As a treat prank for April Fool’s Day this year, Google, in partnership with Nintendo, creates an update on the Google Maps app by letting the users in to the Pokémon challenge: a chance to fulfill their Ash Ketchum-like dreams of catching ’em all.
To try the Google Pokémon Challenge, update the Google Maps app on Google Play or App Store on iTunes. Launch the app, tap the search bar, press “Start,” and begin your quest to be the very best, like no one ever was.
The app will then bring you to the Pokémon Lab in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. Afterwards, you can start your search for the 150 Pokémon scattered in famous landmarks all over the world.
Look! I found Togepi! My life has never been happier!
In the Philippines, I’ve found three Pokémons so far: Spritzee in Pasay, Torchic in Mt. Mayon, and Infernale staying at Mt. Apo. I’m not much familiar with these Pokémons as they probably came from the latest batch but nonetheless, our good old favorites such as Pikachu, Snorlax, Jigglypuff, and Meowth can also be seen on this update.
To keep track of all your Pokémon, a Pokédex is provided to give you a list.
Getting there
Once a user completes catching all 150 Pokémons, they will be rewarded with a chance of bagging a fake job as technical employee at Google. It must be a code that equates to being Professor Oak’s newest apprentice, perhaps?
(Word has it that game expires today at 2PM Pacific)