Looking for a new adventure where you can collect, train, and battle fantastical creatures?
While Pokemon remains a beloved classic, this article will introduce you to a variety of exciting games like Pokemon that will tide you over before the next game release.
Pokemon started its journey all the way back in 1996, when Nintendo released Pokemon Red and Green in Japan.
Since then, its popularity spread like wildfire around the world, cementing its legacy in popular culture not only as a video game, but also an animated series and a trading card game.
Throughout the years, several games like Pokemon that cater to the same group of fans have surfaced on different gaming platforms.
Here are five of the best games like Pokemon that will take you to fun-filled worlds full of cool looking monsters
Temtem
In terms of story, exploration, battling, and taming unique creatures, Temtem is high on the list of games like Pokemon.
Temtem is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that lets you step into the shoes of a teenager who wants to travel the world and become a Temtem tamer.
Temtem creatures populate the seven islands of the game’s Airborne Archipelago and people use them in various ways.
You can battle, tame, and breed Temtem as you attempt to foil the evil plans of Clan Belsoto, the game’s main villains.
Temtem is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuary offers a distinctive gaming experience with its 2D pixel art style and turn-based combat mechanics in Metroidvania fashion.
However, unlike in those Metroidvania games where the main character does most of the fighting job, Monster Sanctuary allows the taming of familiars that can render support in battles, which is why it’s on our list of best games like Pokemon.
Apart from combat, these familiars can also be used as mounts that you can ride around as you traverse through different obstacles and collect powerful equipment.
Monster Sanctuary is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Cassette Beasts
In Cassette Beast, you don’t have to spend lots of time taming wild creatures, especially when you can turn into them.
Yes, you heard it right — you can transform into beasts that you encounter during battles.
You can also fuse the beasts that you “recorded” in the game, giving you access to stronger and tougher creatures.
Cassette Beasts’ combat system has been designed with the same level of complexity as the Pokemon games which includes detailed stats and element matchups.
Moreover, the world in Cassette Beasts provides more reasons to play the game. You get to travel around a beautifully drawn open-world riddled with places that you can only reach by using the powers of your recorded beasts.
Cassette Beasts is available on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Of all iterations of the Dragon Quest Monsters series, The Dark Prince is one of the games like Pokemon that’ll make you feel like you’re exploring a modded version of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The game’s story is more unique in its own way, as you will roleplay as Psaro, an exiled Prince whose goal is to dethrone his father Randolfo, the tyrant king of Nadiria.
Deprived of the ability to damage the monsters inhabiting his world, Psaro finds out that the only way to protect himself is by monster wrangling, or in other words, the practice of taming creatures for combat.
Putting his newfound skills into good use, Psaro embarks on an epic journey where he makes his way through harsh environments until he makes his return to Nadiria.
Dragon Quest: The Dark Prince is available only on Nintendo Switch.
Palworld
Dubbed by many as the “Pokemon game with guns,” Palworld sent the gaming community into a frenzy during its initial release in January 2024.
At first glance, Palworld is indeed a Pokemon-inspired game with a bunch of survival-themed elements where you gather materials for building structures, hunt for food, and craf weapons.
The creatures found in the game are called Pals, with some of its species bearing uncanny similarities to several Pokemon, such as Univolt to Zebstrika, Anubis to Lucario, and Boltmane to Luxray.
Players can capture Pals, enabling the creatures to be tamed and provide support for many activities, especially for battling and scavenging. You can even butcher your Pals for food, which is not recommended for the faint-hearted.
Palworld is available on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
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READ MORE: How many Pals are in Palworld — all Pals, their element, partner skill, drops, and work suitability