Pokemon Go: Everything You Need to Know

After months of anticipation, Pokemon Go is finally out now across various regions. With the popularity of the app skyrocketing, it's clear that a new phenomenon has begun. To better acquaint you with the app, we've compiled below everything you need to know about it.

For more on Pokemon Go, check out our recent news stories below, and be sure to check back as we update this article with more news and features.

• Star Trek Beyond Actors Think Pokemon Go Is "Upsetting" and "Bizarre"
• How Long Will the Pokemon Go Fad Last?--GameSpot Q&A
• Nintendo Now Worth More Than Sony Following Pokemon Go Craze
• This Pokemon Go Player Drove Into a Cop Car, Watch the Video Here
• Pokemon Go Takes Up Nearly Half of All Mobile Gaming Purchases in a Single Day
• Police Say Man Shoots at Pokemon Go Players, Thinking They Were Thieves
• Cops Offer Good Advice to Pokemon Go Players
• Pokemon Go Arrives With $35 Optional Accessory

The Review

"If Pokemon Go’s initial public reception is anything to go by, its ability to draw players from multiple generations and varied gaming backgrounds together is a game worthy of attention. When it works, Pokemon Go feels like a natural evolution for the series, very much a product of the times without making the mainline series obsolete. Its bugs and high battery consumption do not outweigh the old-but-new thrill of capturing Pikachu at a local park or vanquishing a Snorlax while conquering a gym." -- [Read the full review]

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What You Need to Know

• 6 Essential Pokemon Go Facts--Pokemon Go is a fascinating new AR-focused mobile app that's taking the iconic series to uncharted territories. Check out our in-depth feature on the six ways that The Pokemon Company's new mobile offering makes smart use of Pokemon.
• Pokemon Go: All the Known Issues--The game is experiencing a series of technical issues, such as "heavy" battery drain and distorted audio; get a full rundown of all the problems.
• Here's What Pokemon Go's Microtransactions Get You--Pokemon Go is a free mobile app but it features an in-game shop that allows you to buy Poke Coins using real money, and then spend those on items. Check out everything you can purchase as well as the Poke Coin conversation rates.
• Pokemon Go Rural Trainer's Log: Nothing Here But Us Weedles--After nearly a week with Pokemon Go in a rural area, this trainer has nothing to show for her efforts. Check out Alexa's experiences playing Pokemon Go in a rural area.

Guides

• Pokemon Go Starter Guide--Check out all of our guides offering everything you need to better understand and play Pokemon Go like a pro.
• Pokemon Go: 20 Essential Tips and Tricks--There are many strategies to consider as you play Pokemon Go, but the app doesn't make it readily apparent how to engage some of its concepts. Check out our in-depth feature containing all the essential tips and tricks for Pokemon Go. Otherwise, watch the video above for a brief overview of tips and tricks to guide you in the right direction.
• Pokemon Go Leveling Guide--In Pokemon Go, increasing your trainer level is the best way to raise your chances of encountering powerful Pokemon. While you can level at a decent pace just by playing the game, there are ways to streamline the process, effectively maximizing the experience points (XP) you gain. To help in your efforts to level, we've compiled the most important steps you need to take.

What's Coming

• Pokemon Go's New Features Detailed; Here's What Updates Will Have--Pokemon Go developer Niantic is promising a series of new features for the popular app in the next coming months. Here's everything you can expect.
• Pokemon Go Feature Updates Discussed, Could Let You Assign Gyms--Niantic founder talks about Ingress and how it could be used to improve Pokemon Go.
• Pokemon GO Devs Still Exploring Multiplayer, Say Players Will Shape The Game--Pokémon GO and Ingress developer Niantic Inc. spoke to GameSpot about making real-world games, learning from the community, and Game of Thrones. Check out everything the studio had to say.

Features/Opinions

• How Long Will the Pokemon Go Fad Last?--Pokemon Go is one of the most popular apps out now, but how long will its popularity last? Come and discuss it with us.
• Pokemon Go: All the New Features We Want--Pokemon Go isn't as good as it could be; join us as we weigh in on all the features we want to be added in the augmented reality game.

Pokemon Go Beyond Gaming

• All the Pokemon Go News From Around the World--Pokemon Go has made headlines all over the world. With an abundance of stories about the popular app going around, we've compiled them all for your convenience. Check them out here.
• Pokemon Go: All of These Celebrities Are Playing the Game--Seemingly everyone is playing Pokemon Go, including all of these celebrities.
• Funniest Pokemon Go Moments on the Internet--Here's a roundup of some of the funniest stuff we've come across related to the new Pokemon game.