Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm, skyrocketing in popularity ever since its release.
The augmented reality mobile game uses GPS and the smartphone's camera to blend the Pokémon universe with the real world, allowing gamers to catch Pokémons as they either go through their daily lives or explore new places.
What was once thought to be a simple and straightforward game, however, is apparently hiding secrets, including a way to choose the ever-popular electric-type Pokémon Pikachu as the one gamers will start with.
Upon launching Pokémon Go for the first time and signing up for an account, Professor Willow will provide a quick tutorial to gamers. Afterwards, they will be presented with three starter Pokémon to choose from, specifically fire-type Charmander, grass-type Bulbasaur and water-type Squirtle. These choices mirror the starter Pokémon available to gamers for the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue titles for the Gameboy.
Tapping on either one of the three will select that Pokémon and launch the gamer into their first battle, locking in that Pokémon as the player's starter.
The trick to acquire Pikachu as the starter Pokémon, as discovered by the folks at Polygon, will require the player not to select among the three choices and instead walk away from them.
Upon walking away far enough for the three options to disappear, Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle will once again reappear as choices.
Players will have to do a fair share of walking, as they will have to make the three choices disappear four times in total. Afterwards, upon the respawn of the starter Pokémon, a familiar yellow mouse will be present among the choices.
According to Polygon, it took about 40 minutes of walking to get Pikachu to appear. Selecting Pikachu will launch the player's first battle as normal and choose the popular Pokémon as the player's starter.
Getting Pikachu as the starter Pokémon does not really give any significant benefits, as he is not overpowered or anything. It does, however, replicate the Pokémon animated series, wherein Ash also began his journey to become a Pokémon master with Pikachu. Perhaps starting Pokémon Go with Pikachu will allow players to replicate Ash's success in the cartoons?
Whatever the case, the fact that Pikachu is a hidden choice as a starter Pokémon shows that Niantic has included secrets into Pokémon Go, and the hunt for the next secret begins now.
Just do not be one of those guys that do crazy things while playing the game. It is not a bad thing to maximize Pokémon Go, but always keep safe.
