Fans reminisce as kids set out on mission to ‘catch ‘em all’ at Pokémon GO Fest

June 6, 2026 - 07:26

The Pokémon GO Fest kicked off Friday in Grant Park, marking the game's 10-year anniversary with a flood of nostalgia and fresh excitement. Families and longtime players gathered under the summer sun, phones in hand, as kids set out on a mission to "catch 'em all" once again.

Pokémon first launched in Japan in 1996 as a pair of Game Boy video games. It was soon followed by a trading card game that helped fuel its worldwide popularity. For many at the festival, the real thrill was watching a new generation discover the same joy they felt decades ago.

"This is what I grew up on," said one attendee, watching her son chase a virtual Pikachu across the grass. "Now he gets to do it too."

The event featured special in-game spawns, raid battles, and meetups for trading. While the original games relied on link cables and playground swaps, today's version uses augmented reality to blend digital creatures with real-world parks. The shift has kept the franchise alive, drawing both veteran trainers and curious newcomers.

For those who remember the 90s craze, seeing kids run around with the same wide-eyed determination felt like a full-circle moment. The hunt continues, and for one weekend in Chicago, it was as if time had stood still.