Immense success all the time comes with the understanding of one other property or particular person 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 rapidly 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 have been fellow JRPGs on consoles throughout varied generations, whereas others have been fellow anime TV sequence. All tried to capitalize on the success of the Pokémon sequence.
Regardless of the literal tons of of Pokémon knockoffs, not all of them are worthy of your consideration. Some are standard 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 approach, listed here are 24 of essentially the most notable Pokémon knockoffs.
Worst Pokémon Knock Offs
When it comes to 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 very least warrant warning when enjoying or watching them.
1. Nexomon
- Picture Credit score: PQube
The least egregious offender on this checklist, Nexomon, and its successor, Nexomon: Extinction, aren’t the worst Pokémon clones to exist. Showing on cell gadgets and fashionable platforms, these video games function 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 containers, however the issue is that Nexomon does so little outdoors of that. The monster designs are nice, 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, however it finally ends up being infantile and immature in its writing.
Gamers can nonetheless take a look at Nexomon however achieve this 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, seemed like an excellent concept.
Sadly, the execution didn’t stay as much as its potential totally. The animation isn’t something particular, the story was fairly stereotypical, and the dinosaurs themselves had uninspiring designs. It definitely will not be the worst Pokémon-like anime however removed from a must-watch on the similar 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 similar recreation.
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 value 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 checklist, Cookie Run Kingdom can be one of many strangest. As an alternative of cute monsters, the whole lot you’re gathering on this cell recreation is cookies. From gingerbread to the vanilla latte cookie and extra, the totally different cookies are the celebrities right here.
The gameplay is so simple as it will get: the characters auto-run by 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 actual draw comes from gathering the assorted cookies and constructing out your kingdom, however even that is primarily a bore.
5. World of Closing Fantasy Maxima
- Picture Credit score: Sq. Enix
The concept of mashing collectively the preferred characters from the Closing Fantasy sequence right into a recreation the place you additionally accumulate iconic monsters like Chocobos, Behemoths, and extra sounds implausible in principle. Sadly, World of Closing Fantasy Maxima took the unsuitable method.
The nostalgia journey with acquainted gameplay might have been implausible, however the concept was carried out for the youngest attainable gamers. It ignores its older audiences solely, choosing such straightforward issue and linear development that it’s a far cry from what it may very well be.
6. Monster Rancher
- Picture Credit score: Koei Tecmo
A substantial a part of creating the monster-collecting recreation is making certain you might have at the very least some first rate designs. Sadly, Monster Rancher struggles to do this regardless of having each a online game sequence and an anime, very similar to 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 a complete lot higher. You recognize there’s an issue when your sequence mascot is an unattractive strolling eyeball.
Worse nonetheless, the gameplay is an nearly button-mashing area fighter that isn’t enjoyable within the slightest.
7. Combating Foodons
Combating Foodons is an try and strive one thing distinctive, which is admirable at the very least, however it fails miserably in the long run. As an alternative of cute, memorable monsters, you might have unusual meals individuals on this anime sequence that the characters command in battle.
The motion is usually okay, however the story and characters are forgettable. There may be some enjoyment in seeing the ridiculous meals creatures that the anime comes up with, however you gained’t discover anything past that right here.
8. Neopets
Neopets is basically the thought of the enduring pet-raising Tamagotchi franchise combined with the monster-collecting of the Pokémon sequence. With a web based setting far forward of its time and even Pokémon’s on-line multiplayer, the duties you would do have been tedious and a chore.
All you would do was look after the pets, handle their wants, construct them a house, and have interaction in minigames. There have been battles, however they have 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 approach, Dragon Drive was a progenitor of the style. Nevertheless, relatively than provide an intriguing concept to set itself aside, it opted for the most secure method attainable.
Within the digital actuality recreation 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’d be right when you guessed from the title Draconius Go that its inspiration is Pokémon Go. This is without doubt one of the most shameless Pokémon clones on this checklist, stealing the whole lot from the cell title’s artwork fashion, person interface, and gameplay.
