Immense success all the time comes with the understanding of one other property or individual making an attempt to emulate that recognition. Few franchises face this truth as a lot because the Pokémon sequence. The Pocket Monster-collecting adventures of the video games and anime shortly garnered consideration from followers and fellow creators alike.
For the reason that creation of the primary Pokémon video games within the Nineties, many have tried and succeeded in copying Recreation Freak’s turn-based system. Some had been fellow JRPGs on consoles throughout numerous generations, whereas others had been fellow anime TV sequence. All tried to capitalize on the success of the Pokémon sequence.
Regardless of the literal lots of of Pokémon knockoffs, not all of them are worthy of your consideration. Some are common for his or her welcome makes an attempt at capturing the enjoyment of the unique sequence, whereas others are maligned for his or her cash-grab makes an attempt.
On this means, listed here are 24 of probably the most notable Pokémon knockoffs.
Worst Pokémon Knock Offs
By way of the worst Pokémon knockoffs, these are the video games and anime that attempted to seize the texture of the unique Pokémon however failed significantly. These 12 are the worst examples of what a Pokémon-like property will be.
They failed in lots of areas, from the manufacturing values to the turn-based gameplay to the monster designs to even the general animation. Although not all of them are full failures that you need to keep away from in any respect prices, they at the least warrant warning when taking part in or watching them.
1. Nexomon
Picture Credit score: PQube
The least egregious offender on this listing, Nexomon, and its successor, Nexomon: Extinction, aren’t the worst Pokémon clones to exist. Showing on cell gadgets and fashionable platforms, these video games characteristic acquainted gameplay to anybody who’s performed the unique 2D Pokémon video games.
Flip-based battles with cute monsters in an enormous world to discover test all of the packing containers, however the issue is that Nexomon does so little outdoors of that. The monster designs are tremendous, however the gameplay is a bit too heavy and lacks the character of the unique video games. To not point out, it promotes its story so closely, nevertheless it finally ends up being infantile and immature in its writing.
Gamers can nonetheless take a look at Nexomon however accomplish that with warning.
2. Dinosaur King
It took a very long time, however Dinosaur King appeared just like the prehistoric Pokémon clone many had waited for. The concept of the fossil Pokémon featured of their anime with T-Rexes, Stegosauruses, and extra, gave the impression of a superb concept.
Sadly, the execution didn’t stay as much as its potential absolutely. The animation isn’t something particular, the story was fairly stereotypical, and the dinosaurs themselves had uninspiring designs. It actually is just not the worst Pokémon-like anime however removed from a must-watch on the identical time.
3. Monster Sanctuary
Picture Credit score: Team17
Monster Sanctuary’s concept of mixing collectively the monster-battling style with traditional Metroidvania exploration is neat and novel. Sadly, it restricts itself, alienating followers who may not like each of those experiences inside the identical sport.
Suppose you aren’t a fan of side-scrolling 2D gameplay with a number of backtracking, platforming, and monotonous exploration. In that case, Monster Sanctuary may not be price a strive for its turn-based monster battles. Talking of which, these battles themselves are simply satisfactory on their very own.
4. Cookie Run Kingdom
Picture Credit score: Devsisters Company
The primary of a number of cell Pokémon clones on this listing, Cookie Run Kingdom can also be one of many strangest. As a substitute of cute monsters, every part you’re gathering on this cell sport is cookies. From gingerbread to the vanilla latte cookie and extra, the completely different cookies are the celebs right here.
The gameplay is so simple as it will get: the characters auto-run by way of the mission space, attacking enemies as they go. The participant’s solely job is to often use the particular assaults of their chosen cookies to deal further harm. The true draw comes from gathering the varied cookies and constructing out your kingdom, however even that is primarily a bore.
5. World of Last Fantasy Maxima
Picture Credit score: Sq. Enix
The concept of mashing collectively the most well-liked characters from the Last Fantasy sequence right into a sport the place you additionally acquire iconic monsters like Chocobos, Behemoths, and extra sounds unbelievable in idea. Sadly, World of Last Fantasy Maxima took the fallacious method.
