19 Games Like Pokemon
Our collection of games like Pokemon offers turn based monster capture RPGs similar to the Pokemon series with free, online, PC, Android and iOS options.
The Pokemon series is well known for its monster capture gameplay where players collect creatures (known as Pokemon) to battle against each other. These Pokemon level up, learn moves and evolve into stronger Pokemon variants which ultimately helps the players to defeat the gym leaders, their rival, an antagonist corporation and the premier Pokemon League of that region.
Like many other long running video game franchises the Pokemon games have evolved through time while still maintaining these core gameplay elements. The success of the media franchise has also seen a wide range of spin-off titles that explore different game genres within the Pokemon universe. This includes spin-off games like Pokemon for Android and games like Pokemon for iPhone (iOS) although a core Pokemon game is yet to be officially released on a mobile platform.
The Pokemon alternatives here focus on providing other great monster capture and training adventures with many of these games having the familiar role playing puzzle mix that the Pokemon series is known for. You are bound to experience new worlds and creatures in each of these games as you attempt to "Catch Them All" on iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android, online and other gaming platforms. For games that use AR and/or location based technology specifically see our Pokemon Go alternatives list instead.
Spectrobes
Spectrobes is a science fiction themed Pokemon style adventure that has you reviving fossils and using the creatures you create in battle against other fossil born creatures. Serving as the first adventure on the Nintendo DS in the franchise of monster revive and battle gameplay the series was later expanded with a sequel on the Nintendo Wii (Spectrobes: Origins) and another Nintendo DS game (Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals). During this original Spectrobes adventure players take control of Ralle...[Read Review]
Bulu Monster
Bulu Monster offers players a monster collecting title for mobile devices (iOS and Android) with millions of downloads since it was released in July 2013 by Sigma Game. Despite being released many years ago the game has continued to update graphics, mechanics and other elements that has ensured it remains a popular monster battle experience. Beyond the core monster battles players will also find a large game world ready for exploration alongside some light role playing features that aim to help ...[Read Review]
Fossil Fighters
Fossil Fighters is a game that has you digging up the past and battling dinosaurs against each other in strategic turn based combat. The game draws obvious inspiration from the popular Pokemon series while adding new archaeologist mechanics to the monster capture and battle formula. Fossil Fighters is available for the Nintendo DS with the success of the franchise leading to the release of several sequels on the Nintendo DS and 3DS platforms. Fossil Fighters begins with a healthy tutorial to in...[Read Review]
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is the second game in the series for the Nintendo DS and was released in 2010 (Japan) with a US game release in September 2011. Marking the fifth game in the broader Dragon Quest Monsters series you’ll experience a blend of familiar and new mechanics which all revolve around exploring areas to tame wild monsters. An extended edition of the game titled Joker 2 Professional adds 100 more monsters along with new game locations although does not alter the story e...[Read Review]
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch blends action role playing with monster capturing to offer a great mixture of action and strategy in a single challenging adventure. Originally released on the Nintendo DS in 2010 (Japan only) the game was later brought to an English audience through the PlayStation 3 hardware and in time a remastered version for PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms. The avatar for your adventure is Oliver who lives in the village of Motorville whose lif...[Read Review]
Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals
Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is the sequel to the popular action RPG and fossil monster battle experience titled Spectrobes. The sequel has many of the same mechanics but a few new features that will deliver a fresh experience to fans of the original. The plot again involves the Krawl, Rallen, Jeena and Aldous so it is recommended that you play the original game before the sequel to link up the story elements. After saving the Nanairo planet system in the first game (and after a few months of ...[Read Review]
Pocket Mortys
Mix Pokémon gameplay with the hilarious Adult Swim adventures of Rick & Morty and you’ll get Pocket Mortys a simple collect them all RPG that has you collecting and battling your own various Mortys from hundreds of possibilities. While simplifying the combat loop to a basic rock-paper-scissors formula the world design and Morty design of your Pocket Mortys adventure is truly fantastic for the die hard fan or new fan to the franchise. The game kicks off in the popular TV show garage with Rick...[Read Review]
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is part of the popular Dragon Quest Monsters series that started back on the Gameboy Color in 1999. The game is available on the Nintendo DS and added a number of new game features while also sticking to traditional gameplay. New features that Joker brings to the series include the shift to 3D graphics, online play and the removal of random encounters from the game (players can see all enemies on the map). In Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker you’ll take control of a yout...[Read Review]
