10 Games Like Pokémon You Should Play

Pokemon Shining Diamond and Pearl
Pokemon Shining Diamond and Pearl

From compelling imitators to unique games that share similar traits with the series, there is no shortage of games that can remind you of Pokémon in the best possible way. If you’re interested in games like Pokémon, you can find something for any console currently available.

Why? Because the influence of Pokémon continues to loom large. Has it really been a quarter of a century since the first Pokémon games were released, achieving a relevancy that the brand maintains to this very day? Well, Pokémon titles have been part of every Nintendo console lineup since the late 90s, and the animated series is still going on. Pikachu, Ash, and the now thousands of Pokémon creatures that dot the landscape of this seemingly unstoppable franchise continue to be very keenly part of Nintendo’s plans and identity.

If you’re a fan of this massive series, you’re already aware there are dozens upon dozens of Pokémon games on the market. If you’ve exhausted those, or if you just want to check out some alternatives on a similar wavelength, we’ve got several games like Pokémon you can try.

 

Games Like Pokémon

1. World of Final Fantasy Maxima

World of Final Fantasy Maxima
World of Final Fantasy Maxima

Developer: Square Enix, Tose
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Switch, Xbox One

World of Final Fantasy Maxima is a little more of an RPG experience than a Pokémon one, but there’s enough of both concepts here for either fan to have a great time.

The game offers a simple, but charming Final Fantasy boilerplate with a story of two youngsters named Reynn and Lann, and that thing that Final Fantasy characters do with their destiny and dreams and so forth. It’s genuinely cute to see these things presented in a Chibi style with an understated sense of humor.

More importantly than all of that, World of Final Fantasy Maxima lets you engage with iconic franchise characters in the form of Champions, while collecting monsters known as Mirages. As you might hope, World of Final Fantasy Maxima makes good use of their many famous characters and creature designs.

 

2. Temtem

Temtem
Temtem

Developer: CremaGames S.L.
Publisher: Humble Bundle
Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series

Among any collection of games like Pokémon, Temtem is one of the most exciting possibilities to come along in a while.

The influence of Pokémon on this game is immediate, from the moment your character sets out to explore the six islands of Airborne Archipelago, collect a colorful menagerie of cute and distinctly designed creatures, and stay ahead of the fiendish Clan Belsoto. Temtem wears its aspirations to be a Pokémon MMO directly on its sleeve. So far, the majority of reviews for the game indicate that they have been largely successful and can only keep getting better from here.

Temtem is a good first choice for a game to play if you’re specifically looking for something that’s going to remind you of Pokémon. Not only does this game hit the right notes for fans, but there’s enough originality alongside that to make TemTem stand out nicely.

 

3. Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher

Developer: Monomi Park
Publisher: Monomi Park
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Your job in the adorable and addictive Slime Rancher is simple: Make a new life for yourself on a distant planet ranching slimes of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Despite slimes looking exactly as you would imagine them, the game keeps things visually engaging with a surprising range of designs, sizes, and even personality. That’s the first way Slime Rancher surprises you with its uniqueness, while still offering that creature collecting element you’re probably looking for.

Slime Rancher is simple in its concept and execution, allowing players to acclimate themselves quickly and entertainingly in this likable sandbox game. You’ll have the opportunity to build a space ranch, capture slimes, and explore a varied and visually fun landscape. Slime Rancher might just be the best choice for fans of not only Pokémon, but Animal Crossing, as well.

 

4. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered

Ni No Kuni
Ni No Kuni

Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Bandai-Namco
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series

There’s a lot more flexibility to the idea of games like Pokémon than you might think. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered is a crowd-pleasing, Studio Ghibli-animated case in point. While the story of a normal little boy named Oliver and his adventures in a world of magic, spectacle, and danger differs from Pokémon in several key ways, it also arguably taps into the same interests.

The creature capturing part of this game is important to Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered, but it doesn’t drive the entire game as Pokémon does. Rather it’s simply one crucial part of a larger RPG adventure that has you meeting, befriending, and then benefiting from several good-natured, beautifully designed creatures.

The satisfaction you get from this process and the friendships that your character builds to those he meets feels familiar in the best possible way.

