"I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause." An anthem that millions of people know by heart and scream from the roof tops. This of course is the start of the Pokemon theme song.
A Quick History
Pokemon first came to the world in 1996 and was brought to the world by Nintendo after it was originally pitched by Satoshi Tajiri. Originally there was only one version of the game (Pokemon Red and Green) but due to the success of this game, a second game was soon released (Pokemon Blue). Later in the first year of Pokemon's life there was a release of the Pokemon trading cards.
Currently, Pokemon has six released versions of the game released with their seventh being released in November 2016. Now, let's get to the perks of this crazy new game... Pokemon Go.
1. Exercise
It is crazy to think that a video game that started in 1996 could have such an impact on health. For people who do not understand, here is a quick explanation. In the game, players must get up and move to "catch" Pokemon. In the bottom right corner of the game there is a bar that if you click on, shows all of the Pokemon that are in your area. Below each of the Pokemon in your area there are what appear to be feet, each foot equals roughly 100 meters. You have to walk (or run) to get to the Pokemon before it disappears.
It also has eggs in the game. These eggs hatch Pokemon but you have to walk or run certain distances to make these eggs hatch.
2. Doing things outside
Besides chasing after Pokemon in a parking lot, there are things called PokeStops and Gyms. PokeStops are areas that you can get extra items. Items range from Pokeballs, potions, revive crystals and many other things. Gyms are where people can battle each other and help their team conquer the area. These are at almost anything. Stores, bars, water towers, churches, roadside parks, national monuments, basically almost anything in the world.
3. Learning
*Gasp* A video game is teaching people things!? That is right kids are learning the metric system with how far they have to walk to hatch the eggs. They also are going out and seeing new things that they would have never seen before if they were playing normal video games.
Pokemon Go is a game that brings the real world and an imaginary world together. People get to live the dream that they had when they were a kid, to become a Pokemon Master.
Just remember, watch where you are going and know what your surroundings are. Do not run into traffic to catch that Rattata or Charmander. They are not worth the thousands of dollars of medical bills that come with getting hit by a car.
