Even though Pokémon never really went out of style, thanks to the mobile phenomenon Pokémon Go and the recent Nintendo Switch release Pokémon: Legends Arceus, the franchise has been on people’s minds. When you play Pokémon, you get to build a party of characters and upgrade their abilities. Then you go off and fight with your characters against opponents from around the world as you explore your own little universe. Pokémon has always been about collecting little creatures from around the world and battling them against each other. Numerous other games exist with the same sense of adventure and amusement that has made Pokémon a loved series. Games in all genres exist, so no matter what kind of gameplay you are looking for, you can find it here. Check out our curated list of the best games like Pokémon!
Coromon
Games like Pokémon
Coromon is not-so-modern with a pixel-based art style that’s reminiscing about the very first days of the Pokemon series. It’s one of the most accurate Pokemon likes around. Coromon provides you with the opportunity to collect, train, and battle more than 100 creatures with elemental skills. This updated core design includes some new additions like a stamina system that affects combat and an adjustable difficulty that allows you to experience the game in the way you desire. Even if you want a setting where you only get to play through the story and never fight enemies. If you love the mechanics of Pokemon games, but you want to see some new additions, this might be the game for you.
Temtem
Games like Pokémon
A Pokémon craze began in the 1990s when kids and teens would catch, trade, and battle Pokémon. The cards allowed players to collect different types of Pokémon and use them strategically against their opponents. As Nintendo did in the 1990s with a series of video games, Temtem uses action-RPG elements to combat instead of collecting creatures.
Although some of the games on this list are similar to Temtem, a game created by Spanish developer Crema. Temtem updated Pokémon’s outdated mechanics. It differs from the game it is based on primarily because of its MMO features, but there are also similarities. When playing as a tamer, you need to explore a world and capture monsters, as well as battle other players. And while there are no Pokémon MMOs available, Temtem may offer an alternative way for players to fulfill this desire. Temtem has not been released as of yet, but there is an early access release on the PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox One (in 2020). However, it is expected to come to the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X S later in 2022. My early impressions of this game indicate that it is certain to satisfy anyone who’s missing the thrill of Pokémon.
Ooblets
Games like Pokémon
Despite being different from Pokemon in some respects, Ooblets still carries the influence of Pokemon given its eclectic assortment of other influences. In Ooblets, you explore and fight different types of pet monsters that you have captured. There are not as many monsters in the game as in other Pokémon games, but they have distinct differences. The game’s intention is not to overwhelm the player with great variety; instead, each one feels like a little creation of your own with different titles like Dumbirb and Wigglewip. Rather than having a one-on-one Pokemon battle, your creatures take part in friendly-hearted dance battles. That goofy spirit permeates the whole experience, giving it a caring atmosphere. If you decide to capture the other Ooblets and train them, you can use them to complete minor tasks and keep your garden free of weeds.
Monster Hunter Stories
The Monster Hunter series has nothing to do with Pokemon considering they aren’t known for skinning and wearing their creatures in Pokemon. Monster Hunter Stories, however, is more focused on raising and bonding with creatures in a more traditional RPG format. It’s a slightly more action-oriented game than traditional Pokemon games, with different weaknesses based on elements. You can still collect monsters in it, especially if you are a fan of the Monster Hunter designs. Both Monster Hunter Stories games are solid, but Monster Hunter Stories 2 is far better than the first. It doesn’t require much knowledge of the first game.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Games like Pokémon
Studio Ghibli is best known for animations. A few examples include My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies, and Spirited Away. They collaborated with Level-5 to produce Ni No Kuni. Oliver, a young boy enters a magical kingdom to save his mother. He is the protagonist of White Witch’s Wrath, a JRPG. He can also recruit, train, and evolve Familiars to fight alongside him. Familiars are similar to Pokémon. As in Pokémon, Familiars have specific stats, types, and moves that determine their effectiveness against other types of Familiars. Ni No Kuni is similar in this regard.
Originally released for PlayStation 3, Wrath of the White Witch is an intriguing RPG with over 300 familiars to train. Remastered versions are available for PS4, Switch, and PC. The 3DS sequel, Ni no Kuni II: The Path to a Thousand Suns, is also available for PS4 and PC. In Revenant Kingdom, Familiars were not used so if you’re looking for Pokémon-like games, stick with the excellent first game (though the sequel is still great).
Suikoden
Games like Pokémon
The main thing about this game is its play on collecting monsters. Although other games have this as well, Suikoden is different because it’s a fantasy RPG. It has all the classic elements you might see in any JRPG: leveling up stats, turn-based battles, and grand plots. The Suikoden games include Pokemon’s traditional element of collecting, although this is tweaked in some way. There are 108 stars of destiny to be had. The player has to complete the game in order to have access to them. It’s for when the story says there are still people who can’t be found because they may not be as obvious as they appear. If you recruit them and build a stronghold for them to live in, your group will be able to speak with other characters, customize your party, and buy new gear.
Five Suikoden games, along with a handful of spinoffs, have been released across the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and a slew of other systems. Recently, Suikoden II was ported to the PS Vita and PS3 and is available via the PlayStation Network.
World of Final Fantasy: Maxima
This is an RPG based on the familiar Active Time Battle combat system from previous Final Fantasy games. This game serves as an enhanced version of World of Final Fantasy. It takes you on quests, into dungeons, and solving puzzles while telling a surprisingly deep story – although the tone of the game is much lighter than in other games in the series. Maximum offers you the opportunity to catch Mirages, a type of Pokémon that can fight but can also be used for navigating the land and solving puzzles. Fans of Pokémon will likely enjoy this unique spinoff.
Slime Rancher
Games like Pokémon
Slime Rancher was released in 2017 for the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. The game may seem like a strange cross between a first-person shooter and a life simulation, but there’s actually a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Players are able to catch, raise, and breed slimes to earn currency and explore the game’s world. Slime Rancher does not allow players to battle the slimes, but for those who enjoy raising Pokemon, it should fulfill all their needs.
Jade Cocoon: Story Of The Tamamayu
It is one of the most underrated RPGs on the PlayStation, Jade Cocoon: Story Of The Tamamayu. The game’s story and gameplay are great, and it shares many similarities with Pokemon, but also has some unique ideas of its own. It’s easy to follow the developers’ intentions, even when they don’t quite succeed.
The Minions in Jade Cocoon can be caught, bred, and fused together and there is a total of 175 of them. Catch levels make it easier for players to catch Minions based on how many they’ve already caught. It’s a clever idea that wouldn’t feel out of place in a modern Pokemon game.
Nexomon: Extinction
Games like Pokémon
Nexomon was a game conceived at the dawn of 2016. At long last, on July 19th, 2018, it officially launched on the Apple App Store and Google Play. This is an RPG where players track and catch Nexomon monsters, then turn them into strong ones with which to fight more. It has gorgeous visuals and extremely immersive gameplay that set it apart from other games, which has endeared it to players around the world.
Although many are likely to dismiss Nexomon: Extinction as just another Pokemon clone, doing so would perhaps be a disservice to the game. Though there are certainly some Pokémon elements to it, this is certainly a better Pokemon-style game than Pokémon itself.
Its stamina system encourages players to change out their parties and not rely on a single core team while the game’s diverse and likable cast of characters really helps to make its story come alive. All of the Nexomon are well designed and the dialogue has lots of humor too. Though not flawless, the game works really well as a whole.