Pokémon Go became the franchise’s first worldwide mobile augmented-reality hit in 2016.
Developed by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Go uses a smartphone’s location data and camera-related features to place Pokémon encounters in the real world. Players explore physical locations, find Pokémon, visit PokéStops, and battle or claim Gyms.
The game launched in stages beginning in July 2016, first in Australia and New Zealand, followed by the United States and other markets. Its use of familiar Pokémon with location-based play helped it reach audiences beyond traditional handheld-game players.
Pokémon Go is sometimes described as the first Pokémon mobile game, but earlier mobile titles existed in Japan and other markets. Its distinction is its enormous international launch and augmented-reality location gameplay. The original release focused on the first-generation Pokémon associated with Kanto.