How to get Pikachu as your starter in Pokemon Go
If you're patient, Pikachu can be your very first Pokemon in Pokemon Go.
Ready to see what all the Pokemon Go hype is about? If you're just getting started with the augmented-reality game -- which has been downloaded more times than Tinder, and has caused Nintendo's stock to skyrocket -- here's a trick that will let you nab Pikachu as your very first Pokemon.
The first time you open up Pokemon Go, three Pokemon will spawn in front of you. They're Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, the same "starter" Pokemon that appeared in the original Pokemon games, and you can only choose one to capture.
But if you'd prefer to skip over those three and go for the gold -- er, yellow -- you can grab Pikachu, the most iconic Pokemon of them all, as your starter Pokemon.
To do this, you'll need to walk away from Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. Walk away until you can't see them any longer, and they'll respawn in front of you (because, you know, you need a starter Pokemon). Do this four times -- walk away, and let them respawn in front of you. The fourth time they respawn, Pikachu will appear next to them. Tap Pikachu and toss your Pokeballs to capture him, and the other three Pokemon will disappear.
If you've already started the game and you didn't get Pikachu, don't worry -- he does appear later on in the game, in shopping centers and out of 2km eggs. You'll also find the other starters later in the game, though they're not as common as Rattatas, Pidgeys and Zubats.
