When Pokémon GO Released (& What Happened Next)

Pokémon GO was a viral sensation when it came out nearly five years ago. The game released for mobile devices on July 6th of 2016, and brought with it a whole new way to experience the Pokémon series. Before Pokémon GO, fans enjoyed their trainer journey in each region primarily by themselves, except for the multiplayer functions like Wonder Trade, wireless battling, and trading. However, Pokémon GO’s new region was the real world, and it changed how players interreacted both with the game and with other fans.

In the months that followed the release of Pokémon GO, players took to the streets with their mobile devices, congregating in parks, coffee shops, and landmarks of their cities. They would meet other fans and create enormous groups, battling in gyms and creating widespread areas of lured Pokéstops. For the first time, players were able to engage in a Pokémon video game with other fans, instead of being limited to what was happening on their console.

The ability to interact with other fans became such a well loved aspect of Pokémon GO, developer Game Freak began integrating aspects of the mobile game into new console titles. Lets Go: Pikachu & Eevee remodeled Kanto with the Pokémon GO catch mechanics in mind, taking out regular battling for the Pokéball throwing mini-game. Pokémon Sword & Shield developed new ways for players to interact with each other online, creating the the Wild Area which gave players the ability to take on Max Raid dens together, as well as let them see other players online exploring the region.

The Release Of Pokémon GO Changed Future Pokémon Games

When Pokémon GO first released, it was a bare-bones game. Only Kanto region Pokémon were available, and things like community events and Rocket Grunts were a long way off. While there were issues with the game in its fledgling state, fans in the Pokémon community were ready to be patient and enjoy what was available to them, even though the frustrating over-spawn of Pidgey and Rattata made for hilarious memes. Watching the mobile game grow and change has been part of the fun for fans, as more regions of Pokémon release and new tasks and events are added for players to enjoy together.

Despite the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Pokémon GO, the game has offered special events and adapted so that players can continue to hunt Pokémon in their local communities. For many, the chance to get back outside and hunt with friends in a local park is something they are hopeful for this coming year. Pokémon GO put a game-changing spin on how players enjoy their Pokémon experience, and hopefully the mobile game will continue to bring new fun for fans for many years to come.

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