The hype surrounding “Pokémon Go,” Nintendo’s upcoming smartphone game, is ramping up after a Japan-exclusive beta test was announced to start later this month. It’s the franchise’s first major foray into the ever-expanding iOS and Android market and recent previews have foreshadowed the possibility of augmented reality — 3D Pokémon appearing in the real world as seen through the device screen. Pokémon was my very first gaming obsession, I can say Nintendo’s adventurous choice is cause for excitement. While there may be some potential pitfalls in the form of in-app purchases, I believe that a smartphone-based Pokémon game will create a larger, more diverse community of players with the sort of real-world hook Nintendo has always wanted.

There’s no doubt that Nintendo games have begun to feature a genuine social aspect, many years after the clunky Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable made its debut. The StreetPass system, for instance, provided special benefits to people who carried the Nintendo 3DS in their pockets: when someone else with a 3DS is nearby, the systems will communicate and transfer data. Certain games relied entirely on getting StreetPasses. This makes a ton of sense for cities with large crowds, such as Tokyo — but in sprawling metropolises like Omaha, such a system can be frustrating. At the height of the 3DS’s popularity, I brought my device to malls, streets, and shops with very little luck. The only hotspots to be found were fan conventions and college campuses.

Most consumers carry a smartphone, however, which would make “Pokémon Go” far more accessible. The game will also be free to play, which will encourage a viral spread. The marriage of Pokémon and Ingress is a magical thing to see. Nintendo has tried to get players outside before — with a pedometer called the Pokéwalker, actually — but I think the idea of actually hunting for 3D Mons in real-world locations will be far more engaging than any feature they’ve tried before. It may well encourage people to explore new areas of the city. Imagine catching a Charmander at the Henry Doorly Zoo, or seeing one of the legendary birds fly over the Old Market! For me, it’s a childhood dream come true.

The only risk is that the game may be a bit buggy. It’s free — when the game costs literally nothing, there’s less risk for fallout when things don’t work. There’s also the possibility for in-app purchases and a “pay to win” model (which, as you may or may not know, I think is the scourge of the App Store). Still: the hype is strong for a social Pokémon title that will actually function in a place like Nebraska. Whether the “Pokémon Go” experiment is a pocket-sized success or a total flop, here’s to hoping that Nintendo will continue to be the quirky innovators of the gaming world.