Pokémon never really went out of style, but the franchise has been on people’s minds thanks to the mobile phenomenon Pokémon Go and the recent release of Pokémon: Legends Arceus for Nintendo Switch.
The Pokémon series is essentially like any other turn-based RPG, such as Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Dragon Quest. You assemble your party, level them up, customize their abilities, and engage in random battles against enemies while exploring your world. The real draw of Pokémon has always been collecting tiny creatures that populate the world and battling them against one another.
With the upcoming launch of Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet later in 2022, you might be craving some more critter-catching action. Luckily, there are plenty of games that replicate the beloved Pokémon formula that will hold you over until the next entry.
Here are 10 games like Pokémon you need to play.
Recommended reading:
- How to catch the legendary Pokémon in Pokémon: Let’s Go
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: all confirmed Pokémon
- The best fan-made Pokémon games
Temtem
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
CremaGames
Publisher
Humble Bundle
Release
January 21, 2020
Some games on this list share certain similarities with Pokémon, but arguably none of them resemble the beloved series as much as Temtem — a game created by Spanish developer Crema. The studio set out to create Temtem with the goal of improving upon many of Pokémon’s outdated mechanics. And, with it being an MMORPG, it certainly stands apart from the game it’s inspired by. However, it’s hard to overlook the similarities between the two. You’re tasked with catching monsters, exploring a large world, and battling it out against other tamers — all while interacting with other players online. Many have dreamed of playing a Pokémon MMO, and since one doesn’t exist yet, Temtem might be what those players are looking for. Temtem is technically not out yet. It was released in early access through Steam and PlayStation 5 in 2020 and is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch later in 2022. If early impressions are any indication, this is a game that will certainly scratch that Pokémon itch.
Yo-Kai Watch 3
E10
Platforms
Nintendo 3DS
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Level-5
Publisher
Nintendo of America, Nintendo of Europe, Nintendo
Release
December 07, 2018
Yo-Kai Watch, a series of Japanese video games with a companion cartoon and manga from RPG developer Level-5, has become a cross-media phenomenon on par with Pokémon in Japan. The series follows Nate, a young boy who has a special watch that lets him hunt and capture Yo-Kai, ghostly entities from Japanese folklore. Players collect Yo-Kai by feeding them the types of food they like, then defeating them in battle with other Yo-Kai they’ve collected. In other words, it’s a lot like Pokémon, but with a distinctly Japanese look and feel. Specifically, the third installment, aptly titled Yo-Kai Watch 3, is our pick for this list, though all of the games are worth playing. This entry takes place from the point of view of two protagonists: the aforementioned Nate and Hailey. We also appreciate the fact that this game features UFOs and an underlying mystery throughout. While fighting enemy Yo-Kai is the heart of the franchise, the series presents more variety for those who desire to engage in other activities. If you decide that you need a break from battling, you can take part in a number of different mini-games and side quests — fishing, bug catching, etc. — to strengthen your team or obtain new items. Sadly, the fourth entry, Yo-kai Watch 4, never came to the West, and it’s unclear if it ever will.
Shin Megami Tensei V
M
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure
Developer
Atlus
Publisher
Atlus, Sega
Release
November 12, 2021
If the cutesy, cartoon style of Pokémon is a turnoff, the Shin Megami Tensei series might be more your speed. Almost all of the series under the larger Megami Tensei umbrella — Persona, Devil Survivor, Devil Summoner, Digital Devil Saga, and Shin Megami Tensei — feature a collection or monster-training element that is reminiscent of Pokémon but built around a narrative with mature themes and dark tales about demons, the occult, and technology. The most recent entry, Shin Megami Tensei V, is one of the best in the series, taking place in a beautiful, modern version of Tokyo, with plenty of reasons to explore. Much like Pokémon, Shin Megami Tensei V requires you to collect and level-up creatures with unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. However, instead of simply capturing them, players must convince demons to join them through a dialogue mini-game. Once you’ve got them, you can combine your demons to create stronger creatures or trade them with other players.
Read our full Shin Megami Tensei V review
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Level-5
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
September 20, 2019
Ni No Kuni is a traditional RPG made in conjunction with the world-renowned animation studio, Studio Ghibli, known for acclaimed films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies, and Spirited Away. Created by Level-5 — yes, the same Level-5 behind Yo-Kai Watch — Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a whimsical JRPG in which players take the role of Oliver, a young boy who enters a magical kingdom in order to save his mother. Along the way, you can recruit, train, and evolve creatures known as “Familiars,” who battle alongside Oliver. Like Pokémon, Familiars have specific stats, types, and moves that determine their effectiveness against other types of Familiars. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a deep game with a sweeping storyline, and with well over 300 Familiars to recruit and train, you can get quite a bit out of this charming RPG. Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch was originally released for PlayStation 3, but a remastered version is available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The PS4/PC sequel, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, dropped the Familiars mechanic, so if you’re looking for games similar to Pokémon, you’ll want to stick to the excellent original (though the sequel is still great).
