Pokémon Go became a global sensation upon launch by delivering on the childhood fantasy of catching them all. At its height the title boasted around 200 million monthly players, a remarkable achievement.

A fresh iOS app named Gotcha now seeks to capture that same spirit, except the targets are real animals rather than virtual creatures. The premise is simple and compelling. Aim your phone at any living thing, whether a pigeon or a stray cat, and the software isolates the subject, identifies the species, and adds it to your personal roster.

Although I skipped the Pokémon Go phenomenon, this application feels like one I would actually enjoy.

How does catching animals actually work?

Capturing a creature is as straightforward as taking a photo. Spot an animal, open the app, and snap the picture. Gotcha automatically removes the background and determines the species without extra effort.

Every catch becomes a sticker complete with its own collectible card, spanning everyday sightings to rare finds. You can revisit the original image and share standout captures with friends.

The thrill of spotting something unusual and expanding your collection is built in, with the entire world serving as the map. It is surprising that no one pursued this idea sooner.

Can you really collect them all?

Gotcha supplies an index of hundreds of species shown as silhouettes until you encounter them in person. Mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles are organized into tidy groups, and filling those slots provides genuine motivation to explore outdoors.

A routine park walk transforms into a treasure hunt. Suddenly a bird you might ignore becomes a potential new entry.

Gotcha was developed by Jurre and is set to launch soon on iPhone. The app is free to download, and users can join the waitlist for early access. No Android version has been announced yet, so iPhone owners will enjoy it first.