A Dutch Pokemon GO user found a virtual reality Pikachu imposed over a Pikachu headstone

Pokémon GO has unleashed a bevy of virtual beasts across the world, and some are popping up in the oddest places – like the gravestone of one user’s deceased brother.

Robin Reijers, 21, was playing Pokémon GO as he walked through his hometown of Edam, in the Netherlands, when he decided to visit his brother Michael's grave site.

Michael, who died of a congenital heart condition 15 years ago, loved Pokemon so much that his father made him a Pokemon-themed tombstone.

When Reijers approached his brother's grave, his phone began to vibrate - signalling that he was close to catching a Pokémon.

He opened the app while approaching his brother's grave, and was shocked at what he found: a virtual Pikachu superimposed on the wooden Pikachu tombstone.

Reijers said: 'We have always played Pokemon together as children, back then on the Gameboy Color. I hope he is watching me playing the game right now. He always got the upper hand of me in Pokemon.'

Riejers' father, Piet, was also thrilled.

Piet said: 'It makes us very happy and we are enjoying that people speak fondly about our deceased son. I think it is beautiful, because it brings Michael a little bit closer to us. Pikachu was always his favourite Pokemon, probably because he had so much energy just like him.'

'I think Michael would only have enjoyed this. I am sure that he is up there laughing about all this and joining the search for other Pokemon.'

It is unclear whether Pikachu's appearance was a happy accident, or Nintendo chose to place the virtual monster on Michael's tombstone, reports Central European News.

Pokémon GO is only available in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand so far, but industrious users have found ways to bypass digital barriers: eager Chinese fans are purchasing Australian and American App store accounts on Taobao, the country’s largest online marketplace.

Pokémon GO has entranced fans all over the world, having attracted an estimated 9.5 million active users since its release last month.