Suikoden
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Publisher
Konami
Release
December 15, 1995
While the other games on this list involve collecting various types of wild monsters, the Suikoden series tasks you with recruiting a large number of warriors to build your own private army. Set in a medieval fantasy world based on Shi Naian’s Chinese epic, Shui Hu Zhuanm, the Suikoden games bear a strong resemblance to more traditional JRPGs — turn-based battles, upgradable stats, and grand plots — but share Pokémon’s collecting elements (though in a different context). Each game in the series features a protagonist who gathers the “108 stars of destiny,” a group of warriors who are unknowingly on their way to saving the world from some sort of major threat or calamity. Players complete quests and special tasks while keeping an eye out for the “stars,” who aren’t always the people you’d expect. Once they’ve joined your team, your group makes its home at your stronghold, where you can talk with other characters, customize your party, and buy new gear. The five Suikoden games and a number of spinoffs have been released across the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and a slew of other systems. Most recently, Suikoden II was ported to the PS Vita and PS3 and is available via the PlayStation Network.
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Media.Vision
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
October 17, 2019
Digimon has always played second fiddle to Pokémon. While the series has never quite achieved the same levels of popularity as Pokémon, it has endured for almost 20 years. Like Pokémon, the Digimon franchise has spawned numerous anime series and movies, manga, and video games. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is the closest the series has ever gotten to Pokémon-style gameplay. Players assume the role of a young, skilled hacker who, through a series of strange encounters, winds up with the ability to travel freely between the real world and cyberspace. Utilizing the help of the Digimon — aka digital monsters — you capture and train in cyberspace while players work to solve a threat plaguing both the real and virtual worlds. Like Pokémon, Digimon can transform into other, stronger creatures through a process known as Digivolving.” This isn’t a linear process, however, and Digimon can Digivolve along a number of branching paths, which adds greater depth and customization when powering up your team. Digimon are also added to your Digibank after you encounter them in battle a certain number of times. This makes collecting all the creatures in the game much easier, and also ensures you have plenty of Digimon to use in combinations and Digivolutions. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is available on PS4, Vita, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Capcom
Publisher
Capcom
Release
July 08, 2021
Monster Hunter Stories is a turn-based RPG series that is similar to Pokémon in its core gameplay functions. Players battle head to head with other participants in the game. Monsters hatch straight from eggs, so you won’t need to hunt for them out in the game. Like Pokémon, you can also name your monsters, level them up, or change how they look. Every fight in this game operates like Rock Paper Scissors, which is a similar strategy to Pokémon. You’ll roam, level up, and interact with your monsters similarly. However, you won’t form monster teams or battle with gym leaders in Monster Hunter Stories despite the familiar feel. There are two spinoff games available: Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Both feel like a mix between Monster Hunter and Pokémon, taking some of the best qualities of each.
Read our full Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin review
Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY!
E10
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
March 20, 2019
This Final Fantasy spinoff RPG dungeon crawler is a remaster of the 2008 Wii game Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon. Titled Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!, this game features randomly generated dungeons and turn-based combat that feels a lot like Pokémon. It has a cute, vibrant art style similar to Pokémon, but in terms of gameplay, Every Buddy! is more of a strategy game, so we recommend checking it out if you’re looking for something that will challenge you a little bit. In Every Buddy!, players gain access to a new buddy system that allows them to summon creatures to aid them in their battles. It’s certainly an underrated gem that will scratch that Pokémon itch while also standing on its own.
World of Final Fantasy: Maxima
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
November 06, 2018
Serving as an enhanced edition of World of Final Fantasy, the Maxima version adds new narrative components, boss battles, and other gameplay features. This is an RPG that utilizes the familiar Active Time Battle combat system from previous Final Fantasy games. In it, you embark on quests, explore dungeons, and solve puzzles while experiencing a surprisingly deep story — though its tone is a lot more lighthearted than other Final Fantasy games. World of Final Fantasy: Maxima gives you the ability to capture Mirages, which are similar to Pokémon. These creatures can fight but are also utilized for navigating the land and solving puzzles. This is a unique spinoff that Pokémon fans will likely enjoy.
Ooblets
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Glumberland
Publisher
Double Fine Productions
Release
July 15, 2020
Ooblets is a fascinating game that borrows from many other popular titles such as Story of Seasons, Animal Crossing, and, of course, Pokémon. In it, you collect and raise creatures called Ooblets, who help you with farming duties and can even battle against other creatures in the game. However, Ooblets is unique in that it ditches the traditional turn-based combat system for card-based dance battles instead. While it ultimately plays out a lot like Pokémon, the dance system gives it some personality, allowing it to stand on its own.
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