Have you tried Google’s new secret Pokémon catching mini-game?
Google has unexpectedly introduced an interactive mini-game within its search results for Pokémon, allowing users to virtually catch Pokémon using a Poké Ball directly from their smartphone browsers.
The official Japanese Pokémon X (formerly Twitter) account announced the feature, and it is now accessible to users on smartphone devices.
Google has not yet announced an end date for this limited-time interactive experience, which appears to be available to users across the globe in both English and Japanese.
The mini-game is triggered when a user performs a Google search for the name of a Pokémon on their smartphone browser.
Once the search results are displayed, a Poké Ball icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tapping this icon initiates the mini-game, transitioning the screen to an animation where the user can attempt to catch the searched Pokémon.
Successful capture results in the Pokémon being registered on a Pokédex-like screen within the search interface, allowing users to keep track of their virtual collection.
If a user is not logged in to a Google account it will only register the last Pokémon caught.
Initial reports from users indicate that the mini-game functionality may not be universally responsive to all Pokémon names, potentially depending on the user’s device or browser environment.
In such instances, the official Pokémon account suggests alternative search queries, such as including “Pokémon” after the monster’s name (e.g., “Pikachu Pokémon”) or using the English name of the Pokémon if the initial search was made in Japanese.
These alternative search terms have reportedly resolved issues for some users experiencing difficulties in accessing the mini-game.
Exploration of the mini-game has revealed certain limitations and hidden elements.
It appears that legendary Pokémon, such as the powerful Mewtwo and the elusive Mew, may only become catchable after the user has successfully captured a significant number of other Pokémon within the mini-game.
This suggests a progressive unlocking system that encourages continued engagement with the feature.
User reports also indicate a current limitation in the number of Pokémon that can be caught.
The mini-game only allows users to catch up the first 151 Pokémon, mirroring the original generation of Pokémon games released in the late 1990s.
Any Pokémon that first appeared in the Generation 2 (Gold/Silver/Crystal) games onwards, such as Chikorita which holds the Pokédex number 152 in the National Pokédex, cannot be caught.
This surprise integration of a playable mini-game directly into Google’s search results represents a novel and engaging way for fans to interact with the Pokémon franchise in a context they use daily.
Google has a history of incorporating playful “Easter eggs” and interactive elements into its search engine to surprise and delight users, often tied to significant anniversaries or cultural events.
While the current Pokémon mini-game is not explicitly linked to a specific anniversary, the longstanding popularity of the franchise likely motivated its implementation.
The Pokémon franchise, which originated with the “Pokémon Red and Green” video games in Japan in 1996, has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon spanning video games, trading cards, anime series, movies, and a wide range of merchandise.
The limited availability of the mini-game up to the first 151 Pokémon will likely evoke nostalgia among long-time fans who grew up with the original games.
The inclusion of legendary Pokémon as unlockable content adds an element of challenge and encourages users to explore and “catch ’em all” within this digital rendition.
The temporary nature of the mini-game, with no announced end date, suggests that fans should take advantage of this unexpected opportunity to engage with the Pokémon world directly within their Google searches while it lasts.
Source: Pokémon on X
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