Highlights

  • Let's Go Pikachu! and Eevee! started in the Kanto region with iconic Pokemon as starters, making them recognizable mascots for the game.
  • If the Let's Go series were to continue in the Hoenn region, a new duo of Pokemon, like Zigzagoon and Poochyena could be chosen, as they are commonly encountered and cute.
  • The Hoenn starters Treeko, Torchic, and Mudkip are beloved and powerful choices, but using two of three as Let's Go mascots would upset fans, so it's best to avoid them.

The Pokemon Let's Go spin-off series started in the Kanto region with Let's Go Pikachu! and Eevee! These two Pokemon were chosen to be the starters for each game, and many fans would agree that these Pokemon are two of the most recognizable of the first Generation. As such, they became the mascots and main team members of the players taking on the gym challenge and trying to complete the Pokédex.

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However, the Hoenn region is also a popular place to explore in the Pokemon world. Introduced in Generation Three, Hoenn is a tropical region with plenty of water and over one hundred and thirty new Pokemon. Therefore, developers would need to pick a new duo of Hoenn Pokemon if they wanted to continue the Let's Go series in this region.

5 Zigzagoon and Poochyena

Two Of The First Pokemon Players Encounter In Hoenn

Zigzagoon and Poochyena-1

Every new Pokemon game features a few weak normal types for players to run into during the early routes. Generation One had Pidgey and Rattata, Generation Two had Sentret and Hoothoot, and Generation Three introduced Zigzagoon and Poochyena. Both of these Pokemon have a spot in fans' hearts as they are usually one of the first Pokemon that players will catch during a Hoenn playthrough. Plus, these two first-stage Pokemon are cute enough to feature on the box art of a new game.

The only thing that lets these two Pokemon down as the lead starters for a new game is the fact that they are both normal types. Therefore, there isn't any variety on offer for fans who want to play two versions of the game.

4 Plusle and Minun

The Two Pikachu Clones of The Region

Plusle & Minun In The Pokemon Anime

Hoenn is the first Generation of Pokemon to introduce two Pikachu clones. Plusle and Minun are two electric rodents that resemble the franchise's yellow mascot. The only difference is that these two have plus and minus symbols on their cheeks to indicate which one is which. With these two Pokemon being so cute and similar to the original mascot, they would seem like the perfect choice for the lead starters in a new Let's Go game set in Hoenn.

Sadly, these two Pokemon are considered to be quite boring in the fandom. Also, it is quite redundant to feature two almost identical Pokemon in different version exclusives.

3 Hoenn Starters

This Trio Are Some Of The Best Starters

Hoenn Starters

As with every main series game featuring a trio of starters, Generation Three introduced the grass-type Treeko, the fire-type Torchic, and the water-type Mudkip to the franchise. Every player who started the games in the Hoenn region would have used one of these three Pokemon during their first playthrough and would have watched them grow through the game to become very powerful. As such, these starters are some of the most beloved and iconic Pokemon in the region.

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The sad thing about using two of these Pokemon as Let's Go mascots is that one would need to be left out. Picking one to remove as an automatic inclusion in these games would inevitably upset some fans, so it is best to steer clear of all three as potential options.

2 Zangoose and Seviper

Two Iconic Hoenn Rivals

Zangoose and Seviper

One of the most interesting things that arrived in Generation Three was the inclusion of two natural rivals in the Pokemon world, Zangoose and Seviper. Both these Pokemon tick a lot of boxes when it comes to picking the leads for a new set of Let's Go games. They are both native to Hoenn, are completely different types, and their natural rivalry adds a bit more emphasis to the fact that these Pokemon are promoting two different games.

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Unfortunately, these two also have some of the same drawbacks. Firstly, neither one of them can be considered cute. At least, they are not cute enough to market a new video game to young children. Secondly, neither of them feels much like a starter. They are far too big, and their starting stats are too high. As such, both Zangoose and Seviper fall just short of the mark.

1 Carvanha and Numel

A Fire and Water Type Who Can Act As Rivals

Carvanha and Numel

Anyone who has played through a Hoenn game, either the originals or the remakes on the 3DS, has had multiple battles with a Carvanha or a Numel. This is because these two Pokemon are used frequently by the two evil teams in these games. The Carvanha line is the ace Pokemon of the villainous Team Aqua, and the Numel line is used mainly by Team Magma. As such, these two first-stage Hoenn Pokemon provide players with a duo with a common rivalry.

What's more, the contrasting water and fire types in each of these Pokemon are enough to provide the player with different challenges depending on the version they are playing. It is also similar to the dichotomy of the first games in the series to be released in the West, Pokemon Red and Blue. Therefore, Carvanha and Numel have enough positive attributes to make them the best duo to lead a future Let's Go game set in the Hoenn region.

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Pokemon Let's Go

Platform(s)
Switch
Released
November 16, 2018
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Genre(s)
RPG