ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

These are the weirdest, wildest Pokémon GO stories so far

Gotta catch'em all

These are the weirdest, wildest Pokémon GO stories so far
12 July 2016

Pokémon GO is a phenomena. A masterpiece. A rare shiny Mewtwo of the smartphone world, if you will. 

The augmented reality app from the techy minds that helped create Google Maps has been an unprecedented hit in every nation it's arrived in so far. Within two days of its launch in the US it's already been installed on over 5 per cent of all Android devices in the country - seeing millions of players wander around their neighbourhoods attempting to catch'em all. 

But with millions of Poké-hopefuls taking to the streets, countless weird and wonderful stories are following in their wake. These are the best high level tales we've heard so far.

Go team red

It's taking over

Well, at least it wasn't a Haunter

A wild sex shop appeared!

Despite not officially launching in the UK yet, players who have used one of these methods to get the game have encountered an unusual PokeStop in Plymouth: the 'Private Shop'. Which sells sex 'stuff'. 

Unsurprisingly, the players discovered that the Private Shop didn't hold any Pokémon related products. 

Don't move Miss - you might scare him off

"You're cool enough"

It's not just for kids...

Don't forget to put the seat down

All sorts of shifty characters are playing it

It's taking people all sorts of weird places

Armed robbery

Stay safe out there kids

Bigger than Twitter?

Despite only being available in the US, Australia and New Zealand, Pokémon GO is attracting a MASSIVE user base.

Within days of launch in the US, it's on track to overtake Twitter in its total number of daily active users. That gives the app's creators, Niantic Labs, some serious potential for wider monetisation of the game. 

It's fun for all the family

Bigger than Tinder

Well, in the US at least. 

Pokémon GO has already been installed on more Android devices than Tinder

It's clearly got a certain Charm(ander). 

People are spending AGES playing it

WhatsApp? Instagram? Snapchat? Messenger? None of them can compete with Pokémon GO's average play time.

At present, players spend an average of 43 minutes and 23 seconds in the game every day. 

Rattat... ew

Look both ways before catching

Nintendo's stock share rose 21.76 per cent since the app's launch

That's an increase in value of around £6 billion. 

Pokémon GO waits for no man

Even a man expecting the birth of his child...

People are finding bodies?!

19-year-old Pokémon GO player Shayla Wiggins was taking a walk by the main river of her hometown Riverton when she saw something floating in the water.

It wasn't a Magikarp. 

"I had to take a second look and I realised it was a body," she told County 10 News

Apparently the result of accidental drowning, with Fremont County Sheriff's Office finding no evidence of foul play. 

It's helping people lose weight

"So, for context, I'm a "bit" overweight. Something in the above 500 pounds range. Just got pokemon go the day before yesterday, but the servers were down the whole time. I was finally able to get online yesterday afternoon. I could lie and say I set an outrageous goal for myself and somehow managed to meet it; but really I was just trying to catch some pokemon. I could also lie and say I feel great; but no, All I feel now is pain. Didn't feel too bad while walking, but after sitting down to write this post, man is it catching up with me fast. I "can't wait" to find out how I feel tomorrow."

HypnoChanger, Imgur