Nintendo’s Pokemon is one of the most beloved franchises of all time but if you’re on the hunt for a different monster-taming title then we’ve got a curated list of the very best Pokemon-like games to play in 2024 and beyond.
Pokemon is one of the most iconic gaming series in the world, and even if you haven’t played any of the games, there’s a high chance you’ve played a title that’s been inspired by the franchise. In 2024 there are countless creature-collecting games on the market and it can be overwhelming to decide which to play.
Whether you’re a Pokemon superfan who’s played every game on offer and are looking for something new, or you’re looking for a creature-taming game on a different platform, we’ve got a rundown of 7 of the best games like Pokemon to play in 2024.
1. Temtem
If you’re looking for a game that’s as similar to Pokemon as possible, look no further than developer Crema’s creature collector Temtem. This massively multiplayer RPG sees you leave your tiny village and set off on a journey to catch ’em all, with a pretty impressive 164 creatures available to discover.
Everything you love about Pokemon is here: Types like Water and Electric, the ability to evolve into stronger Temtem, turn-based battles against other players, and a huge map to explore. The best thing about Temtem is that it’s available on pretty much all platforms, from Xbox to PlayStation and even PC.
2. Cassette Beasts
Inspired by the GBA era of the Pokemon franchise, as well as other beloved Nintendo titles like The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Cassette Beasts is an open-world adventure where instead of making monsters battle, you turn into the creatures yourself!
The game starts with you washing up on the island of New Wirral, a mysterious place where standard people from all different time periods have settled down. You soon embark on a quest to find a way back home and are joined by several lovable companions along the way. Monsters are always visible in the overworld and you’ll fight them in turn-based battles. If you see a creature you want to add to your party, you’ll have to record it on tape.
With an intriguing narrative to experience, great strategic combat, and a lot of charm, Cassette Beasts is a must-play for any Pokemon fans. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S/X, and PC, and you can play it for free on Xbox Game Pass.
2. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
If you grew up in the ’90s, chances are you were either a Pokemon fan or a Digimon fan. The two franchises had a lot of similarities and were often put head-to-head in heated playground debates about which was better. But why not have the best of both worlds?
They might not have gotten the same amount of attention as the world-dominating Pokemon games, but Digimon games are more than worth your attention.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is a popular choice for traditional Pokemon-like gameplay, where you’ll build a team of creatures and take part in turn-based battles. Or for something more unique, try the recent Digimon Survive with its gorgeous visual novel elements and a darker story than you might expect.
3. Yo-Kai Watch 3
Just like Pokemon, Yo-Kai Watch is an all-encompassing franchise with video games, toys, anime, and loads of merch available for dedicated fans to consume. At the heart of all this, though, are the RPG video games from developer Level-5 that blend creature-catching with adorable visuals and humor.
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Admittedly, they’re not the easiest games to get hold of – and you’ll have to look back to the Nintendo 3DS if you want one in English – but they’re some of the most high-quality Pokemon alternatives out there, so it might be worth the hassle if the Yo-Kai Watch series appeals to you.
While the franchise has lost some steam in recent years, particularly in the West, a new game is currently in the works, so there’s hope yet for Yo-Kai Watch fans.
4. Ooblets
With a mix of farming, small-town living, and creature collecting, Ooblets is certainly a unique game. As you might have guessed, it’s also a lot more laid-back than your average Pokemon game, so it makes for a nice change of pace if you want something a little more chill and cozy.
There are still battles to be had, although here it’s all about dancing rather than fighting, and each action takes the form of a card rather than a traditional move selection. Ooblets also has an absolutely adorable visual style and some really funny dialogue to enjoy, which makes this game stand out from the pack.
5. Dragon Quest Monsters
Unlike the main Dragon Quest games, where you’ll fight a range of colorful enemies yourself, the spin-off series Dragon Quest Monsters requires you to put together a team of quirky creatures to do your bidding for you. What sets these games apart from Pokemon is that you can breed different species to get entirely new ones, which can lead to some pretty interesting combinations.
Like Yo-Kai Watch, Dragon Quest Monsters games aren’t the easiest to get hold of in the West, but the good news is that a new entry called The Dark Prince is currently in development for Nintendo Switch – and there’s not long to wait, as it’s scheduled for release in December 2023.
6. Nexomon
While there are plenty of Pokemon spin-offs available to download on mobile devices, like the map-based Pokemon Go or the puzzling Pokemon Cafe, you’re out of luck when it comes to the traditional RPG experience found in mainline games like Scarlet & Violet.
A decent alternative for mobile devices is Nexomon. There are now two games in the series (Nexomon and Nexomon: Extinction) and they’re both very similar to Pokemon, with loads of catching, battling, and exploring to enjoy.
They’re not the most polished games – they’ll certainly never replace Pikachu and friends – but they’re easy on the wallet and enjoyable enough to scratch that itch while you’re on the go.
Those are our recommendations for the best games like Pokemon! While you’re here, check out some more lists below:
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