Pokémon Go was the mobile game that triggered a worldwide Pokémon craze in 2016.
Developed by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Go uses GPS, mapping data, and augmented reality to place Pokémon in real-world surroundings. Players explore physical locations to find, catch, and train Pokémon.
The game first launched on July 6, 2016, in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Its release expanded rapidly to other regions, including Japan on July 22, 2016. The game’s use of smartphones and location-based play introduced Pokémon to many people who had never played the main series.
Pokémon Go is distinct from the traditional handheld role-playing games, but it retains familiar elements such as Poké Balls, species collection, evolution, and team-based competition. Its launch became one of the most visible mobile-game events of the decade.