The nostalgia journey with acquainted gameplay might have been unbelievable, however the concept was applied for the youngest doable gamers. It ignores its older audiences fully, choosing such straightforward issue and linear development that it’s a far cry from what it might be.
6. Monster Rancher
Picture Credit score: Koei Tecmo
A substantial a part of creating the monster-collecting sport is making certain you’ve at the least some first rate designs. Sadly, Monster Rancher struggles to try this regardless of having each a online game sequence and an anime, very like Pokémon.
For Pokémon followers who assume the sequence has its points as of late with fashionable creatures, Monster Rancher will make even the strangest Pokémon design look an entire lot higher. You understand there’s an issue when your sequence mascot is an unattractive strolling eyeball.
Worse nonetheless, the gameplay is an nearly button-mashing enviornment fighter that isn’t enjoyable within the slightest.
7. Preventing Foodons
Preventing Foodons is an try to strive one thing distinctive, which is admirable at the least, nevertheless it fails miserably ultimately. As a substitute of cute, memorable monsters, you’ve unusual meals individuals on this anime sequence that the characters command in battle.
The motion is typically okay, however the story and characters are forgettable. There’s some enjoyment in seeing the ridiculous meals creatures that the anime comes up with, however you gained’t discover the rest past that right here.
8. Neopets
Neopets is actually the concept of the long-lasting pet-raising Tamagotchi franchise combined with the monster-collecting of the Pokémon sequence. With an internet setting far forward of its time and even Pokémon’s on-line multiplayer, the duties you might do had been tedious and a chore.
All you might do was take care of the pets, handle their wants, construct them a house, and have interaction in minigames. There have been battles, however they had been far too simplistic and never the sport’s focus. With such a horrid artwork fashion and mediocre creature designs, Neopets was primarily meant for youthful audiences who didn’t thoughts the simplicity.
9. Dragon Drive
In 2006, the Isekai style of anime characters going into online game worlds was beginning. In that means, Dragon Drive was a progenitor of the style. Nevertheless, slightly than provide an intriguing concept to set itself aside, it opted for the most secure method doable.
Within the digital actuality sport Dragon Drive, Reiji makes use of his seemingly weak dragon to battle towards others for supremacy. The dragon designs lack that particular contact, underwhelming, whereas the plot meanders and goes nowhere quick.
10. Draconius Go
You’ll be appropriate should you guessed from the identify Draconius Go that its inspiration is Pokémon Go. This is likely one of the most shameless Pokémon clones on this listing, stealing every part from the cell title’s artwork fashion, person interface, and gameplay.
Identical to in Pokémon Go, you acquire monsters (on this case, dragons) and battle them for command of landmarks in the actual world round you. The dragons aren’t that dangerous, however this seems like a money seize within the worst doable means, like giving cash to a thief when you might play the significantly better Pokémon Go.
11. Spider Riders
Spider Riders options Hunter Metal, an 11-year-old boy who discovers a world wherein youngsters use their huge spider companions to combat again towards invaders. The premise is considerably intriguing, however the sequence is so far as you may get from making good on it.
Even again in 2006, when the anime sequence started, it was outdated, and the spiders weren’t completely different sufficient from each other to make the battles fascinating. The plot is a slog with bland writing and no clear development, even throughout two seasons. The way it managed to amass 52 episodes within the first place and a few spin-off video games is astonishing.
12. Monster Harvest
Picture Credit score: Merge Video games
Whereas different video games and anime earlier than this number-one worst decide are at the least playable and watchable to an extent, Monster Harvest isn’t price nearly anybody’s time. The mix of Pokémon monster-catching with Stardew Valley-style graphics and farming makes much more sense than Monster Sanctuary’s mix.
Nevertheless, not one of the gameplay in Monster Harvest is price testing. The monster battles are stale and gradual, the creatures themselves are so small that their designs are primarily blobs of incoherent creatures, the farming is satisfactory at finest, and the textual content is just too small, even with prescription glasses on.
Monster Harvest is a shame to its beloved inspirations, and gamers enthusiastic about a mix of farming and Pokémon ought to look elsewhere.
