Pokémon Go launched in the United States in 2016.
Niantic developed the mobile augmented-reality game in collaboration with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. It uses a smartphone’s location data, camera, and map environment to let players find and catch Pokémon in real-world surroundings.
The game first became available in selected countries in July 2016, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Its worldwide rollout was staged rather than simultaneous, so launch dates differ depending on the country. That regional rollout is why a single global release date can be misleading.
Pokémon Go created a major second wave of public interest in the franchise. Players visited parks, landmarks, and city streets to find creatures and PokéStops, while gyms enabled team-based competition. The game’s 2016 arrival also connected Pokémon’s long-running collecting concept with smartphones and location-based technology.