Something that only exists within a single target demographic (gamers) that changes things only for that one target demographic (gamers) does not constitute a cultural phenomenon.  There are plenty of examples already written as to why, go back through the thread and look.

Nobody was really expecting the Angry Birds movie to make a ton of money as far as video game movies goes it actually over performed.  Finding Dory is under performing overseas and somewhat over performing domestically since it will easily pass Shrek 2 and will become the highest grossing animated movie domestically.

I agree with that. GTA doesn't have any animes, card games, etc. I don't think it would even do well as a mobile game or app unless it was paired with a console release like fallout 4 is with it's app. 

I still can't believe how wildly popular this game is! It blows my mind.

I disagree with every bit of that. A movie or book or show for example could be cultural phenomenon. It only needs to have widespread popularity to really fit the definition of it. I'm not debating like the other guy which IP is a bigger cultural phenomenon but GTA is definitely a cultural phenomenon. Gaming is popular worldwide and GTA is one of the most popular IPs in gaming. An entire genre was born just to mimic it. I've seen news reports about how a cop learned a car chase move to knock a getaway car off the road from a gta game. Most americans know of that game series and most people in any country where gaming is a popular know of GTA. 

I'll say this. Since people want to point out a third party game GTA V, I'll say that it's a cultural phenomenon in its own right, but mostly within the gaming community. Casuals and core gamers alike know about, but it's hard to compare when everyone including their grandma know who Pikachu, Squirtle, etc. are. Perspectives may vary, but none of my family outside of my sibling know anything about GTA. However, they do know something about Pokemon. And I will go back to my Mario example a few posts ago (I put a link in the edit). When an audience and celebrities know about the Super Mario theme in DWTS, you know you've reached a greater audience than within your own intended and targeted audience.

And the fact that you have a pre-requisite like this shows that it isn't a cultural phenomenon.

Superman, was a cultural phenomenon.  He transcended comic books and became a symbol known by virtually everyone on the planet regardless of where they lived or how they consumed entertainment.

Pokemon Go, even if you don't have a smartphone, even if you have NEVER owned a video game system, is something that you have most likely heard of at length in the past week.  That is a cultural phenomenon.

GTA is mostly known outside of video game circles as that game with prostitutes and cursing that those kids play on those console things.  That's all.  It's a 24 hour news cycle item when it comes out because of minor controversy.  That is not a cultural phenomenon.

Also, your whole spawning a genre argument means that something like League of Legends or whatever the first MOBA was is a cultural phenomenon, which again, it isn't.

ITT: People downplaying other cultural phenomenon because they're not involved enough with said culture to know of its overall impact. /thread

You mean creating a free mobile game that is overrated for casuals to enjoy? Of course if they wanted to. Pokemon Go is no cultural phenomenon and is just benefiting from the casuals infatuation with the latest trendy mobile game. This thing will be over by the winter if not before so meh.

Nothing you said is a cultural phenomenon. The internet and cell phones are cultural phenoms because everyone uses them. Superman is not a cultural phenomenon just because he is a known animated character. That is all he is ...known. Do everyone that knows of Superman buy Superman products? No. It is the same with Pokemon. To have a cultural impact means to be apart of a communities everyday life. Neither Superman or Pokemon Go falls into that category as does no game including GTA. Facebook and twitter are cultural phenomenons that impact styles, trends, business and communication. You all are wrong.