Spectrobes: Origins
Spectrobes: Origins is the third game in the series of monster battle titles and turns away from the Nintendo DS to bring the popular series to the Nintendo Wii for the first time. The game has a larger action focus than previous games in the franchise but still has the same monster collection aspect that made the original game exceedingly popular on the portable DS platform. Spectrobes: Origins has the same two main characters (Rallen and Jeena) as the previous games and again sends them...[Read Review]
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth
Launching for PS4 and PS Vita, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth lets you command your own team of Digimon and customise them to be the ultimate fighting team as you play through the digital world storyline. Subsequently released n Windows and Nintendo Switch under the name Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition which included the original and sequel (Hacker’s Memory) which also boosts the original Digimon count from 249 to 341. Within this storyline your role is that of Takumi Aiba or Ami ...[Read Review]
EvoCreo
Evolved from a crowd funding campaign EvoCreo aims to bring a full Pokemon like experience to iOS and Android devices. The inspiration is evident in every corner of the game world and captures that nostalgic feeling of starting a new monster capture adventure with familiar tropes, mechanics and other themes. In addition to the paid full versions the game includes a lite free to play version that provides a small taste of the potential adventure prior to purchasing the full experience. Like other...[Read Review]
Fossil Fighters: Champions
Fossil Fighters Champions is a sequel to Fossil Fighters and was released in 2011 for the Nintendo DS platform expanding the lore, story and dinosaur creatures of the Fossil Fighters universe while significantly increasing the graphical elements. Like the original this sequel uses many of the same gameplay and story mechanics but doesn’t require players play the original before diving in. Just like the original game players battle dinosaur like creatures known as vivosaurs in order to become a m...[Read Review]
Monster Rancher DS
Monster Rancher DS like many of the games in the Rancher franchise was originally released in Japan in 2008 and made its way to international shores in 2010 allowing the wider gaming market to experience this next adventure in the series. With familiar mechanics cantered around monster capture, creation and training the experience was crafted for the Nintendo DS by developer Tecmo. Monster Rancher DS joins a long running series of video games that started back in 1997 on the PlayStation and cont...[Read Review]
Beastie Bay
Beastie Bay (or Beastie Bay DX on non mobile platforms) is a unique game with monster training aspects that was originally available for free on your Android and iOS devices. Following the success of the title in the mobile space the game was released on Steam and the Nintendo Switch as a paid game under the title Beastie Bay DX (which also removes in app purchases). Regardless of platform and price tag players will find a gameplay adventure that seeks to blend monster capture and city building ...[Read Review]
Enchanted Arms
Enchanted Arms is one of the few console games to offer Pokemon like features and it does so with a traditional JRPG core. The result is a RPG adventure that has elements of monster collection and training to help you conquer the game world that Enchanted Arms throws you into. If you’re primarily a console gamer (PS3, Xbox 360 and Xbox One) seeking your next JRPG but want a touch of Pokemon vibe you’ll find it within. With these JRPG foundations players can also expect an experience ...[Read Review]
The Denpa Men 2: Beyond Waves
The Denpa Men 2: Beyond Waves is available through the Nintendo 3DS eShop and builds on the original released in 2012 which featured similar mechanics. Building on this original though this sequel brings with it a number of gameplay improvements, additional content and even allows players to transfer their character over from the original game. For those unfamiliar with the world of The Denpa Men they are small strange creatures that live on the radio waves of the real world. Unable to be seen b...[Read Review]
Lost Magic
Lost Magic offers a mixture of monster capture and real time strategy that is definitely unique and will appeal to fans of the Pokemon series looking for a game with a more active approach to gameplay. Lost Magic was published by Ubisoft and saw a release in 2006 (first in Japan and then other countries). The game has been marketed as a mixture of role playing and real time strategy (and definitely delivers on its promises). Lost Magic has mostly been an overlooked game despite countless positiv...[Read Review]
Battle Camp
Battle Camp is one of the most detailed and in depth monster training and battle games currently available on mobile devices (both iOS and Android). Fans of the likes of Pokémon will feel right at home as you create your dream team to complete the lengthy quest driven storyline or create the ultimate PvP fighting force and rise through the rankings against other players in real time battles. Having been online since 2013 Battle Camp also demonstrates fantastic longevity and still receives regula...[Read Review]
Yo-kai Watch 2
Released in mid 2014 to a Japanese audience and making its way the west a few years later Yo-kai Watch 2 builds on the original adventure to have you discovering Yo-kai, fusing and battling more than ever before. Starting the adventure soon after the events from the first Yo-kai Watch players will lead Nathan Adams or Katie Forester as they yield the powers of the Yo-kai Watch, a device that lets them communicate and see the Yo-kai of the world. Along the way players will adventure across the ga...[Read Review]