The Best Games Like Pokemon

The Pokemon series is one of gaming's true juggernauts. It's the best-selling video game series of all time and has been adapted into just about every medium known to man. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are the most recent entries in the franchise and are some of the most innovative installments in the series so far. They're also the first Pokemon games to feature true open-world gameplay, helping to usher the series into the twenty-first century.

However, there's only a finite amount of post-game content in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, meaning that some players will likely grow bored of the games as time goes on. Luckily for those players, there are plenty of great games like Pokemon, and while none have been able to match the series in terms of success and longevity, many have come pretty close when it comes to their gameplay and graphics.

Updated September 9, 2024, by Tom Bowen:Whether fans are looking for a way to pass the time between now and their next Pokemon adventure or just curious about what some of the games that are similar to Pokemon have to offer, these excellent creature-collecting titles are definitely worth a look. Some may lack polish in places, but they more than make up for this in charm, passion, and enjoyable gameplay moments. The very best games like Pokemon don't just mimic the series' hugely successful formula; they also expand on it in unique and unusual ways.

Palworld

OpenCritic Rating: 71

Palworld took the gaming industry by storm when it was released in early 2024 and remains incredibly popular to this day. Although it was initially pitched as Pokemon with guns, it's proven to be so much more than that, with base-building, crafting, and survival also playing a pivotal role throughout proceedings.

Palworld provides an excellent option for people who want to play a game like Pokemon but don't have a Nintendo console. Even for those who do, its many differences help to set it apart from the popular Game Freak franchise, making it an excellent alternative. Fans of Pokemon will almost certainly enjoy Palworld, although the latter may also appeal to players who dislike modern Pokemon games.

Cassette Beasts

OpenCritic Rating: 86

Released in 2023 for PC, Switch, and Xbox, Cassette Beasts is one of the best Pokemon clones ever made. It brings with it a lot of interesting ideas and mechanics too, which help to set it apart from other titles in the ever-popular creature-collecting genre. It also offers an obscene amount of variety, with 120 monsters and more than 14,000 different fusions for players to enjoy.

There really is a lot to love aboutCassette Beasts, from its charming visuals to its innovative co-op battle system. It targets a slightly older demographic too, making this a great creature-collecting game for those who first fell in love with the Pokemon formula as a child and are now looking for something a little more mature as they enter early adulthood.

Bugsnax

OpenCritic Rating: 75

Bugsnax is a pretty strange game, but that's arguably a big part of its charm. Set on the mysterious Snaktooth Island, the game sees players interacting with a wide range of weird and wonderful creatures. It's a lot darker than its whimsical art style lets on though and boasts a surprisingly enjoyable narrative given its simple premise.

Having originally served as a launch title for the PlayStation 5, Bugsnax was ported to Switch and Xbox a few years later in April of 2022. A new update was pushed out to mark the occasion, adding in a brand-new area and 12 new Bugsnax for players to add to their collection; bringing the total up to 112. As far as games like Pokemon go, Bugsnax is definitely one of the best.

Coromon

OpenCritic Rating: 73

Coromon may look like just another Pokemon clone at first glance, but there's a lot more to this charming creature-collecting game than first meets the eye. For starters, the game features a much more intuitive battle system, while also giving players a lot more control over the difficulty of the main story.

Those who enjoy Nuzlocke runs in Pokemongames will definitely want to check out Coromon, as the game has a randomizer built right into it. Granted, players will first have to unlock the randomizer by defeating the first titan, Voltgar, but it's refreshing to see a developer embracing features and ideas that players want to see implemented nonetheless.

Suikoden

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Konami's Suikoden series may not feature creatures, but that doesn't mean that players won't still find themselves collecting as they play. This is because the franchise is renowned for its huge casts of characters, with the series' first installment boasting more than 100 potential party members for players to find and recruit.

Though the themes and ideas explored in the Suikodengames are decidedly darker, the way that battles work is actually pretty similar to Pokemon. As such, Suikoden is an excellent JRPG series and a solid option for older Pokemonfans who want a more mature experience that still feels familiar in the graphics and gameplay departments.

Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!

OpenCritic Rating: 74

Although it's perhaps best associated with the Pokemon franchise these days, the Mystery Dungeon series actually predates Pokemon by several years. It was in 1997 that the first Chocobo-themedMystery Dungeon game was released, with several more having followed in the decades since.

