While Pokémon Go's mechanics may be cut down from the mainline games, that has not stopped gamers across the globe from downloading it and getting out there to catch 'em all.

Launched late last week, the mobile app allows players to find Pokémon in the wild using augmented reality.  Catching is simply a case of flicking a Pokéball correctly and it's currently missing features such as trading, but that is not deterring players from giving it a go.

Over the weekend all sorts of stories came in about how Pokémon Go players were lured into a robbery, one player found a dead body while out capturing Pokémon and one guy living in a former church suddenly finding that his house is a gym.  The inevitable Buzzfeed listicles (a sure sign you've got social buzz and/or are a cat) are charting ruined relationships, bizzare stories and what happens if you use autocorrect to name your Pokémon.

While the franchise has remained in the public eye over the last twenty years and the games sell well, it seems that Pokémon Go has tapped into a certain slice of nostalgia as players finally can feel more like a Pokémon trainer as they head out into the wild world.  The buzz surrounding the game is so high that at one point yesterday Nintendo's share price rose by 25% in Tokyo according to XTB.

The launch has not been completely smooth however.  The app does drain your phone's battery, a "known issue" at this stage, and it is still not available in a number of regions including the UK and Japan having been delayed due to ongoing server issues.  According to the Wall Street Journal (paywall), the release is due in "days", although that is as specific as we have at the moment.

The delayed release has resulted in a lot of players sideloading it onto their devices, although this has resulted in a bogus fake versions doing the rounds that could potentially ruin your phone.  Proofpoint lists the ways you can tell if the version you have is real or fake if you have downloaded it.

In spite of pleas from the Pokémon Go Twitter account to not do this due to security concerns, and even rumours that players could face a ban, it has not stopped many players from doing so.  Looking through the replies to the Pokémon Go Twitter account you can see that a lot of people just want to catch 'em all, now.

One unexpected consequence is players suddenly find themselves exercising more, both in search of Pokémon and Pokéstops further afield and to hatch eggs.  While all this exercise is of course good for your health, you can also use it to donate to charities through apps such as Charity Miles and Walk for a Dog, apps that simply require you to open them in the background while you're out catching your Pokémon and the more you walk the more money will be donated on your behalf.

We will let you know when Pokémon Go officially launches across the whole of Europe, but we suspect most of you are already playing.  And if you are, be aware of your surroundings! 

Have you been playing Pokémon Go?  Let us know in the comments below, or join our forum members in discussing it.