Greatest Pokémon Knock Offs
With the negativity out of the best way, on the opposite finish of the spectrum are the video games and anime that nail what makes Pokémon such a beloved franchise. These specific properties faithfully seize the points of the video games, from the gameplay to the monster designs and extra.
1. Temtem
Picture Credit score: Humble Video games
For a lot of Pokémon followers, the attract of the sequence’ open areas with many cities lends itself properly to the massively multiplayer on-line style. Regardless of not having an official MMO within the Pokémon sequence but, Temtem presents that long-awaited concept on fashionable platforms.
The MMORPG is precisely what a Pokémon MMO might be, capitalizing on the concept of dozens of strangers working round on the identical server. You continually see others round you battling with random Temtems, finishing quests, browsing, and extra.
The sport doesn’t shrink back from its MMO nature, providing full-on cooperative battles with others at any time and a housing system that welcomes everybody to the purpose of placing different MMO housing programs to disgrace. Its fight is a bit slower and satisfactory, placing it additional down on this listing of the perfect.
2. Medabots
Medabots got here out quickly after the Pokémon craze, starting with video games in the identical method and increasing to some anime sequence, too. Whereas Pokémon focuses on cute little creatures, Medabots is all concerning the titular robotic companions you’ll be able to construct.
The Medabots sequence goes full drive into the customization facet, letting gamers create their distinctive bot to take into battle. The gameplay of those video games is a bit bit simplistic, however the mixture of enjoyable video games and action-packed anime makes for a stable mech sequence.
3. Loomian Legacy (Roblox)
Picture Credit score: Llama Prepare Studio
Who would have thought Roblox would have among the finest Pokémon clones on the market? Alas, that’s the case with Loomian Legacy, a sport that avoids the pitfalls of straight-up knockoffs that persist on the Roblox platform.
In Loomian Legacy, it’s just like Temtem in an MMO-style journey the place you see different gamers throughout. The place Loomian Legacy exceeds in its terrific monster designs, from the insane variety of starters to even the colourful and thrilling environments. With new content material continually popping out, that is one that you just shouldn’t miss out on.
4. Dragon Quest Monsters
Picture Credit score: Sq. Enix
The Dragon Quest sequence predates Pokémon, however that didn’t cease it from making an attempt to capitalize on the latter’s success with the spin-off Monsters sub-series. Right here, the long-lasting creatures from the DQ video games make their reappearance, out of your slimes to the titular dragons.
This time, they aren’t simply your enemies however beasts you’ll be able to tame and add to your social gathering. The attraction and goofy nature of Dragon Quest is in full drive in Monsters and its follow-up, Treasure, elevating it to one of many higher turn-based monster-taming RPGs round.
5. Coromon
Picture Credit score: Freedom Video games
A ton of indie builders have created Pokémon clones, however none are as excessive of high quality as Coromon. For starters, the artwork fashion absolutely embraces the concept of the colourful 2D sprites from the older Pokémon video games whereas injecting its personal aptitude on the identical time.
The monster designs are terrific from prime to backside, from the sharp beaks of the hen Coromon to the three cute starters and extra. Whereas the fundamental varieties are restricted in Coromon, that doesn’t take an excessive amount of away from the fast-paced and enjoyable gameplay that sees you exploring an unlimited, various world paying homage to the Gen 1 Pokémon video games.
6. Zoids
In relation to anime sequence impressed by Pokémon, among the finest examples of a knockoff accomplished proper is Zoids. As a substitute of stealing the concept for cute monsters as different anime do, Zoids carved out its personal path by mixing animals and robots into one.
Zoids are huge animal robots, just like a mixture of creatures like sabertooth tigers and anime sequence like Gundam. The robotic creations are among the finest within the mech sequence, with top-notch animation and motion sequences which are style bests.
7. Beyblade
There is no such thing as a doubt that Beyblade deserves factors alone for its creativity. As a substitute of being a monster-collecting anime sequence, Beyblade is all a few sport involving spinning tops that battle it out in tiny arenas to knock the opponent out.
