When was Pokémon GO first released in Australia and New Zealand?

Pokémon GO was first released in Australia and New Zealand on July 6, 2016.

The mobile game launched as a free-to-play augmented-reality title using location data and GPS. Players explored real-world surroundings to find Pokémon, visit PokéStops, and battle or train at Gyms. Niantic developed the game, while Nintendo and The Pokémon Company were among its major partners.

The rollout was staggered rather than worldwide on one single day. After Australia and New Zealand, Pokémon GO launched in the United States on July 6, 2016, and expanded to additional countries over the following weeks. This staged release is why different dates appear in reliable summaries of the game’s launch.

Pokémon GO became a major cultural event during its first summer. Its use of familiar Pokémon with real-world movement helped introduce the franchise to players who had never owned a dedicated Pokémon game.