The most recent of these is Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!, which is available for the Nintendo Switch and PS4. It doesn't allow players to catch monsters as they can in Pokemon games, but creatures can be befriended using the Buddy system and will then fight alongside players as they make their way through the game's many dungeons.

Slime Rancher

OpenCritic Rating: 76

Released in 2017 for the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, Slime Rancher borrows elements from a wide variety of genres. At first glance, it may seem like a bizarre cross between a first-person shooter and a life sim game, but there's actually much more going on beneath the hood than first meets the eye.

The game allows players to catch, raise, and breed their own slimes in order to earn currency and further explore the game's world. Granted, there are nowhere near as many different types of slimes as there are Pokemon, and the game doesn't allow players to battle, but for those who take enjoyment from raising their Pokemon, Slime Rancher should tick all the right boxes.

Shin Megami Tensei 5

OpenCritic Rating: 85

Though some fans may not like the comparison, there are quite a few similarities between the Shin Megami Tensei and Pokemonfranchises. The most obvious of these is the ability to catch and battle with a wide array of monsters, which plays a central role in both of the long-running series.

Where the SMT games really differ, however, is in their more complex battle systems and the deep and mature narratives that players are typically treated to. In many ways, Pokemon actually does a pretty good job preparing players for the SMT experience, making the latter a great series to try for those who enjoyed Pokemon games when they were younger.

Ooblets

OpenCritic Rating: 73

Available on Xbox One and Windows, Ooblets is a life simulation game that combines the farming mechanics found in games like Stardew Valley and My Time at Portia together with the creature-collecting aspects of the Pokemon series. It may sound a little like mixing together chalk and cheese to some, but the end result is surprisingly satisfying and definitely worth a glance.

The art style is a little reminiscent of some of the more recent Pokemon games too, although is arguably a lot more colorful, which may appeal to some players. The animations are great too and although there are nowhere near as many Ooblets to collect as there are Pokemon, those that can be found in the game are typically incredibly well-designed and offer a great amount of variety.

Monster Hunter Stories

OpenCritic Rating: 79

First released back in 2017, Monster Hunter Stories offers a completely different twist on the series' classic formula. Players take control of a rider who is able to steal and hatch eggs from monsters' nests and then use them in battle against other monsters. Unlike other Monster Hunter games, combat is turn-based and so is fairly similar to the battles found in Pokemon games in that respect.

Sadly, the game was never ported to the Nintendo Switch, but it can still be played on the 3DS and was also brought to Android and iOS devices in 2018. For those who've already completed the game or really don't enjoy mobile titles, a sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, was released for both Switch and PC in July of 2021.

Ark: Survival Evolved

OpenCritic Rating: 61

Following a fairly underwhelming launch, Ark: Survival Evolved has slowly but surely grown into a fantastic action-adventure game. Gameplay is typically a lot more gritty than the Pokemon series and the storytelling is a lot more hands-off. Even without a traditional narrative, however, there's still an interesting story on offer for those willing to seek it out.

Rather than cute little creatures, players are able to tame and train ferocious dinosaurs and can ride them into battle against their foes or other prehistoric predators. Occasional glitches do tarnish the experience a little, but players who are able to look past them will likely find a lot to like about Ark. The game also supports both crossplay and split-screen co-op on certain platforms, making it a great game to play with friends.

Monster Crown

OpenCritic Rating: 63

Though its retro art style may be reminiscent of some of the classic 16-bit games of yesteryear, there's nothing dated about the gameplay mechanics found in Monster Crown. The game features more than two hundred monsters for players to tame and collect, as well as a fully fleshed-out breeding system that allows for countless combinations. Its biggest strength, however, is its dark and thought-provoking narrative.

The story told throughout Monster Crown is not too dissimilar to the one found in Pokemon X & Y, at least when it comes to tone, anyway. The battle and trading systems are also fairly similar to the ones on offer in the Pokemon series, meaning that it should be relatively simple for fans of the Game Freak franchise to make the transition over to Monster Crown.

Digimon World: Next Order

OpenCritic Rating: 66

With at least two main character deaths in a standard playthrough, Digimon Survive is perhaps a little too dark to be compared to the Pokemon series. There are plenty of more light-hearted Digimon games for players to sink their teeth into though, one of which is the 2017 title, Digimon World: Next Order.