Dramatic, excessive, and passionate, there’s a cause that Beyblade has so many anime seasons. Aside from the twist that every of the Beyblades occurs to have the spirit of a specific animal that embodies it. In execution, this results in wild particular strikes with Beyblades blasting each other to oblivion.
8. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Picture Credit score: Bandai Namco
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a mix of Japan’s finest properties: the plain legendary Pokémon sequence and Studio Ghibli. The latter, the juggernaut behind among the best anime movies of all time, was the clever inspiration behind Ni no Kuni.
However, as a substitute of an anime, it’s a turn-based JRPG that options youngsters touring to a different world to gather monsters and save that fantasy planet from evil. The gameplay is super, however the elevation to greatness comes from the attractive Studio Ghibli film fashion and the emotional writing.
Ni no Kuni may characteristic youngsters, nevertheless it takes story and characterization to a degree that even Pokémon refuses to the touch, coping with powerful and miserable real-life topics that youngsters undergo.
9. Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Destroy
Picture Credit score: Capcom
From a pure gameplay perspective, there are few higher examples of the Pokémon system accomplished proper than Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Destroy. Choosing up from the place its predecessor left, this sequel on Nintendo Change upped the antics to present a spin-off sport that offers the core Monster Hunter sequence and even Pokémon itself a run for his or her cash.
The turn-based battles are exhilarating, with speedy turns and a deceptively simplistic trio of components every monster has. Containing among the best designs you’ll discover in a monster-collecting journey, Wings of Destroy has an enormous world price exploring and conquering collectively along with your creature companions.
10. Yokai Watch
There is no such thing as a property on the market that’s as a lot of a clear-cut knockoff of Pokémon as Yokai Watch. All the pieces from the artwork fashion to the Yokai designs to even the protagonist and story feels ripped proper out of what Pokémon has been doing for many years.
Regardless of this, Yokai Watch proved that this creature-collecting style nonetheless had house for a newcomer, each in anime and video games. By some means, Yokai Watch carved out a spot to be a profitable franchise in its personal proper, with colourful characters and pleasure in anime and online game type.
That mentioned, the true standout in Yokai Watch is the fourth iteration launched on Nintendo Change, with its way more mature storyline, older protagonists, anime movie artwork fashion, and interesting gameplay. Yokai Watch 4 is likely one of the finest Pokémon video games that doesn’t have the identical identify as its title.
11. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Launched quickly after Pokémon within the Nineties, Yu-Gi-Oh is likely one of the weirdest Pokémon clones however all the time the second-best that you just’ll discover. As a substitute of specializing in creatures battling it out with loopy assaults and abilities, it’s all concerning the coronary heart of the playing cards.
The buying and selling card sport and anime sequence emphasize a degree of technique that even Pokémon shies away from. The gameplay within the card sport and video video games is wealthy and endlessly entertaining, and that’s all earlier than together with the legendary anime sequence.
Although it has some misses, similar to Pokémon, the anime sequence options iconic seasons like the unique Yu-Gi-Oh sequence and 5Ds. Each of these are worthy of not simply standing toe-to-toe with the perfect of the Pokémon anime, however surpassing them by an extended shot, too.
12. Digimon
Picture Credit score: Bandai Namco
Ultimately, probably the most well-known Pokémon clone can also be the perfect that you’ll ever discover: Digimon. Digimon adopted the other path of Pokémon, beginning as an anime after which spreading out to different types of media like video video games.
In flip, this set the digital monsters of the digital world on a distinct path from Pokémon, nonetheless catering to youngsters however emphasizing the Digimon and their human companions. Due to this, the Digimon anime excels in each facet, from animation to writing to characters, and has since its inception.
The Digimon anime is already leaps and bounds higher throughout nearly all seasons than something that Pokémon ever supplied, however that’s not all. There are additionally video video games that had been launched over time.
Whereas they might not constantly hit the highs of the Pokémon sequence, they problem it in one of the best ways doable with video games like Hacker’s Reminiscence which are greater than definitely worth the time of Pokémon followers on the market. The mixture of this degree of excellence throughout each video games and anime is one thing that no different monster-catching franchise has been in a position to do but, outdoors of Pokémon itself.
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