“Is Pokemon Go a thing in Las Vegas?”
That’s been the most asked question of the week. Yes, Pokémon Go is a thing in Las Vegas. Seemingly out of nowhere, Pokémon Go is “a thing” everywhere in the United States.
Here’s a quick overview if you’re not caught up in the newest Pokémon game. The new mobile game is an app for iOs and Android phones. The game is augmented reality and uses GPS and google maps to put Pokémon into your virtual reality through your phone. You’re able to find different Pokémon while walking around and looking at your map. Once you decide to try and catch a Pokémon the game enters your real world.
In brief, you’ll take care of your Pokémon, feed them candy, work them out, fight with other players, join teams and more. This video has all the details of how to play and why people are playing Pokémon Go.
Pokémon Go is an addictive game that has people out wandering the streets of America staring at their phones looking for Pokémon. Las Vegas is just like any city in the country and people are playing as much as anywhere else.
However, you might see less aimless wandering when you’re on the Vegas Strip or Downtown Las Vegas then you would in the suburbs. There are lots of sights to scenery to take in when visiting Las Vegas. Additionally, 16% of visitors to Las Vegas last year were from other countries. Possibly countries that don’t have Pokémon Go available. That said, you’ll still find people of all ages in the touristy parts of Las Vegas looking into their phone so they don’t miss out on any Pokémon.
We’re already seeing some casinos and attractions get into the Pokémon action. The Silverton is offering Pokémon Go players a $2 draft beer this week at Mermaid Lounge as an incentive to get players to visit. The Silverton is also a Poké Stop, which allows players to grab some items to use in the game. In fact, there are four Poké Stops at The Silverton alone.
Poké Stops are real locations where players can find various items to use in the game. They’re randomly selected and could be at a store, bar, restaurant, church or a major landmark. Las Vegas has lots of landmarks so you can expect to find plenty of Poké Stops.
The biggest structure in the middle of the Fremont Street Experience is a Poké Stop. Head over to Slotzilla in downtown Las Vegas for some Poké treats. While having dinner last night at The Mirage I was alerted that the volcano outside was a Poké Stop. I decided to finish my meal instead of grabbing some Poké goods.
While there aren’t official Poké Stop maps, there are plenty of websites beginning to compile the information. By the time this article is posted you may have already found a map. (…and here’s your Las Vegas Pokémon Go map)
While you’re in downtown Las Vegas, you can head over to The D as the casino is also a Pokémon Gym. Gyms are where you can join teams and battle your Pokémon against other team’s Pokémon. Expect to see some strange Poké action at The D.
People are playing Pokémon Go all over Las Vegas and we can expect to see more casinos and attractions getting into the game. Once the casinos, bars and restaurants realize that they’re already a part of the game it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them drop lures to attract players to their establishment. Pokémon Go is taking over the world and Las Vegas is no exception.
