ThePokemonfranchise is a crucial mainstay for many, naturally, but for those who don’t actually have a Nintendo console at hand to enjoy them, things get complicated quickly. If you’re not particularly keen on emulation and whatnot, finding the bestPokemon-like games is the obvious next-best option.
While the niche ofPokemon-alikes may have been fairly slim just a decade ago, things have changed for the better as of late. Right now, not only do you have a wealth of creature-hunting and training games to choose from, but many of them are truly compelling experiences in their own right. Some areexceedinglysimilar toPokemonproper, while others deliver something entirely new.
Whatever the case may be, all the games featured on this list will sate your thirst forPokemonon a non-Nintendo gaming device, and you won’t even need to pretend that you’re dumping your own ROMs for emulation. Neat!
The best Pokemon-alikes on the market right now
#12: Palworld
While the gameplay systems ofPalworldcompletely differ fromPokemonin many ways, you’re still collecting all kinds of creatures throughout this unique take on the genre. The graphics are beautiful as you explore the world, try to find unique and wild Pals, and take on bosses. You can even attack these creatures and get them to work for you, like crafting Pal Spheres (Palworld‘s own version of Pokeballs). Creating your own base and evolving your character’s abilities and Pals is fulfilling.
What’s even cooler is that you may ride your Pals and glide through the air or float on the sea.Palworld‘s one of the best monster-collecting RPGs because it’s so strange to have these creatures with guns at their and your disposal.
“At some point, midway through crafting an Assault Rifle upgrade for my Grass-Type Pal Tanzee, I had to pause and reflect on what I had done,” saidour hands-on impressions forPalworld.“I was about to put a military rifle in the hands of a somewhat-sentient animal, a seemingly innocent and adorable creature, hoping it spraying bullets in a general direction would be the ace-in-the-hole I needed against a particularly tough boss trainer.”
#11: Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchis a beautifulPokemon-like RPG you can get on your PC or console. You’re collecting creatures called familiars and training them but you’re also playing as Oliver, a 13-year-old boy that can use magic in battle alongside the familiars. He isn’t just on the sidelines. The stellar combat system is complimented by a wonderful fantasy storyline as Oliver tries to save his mother and ultimately the world from evil. It’s also animated and inspired by the works of anime studio Studio Ghibli, who have previously worked onHowl’s Moving CastleandLaputa: Castle in the Sky.It’s certainly a hidden gem in monster-collecting RPGs.
#10: Nexomon: Extinction
While the originalNexomonmight’ve been as straightforward of aPokemonwannabe as it gets, theExtinctionsequel does several key things to separate itself from this legacy. From the tall grass to the turn-based battles, anyPokemonfan will know what they’re about here, and that’s the game’s strongest suit, really. Even thoughNexomon: Extinctiondoesn’t intend to rock the boat, as it were, its story and dialogue still attempt to pick apart some engrained genre tropes, and its open world does enough to make it well worth playing. The art style is also quite beautiful and fills that void of the modernPokemongames forgoing the traditional 2D look.
#9: Ooblets
Oobletsis a monster-taming game, yes,butit is also a farming title and a bit of a life sim, to boot. What you’re getting here, then, is amillennial’s dream combination ofAnimal CrossingandPokemonthat still successfully sets up a unique identity all of its own.Oobletsshould’ve been exceedingly cringeworthy in more ways than one, but the end result is delightfully charming and funny instead, and it’ll be a great choice for those who want something a tad bit different. This indie title is worth a look.
#8: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Monster Hunter Storiesis aPokemon-like gameset in theMonster Hunteruniverse. Its combat and exploration are both more compelling than they’ve ever really been in a mainstream Gamefreak game, however, which helps make up for the smaller and more focused roster of creatures to choose from.Wings of Ruinis not a perfect game by any means, but its solid gameplay loop and great co-op multiplayer options help it stand out from the bunch.