 

5. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2
Monster Hunter Stories 2

Developer: Capcom
Platforms: PC, Switch
Publisher: Capcom

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a deep, deep game. A normal playthrough alone is worth around 50 hours. Those who seriously take the “catch ‘em all” approach to creature collecting games can expect to add roughly another 100 hours to that figure.

Wings of Ruin is the kind of exploration-heavy RPG that can keep your attention for a long time. There’s an immersive narrative, appealing characters, and a lot of creatures to meet.

Those who haven’t played a Monster Hunter game in any form or fashion should be fine with Wings of Ruin, as well. The learning curve can be a little steep for the uninitiated, but once you understand the mechanics and degree of challenge this Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin offers, you’ll have a good time.

 

6. Monster Harvest

Monster Harvest
Monster Harvest

Developer: Maple Powered Games
Publisher: Merge Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One

Farming and monster-collecting go together in games like Monster Harvest. Both sides of this game type are well represented and engaging here, with the game plunging you right into the task of building your farm, discovering creatures known as Battle Planimals, and creating companions who will join you in combat. The sheer volume of things you can do in Monster Harvest can be a little overwhelming at first, and the comparisons to Stardew Valley are pretty apparent, but the game soon settles into its own kind of entertainment.

Different seasons and gameplay opportunities allow for a relatively engrossing experience. It’s a certainty that anyone who likes collecting a number of different creatures, building up a completely customizable living space, and exploring new frontiers should at least check out Monster Harvest.

 

7. Monster Crown

Monster Crown
Monster Crown

Developer: Studio Aurum
Publisher: SOEDESCO
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

It’s pretty obvious from looking at even a single screenshot of Monster Crown that we’re talking about a Pokémon clone. However, simply calling Monster Crown a clone isn’t quite accurate. It takes a little investment of time and energy on your part, but as you begin to play through Monster Crown, whose greatest sin is that it’s much too short, you’ll find the game goes in its own direction on several counts.

The most appealing difference between Monster Crown and anything else available is the breeding system. This is one of the ways in which the game really shines. If you find yourself taking to this cute game immediately, these mechanics, as well as the battle system, will keep you playing for at least several hours.

 

8. Ooblets

Ooblets
Ooblets

Developer: Glumberland
Publisher: Glumberland
Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series

The lush graphics and relentlessly adorable designs of Ooblets are easy to appreciate — even the name is fun to say. Another example of a creature collecting title with farming elements, Ooblets has become quite popular for those seeking games like Pokémon. There’s a wholesome energy to everything from the music to the backgrounds that can pull you in at once. This has become a cozy gaming favorite for many, and the way it approaches its battle system is decidedly unique.

You’re going to spend a lot of time in Ooblets building, exploring, and collecting the creatures you grow from seeds. You’re also going to spend a lot of time in battle, but unlike other similar games, these battles are dance showdowns.

Guess what? It’s really, really entertaining, and will almost definitely hook you in.

 

9. Digimon World: Next Order

Digimon World Next Order
Digimon World Next Order

Developer: B.B.STUDIO
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Switch

Digimon has often been compared to Pokémon, and that’s not entirely fair. One way in which Digimon has certainly branched into its own thing is through the Digimon World games. Digimon World: Next Order is the sixth in the series. It’s not without some issues, particularly in its menu and battle system being a little tough to understand at the start, but for Digimon fans in particular the good is likely to outweigh the bad.

Starting with two companion Digimon, your adventure takes place in a surprisingly robust open world. There’s plenty to see and do, and the story and music in particular can go a long way towards creating a world that’s nice to get lost in for a little while.

Once you get the hang of Digimon World: Next Order, you’ll probably keep at it for a long time.

 

10. Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy!

Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy!
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy!

Developer: h.a.n.d. Inc.
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PS4, Switch

Another game to feature the iconic Final Fantasy mascots and monsters we all know and love, Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon doesn’t disappoint with bright, cute graphics and characters. While nice, what really matters with this game is whether or not you can really have a good time going through a seemingly endless array of dungeons in search of adventure and treasure.

As it turns out, you most certainly can have fun here. Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon has been a respectable little franchise for Square Enix for over 25 years. The main structure of the game remains the same, but beautiful graphics, an impressive variety to the many dungeons, and the ability to “collect” other creatures as friends via the Buddy System has kept this series a fan favorite for a long time.

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