'Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu' and 'Eevee': How to Get Mew in the New Game

When Poké fans played the original Pokémon games in 1998, they had to use a GameShark to get Mew, Pokémon #151. In the latest remakes, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, however, players can acquire the Legendary Pokémon through somewhat more legitimate means, but the little pink creature is locked behind a paywall.

Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee were only just released on Thursday, and already everybody wants to know how to get Mew, but there’s good and bad news. There’s a way to get Mew that doesn’t involve cheat codes or modern-day GameSharks, but gamers have to purchase the Poké Ball Plus accessory to access Mew. (Or they could just buy the initial game bundle that includes one to save $10.)

Either way, that’s essentially like paying $50 just for a Mew and a plastic Poké Ball toy.

As of right now, this is the only way to get Mew in the game. Every other first generation Pokémon can be transferred over from Pokémon GO — but not Mew.

For players that do already have the Poké Ball Plus, unlocking Mew in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! works similar to how amiibos unlock in-game bonuses, but it’ll be familiar to Pokémon players that have redeemed similar bonus Pokémon in the past. It’s technically yet another Mystery Gift.

Using a Poké Ball Plus, players have to open the in-game menu to select Communication and then Mystery Gift. Selecting “Get with a Poké Ball Plus” will then download Mew. Not that a single Poké Ball Plus can only download one Mew to a game, so accessories that’ve already redeemed a Mew won’t work.

All things considered, is Mew really worth it? Hardcore Pokémon trainers know that using Legendary Pokémon in battle is a cheap way to play, but for completionists who want to top out their Pokédex, they don’t have a choice but to go all-in.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! is currently available for the Nintendo Switch.

Watch the original Let’s Go trailer right here.