The game becomes more fun when you collect new monsters in the game, which is important. “Monster acquisition is crucial for traversal, as only some creature types can say, climb ivy, swim, or leap across gaps,” saidour review. “It’s a lot like HMs inPokémon, but you’re mostly in control of when you gain control of them, and outside of a few critical-path requirements, they lead to optional content.” It does suffer from frame drops, however, on Switch, so maybe consider picking this game up on a different platform like the PC or PS4.
#7: Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Digimongames have always been very different from whatPokemonhas offered. While the same could be said aboutCyber Sleuth, for sure, the game actually plays like something you’d get if you blendedPokemonwithShin Megami Tensei. What you’re getting here is afairly believable and groundedDigimonexperiencethat leans just enough into its immense roster of creatures to be a proper monster collection game.
If you’re a bit tired of the childish antics in the storyline of recentPokemongames, thisDigimontitle might be worth looking into as it has a beefier plot.
#6: Temtem
For those who want a truePokemonMMO but aren’t all that interested in the various (unofficial) free-to-play renditions of the franchise,Temtemis the way to go. This is a huge and sprawlingPokemon-like game that does most things very well, but its MMORPG core also means you’re getting a very grindy, community-focused experience. It’s a great game, to be sure, with the caveat that it’s also a true MMO with everythingthatentails. For those who are only into battling,theTemtem: Showdownoffshootmay be the way to go.
For those who want more of a challenge to their monster-collecting adventures thatScarlet & Violetarguably lacked,TemTemmight be for you. It’s certainly tough, especially in the beginning.
#5: Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuaryis a creature-collecting sidescroller that is, coincidentally, also a true Metroidvania title. There’s lots of depth to every disparate gameplay system present inMonster Sanctuary, but what really makes it special is how it all comes together. The game has ample personality and style, and whether you’re into it for the combat or the creature collection, you’re sure to get more than you bargained for.
#4: Siralim Ultimate
Unlike most other games on this list,Siralim Ultimatewon’t be to everyone’s tastes. In fact, it’d be easy to say that it won’t be tomostpeople’s tastes, but that doesn’t take away from the sheer breadth and scope of the game. Once you look past its simplistic graphics and old-school UI, you’re getting the biggest, most comprehensive creature collector-made yet, and it leans extremely heavily into the theory-crafting portion of the niche. For those who are into this sort of thing,Siralim Ultimateisthegame to play.
#3: Bugsnax
Bugsnaxis a bizarre Pokemon-like gamethat absolutely revels in its weirdness. True enough, itisa creature collecting title, but it places heavy emphasis on its narrative, which we highly recommend you do not spoil for yourself. In fact, its strong narrative slant is good enough to more than make up for gameplay that could’ve certainly been better. As it stands, though,Bugsnaxis a delightfully unique game that’s going to thrill players looking for something abitout there in all the right ways.
#2: Coromon
Coromonis about as close to being an unofficial mainline fourth-genPokemongame as one could possibly get, albeit with a wealth of quality-of-life improvements included by default. If youfeel like playingPokemonnatively on, say, a Steam Deck, this is arguably the best option you’ve got. What’s really important here, though, is thatCoromonfeatures creature designs that genuinely wouldn’t feel out of place in aPokemontitle, even though they’re all fully original.
Those who like Nuzlocke runs would also be happy to know thatCoromonhas a setting for this particular game type. There’s a toggle that lets you release fainted monsters automatically and limits the number of items you use per battle to increase the difficulty.
#1: Cassette Beasts
IfCoromonis the bestPokemon-like game to embrace its niche,Cassette Beastsis the one that isn’t afraid of tastefully nudging the entire sub-genre forward in meaningful ways. Described as “strange but exciting” ahead of its release,Cassette Beastsis incredibly fun and engaging throughout, and it’s going to beparticularly interesting to those who want a slightly more difficult monster-hunting experience. Expect nothing short of a genre evolution from this game, with an open world to explore to your heart’s content. To understand just how deepCassette Beasts‘ gameplay systems go,check out the web-based creature fusion system!
