Pokémon Go first launched in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States on July 6, 2016.
Developed by Niantic in partnership with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Go uses GPS, location data, and augmented reality to let players find and catch Pokémon in real-world surroundings. Players can also visit PokéStops, battle at Gyms, and trade or fight with other players as the game expanded.
The release was staggered by country rather than occurring worldwide on one day. Japan received the game on July 22, 2016, while the United Kingdom received it on July 14. This rollout is why different dates appear in accounts of the game’s launch.
Pokémon Go reignited broad public interest in the franchise and became one of the most visible Pokémon releases since the late-1990s boom. Its use of real-world locations also distinguished it from the traditional handheld role-playing games.