Summary

• Monster-catching games offer unique spins and takes on the genre, from breeding systems to diverse monster designs.
• Diversify gameplay with monster combinations, storytelling, and strategic combat in titles like Monster Crown and Nexomon.

When you think about monster-catching games, there's a pretty good chance that Pokemon will come to mind. It wasn’t the first, and it certainly won’t be the last, but it popularized the genre on a global level. This has naturally invoked a slew of similar titles from developers looking to put their own spin on this successful and appealing formula. Of course, there's quite a bit more to Pokemon than nabbing monsters, as is the case with most software that has sought to emulate this RPG-monster-collectathon.

There are various titles that follow the standard f🌼ormula more closely, while others tend to venture off into🍷 their own territory while still capturing its essence on a subtler level. But while few have matched its explosive success or timeless charm, there does exist a range of efforts — both quite similar and somewhat unique — that Pokemon fans should love.

Updated September 8, 2024 by Jack Pierik: Battling and taming creatures, earning their trust, and growing with them together is a genre that has grown into a timeless classic. Although, if you’ve been playing Pokémon since one of the first few generations, you don’t have to feel guilty if that nostalgia and captivation is starting to fade for now; you’re allowed to change things up. In this update, we’re adding a monster-catching game centered around limitless possibilities when it comes to monster combinations. If that doesn’t catch your eye, though, there are plenty of monster-catching games to choose from; keep your mind open and your options plentiful.

22 🐈 Siralim Ultimate 💯

Practically Unlimited Monster Combinations

The tough part of this game is getting started; you’re going to be thrown into a relatively challenging learning curve, and a tutorial that at least some people would consider drawn out or overwhelm𒆙ing. Don’t let this aspect scare you o🅷ff, though.

The beauty of Siralim Ultimate is that you get to figuratively throw On the Origin of Species in Darwin’s handsome face, and combine any creature you've obtained with another one, effectively giving you limitless monster combinations with unique traits, appearances, abilities, functions, and synergies.

21 🦋 Kartia: The World Of Fate

Tactical Monster Battling

Kartia: The World of Fate is one of those games that scratches a very specific itch. It's a grid-based tactical game, similar to Fire Emblem, and it has an involved, branching storyline with engaging characters. It also has a unique method of monster creation and summoning.

By utilizing the game's magic system, you can create Phantoms, summoned creatures that will fight alongside you. They're expendable, but if a human character falls in battle, it's game over. This creates a need to strategize and deploy your forces cautiously.

20 🌊 Monster Crown ꧃

Ambitious And In-Depth

Monster Crown makes no secret of its Pokemon inspiration, but what it does differently is the breeding system. With monsters having different palettes and for💙ms available, there are over 1,000 variants overall.

If the breeding aspect of Pokemon has you hooked for hours on end, then Monster Crown could be exactly what you're looking for, although the story is a little harder to follow than you might expect from this type of game.

19 Nexomon

An Up-And-Coming Series

The Nexomon series has been making a name for itself as a viable alternative to Pokemon, leaning towards a slightly more classic approach to the monster-catching genre. It isn't quite at the level of competing with Pokemon just yet, but is well worth your time regardless.

Nexomon stands out for its bright colour palette and bold monster designs that are more unique than many of the ones you'll find in similar games. With the gameplay continuing to iterate from its first inception, this is a series worth keeping an eye on.

18 Spectrobes 🧜

Cards And Monsters; The Perfect Match

This Disney property, originally crafted for the Nintendo DS, tapped into the exploration and collecting elements of Pokemon while sprinkling in their own flavors in various avenues. The game takes a card-based approach more akin to Yu-Gi-Oh than Niantic's hit series.

At the same time, the game stands out for its awesome 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:monster designs, and its clever use of the distinct functionality of the DS. The two screens allow for intuitive battles, while other neat mechanics are sprinkled in that utilize touch-screen controls and even the microphone. The biggest example here involves using the touch screen to unearth and chisel fossils, which manifest monsters. While it's a bit rough around the edges, this colorful sci-fi RPG explores some interesting terrain that warrants a look.

17 Ooblets

Do The Monster Mash

Monster-catching and dancing, who would have t♊hought? In Ooblets, you play as a simple resident and farmer in Badgetown. In this town, everyone is a bit quirky, and there are creatures called ooblets that appear. Rather than fighting with these ooblets, you w💛ill need to dance!

Encounters involve epic dance battles, where your team will need to get to the designated score first. Each move you make can influence your score; for example, y💎ou can raise it, or use a move that will cause the next turn to have double🎀 the amount of points. When you win the dance battle, the opposing ooblet may give you a seed, which can be planted and grown to get the ooblet.

16 Temtem

A Loving Tribute

If Pokemon were an MMO, it would be Temtem. This game follows you on your journey to becoming a Temtem trainer, as you explore six differeꦕnt islands in the Airborn Archipelago.

In total, there are 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:164 Temtems that you can capture and use in battle. The game knows it's similar to Pokemon, so you can also find tons of references. In Pokemon Red & Blue, a man would point out something under a truck, rumored to be Mew. In Temtem, you can find a similar truck with an NPC telling you the same thing.

15 ༒ Monster Sanctuary ꦫ

2D Monsters Just Feel Right

Monster Sanctuary combines the classic monster-catching genre with Metroidvania. There are 111 monsters in total that you can collect and train to fight alongside you. The 2D 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:pixel graphics of Monster Sanctuary create a nostalgic feel with refr꧙eshed ꦉmechanics.

This game also boasts ꧅a hefty bestiary, with in-depth descriptions of each monster, containing lore and stats. You can also challenge others in PvP mode, putting yoꦆur collected monsters to the ultimate test.

14 Coromon

A Modern Classic

Coromon is another classic monster-catching game, similar to older Pokemon games. While it may not be the most ground-breaking, Coromon p♏roves that mon🌟ster-catching games are timeless.

The world of Coromon is rich, with a wonderful story and tons of locations for you to visit. Along the way, you can catch mon♐sters and complete puzzles. Overall, Coromon has more of a JRPG feel than Pokemon, perfect for fans of the g💖enre.

13 𓆉 Monster Rancher Series

Old School Cool

Monster Rancher, like Pokemon, has its own show which ran from 1999 to 2000 in Japan. This series has several entries, starting with the first Monster Rancher game in 1997; this is just one year after the first Pokemon game! Now, you can purchase Monster Rancher 1 and 2 DX, bringing back this classic '90s game.

Similar to Coromon, Monster Rancher has a simple take o🌞n the classic monster-catching genre. In Monster Rancher, y🍷ou can even praise (or scold) your Monster, developing a relationship with them.