Why Pokémon GO was the best for Pokémon

There was a time where almost everyone had a Gameboy and got addicted to the virtual monsters. Now everyone has a smartphone and the idea of using this platform instead of a classic handheld was a very clever idea...

I think I'm a good example for many current Pokémon GO players: I grew up with the first generation of Pokémon playing the Gameboy games and the TCG, I also know the second generation from the Johto area. I also know a few Pokémon from Hoenn (3rd generation), but what happened afterwards I don't know. Same about watching the anime.

Many other fans now in their mid-20s have a similar background. There are also the kind of people just knowing from the first 151 Pokémon. Anyway, for a lot of people Pokémon was gone for a lot of years even if it was still there with new games and so on.

Not everyone has a current Nintendo console or handheld at home to play these games. But everyone has a smartphone. So the idea of using the Android and iOS platform in combination with a free application was a great way for a revival of Pokémon.

It has a nostalgia effect: Now everybody can walk out and be a real Pokémon trainer. Like a childhood dream becoming reality. It was right thing to do in the current era where we have smartphones, with camera, GPS and mobile data. As an app in an app store it was quite easy to distribute the application to anyone - so easy that the servers where having trouble to face such a big amount of players. People like me having an older phone with and incompatible Android version also found a way...

But it's not just played by people in their 20s. Even small kids from primary school are playing it with their smartphone. At that age I didn't even had a phone at all...

Let's also look at the effect on the media. News sites which probably haven't mentioned Pokémon for more than a decade are also spreading news about the new app. Facebook pages making jokes about people playing GO, lots of memes were created and it's a boost for the whole brand. It had such a huge impact in the world - it also reminded the people that Pokémon still exists.

It also has an effect on the merchandising. I noticed that especially while walking past souvenir shops at places like Santa Monica or Venice Beach in California. Almost every shop selling T-shirts had Pokémon shirts in their assortment.

As mentioned before: That also little kids are playing the game has also an important meaning: It brings the Pokémon to the next generation. The generation of people growing up with a smartphone!

Of course there happened some incidents with people crossing the street without watching for cars or some kids illegally crossed a national border. I think these incidents make people more aware of what's happening - especially in the media. People need to look after themselves, you can't blame a car manufacturer for crashing your car even if it was your own fault.

Now it's going to be interesting if it was just a 2016 summer hype or if people keep playing the game. There'll surely be other augmented reality games in the near future. As long as there won't be a Mario Kart Go, as some made fun of in social media.

And Pokémon GO can be extended any time since they just used the first 151 Pokémon. Just the first generation, so they have way more to offer and they will. Let's see what the future brings.

Anyway: The summer of 2016 will be remembered as the revival of Pokémon.