Pikachu Vs Eevee: Which Pokemon Is Better?

Pokémon Let’s Go is finally upon us, and like all previous Pokemon games, it comes in two flavours. Grab the Pikachu version, and you’ll have the series mascot following you around for the entire game. Pick the Eevee version, and you’ll make friends with the less iconic, but still beloved, namesake creature.

Whichever way you go, that Pokemon is going to be sitting on your shoulder all the way, popping up in cutscenes, playing a part in the story. It’s essential that you choose right, and while some would say that it’s a matter of personal choice — we think otherwise.

So which starter Pokemon is scientifically, objectively better? We’ve broken down all the essential statistics to bring you the definitive answer.

Cuteness

Cuteness is an important category when you’re deciding which Pokémon you’ll want demanding pats from you throughout Let’s Go. But choosing which one is cuter depends on a few factors. If you’re comparing Pikachu and Eevee as they appear in the wild, there’s no contest – Pikachu’s got those red cheeks, that easy smile, those adorable ‘Pika Pika’ noises. Some species of Pikachu even have tails shaped like love hearts, and what’s cuter than that?

But then, we must account for the fact that Let’s Go lets you dress your Pokemon up in little clothing sets. Pikachu looks adorable in the sailor shirt you can grab on board the SS Anne, but we have to give it up for Eevee, who looks much better in a hat than Pikachu does. Ultimately this is too close to call, no matter how much scientific evidence we hurl at it.

Winner: Tie

Evolution

With a touch of the Thunder Stone, Pikachu evolves into the very cool Raichu, a slightly larger, more powerful Pokemon that loses none of its predecessor’s charm. Raichu is essentially just Pikachu again but stronger, which is cool, but it’s a far cry from some of Pokémon’s weirder evolutions (twenty years on and we’re still not over Exeggcute, the pile of eggs that evolves into a sentient palm tree). You can also breed Pikachu or Raichu to create Pichu if you’re after a Pokémon that will kind of suck in Smash Bros.

The whole point of Eevee is that you can evolve it in any way you see fit by using the Fire Stone, Thunder Stone, or Water Stone. Eevee represents potential; no matter how cute and sweet you are now you could grow up to and be capable of burning, electrocuting, or, uh, drowning your enemies. Later versions of Pokemon have added even more evolutions – Eevee’s up to eight now, all of them varying degrees of adorable and deadly.

Of course, in Let’s Go, you can’t evolve your starter Pokemon, but if you catch an Eevee or Pikachu in the wild, you’re welcome to fill your team up with their evolutions. For what it’s worth I caught my own spare Pikachu within an hour of starting Let’s Go Pikachu but am yet to claim an Eevee.

Winner: Eevee

Attacks

Pikachu might look cute and innocent, but there’s darkness below the surface. It can summon electricity from within itself like a storm cloud. It can direct bolts of lightning capable of splitting wood in twain at any specific target in its periphery, precision assaults of pure fury. It holds tremendous, terrifying power in its tiny frame, its adorable exterior betraying the battle that rages inside it at all times. It has the strength and ability to commit murder, to level a building, to destroy anything or anyone that would dare to oppress it. When Pikachu arcs up, the gods themselves flinch.

In Let’s Go, Eevee can learn fire, water and electricity moves with the right training, but its main ability is flinging its own body into its opponents in the hope that they collapse before it does. No contest.

Winner: Pikachu

Detective Abilities

I mean, look. Put a hat and coat on Pikachu and hand it a magnifying glass and you’re halfway to solving a murder case. That little guy is out there, putting the work in, getting things done. Eevee, on the other hand, couldn’t find a Kmart in a suburban shopping centre.

Winner: Pikachu

Appearances in the Anime

This might look like another Pikachu clean sweep from the outset. Pikachu’s the face of the franchise because of the anime, and with good reason – it’s adorable and powerful, and a beautiful piece of character design. But Pikachu’s fame came at a cost. Long gone is the bulky, rounded Pikachu we saw back in Red/Blue, and on our screens when the anime first debuted. The sleeker Pikachu, who still stands by Ash’s side and has battled through some impossible odds, is a lovely Pokemon, but it has caved to the wants of a mainstream audience. Pikachu is a victim of its own popularity, one that Ash can never evolve for fear of upsetting the anime’s iconography.

In the very first episode of Pokémon, Ash’s rival Gary starts off his adventure with an Eevee. Gary, who started out as a brash, sneering rival, would mellow significantly as the series went on. He eventually evolved his Eevee into an Umbreon and transitioned into more of a researcher role, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Professor Oak. While Ash and Pikachu are stuck in a perpetual cycle, unable ever to win a championship, playing out the same conflict with Team Rocket repeatedly, Gary and his Eevee have done their thing with a lot more chill. That’s very cool.

Winner: Eevee

Overall

No matter how much science we throw at this issue, it’s tough to come to a definitive answer. We’re inclined to say that the real winner here is the player, who gets to choose between these two adorable creatures. No matter which Pokemon you pick, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

…no, just kidding. It’s Pikachu. It’s very clearly Pikachu. Look at his little red cheeks!