Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go (stylized as Pokémon GO) is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game initially developed and released in 2016 by Niantic, in partnership with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, for iOS and Android devices. The game uses GPS to locate, capture, train, and battle Pokémon. It is free-to-play, featuring a freemium model that includes local advertising and offers in-app purchases for additional in-game items. Pokémon Go launched with approximately 150 Pokémon species, with new species introduced.

Upon its release, Pokémon Go received "mixed or average" reviews; critics found the experience enjoyable, but noted several technical issues. Despite this, it became one of the most popular and profitable mobile apps of 2016, amassing over 500 million downloads worldwide. The game is credited with popularizing location-based and AR technology, encouraging physical activity and social interaction. However, it has also faced criticism for causing accidents and public disturbances. Some governments raised security concerns and imposed regulations on its use. As of May 2018, Pokémon Go had over 147 million monthly active users and had been downloaded more than one billion times worldwide by early 2019. By 2020, the game had generated over $6 billion in revenue. It is considered among the best mobile games of all time.

In 2025, Scopely acquired the product as part of a $3.5 billion purchase of Niantic's gaming division.

Gameplay

Augmented reality gaming

Players can customize their avatars after creating an account, with the option of keeping the default avatar. Avatars are displayed on the game map according to the player's GPS location. The map features "PokéStops" and "Pokémon Gyms", players can equip PokéStops with "Lure Modules" to attract wild and potentially rare Pokémon. Gyms serve as battle arenas for team-based king-of- the-hill matches. These locations are typically at points of interest and originally adapted from Ingress portals. Some Gyms and PokéStops have been placed in problematic locations, such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone and the abandoned Bagram Airforce Base. Since 2019, player submissions have also been included in these locations, subject to review by other players.

Players' avatars move across the game map to reflect their real-world location as they explore their surroundings. Different Pokémon species appear in various regions worldwide, with Water-type Pokémon typically found near bodies of water. When players encounter a Pokémon, they can view it against a live-rendered background or in augmented reality (AR) mode. AR mode uses the camera and gyroscope on the player's mobile device to display a Pokémon as if it were present in the real world. Players can capture screenshots, called "Snapshots", of the Pokémon they encounter, regardless of whether the AR feature is enabled.

The game is free to play but offers in-app purchases for items such as Incense, Lure Modules, and Lucky Eggs, which enhance gameplay. These items can be purchased with PokéCoins or real money. Incense attracts Pokémon for 60 minutes, Lure Modules attract Pokémon to a PokéStop for 30 minutes, and Lucky Eggs double experience points for 30 minutes. Pokémon have Combat Power (CP), which measures their battle strength; higher CP Pokémon become more challenging to catch as players level up. The "Appraisal" feature helps users evaluate their Pokémon's strength.

Avatar customization

Players can customize their avatars' appearance with various clothing options that change based on the season, player level, and in-game sponsors or events. Clothing items include hats, accessories, tops, bottoms, socks, footwear, and bags. Many of these items feature references to specific Pokémon, teams, or regions. While most clothing pieces are free, some can be purchased with Coins. Players can earn Coins during select events, receive them as rewards for leveling up, or get them as prizes for completing Special Research tasks.

Players can further customize their avatars by selecting different poses. These poses can be gained for free, purchased, or earned as rewards. Some poses are exclusive to specific events and can only be obtained during the event period. Once the event ends, there is no guarantee that the pose will be available in the game again.

In April 2024, Pokémon Go released an update that introduced enhanced customization options for player avatars. The update allowed players to choose from a variety of hairstyles, adjust their avatar's body size, and select from a broader range of skin tones. However, the update received backlash from players who criticized the new avatars for having lower-quality graphics compared to the previous models. Some players were disappointed because the update interfered with certain cosmetic items they had purchased in large quantities post-update.

Pokémon collection

In Pokémon Go, players do not battle wild Pokémon to capture them. Instead, they throw a Poké Ball toward the Pokémon by flicking it upward on the screen. Factors affecting the success rate include the Pokémon's catch rate, timing, and the type of Poké Ball used. After capturing a Pokémon, players receive Candy and Stardust as rewards. Candy is used for leveling up or to evolve Pokémon, while Stardust is used to increase a Pokémon's Combat Power (CP). Each Pokémon evolution line has its own type of Candy. The maximum player level was initially 40 but was raised to 50 on November 30, 2020. It was subsequently increased to level 80 following a leveling update on October 15, 2025. Players can transfer Pokémon to get more Candy and free up space in their collection. Shiny Pokémon can be found through various methods, such as chance encounters or special events like "Community Day". Many players aim to complete the Pokédex by catching and evolving all Pokémon.

In September 2016, Niantic introduced the "Buddy Pokémon" feature, allowing players to select a Pokémon from their collection to accompany their avatar during gameplay and earn bonuses and in-game items based on the chosen Pokémon. This feature was released later that month. Each Pokémon has a specific distance requirement that players must walk to earn Candy, with more Candy awarded for longer distances traveled. Niantic implemented a feature in the same update to block players using rooted or jailbroken devices from accessing the game to combat cheating.

On January 20, 2018, Pokémon Go launched the first Community Day, a monthly event that increases the spawn rate of a selected Pokémon and grants an exclusive attack to its final evolution if it is fully evolved during the event. Players also have a higher chance of encountering the Shiny version of the featured Pokémon. The inaugural Community Day featured Pikachu, which could learn the exclusive move Surf when evolved into Raichu during the event.

Pokémon availabilities

As of February 11, 2025, there are 884 Pokémon in the game, including regional variants, out of 1,025 in the entire Pokémon franchise. New Pokémon are regularly introduced to the game.

Regional Pokémon are often introduced simultaneously, such as the Unova region Pokémon and the Unova Stone item, both of which were released in September 2019.

During special events or quests, Mythical and Legendary Pokémon are often released individually or in groups. The first Legendary Pokémon to be released was Groudon in December 2017. Meltan and its evolved form, Melmetal, are the only Mythical Pokémon to have debuted in Pokémon Go. Their release coincided with the launch of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! on the Nintendo Switch. Pokémon Go initially introduced the new Mythical Pokémon Meltan as a teaser, later making it available for capture only through Pokémon Go using a "Mystery Box" obtained by completing new Research Tasks, transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Go to Pokémon HOME, or transferring Pokémon to Nintendo Switch Pokémon games.

In August 2020, Mega Evolution was introduced to Pokémon Go, allowing four Pokémon to Mega Evolve into five different forms. Since then, the feature has expanded to include 40 forms.

Battle system

Gyms and Raids

Players earn experience points (XP) by participating in various in-game activities. As they accumulate XP, they advance through levels progressively, unlocking new features. Notably, at level five, players gain access to Pokémon Gyms, where they can engage in battles. They must choose to join one of three color-coded teams: Team Valor (red), Team Mystic (blue), or Team Instinct (yellow). These teams compete for control over Gyms within the Pokémon Go world.

In June 2017, Niantic announced a revamp of Gym game mechanics to promote teamwork. Gyms were temporarily disabled on June 19, 2017, and the updated Gyms were introduced shortly afterward through an app update. The revamped Gyms now include a spinnable component (PokéStop) where players can collect in-game items such as Potions and Poké Balls. Each Gym can hold a maximum of six Pokémon, with the requirement that each Pokémon must be unique within that Gym. The coins earned now depend on how long the defending Pokémon remains in the Gym, replacing the previous 10-coin daily gym defender bonus per Pokémon. Legendary, Mythical, and Buddy Pokémon cannot be placed in Gyms.