A dedicated Pokémon GO fan recently stumbled upon one of the earliest versions of the beloved monster-catching mobile game on an old phone. This nostalgic discovery featured the classic Gyarados loading screen, which was used for the initial months after Pokémon GO’s release in July 2016. Upon its launch, Pokémon GO quickly became a worldwide sensation, attracting over 500 million downloads by the end of 2016 and surpassing 1 billion downloads to date. The game transformed the mobile gaming landscape and established developer Niantic as a major player in the industry.
It also inspired further game developments within the Pokémon franchise, reflecting a diversity of genres that emerged following GO’s success. The fan’s find on the older phone was shared on the official Pokémon GO subreddit by user DeltaP42. The image showed the familiar “No internet connectivity” message paired with the classic loading screen, which represents a cherished period in the game’s history. Additionally, it featured the essential safety reminder for players to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying the game.
This iconic Gyarados loading screen only lasted for a short time before being replaced by a Halloween-themed graphic later in 2016. Many fans expressed their fondness for the game’s original loading screen and artistic style, suggesting a potential revival for Pokémon GO’s upcoming tenth anniversary. Recollections poured in as participants reminisced about various features, such as the original “footstep radar” used to locate nearby Pokémon. Overall, Pokémon GO set a solid foundation for the franchise’s future mobile games, leading to a broadening of the Pokémon universe in the mobile realm.