Last week, Pokémon Sleep, the newest addition to the immensely popular Pokémon franchise, was launched. Created by Niantic and Select Button, this innovative app monitors users’ sleep patterns, enabling them to capture Pokémon while turning sleep itself into a form of entertainment.

While Pokémon Go focused on active daytime play, Pokémon Sleep encourages a good night’s sleep for players.

In the game, players assume the role of a researcher and partner up with a Snorlax, a Pokémon known for its sleepiness, to delve into the world of Pokémon sleep.

Players are awarded a sleep score ranging up to 100, with higher scores leading to the discovery of rare Pokémon. The sleep score is then converted into sleep points, which can be exchanged for in-game items.

In an interview with Reuters, Yuri Horie, the product manager at The Pokémon Company, stated, “Pokémon Sleep provides another opportunity for anyone with a smart device to interact with Pokémon and provides an opportunity to look forward to waking up in the morning and also to get lots of sleep.”

Nintendo, one of the owners of The Pokémon Company, previously made an endeavor into sleep tracking with a platform first announced in 2014. The platform, developed in collaboration with American medical equipment manufacturer ResMed, aimed to use entertainment to enhance quality of life through non-wearable technology.

This marks the third time The Pokémon Company has released a game or app with a focus on health and wellness. In 2016, Pokémon Go took the world by storm and encouraged physical activity through walking. Then, in 2020, Pokémon Smile was introduced to assist players in maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Pokémon Sleep also accommodates various sleep schedules. For instance, players who cannot consistently achieve the maximum recommended sleep duration of eight and a half hours can improve their sleep score by incorporating short naps throughout the day.

However, unlike Pokémon Go, Pokémon Sleep does not allow users to connect to Pokémon Home, the service that enables the transfer of creatures between servers and games. This restriction prevents users with high sleep scores from gaining an unfair advantage in the franchise’s primary titles or its thriving competitive scene.

The game is generating significant media attention due to its innovative gameplay. Only time will tell if its originality can replicate the immense success of Pokémon Go.

Note: Niantic has been included in our Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2022 list. Stay tuned for the release of our 2023 list in the upcoming months.