Pokémon is one of the most consistently successful brands in the history of video games, which means that all of its fans have more than earned enough badges to broaden their video game horizons and try something new — but not too new.
To avoid too shocking a transition, I looked at a lot of games that are not Pokémon, but that likely would not have been as good without the influence of Game Freak’s masterpiece.
10. Jade Cocoon
Let’s start with a blast from the past. Jade Cocoon was already showing off gorgeous 3D graphics while the Pokémon series was still stuck in the 2D confines of the GameBoy screen. Even better, on top of being a nice alternative to Pokémon, Jade Cocoon gave us a neat alternative to the Final Fantasy series. Yeah, even though Final Fantasy VIII‘s popularity cast it into the shadow realm upon release, Jade Cocoon had all the makings of a bonafide ’90s RPG with the pluses of being able to capture monsters, do battle with them, and even merge them like a true mad scientist.
9. Ooblets
Do you love Pokémon but feel like there’s more Brock than Ash in you? Do you feel like your more-nurturing view of the Pokémon world gets neglected by the fighting-crazed devs? Then Ooblets might be the one for you. While capturing monsters is still a thing here, that can take the backseat as you worry about all other facets of life, such as gardening and farming. Ooblets is a very relaxing game that also features some unique visuals. This one works not just as an alternative to the Pokémon series, but to any other life simulator out there — yes, perhaps even Stardew Valley.
8. World Of Final Fantasy Maxima
One of the biggest problems I have had with Pokémon for the past many years is the monster designs. World Of Final Fantasy Maxima solves that by featuring a pristine roster of some of Final Fantasy’s most popular monsters in chibi format. While this is not a 1:1 replacement for Pokémon—far from it, even, as it features a bunch of very original and bonkers combat mechanics—it’s an alternative you should definitely give a chance.
7. Shin Megami Tensei V
Are you looking for a more mature alternative to Pokémon that still involves having monsters fighting each other out, but doesn’t feature Palworld’s human-on-monster cruelty? Then SMTV might be the game for you.
Much like Jade Cocoon, SMTV also doubles as a story-centric RPG, with the main difference being that SMTV is a much better game. SMTV is definitely a very natural next step for anyone who happened to be a fan of both Pokémon and Final Fantasy as a kid.
6. Ark: Survival Evolved
Tired of the anime look of the Pokémon series of games and of the games that followed in their footsteps? Then it’s time to America-it-up with Ark. It mixes MMO gameplay, survival elements, dinosaurs, dinosaur controlling mechanics, GUNS, and all sorts of popcorn sci-fi shenanigans you loved as a kid. Ark is absolutely bonkers, but it’s one hell of a time for anyone looking for a game that never stops bringing in the fun.
5. Bugsnax
Bugsnax was a huge mystery until the very day it finally came out, and I’m assuming that might be due to how just how hard it could be to categorize. While it’s far from a Pokémon clone, it’s still a game where you have to use your wits to capture these strange creatures that are bug and foodstuff hybrids — if you’re not already an illuminated bug eater, that is. Bugsnax is fun, makes great use of physics, and, most of all, is hilarious. Get this one if you’re looking for laughter that doesn’t come at the expense of Pokémon-like creatures.
4. Palworld
You knew this one was coming. Despite its questionable use of violence and forced Pal labor — or perhaps because of it, you monsters — Palworld became one of the biggest games of 2023. If anything, you cannot deny that Palworld is a pretty courageous take on the genre.
“Pokémon with guns” sounded like a completely ridiculous concept for a while — to the point that the devs at Pocket Pair had to reassure fans that Palworld was not a scam — but Palworld is just too much fun. Also, it looks cute to the point that you forget all the atrocities taking place!
3. Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Cyber Sleuth is another great pick for those who vibe with Palworld’s deviation from the cutesy norm. Cyber Sleuth doesn’t have players committing Poké or Digi-crime, but it’s a much darker game than what most players would expect from the already darker Digimon universe.
As the title suggests, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth is less about getting monsters to battle it out, and more about acting as a detective in Digimon-related mysteries, and trust me when I say they do get dark sometimes. Bottom line, it’s great to see Digimon, a series that clearly exists just because of the success of Pokémon, creating something truly original — yes, even if you count Detective Pikachu.
2. Temtem
Before the arrival of the smashing success that is Palworld, Temtem was seen by many as the best unofficial Pokémon game out there. Temtem has gorgeous visuals, creature designs that I’m sorry to say are usually better than most of what we’ve seen in the past 4 generations of Pokémon, and it just feels very comfy to play. Also, it’s an MMO. When are we getting a Pokémon MMO?!
1. Cassette Beasts
Most games on this list try to at least distance themselves from the Pokémon formula in one way or another, but Cassette Beasts goes head-on and tries to improve upon it directly. The best part? It succeeds for the most part.
There are many things to love here, like co-op gameplay, but the ace in the hole for Cassette Beasts’ is the fusion mechanics. Don’t like the creatures that you have? Well, no problem as you get to combine them to create over ten thousand different beasts, which is way more than you’ll find in any game of this kind.