Similar to in Pokémon Go, you accumulate monsters (on this case, dragons) and battle them for command of landmarks in the true world round you. The dragons aren’t that unhealthy, however this seems like a money seize within the worst attainable approach, like giving cash to a thief when you would 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 battle 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 totally different sufficient from each other to make the battles attention-grabbing. 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 very least playable and watchable to an extent, Monster Harvest isn’t value 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 value trying out. The monster battles are stale and sluggish, 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 fascinated with 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 explicit properties faithfully seize the features 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 effectively to the massively multiplayer on-line style. Regardless of not having an official MMO within the Pokémon sequence but, Temtem gives that long-awaited concept on fashionable platforms.
The MMORPG is precisely what a Pokémon MMO may very well be, capitalizing on the thought of dozens of strangers operating round on the identical server. You consistently see others round you battling with random Temtems, finishing quests, browsing, and extra.
The sport doesn’t draw 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 methods to disgrace. Its fight is slightly slower and satisfactory, placing it additional down on this checklist 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 side, letting gamers create their distinctive bot to take into battle. The gameplay of those video games is slightly bit simplistic, however the mixture of enjoyable video games and action-packed anime makes for a strong mech sequence.
3. Loomian Legacy (Roblox)
- Picture Credit score: Llama Prepare Studio
Who would have thought Roblox would have among the best Pokémon clones on the market? Alas, that’s the case with Loomian Legacy, a recreation 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 consistently 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 enduring 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 get together. 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 totally embraces the thought of the colourful 2D sprites from the older Pokémon video games whereas injecting its personal aptitude on the similar time.
The monster designs are terrific from prime to backside, from the sharp beaks of the chook Coromon to the three cute starters and extra. Whereas the basic 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 enormous, various world harking back to the Gen 1 Pokémon video games.
6. Zoids
In the case of anime sequence impressed by Pokémon, among the best examples of a knockoff finished proper is Zoids. As an alternative of stealing the thought 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 can be style bests.
7. Beyblade
There isn’t any doubt that Beyblade deserves factors alone for its creativity. As an alternative 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. Apart from the twist that every of the Beyblades occurs to have the spirit of a selected 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 apparent legendary Pokémon sequence and Studio Ghibli. The latter, the juggernaut behind among the best anime movies of all time, was the suave 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 great, however the elevation to greatness comes from the attractive Studio Ghibli film fashion and the emotional writing.
Ni no Kuni would possibly function youngsters, however 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 Damage
- Picture Credit score: Capcom
From a pure gameplay perspective, there are few higher examples of the Pokémon system finished proper than Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Damage. Selecting up from the place its predecessor left, this sequel on Nintendo Change upped the antics to provide a spin-off recreation 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 parts every monster has. Containing among the best designs you’ll discover in a monster-collecting journey, Wings of Damage has an enormous world value exploring and conquering collectively along with your creature companions.
10. Yokai Watch
There isn’t any property on the market that’s as a lot of a clear-cut knockoff of Pokémon as Yokai Watch. All the things 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. In some way, Yokai Watch carved out a spot to be a profitable franchise in its personal proper, with colourful characters and delight 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 fascinating gameplay. Yokai Watch 4 is without doubt one of the finest Pokémon video games that doesn’t have the identical title as its title.
11. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Launched quickly after Pokémon within the Nineties, Yu-Gi-Oh is without doubt one of the weirdest Pokémon clones however all the time the second-best that you just’ll discover. As an alternative 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 recreation and anime sequence emphasize a degree of technique that even Pokémon shies away from. The gameplay within the card recreation 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 a protracted shot, too.
12. Digimon
- Picture Credit score: Bandai Namco
In the long run, essentially the most well-known Pokémon clone can be the easiest that you’ll ever discover: Digimon. Digimon adopted the alternative 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 special path from Pokémon, nonetheless catering to youngsters however emphasizing the Digimon and their human companions. Due to this, the Digimon anime excels in each side, 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 provided, however that’s not all. There are additionally video video games that have been launched over time.
Whereas they could not persistently hit the highs of the Pokémon sequence, they problem it in one of the best ways attainable with video games like Hacker’s Reminiscence which can be greater than definitely worth the time of Pokémon followers on the market. The mix 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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