VIDEOGAMES often pass me by without a second thought but it is near impossible to avoid the global sensation that is Pokémon Go, the aim of which is to catch and train the character for battle.

This new game provides a nostalgic throwback to the 90s, while the augmented reality technology reinvents the classic with a modern twist as Pokemon characters appear on the screen as thought they are in the real world. The the app uses GPS technology to encourage players to get out and about to hunt fictional creatures nearby.

Even though I’m not an avid player, the benefits are clear to see. The fact that players are required to leave their homes and venture outdoors in order to capture Pokémon rather than being cooped up inside is good for both physical and mental health. The game even promotes exercise to an extent, as players are rewarded the more distance they cover.

Most important, one could argue, is the social aspect of the game – as participants are bound to cross paths when hunting Pokémon and get to know each other. Brighton saw its debut “Pokémon Go Meetup” last weekend, organised on Facebook, proving how the game is aiding people who might not find socialising the most natural thing in the world to meet others with a guaranteed icebreaker: Pokémon.

Sadly there have been reports of dangerous activity linked to the app, including two teenagers in Florida who were shot at because they were mistaken for intruders. Although extreme, it would be a shame for such incidents to eclipse the good that has come about.

Pokémon Go might not be for everyone but for many it seems to be very rewarding.

Lydia Webb is a student