Pokémonis one of the most recognizable franchises in all of media, and it’s largely responsible for popularizing the creature-collecting genre (also known as monster-taming or monster-catching). But it’s not the only game doing it.
Here’s a list of 12 games that revolve around the core mechanics of creature collecting—only this time, you’re not catching Pokémon.
1Palworld
Commonly referred to as “Pokémonwith guns,“Palworldis arguably the biggest competitor toPokémonsinceDigimon. The Pokémon Company and Nintendo seemed to think so too—they filed a lawsuit in 2024 againstPalworld(that’s still ongoing) for alleged patent infringement.
But despite the controversy,Palworldhardly plays like aPokémoncopycat. Sure, you can capture creatures in Pal Spheres and use them in battle, but the game places a heavy focus on survival, crafting, and base-building. You’ll need to manage resources, keep your Pals (and yourself) healthy, and explore a massive open world—either solo or with up to 32 players online. For now,Palworldremains available and continues to evolve, offering a creature-collecting experience you won’t find anywhere else.
2Temtem
Temtemis essentiallyPokémonreimagined as amassively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The world is teeming with unique species to discover, and your journey will take you across several distinct biomes. Along the way, you’ll frequently encounter other real-player tamers and their Temtem, and you may choose to team up with them or battle competitively.
There’s a whole story campaign featuring eight Gym Leaders—well, Dojo Leaders—that you’ll need to conquer. But the main draw ofTemtemis its always-online world, which makes the experience feel more alive and interconnected. It also features a fairly in-depth breeding system that adds to its long-term replayability.
3Digimon
Digimonlaunched around the same time asPokémonin the late 1990s, and for years, the two franchises went head-to-head for the monster-taming crown. Both had video games, TV shows, movies, and trading cards—but whilePokémonultimately became the global juggernaut,Digimonhas carved out a lasting legacy of its own. It may not be as mainstream as it once was, but the franchise is still going strong nearly 30 years later.
There’s a huge catalog ofDigimongames to explore, but some of the most recent entries includeDigimon World: Next Order,Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, andDigimon Survive. Together, these titles offer a great sampling of what the series has to offer. And good news: a brand-new game,Digimon Story: Time Stranger, is set to release this October.
4Dragon Quest Monsters
TheDragon Questfranchise actually predatesPokémon. It featured monster-catching mechanics beforePokémonexisted. TheDragon Quest Monstersspin-off series took that concept even further. In the mainlineDragon Questgames, your character participates in battle, but inDragon Quest Monsters, you fight exclusively using the creatures you capture, breed, and raise—much likePokémon.
The character and monster designs inDragon Questcome fromDragon Ballcreator Akira Toriyama, so if you’re a fan of bothDragon BallandPokémon, theDragon Quest Monstersseries is basically tailor-made for you.
5Siralim Ultimate
If you ever wished thatPokémonwas more in-depth,Siralim Ultimateis calling your name. It’s a monster-catching, dungeon-crawling RPG with over 1,200 different creatures, and the systems surrounding them run impressively deep. This is the kind of game you could easily sink triple-digit hours into.
The developers describeSiralim UltimateasPokémonmeetsDiablo, orDragon Quest MonstersmeetsPath of Exile. If that sounds like your type of game, it’s absolutely worth a look.
6Cassette Beasts
Cassette Beastsis likePokémon—if the trainers themselves could transform into monsters. Think something closer toBen 10, except instead of using a watch, characters inCassette Beastsrely on, you guessed it, cassette tapes.
One of the game’s biggest draws is its fusion system. Any of the 120+ monsters can be fused with one another to create brand-new forms. It’s ripe for experimentation, encouraging you to mix and match creatures just to see what you’ll get. The battle system is expansive as well, drawing clear inspiration fromPokémonwith elemental typing. Add in an open world and the option for local and online co-op, and Cassette Beasts is undoubtedly one of the bestPokémonalternatives out there.
7Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX
Monster RancherandMonster Rancher 2were cult hits in the ’90s, particularly in Japan, though they’ve maintained a loyal following elsewhere.Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DXremasters both games for modern platforms, breathing new life into these more-than-20-year-old titles.
While it’s often compared toPokémon,Monster Rancherputs more emphasis on raising and breeding monsters than catching them. You raise creatures from birth: training them, keeping them healthy, and managing their daily routines. Over time, you’ll form a real attachment, and how you raise them will shape their behavior and performance. Eventually, though, they grow old and die.
The ultimate goal is still to create powerful monsters that can win turn-based battles, so it shares some DNA withPokémon. ButMonster Rancher 1 & 2 DXoffers a very different emotional and mechanical experience. It’s worth revisiting, or discovering for the first time.
8Moonstone Island
Moonstone Islandblends several genres in a uniquely charming way. It might have more in common withStardew ValleythanPokémon, but it also incorporates creature collecting and even deck-building elements. It’s acozy life simwhere you can build a home, befriend villagers, fall in love, and become part of the community, all while collecting cute creatures to fight alongside you as you navigate the wilderness and dive into procedurally-generated dungeons.
It’s a creative mashup of genres that come together to form something genuinely fresh.
9Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuaryis a monster-tamingMetroidvaniawhere the creatures you collect aren’t just for combat—they’re essential to exploration. You’ll need them to solve puzzles and traverse the environment. Maybe a flame-enhanced monster lights your way through a dark cavern, or a flying companion lifts you to a previously unreachable path.
There’s classic turn-based combat here too, and it’s deeper than you might expect. You can also battle other players online if that’s your thing, or test your skills in alternative modes like Randomizer orPermadeath.
10BeastieBall
BeastieBallis easily the biggest oddball on this list, but despite its ridiculous premise, it’s well-made, deceptively complex, and a lot of fun. You play as a coach, leading a team of beasts to victory in turn-based volleyball matches.
It’s a one-of-a-kind spin on the creature-collecting genre, but it still checks all the boxes of a classicPokémon-like experience: thoughtfully designed creatures, strategic gameplay, an open world, a compelling story, and boss battles that will no doubt remind you of Gym Leaders.
BeastieBallis technically still in early access, but it already feels polished enough for a full release. And that means it might be even better by the time it’s done.
