Games like Pokémon: 8 monster-catching games to play next

If you want games like Pokémon, start with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then try Cassette Beasts or Temtem for something fresh. They all keep the heart of the formula: head out, catch creatures, build a team and watch it grow. We picked 8 games that run on that same loop, each with its own twist, so your next adventure doesn't feel like Paldea all over again.

What makes Pokémon Scarlet so hard to put down

Pokémon Scarlet, released in 2022 by Game Freak, finally opens the series up into a real open world. Paldea has no corridor routes: you see Pokémon in the grass, in the sky and in the water, and you pick the order of your three main storylines. Add Terastallizing, which changes a Pokémon's type mid-battle, and four-player co-op, and you get the freest version of the formula yet.

According to players on IGDB, the story takes about 50 hours and full completion around 70. That's a lot, but the real hook is collecting: filling the Pokédex, stumbling onto a shiny, finding the perfect team for a tough fight.

How to pick your next monster game

Ask yourself what you enjoy most. If it's turn-based battles and team building, go for Temtem, Cassette Beasts or Dragon Quest Monsters. If it's exploring and catching, Legends: Arceus is the one. And if you want creatures inside a survival game with a base to build, Palworld changes the pace completely. For something more relaxed, check our list of cozy games too.

1. 

   1. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

   2022 · Main story 29 h

   The closest thing to Scarlet, but built around catching. You explore the ancient Hisui region, craft your own Poké Balls and throw them without always having to battle. Pokédex research tasks give you a real reason to study every species. Perfect if filling the Pokédex is your favorite part of any Pokémon game.

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2. 

   2. Pokémon Black Version 2

   2012 · Main story 64 h

   A trip back to the classic route-based formula, released in 2012 on DS. The Unova region, turn-based battles, a tight adventure and loads of postgame content. Plenty of fans rank it among the best entries in the series. Great if the open world felt a bit loose and you want a more focused journey.

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3. 

   3. Temtem

   2022

   An online creature collector where you run into other players out in the world. Every battle is a double battle, which makes fights more tactical than in Pokémon. It's demanding and rewards people who love planning their team down to the last move. Try it if mainline Pokémon feels too easy for you.

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4. 

   4. Cassette Beasts

   2023 · Main story 20 h

   A charming indie where you record monsters onto cassette tapes and turn into them during battles. You can even fuse two forms into a brand new creature. The island of New Wirral is open to explore and the soundtrack is excellent. The best pick if you want something new without losing that Pokémon feeling.

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5. 

   5. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

   2021 · Main story 31 h

   You steal eggs from monster dens, hatch your own Monsties and ride them across the map. Combat runs on a rock-paper-scissors system that's easy to learn and surprisingly deep. The story is well told and Monster Hunter creatures look fantastic here. A great fit for anyone who loves classic Japanese RPGs.

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6. 

   6. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince

   2023

   You recruit monsters from the Dragon Quest world and fuse them into stronger ones. That synthesis system is addictive: you can lose hours chasing the perfect combo. You play as Psaro, a cursed prince, in a darker story than the series usually tells. Made for players who love breeding and min-maxing.

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7. 

   7. Palworld

   2024

   Creatures, but in a survival and crafting game. Your Pals fight next to you and also work at your base, chopping wood, farming and building. The tone is cheeky and it's great fun with friends. If that sounds like your thing, we have a full list of games like Palworld.

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8. 

   8. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time

   2007

   A 2007 spin-off where you become a Pokémon yourself. You form an exploration team and dive through randomly generated dungeons, turn by turn. The story is surprisingly moving and stuck with a lot of players. A good choice if you want to see the Pokémon world from a different angle.

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FAQ

What game is closest to Pokémon?

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the closest, since it's a real Pokémon game with an open world built around catching. Outside the series, Temtem and Cassette Beasts copy the loop best: catch, fight turn by turn, grow your team, each with its own strong idea on top.

How long does it take to beat Pokémon Scarlet?

According to players on IGDB, plan on about 50 hours for the main story and around 70 hours to complete everything. Your own time can vary a lot: filling the Pokédex or hunting shinies can easily push your playthrough far past that.

Are there games like Pokémon on PC?

Yes. Temtem, Cassette Beasts, Palworld, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince are all on PC. The official Pokémon games stay on Nintendo consoles, like Scarlet, which is on Switch and Switch 2.