Top tips for new Pokemon trainers

Choose your starter wisely

At the beginning of the game, you'll be offered a choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle - the three starter Pokemon offered in the first Pokemon games. However, if you ignore the choice and walk away from the Pokemon, you'll get the chance to catch Pikachu instead.

Keep on catching

You'll find the same Pokemon pop up time and time again, especially common creatures such as Pidgey and Rattata. Although you may be determined to "catch 'em all", catching every Pokemon you encounter is a quick way to earn experience and level up, which will give you access to more features in the game. Plus catch enough Pidgey and you'll earn a birdkeeper medal!

Follow the tracks

A Pokemon tracker is available at the bottom right hand side of the screen. Tap it to bring up a list of nearby Pokemon. A greater number of footprints indicates that a Pokemon is further away. Keep the tracker open as you walk around to see the Pokemon change order, with the closest creatures at the top of the list. This should help you find the ones you want.

Minimise waste

If you throw a Pokeball and miss, tap it before it disappears to pick it up again.

Pokemon goes worldwide

• An American woman found a dead body while she was looking for a Pokemon in a river near her home. Police said the man had died within the last 24 hours and no foul play was suspected.
• Four people were arrested after they used the game to lure players to remote places and then rob them at gunpoint. In response, the makers of Pokemon Go have said people should "play with friends when going to new or unfamiliar places" and "remember to be safe and alert at all times".
• The anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church in the US is the location of a "gym" in the game, and players planted a pink "Clefairy" Pokemon called Love is Love there. The church has responded with a series of social media posts calling the Pokemon a sodomite.
• There have also been plenty of reports of people falling over and grazing or cutting themselves because they're not paying attention to what's in front of them while they play.