The game features over 200 creatures for players to collect and is one of the largest games in the series to date. The battle system is solid too and there's a strong emphasis placed on the importance of the bond between players and their Digimon. Like many of the other games in the Digimon World series, there is quite a bit of grinding, although not quite enough to ruin the experience.

World Of Final Fantasy

OpenCritic Rating: 78

World of Final Fantasy is one of the many Final Fantasy spin-off titles released by Square Enix. It's often compared with the Pokemon series, although the similarities are fairly limited beyond the game's monster-catching mechanic. Granted, this is one of Pokemon's defining features, but the training and battling elements that supplement it in Pokemon just aren't there in World of Final Fantasy.

For those who simply have to catch them all though, World of Final Fantasy certainly won't disappoint. There are plenty of familiar faces in the monster lineup as well as some new and unique designs. This one will probably appeal to Final Fantasy fans more than anyone else. Even then though, the Chibi art style may not be to everyone's tastes.

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

OpenCritic Rating: 87

There are nowhere near as many, but it's hard to look at the Higgledies found in Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom and not be reminded of Pokemon. Each has its own elemental affinity and a set of four moves that can be used in battle. There's also a 'catch 'em all' type feeling to them, although there aren't quite as many.

Collecting Higgeldies might not be the central focus in Ni No Kuni II's story, but the creatures play an integral role in its gameplay. What's more, deciding which four Higgeldies to take into battle requires similar planning to selecting a team of Pokemon. There may not be as much depth, but there's just as much charm.

Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Jade Cocoon: Story Of The Tamamayu is one of the most underrated RPGs on the PlayStation. It's starting to show some cracks visually, but its story and gameplay are top-notch. The game shares more than a few similarities with Pokemon, but also has some great ideas of its own. Even when its ideas don't quite land, it's easy to see what the developers were going for.

In Jade Cocoon, players catch and obtain Minions which can be used in battle. Players can breed and fuse them together and there are 175 of them in total. One of the more interesting mechanics in the game is the catch level, which makes it easier for players to catch Minions based on how many they have already caught. It's a nice idea and one that wouldn't feel at all out of place in a modern Pokemon game.

Monster Sanctuary

OpenCritic Rating: 81

Monster Sanctuary began life as a passion project before its creator decided to take his ideas to Kickstarter. After a successful campaign, the game was picked up by publisher Team17 and has grown into something far beyond its original scope. The final release, which came in late 2020, is one of the best games like Pokemon ever made.

Players build teams of monsters to take on wild monsters and other monster keepers. Wild monsters can be tamed and, like many of the Pokemon titles, one monster can be chosen to follow the player around outside of battle. Unlike Pokemon, however, each following monster has a unique ability to help players traverse the game's world. This adds a new layer of depth to the follow mechanic and yet another reason to check the game out.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy Of The Duelist: Link Evolution

OpenCritic Rating: 78

The Yu-Gi-Oh! series should need no introduction given its popularity and how long it's been around. Although many may be familiar with the concept though, some might be surprised by just how good Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy Of The Duelist: Link Evolution really is.

It's more like playing with the Pokemon trading cards than it is a Pokemon game, but the strategy involved is incredibly similar. Likewise, the depth of the combat and the huge variety of monsters make this the perfect title for those who love the tactical elements of the Pokemon series.

Yo-Kai Watch 3

OpenCritic Rating: 79

There's still no word on when exactly Yo-Kai Watch 4 will be released in the West, so anybody interested in checking out what the series has to offer will have to settle for playing Yo-Kai Watch 3 instead. Thankfully, it's one of the series' best titles and features multiple playable characters and intertwining stories.

The Yo-Kai Watch games allow players to befriend supernatural creatures known as Yo-Kai and fight with them in battle. They can evolve into more powerful versions of themselves and there are even legendary Yo-Kai for players to befriend. It's similar enough to Pokemon to feel familiar but different enough to feel like a brand-new adventure.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth

OpenCritic Rating: 75

The rivalry between Digimon and Pokemon is almost as iconic as the one between Ash and Gary. The two series duked it out in the late '90s and, although Pokemon came out on top, Digimon has never truly been down for the count. It's still incredibly popular in Japan and there are plenty of Western gamers with fond memories of the franchise.

The similarities between the two series are too numerous to list, but there's a strong likelihood that anybody who likes Pokemon will take some enjoyment from theDigimon Story video games. The pick of the bunch is definitely Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth although many of the older Digimon Story titles are pretty good as well.