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So it's no surprise that the franchise has returned to Kanto once again with this week's launch of Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee, a pair of games that revisit 1999's Yellow version — which in turn remixed the original games to give Pikachu a starring role — with brand new graphics, refined gameplay systems and the ability to play on the big screen and with a friend thanks to the hybrid console/portable nature of the Nintendo Switch.

Ollie Rewell was amongst those at the late night launch on Thursday night in Melbourne, and told Fairfax Media the next day that she had spent the whole night playing the game.

"I really like the story and the new games are nostalgic all around," the 23-year-old says.

"I have been through every single generation. People my age who used to be really into it, it is like a nostalgic thing."

Pokemon Yellow isn't the only inspiration for these new games.

The mobile app Pokemon GO has, by some measures, eclipsed even the popularity of that original run of Game Boy games, transplanting the Gen 1 pokemon into the real world and challenging players to explore their neighbourhoods and beyond to catch them.

The free app has been downloaded more than 800 million times.

In Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee the usual method of catching new pokemon — battling them into submission when they jump out at you from the tall grass, and catching them in a ball when they're weak — is gone, replaced by a new motion-controlled throwing system based on Pokemon GO, while the battle system of old is reserved for the frequent contests with other pokemon trainers.

Tristan Jones also snapped up the game on opening night and says that while nostalgia was part of the attraction, the fresh new twist on the old design — half laid-back catching and half raising and battling your monsters — was appealing as well.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying the game. It really takes me back to the very first pokemon game I played which was Pokemon Red," the 30-year-old says.

"It feels like a nice game overall. I don't mind [the GO-inspired aspects] at all."

The free app has been downloaded more than 800 million times.

In Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee the usual method of catching new pokemon — battling them into submission when they jump out at you from the tall grass, and catching them in a ball when they're weak — is gone, replaced by a new motion-controlled throwing system based on Pokemon GO, while the battle system of old is reserved for the frequent contests with other pokemon trainers.

The new games also come optionally with a device called the Poke Ball Plus, aimed squarely at kids and those who might not be as comfortable with a standard game controller.

You can use the cute little orb to play the entire game and it vibrates, lights up and makes sound in time with your pokemon-catching on the screen.

When you're not playing, you can transfer one of your pokemon to the ball and take it with you to help it grow as you walk around. You can even hear your creature call out from inside.