If you have been living under a rock for the past 10 days and have missed the global Pokémon GO mania that is spreading at an incredibly rapid pace, we are here to help. In a short space of time, Pokémon GO, brought to you by Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Niantic, Inc., has proved incredibly popular with more downloads and activity than Twitter and Tinder.

If you are a complete beginner to Pokémon GO and don’t know your Pokéballs from your Razz Berries this article gives you all the info to get started hunting those Pokémon.

What is Pokémon GO?

Pokémon, which is short for ‘pocket monster’ has been around for 20 years. The new Pokémon GO game combines Pokémon with alternative reality allowing you to view Pokémon through your device’s window as if they are actually in the real world. Pokémon and other useful objects can be found all over the place, from offices to parks, to pizza shops and more.

Is it available in my country?

Pokémon GO is currently only available in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the most recent addition, the U.K. While a worldwide release was planned for the start of July that has been delayed until Niantic has solved its server issues, but continues to slowly roll out the game to new countries.

Note: Rumors are making the rounds that Asia will receive Pokémon GO very soon, but nothing has been confirmed yet.  

Getting started with Pokémon GO

First up you will need to download the free iOS Pokémon GO app from the App Store. You will need to be running iOS 8 or later on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Pokémon GO is not compatible with 5th generation iPod Touch devices or iPhone 4S or earlier iPhone devices.

Alternatively, you can download the Android Pokémon GO app from the Play Store, which requires Android 4.4 and up.

Note: Even though you may be in a country where Pokémon GO has rolled out, this doesn’t mean you will be able to access the game due to the company’s server issues.

Once you load the app you will be able to customize your Pokémon trainer. And you will then need to choose which Pokémon you will start with. Options include a squirting turtle called Squirtle, a carnivorous plant called Bulbasaur and a fire-breathing dragon called Charizard.

None of the three is a better pick over the others, so make your choice and get playing. If you don’t like any of the options, though, PCMag says that if you walk away from the options four times, you will get to choose Pikachu.

Making sense of the in-game map and all the Pokéballs, Potions, Razz Berries and more

The in-game map is made up of grass, gyms, and Pokéstops, with a variety of icons including Pokédex, Nearby, and your backpack. Pokémon GO also offers a variety of items that you can collect from Potions, Incense, Pokéballs and more to better improve your game and your Pokémon. Not to mention all the stuff you keep in your backpack, like Candy, Stardust, and PokéCoins.

If all of these concepts are new to you and you are completely lost at this stage, make sure you read our article to get a clearer picture of the in-game map as well as Pokéballs, Potions, Razz Berries, and more.  

Start to capture those Pokémon

Now that you understand your Stardust from your Candy, it’s time to start catching the Pokémons in your area.

For a low-level Pokémon, you can simply flick the Pokéball, shown at the bottom of your screen, at the monster and you will likely catch it.  

For the tougher Pokémons, there is more to it. Hold your finger on the Pokéball and a contracting circle will display on the Pokémon. A green circle means your probability of catching it is good, while a yellow or red circle means it is going to be much harder.

You will need to get your Pokéball through the circle and could end up using multiply Pokéballs to be successful.

For the yellow and red Pokémons, you can also use a Razz Berry to make them easier to catch.

Note: Just because you got a Pokémon in a Pokéball it doesn’t mean it’s over as they can escape and you will have to use some more Pokéballs to seal the deal.

Once you finally have your Pokémon contained you will also be rewarded with Stardust and Candy.

As a person completely new to the craze that is Pokémon GO you now know all the details required to go out there into the world and start catching all those Pokémon and increase your levels. Enjoy!

Source: PCMag

Main image credit: Gage Skidmore; Flickr | Screenshot via: App Store