Players in hunt for Pokemon Go monsters feel real-world pain

LOS ANGELES — Beware: Pokemon Go, a new smartphone game based on cute Nintendo characters like Squirtle and Pikachu, can be harmful to your health.

The "augmented reality" game, which layers gameplay onto the physical world, has become the top grossing app in the iPhone app store just days after its Wednesday release in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

And players have already reported wiping out in a variety of ways as they wander the real world — eyes glued to their smartphone screens — in search of digital monsters. Twisted ankles, mishaps with revolving doors and walking into trees have been among the painful results.

The game has also induced people to post pictures of themselves on social media chasing creatures in all sorts of dangerous situations, like while driving.