The Supreme Court has joined the chorus of complaints about the hit smartphone game "Pokemon Go," saying the nation's 486 courts should be excluded from areas where its characters — and players — can be found, it was learned Wednesday.

The top court issued a request to U.S. game maker Niantic Inc. not to place the virtual-reality monsters and "Pokestops," locations where players can find special items needed to play the game, near court buildings.

Officials were quoted as saying it is inappropriate to let players search for characters in places where serious cases are being adjudicated.