10 games like Pokemon for the discerning trainer

The best games like Pokemon can capture the sense of adventure and companionship that has made Nintendo's RPG series so beloved. From creature collecting, to turn-based battles, and a satisfying sense of progression, there are all manner of great alternatives out there to try if any of Pokemon's signature ingredients speak to you.

The popularity of the gotta catch 'em adventures has gone on to influence many games like Pokemon, with a wealth of memorable indie gems that draw from the classic formula, along with big other series that share some similarities with the best Pokemon games we've seen over the years.

The series is always growing and evolving, with the latest mainline release, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - which was the first to be set in an open-world -landing back in 2022 . And with the likes of the upcoming adventure Pokemon Legends Z-A - which is expected to be among the new games for 2025 - you might find yourself looking for something to play that scratches a similar itch.

Below, we've brought together a variety of options across all platforms, from creative spins on the creature collecting aspect, to adventures with similar features that just might click with you. So read on below as we take you through our pick of the 10 best games like Pokemon you can play right now.

10. Monster Sanctuary

Developer: moi rai games
Available on: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One

Starting its life as a Kickstarter project, Monster Sanctuary has come a long way and is definitely worth your time. Like Pokemon, you create teams of monsters to take on wild monsters, and like Pokemon Yellow back in the day (or the more recent Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee titles), you can have one of your party follow on behind you. These followers though, embody the traversal elements originally captured by the HMs in the Pokemon series. It's not quite the same, but it does add an interesting distinction for Monster Sanctuary. It's also a beautiful, side-scrolling 2D pixel art adventure, which helps offer something a little different for Pokemon fans.

9.  Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth 

Developer: h.a.n.d
Available on: PC, PS4

Although we’ve already included a Digimon title in our list, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is worth a mention because of how different it is to Digimon World: Next Order. Instead of being limited to just two Digimon and solely focusing on raising them, you have a unlimited amount of different Digimon to train and fight with you as you progress through the story. There's no real-time fighting in this one either - Sleuth's turn-based system is closer to the fighting style in Pokemon. While Next Order took place in a green open-world, the story of Cyber Sleuth takes place in EDEN, a digital cyberspace that's predominantly used by hackers. You play as an amateur hacker who joins the digital community and gets granted the ability to tame Digimon and battle with them. You start out with a choice of one of three starter Digimon just like you do in Pokemon, and you can also capture others as you journey through the digital world to find the source of the virus.

8.  Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy! 

Developer: h.a.n.d
Available on: PS4, Nintendo Switch

The latest in the Mystery Dungeon series, you play as a Chocobo and his pal Cid who are treasure hunters journeying through dungeons in order to help the town of Lostime. The townspeople have lost their memories thanks to the Bell of Oblivion that causes them to forget every time it rings. As the lovable Final Fantasy bird and his buddy, you have to recover their memories and restore what was once lost. The dungeons and battles aren't too dissimilar to those you find in Pokemon RPGs. As you traverse through the dungeons you’ll encounter various monsters who you can befriend using the buddy system. The monsters will then fight with you in the dungeons and help ease your way through some tough battles. Pokemon has already popped up in this long-running series - you can read about the latest spin-off in our Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX review.

7. Slime Rancher

Developer: Monomi Park
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PS4

In Slime Rancher you've still gotta catch 'em all, it's just a bit more... well, slimy. As rancher Beatrix LeBeau, you explore the lands with your trusty vacpack. The objective is to capture different kinds of cute slimes you can find bouncing around the lands by sucking them up. There's a whole variety of different slimes that each have their own Plorts (slime droppings that act as the game's currency) worth different values. Slimes will also evolve and grow, so if a pink slime eats a different kind of slime's plort, they'll evolve and turn into a unique slime. If you think about it, it works in a similar way to exposing, say, Eevee, to a certain type of evolution stone.

6. Cassette Beasts 

Developer: Bytten Studio
Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Cassette Beasts is sure to make any Pokemon fan's heart soar. Alongside its charming pixelated art style that feels like a throwback to the classic handheld Pokemon games, it also features turn-based battles and plenty of creatures to collect. While there are similarities, Cassette Beasts stands out in its own unique way thanks to its fun, musically-infused concept that sees you record beasts to cassette tapes and combine the powers of beasts to transform them.

5. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Developer: Capcom
Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch

The second instalment in the Monster Hunter Stories series is a great adventure to step into if you're looking for something to play after Pokemon. After setting out from your home of Hakolo Island to become a Rider, you find yourself swept up in a journey that sees you bond with friendly monsters known as Monsties. The monsters you befriend will become your loyal companions that join your party not unlike Pokemon, and many different kinds of Monsties can be found throughout the world. You can hatch Monsties from eggs that can be found in dens and raise them to join your adventures. While the first game is a great place to start on the 3DS, the follow-up is easy to get into if you haven't done played its predecessor.

4.  World of Final Fantasy Maxima

Developer: Square Enix
Available on: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch

World of Final Fantasy has a lot of similarities to the classic Pokemon RPGs we know and love. You follow the journey of twins Lann and Reynn who are suffering from amnesia and don’t remember anything about their past. They are greeted by a mysterious woman who tells them they are Mirage keepers in the land of Gymoire. Mirages are monsters not unlike Pokemon who the twins can capture and train to fight for them. Originally released in 2016, World of Final Fantasy got a bit of an update and re-release with Maxima in 2018. The upgraded version adds even more Mirages to encounter, and more well-known Final Fantasy characters to meet, including Noctis, Lightening, and Yuna.

3. Ooblets

Developer: Glumberland
Available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC

Ooblets is a little game where you grow and collect tiny, adorable creatures called Ooblets. These little beasts will tag along behind you as you explore the world of Oob, and can be used in dance battles against other Ooblet collectors. With farming elements, Animal Crossing-esque home designing, a whole host of characters to befriend, and help, Ooblets has a little bit of everything. It's still in early access, but there are new updates and additions regularly, making this a little adorable idyll to escape to on the regular.

2. Palworld

Developer: Pocketpair
Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S

It's all too easy to compare Palworld to Pokemon. The open-world survival game from developer Pocketpair shares similarities with some of the later Pokemon games, only you can wield various weapons in combat, and have the creatures known as Pals not only fight alongside you, they can also lend you a hand in various ways. From helping you craft structures to providing resources, you can also put them to work tending to your farm or factory.

1. Temtem

Developer: Crema
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch

Temtem is basically Pokemon, the MMO. It's still in Early Access, but there's more than enough to give us a taste of life exploring Omninesia’s floating islands, catching Temtems, and battling other players. Like Pokemon it's all about trapping, training, and competing with your team of adorable creatures, ultimately taking on the Archipelago's eight tough dojo trainers. It's a chance for PC players to catch the creature-collecting bug and another outlet for anyone who has already mastered Pokemon, with the addition of real people running around the world for extra combat opportunities. The game is getting updates all the time, with new events, new missions, new cosmetics, new Temtem, and more added on a regular basis.

Looking to discover more great games? Why not check out our pick of the best RPGs you can play right now.