made for a game that was super familiar and nostalgic, yet still distinctly different.

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This fact extends to the roster of Kanto favorites itself. While a lot of these beloved creatures are found in the very same spots as they were in the original games, some are not. Let’s take a look at some of the rarer creatures --including the elusive Mr. Mime-- and where to nab them in Let’s Go (without use of Pokémon Go Park, which allows Pokémon to be imported into the game from Pokémon GO).

10 Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime in Pokémon: Let's Go

Players of the first instalments of the series will remember that Mr. Mime was darn tough to come by. This enigmatic Psychic-type (now retconned to Psychic/Fairy and given a Psychic/Ice Galarian form with an evolution) wasn’t capturable at all; available only through an NPC trade for a Clefairy.

Fortunately, Mr. Mime isn’t so rare in Let’s Go. It’s found on Route 11 (by Vermilion City), though it only has a 5% chance to spawn there. This isn’t such as issue, though, as this game’s spawns are visible right on the overworld and tough to miss. Snap up this peculiar critter when you see it!

9 Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur in Pokémon: Let's Go

Needless to say, the major departure that Yellow made from Pokémon Red & Blue was that the iconic starter trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle weren’t available as picks for the player’s first companion. That was Pikachu’s job.

Still, these rare Pokémon are also available in Yellow and they are in Let’s Go, too, if you know where to look. Bulbasaur pops up very early in Let’s Go, right there in Viridian Forest. It can take a very long time for one to spawn and they can be a pain to catch (careful use of Berries helps there), but it’s worth it to have this coveted critter in your team so early. This is the only place where a wild Bulbasaur can appear, and Catch Chains and Lures will increase your chances of finding one. Alternatively, an NPC in Cerulean City will gift you a Bulbasaur, if you’ve caught 30 or more Pokémon.

8 Charmander

Charmander in Pokémon: Let's Go

Next up is Charmander, the second member of the original starter trio. This fan-favorite Fire-type is also available surprisingly early in the adventure.

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Your first chance to get your hands on one is on Route 3, on your way from Pewter City. Just before the entrance to Mt. Moon is a patch of grass just perfect for building up a Catch Combo, which is what you’ll have to do to trigger the spawn. It can also spawn on Route 4 and in Rock Tunnel. Failing that, an NPC just after the battle with Misty (to the north of Cerulean City) will offer you a Charmander, if you’ve caught 50+ Pokémon.

7 Squirtle

Squirtle in Pokémon: Let's Go

That covers Bulbasaur and Charmander, but what of the final Kanto starter, Squirtle? Don’t worry, there are also two ways to nab this Water-type. Firstly, rare wild spawns: Squirtle is found north of Cerulean City, on Route 24. Straight down to the other side of the bridge from the NPC who gifts you a Charmander, in fact, so that’s convenient. Build up your Catch Chain, be patient and you’ll find it. Route 25 and the Seafoam Islands are also options.

Another method is to simply catch 60+ critters in total. On doing so and defeating Lt. Surge, the NPC just to the right of Vermilion City’s Pokémon Center will offer you a Squirtle.

6 Kangaskhan

Kangaskhan in Pokémon: Let's Go

With your starter collection complete, which other rare critters might players be keen to capture? Kangaskhan is one notable ‘mon, previously only available in the Safari Zone. This area was functionally replaced by the Pokémon Go Park in Let’s Go, so how do players find a wild Kangaskhan in-game?

The first thing to understand about this potentially powerful Normal-type is that it’s a very rare spawn: 1%! You can build up that combo and try your luck in Rock Tunnel. Still, if you’re dedicated to catchin’ ‘em all, you’ve got to be persistent.

5 Pinsir

Pinsir in Pokémon: Let's Go

If you’ve got your combo and your Lure flowing, it’s time to hunt down another of Let’s Go’s rarest critters: Pinsir! If you can handle 1% spawn rates, head over to Route 14/15 and start chaining catches.

Pinsir is a strong physical attacker, a solid Bug-type that had an excellent Mega Evolution and may have fared better in competitive play had Heracross not stolen its thunder. This is Generation I, though, so Pinsir is probably the best Bug around. Capturing one can take a while, but stick with it!

4 Dratini

Dratini in Pokémon: Let's Go

Long-time players will remember just how much of a pain it was to catch Dratini in the original titles. Good news, everyone: it’s just as bad in Let’s Go (as always, players can simply transfer one from GO if they wish).

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Instead of its familiar location, wild Dratini can be found on Route 10, in the water to the east of Cerulean City. Its appearance rate is 4%, but you might find a Dragonair here instead (1%). As for Dragonite, they make very rare post-game appearances in the skies across Kanto, not really one specific area.

3 Lapras

Lapras in Pokémon: Let's Go

Lapras has been tearing up the metagame in Pokémon Sword & Shield, with its Gigantamax//G-Max Resonance shenanigans. This majestic creature has been a rarity in every title it’s featured in, and the method of getting one in Let’s Go should feel quite familiar.

After defeating the dastardly Giovanni at Silph Co., head to the seventh floor and speak to this particular NPC. Grateful to the player for saving the company from Team Rocket, he’ll gift them a Lapras.

2 Porygon

Porygon in Pokémon: Let's Go

Like Kangaskhan, Porygon is another Pokémon whose original location is no longer available in Let’s Go. While the Safari Zone is no longer a place to catch Pokémon in and of itself, the Game Corner and its coins-for-rare-Pokémon deal is also missing in this game. Where does Porygon appear, then?

You’ll have to hit Saffron City and expel Team Rocket from the area before Porygon is unlocked. After doing so, return to the city and speak to the NPC just outside of the Pokémon Center. If the huge floating Porygon next to him wasn’t enough of a hint, he has one, and he’ll give it to you! Aside from this, there’s only one area where Wild Porygon will spawn: on Route 7, in the small patch of grass to the right entrance (pictured above).

1 Articuno, Zapdos And Moltres

Articuno and Aerodactyl in Pokémon: Let's Go

As old hands will know, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are the OG Legendary trio. Ice/Flying, Electric/Flying and Fire/Flying respectively, they struggle to make a name for themselves in today’s metagames (though bulky Zapdos has always been a solid pick) with their less-than-stellar stats, but hold a special place in fans’ hearts nonetheless.

They’re found in Let’s Go in their classic locations: Articuno is in the Seafoam Islands, Zapdos in the Kanto Power Plant on Route 10 and Moltres in the depths of Victory Road. What’s interesting, however, is that multiples of these Pokémon are available in the wild. The chances of finding one are super low, but all three can spawn on Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. If you fly around and search for long enough, you may even be able to pick up several of them!

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