Context Pokémon Go is a popular mobile augmented reality game that requires players to travel to different locations to capture virtual characters. This study systematically reviews and quantifies Pokémon Go in relation to physical activity engagement among players.

Evidence acquisition A keyword search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library for articles published between July 2016 and October 2018. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect of playing Pokémon Go on physical activity outcome.

Evidence synthesis From the keyword search, 17 studies (16 observational and 1 pre–post) were identified, with a total sample of 33,108 participants. A comparison between Pokémon Go players and nonplayers and between pre- and post-play time points revealed an increase in walking duration, distance walked, and number of steps/day. Pokémon Go players were also found to engage in less sedentary behavior. Playing Pokémon Go was associated with an increase in the number of steps per day by 1,446 steps (95% CI=953, 1,939; I2=81%).