24 Finest and Worst Pokémon Knock Offs

Immense success all the time comes with the understanding of one other property or particular person attempting to emulate that recognition. Few franchises face this truth as a lot because the Pokémon collection. The Pocket Monster-collecting adventures of the video games and anime rapidly garnered consideration from followers and fellow creators alike.

Because the creation of the primary Pokémon video games within the Nineties, many have tried and succeeded in copying Sport Freak’s turn-based method. Some had been fellow JRPGs on consoles throughout varied generations, whereas others had been fellow anime TV collection. All tried to capitalize on the success of the Pokémon collection.

Regardless of the literal lots of of Pokémon knockoffs, not all of them are worthy of your consideration. Some are well-liked for his or her welcome makes an attempt at capturing the enjoyment of the unique collection, whereas others are maligned for his or her cash-grab makes an attempt.

On this means, listed below are 24 of essentially 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 must keep away from in any respect prices, they at the least warrant warning when taking part in or watching them.

1. Nexomon

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 trendy 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 examine all of the packing containers, however the issue is that Nexomon does so little exterior of that. The monster designs are high quality, however the gameplay is a bit too heavy and lacks the persona 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, appeared like a superb thought.

Sadly, the execution didn’t dwell as much as its potential absolutely. The animation isn’t something particular, the story was moderately 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

Monster Sanctuary’s thought 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 throughout the similar sport.

Suppose you aren’t a fan of side-scrolling 2D gameplay with numerous backtracking, platforming, and monotonous exploration. In that case, Monster Sanctuary may not be price a attempt for its turn-based monster battles. Talking of which, these battles themselves are simply satisfactory on their very own.

4. Cookie Run Kingdom

The primary of a number of cell Pokémon clones on this listing, Cookie Run Kingdom can also be one of many strangest. As an alternative of cute monsters, every little thing you’re accumulating on this cell sport 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 via the mission space, attacking enemies as they go. The participant’s solely job is to sometimes use the particular assaults of their chosen cookies to deal additional harm. The true draw comes from accumulating the assorted cookies and constructing out your kingdom, however even that is primarily a bore.

5. World of Last Fantasy Maxima

The concept of mashing collectively the most well-liked characters from the Last Fantasy collection right into a sport the place you additionally gather iconic monsters like Chocobos, Behemoths, and extra sounds implausible in idea. Sadly, World of Last Fantasy Maxima took the unsuitable method.

The nostalgia journey with acquainted gameplay might have been implausible, however the thought was applied for the youngest doable gamers. It ignores its older audiences fully, choosing such simple problem and linear development that it’s a far cry from what it might be.

6. Monster Rancher

A substantial a part of creating the monster-collecting sport is guaranteeing you have got at the least some respectable designs. Sadly, Monster Rancher struggles to do this regardless of having each a online game collection and an anime, very like Pokémon.

For Pokémon followers who suppose the collection has its points today with trendy creatures, Monster Rancher will make even the strangest Pokémon design look a complete lot higher. You already know there’s an issue when your collection mascot is an unattractive strolling eyeball.

Worse nonetheless, the gameplay is an virtually button-mashing area fighter that isn’t enjoyable within the slightest.

7. Combating Foodons

Combating Foodons is an try and attempt one thing distinctive, which is admirable at the least, however it fails miserably in the long run. As an alternative of cute, memorable monsters, you have got unusual meals individuals on this anime collection that the characters command in battle.

The motion is typically 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 received’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 collection. With a web-based setting far forward of its time and even Pokémon’s on-line multiplayer, the duties you possibly can do had been tedious and a chore.

All you possibly can do was look after the pets, deal with 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. Nonetheless, relatively than supply an intriguing thought 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’d be appropriate in case you guessed from the title Draconius Go that its inspiration is Pokémon Go. This is among the most shameless Pokémon clones on this listing, stealing every little thing from the cell title’s artwork fashion, consumer interface, and gameplay.

Identical to in Pokémon Go, you gather monsters (on this case, dragons) and battle them for command of landmarks in the true world round you. The dragons aren’t that dangerous, however this appears like a money seize within the worst doable means, like giving cash to a thief when you possibly can 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 large spider companions to battle again towards invaders. The premise is considerably intriguing, however the collection is so far as you may get from making good on it.

