Google Maps‘ elaborate April Fools joke got even better. On April 1, Google launched its Pokémon Challenge game, where users could search real world locations on Google Maps and catch the original 151 Pokémon to complete a Pokédex.
Players who successfully completed the Pokédex received a message from Google Maps to fill out a form for a “surprise.” It turns out their efforts weren’t for naught, as several players, including Reddit user “tinygrump” received a congratulatory letter from Google Maps software engineer Tatsuo Nomura and 10 business cards with the title “Pokémon Master.”
The letter reads:
Greetings, Pokémon Master
On behalf of the entire Google Maps team, we’d like to celebrate you for catching ’em all. Not 10, not 50, but all the Pokémon hidden throughout our maps. While we don’t currently have a Pokémon Master role, we hope you enjoyed our April Fools’ Day prank. Wynaut have a little fun once a year?
We’d like to say thanks with these cards – reserved for Trainers who completed the Google Maps Pokémon Challenge and let us know of their success.
Congratulations and thanks again for playing!
Keep Exploring,
Tatsuo on behalf of the Google Maps Team
Did anyone successfully complete the challenge? Let us know in the comments!
Jealous? Here are a few more Pokémon Masters:
@googlemaps Thank you for this small gift! #pokemonchallenge #2BAmaster pic.twitter.com/pavZ6DBOQK
— Nick (@firstfields) June 14, 2014
I finally got my prize from the Google Pokemon challenge and it's a bunch of these cards pic.twitter.com/S6Qvwd4iiL
— READ BIO THANK YOU (@sadpatrik) June 16, 2014
I got my reward from @googlemaps for finishing the pokemon challenge! It's not much, but I love it to death. pic.twitter.com/e5dPkGKDfj
— krystina. (@ughcoffee) June 17, 2014
More from Anime News Network
Google kicks off April Fools’ Day with a Google Maps Pokemon Challenge that’s actually real…kinda
Google knows you’re no April Fool, so they offer you Pac-Man playable in Google Maps
Free Pokémon-catching mini game with all 151 Kanto Pokémon added to Google searches!
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japanese man strikes sleeping woman in head with his phone after she leans on him in train【Video】
You ain’t seen North Korean calisthenics ’til you’ve seen it done to Final Fantasy IV boss music
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Sanrio’s Little Twin Stars shine brightly in new themed rooms at the Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says