Even again in 2006, when the anime collection 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

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 virtually 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.

Nonetheless, not one of the gameplay in Monster Harvest is price 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 simply too small, even with prescription glasses on.

Monster Harvest is a shame to its beloved inspirations, and gamers taken with a mix of farming and Pokémon ought to look elsewhere.

Finest Pokémon Knock Offs

With the negativity out of the way in which, 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 points of the video games, from the gameplay to the monster designs and extra.

1. Temtem

For a lot of Pokémon followers, the attract of the collection’ 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 collection but, Temtem provides that long-awaited thought on trendy platforms.

The MMORPG is strictly what a Pokémon MMO might be, capitalizing on the concept of dozens of strangers working round on the identical server. You always 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 techniques to disgrace. Its fight is just a little slower and satisfactory, placing it additional down on this listing of the very best.

2. Medabots

Medabots got here out quickly after the Pokémon craze, starting with video games in the identical method and increasing to some anime collection, too. Whereas Pokémon focuses on cute little creatures, Medabots is all concerning the titular robotic companions you possibly can construct.

The Medabots collection goes full drive into the customization facet, letting gamers create their distinctive bot to take into battle. The gameplay of those video games is just a little bit simplistic, however the mixture of enjoyable video games and action-packed anime makes for a stable mech collection.

3. Loomian Legacy (Roblox)

Who would have thought Roblox would have the most effective 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 much 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 always popping out, that is one that you simply shouldn’t miss out on.

4. Dragon Quest Monsters

The Dragon Quest collection predates Pokémon, however that didn’t cease it from attempting 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 possibly can tame and add to your get together. The appeal 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

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 similar time.

The monster designs are terrific from high to backside, from the sharp beaks of the fowl Coromon to the three cute starters and extra. Whereas the fundamental sorts 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, numerous world harking back to the Gen 1 Pokémon video games.

6. Zoids

On the subject of anime collection impressed by Pokémon, the most effective examples of a knockoff carried out proper is Zoids. As an alternative 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 large animal robots, much like a mixture of creatures like sabertooth tigers and anime collection like Gundam. The robotic creations are a number of the finest within the mech collection, 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 collection, Beyblade is all a couple of sport involving spinning tops that battle it out in tiny arenas to knock the opponent out.

Dramatic, excessive, and passionate, there’s a motive 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

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a mix of Japan’s finest properties: the apparent legendary Pokémon collection and Studio Ghibli. The latter, the juggernaut behind a number of the biggest anime movies of all time, was the clever inspiration behind Ni no Kuni.

However, as an alternative 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 beautiful Studio Ghibli film fashion and the emotional writing.

Ni no Kuni would possibly characteristic youngsters, however it takes story and characterization to a degree that even Pokémon refuses to the touch, coping with robust and miserable real-life topics that youngsters undergo.

9. Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Wreck

From a pure gameplay perspective, there are few higher examples of the Pokémon method carried out proper than Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Wreck. Choosing up from the place its predecessor left, this sequel on Nintendo Swap upped the antics to offer a spin-off sport that offers the core Monster Hunter collection 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 a number of the biggest designs you’ll discover in a monster-collecting journey, Wings of Wreck has an enormous world price 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 area for a newcomer, each in anime and video games. One way or the other, 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 Swap, with its much more mature storyline, older protagonists, anime movie artwork fashion, and interesting gameplay. Yokai Watch 4 is among 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 among the weirdest Pokémon clones however all the time the second-best that you simply’ll discover. As an alternative of specializing in creatures battling it out with loopy assaults and expertise, it’s all concerning the coronary heart of the playing cards.

The buying and selling card sport and anime collection 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 collection.

Although it has some misses, identical to Pokémon, the anime collection options iconic seasons like the unique Yu-Gi-Oh collection and 5Ds. Each of these are worthy of not simply standing toe-to-toe with the very best of the Pokémon anime, however surpassing them by a protracted shot, too.

12. Digimon

Ultimately, essentially the most well-known Pokémon clone can also be the perfect 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 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 virtually all seasons than something that Pokémon ever provided, however that’s not all. There are additionally video video games that had been launched over time.

Whereas they could not persistently hit the highs of the Pokémon collection, they problem it in one of the best ways doable 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 capable of do but, exterior of Pokémon itself.

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