Games Like Pokemon: A Look at Similar TCGs

Pokemon is an inescapable phenomenon that’s existed within pop culture for almost thirty years now. You would be hard-pushed to find someone that doesn’t recognise at least a handful of these pocket monsters as they’ve found their way into every type of media and every piece of merchandise imaginable. From their beginnings as Gameboy games in the mid 1990’s and thanks to the popularity of the anime series, Pokemon exploded in popularity and hasn’t ever taken it’s foot off the gas, releasing new games on every console since and finding it’s way onto almost everything conceivable. Pokemon fans have continued to support the franchise, ensuring its enduring success. A standout game in the genre is ‘Cassette Beasts’, released in 2023, which draws inspiration from Pokémon through its unique mechanics like monster recording and a fusion system, offering innovative gameplay elements and variety across multiple platforms.

After the video games and anime, arguably the most success Pokemon saw was in the release of their Trading Card Game. Released in Japan in 1996 and around the world in 1998, the game borrowed inspiration from similar card games to create something unique and fairly straightforward that approachable for younger and older players alike. Featuring different types of pokemon that had strengths and weaknesses against others, players would fight for six prizes by knocking out their opponents pokemon by reducing their HP to 0. Utilising a bench that hosted a trainer’s five inactive pokemon that could be switched into active play, players could evolve their pokemon throughout the game to make them stronger and would use energy cards to attack with more powerful moves. Since it’s release there have been dozens of expansions, new types, and mechanics introduced as well as worldwide tournaments to see the best of the best compete against each other. Pokemon games have consistently innovated, offering new experiences on platforms like the Nintendo Switch.

If you’re a fan of Pokemon and have played or like the look of the Trading Card Game, below are a handful of games like Pokemon that we’re sure you’ll find just as enjoyable.

Introduction to Pokemon-like Games

If you’re a fan of the Pokémon series, you’re likely always on the lookout for new games like Pokemon that offer a similar experience. While there may not be any games that perfectly replicate the magic of Pokémon, there are plenty of titles that offer similar gameplay mechanics, such as catching and battling monsters, exploring vast worlds, and engaging in turn-based battles. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best games like Pokémon that you can play on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.

Introduction to Monster Collecting Games

Monster collecting games have been a staple of the gaming industry for decades, captivating audiences with their unique blend of exploration, strategy, and adventure. For fans of the Pokémon series, there are numerous other games that offer similar experiences, from catching monsters and battling wild creatures to exploring vast open worlds. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of monster collecting games, highlighting some of the best titles available on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC. One such game is Monster Crown, which offers a unique twist on the monster-catching genre with its darker narrative and morality-based choices.

Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon trainer or new to the genre, these games provide a rich and immersive experience that will keep you entertained for hours. From the strategic depth of battling wild monsters to the thrill of discovering new creatures in expansive environments, monster collecting games offer something for everyone. So, grab your Nintendo Switch or fire up your PC, and let’s dive into some of the best games that capture the magic of Pokémon and beyond.

Magic: The Gathering

One of the most enduring and popular card games out there, Magic: The Gathering has been around for over thirty years now and is one of if not the most recognisable CCG/TCG around.

Published by Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering is widely recognised as ‘the first’ trading card game and has become so popular that it generates over $1 billion in revenue every year. The game pits players against each other as ‘Planeswalkers’, beings able to control powerful magics and unleash them in battle against each other. A players deck will consist of two types of cards: lands and spells. Lands contain magical energy known as ‘mana’ that comes in a variety of types, each of which is themed differently and specific to it’s associated colour. When lands are ‘tapped’ the energy they generate can be used to cast spells that come in the form of creatures, sorceries, artefacts, enchantments, and more. These spells are cast with the aim of reducing a players life total down from their starting total of 20 down to 0. Although the game’s rules are fairly simple, it’s strategic depth is very deep, with thousands upon thousands of cards that can be used to create all kinds of unique and effective strategies. The artwork and lore behind the cards is incredible and make the game all the more enjoyable.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Just like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh got it’s start as something else before becoming the card game juggernaut it is today. One of the most popular and strategic games out there, the series has seen thousands of cards released over the 25+ years since it’s release.

Yu-Gi-Oh got it’s start as a manga series that premiered in 1996 featuring a protagonist called Yugi, and focused on a card game called ‘Duel Monsters’. This was soon followed by an anime series and eventually a card game, which included cards that had been featured in both the tv show and comic book. Yu-Gi-Oh is recognised for it’s high levels of strategy and features many different types of cards which can be used in conjunction with each other and chained to make effective and devastating combos.

Likewise, opponents may be able to interrupt these combos with their own cards, adding layers to the strategy of the game. There’s no energy costs needed to play cards like in some games, but powerful monsters will need sacrifices in order to summon them.  Yu-Gi-Oh doesn’t just come down to a mixture of luck and skill, but the ability to be able to predict and react to an opponent’s moves. Whoever can reduce their opponents life points from 8,000 to 0 wins the game. Over the years the game has gone on to sell tens of billions of cards, according to the Guiness World Records, which is probably in no small part thanks for the popularity of the anime through the early 2000s. 

KeyForge

From the genius mind of Andrew Garfield (who also brought us MTG) KeyForge is unique card game that takes staples from other card games but brings something completely new to the field also.

KeyForge is a two-player card game in which each player takes the role of an ‘Archon’, leading their team of followers in a race to be the first to forge three keys and unlock a vault to gain vast power and knowledge, winning the game. Something exceptionally unique about KeyForge is that no two decks are alike and cards are not sold individually. Instead, the game comes with ready-to-play decks with each one being unique. This creates an interesting dynamic as you never know exactly what your opponent might be coming to the table with. There are plenty of unique creatures to be found within the game, all of which are associated with a ‘house’. Players choose a house at the beginning of each turn and can only play, use and discard cards belonging to that house that turn.

So, although there are no costs to playing cards, the house mechanic can either be very restrictive or beneficial each turn. Although there are no lifepoints and battling makes up a part of the game, the way to win comes from forging keys by generating and gathering Aember. Once a player has accumulated enough, they can forge a key, and the first to forge three wins the game. A really unique game, KeyForge offers some unique concepts to a card game and takes out the drudgery of collecting and paying for hundreds of cards by providing pre-made decks with no two the same. 

Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game

The newest game on this list, produced by Ravensburger in 2023, this game is a true love letter for Disney fans. Featuring hundreds of characters, locations, and items from the Disney universe, Lorcana is a fun and simple game that’s grown significantly in it’s short lifespan.

Players take on the role of Illumineers who summon ‘glimmers’ (beings that resemble Disney characters) to retrieve ‘lore’ fragments from all over the Inklands. Whoever, can accumulate twenty lore points before the other player is the winner. Lore is gathered in a number of ways, mostly from characters exerting themselves or via location cards. These and other types of cards have a cost associated with them and how many can be played each turn is determined by the cards placed in the players inkwell. The more cards in this area, the more cards can be played. During a players turn they can use their cards’s special abilities and each type of card has a different benefit. Items and locations can buff or banish cards, song cards allow alternative ways for cards to be played, and characters can generate lore and battle each other.

One interesting mechanic is that when characters sustain damage this stacks and doesn’t disappear unless a character is healed, unlike some games where damage is resolved and set to 0 on the following turn. Along with simple rules and enjoyable gameplay, the game comes with incredible artwork and many famous characters in many different designs and outfits.

There are plenty of card games out there but certainly those listed above are amongst the best and most popular in our opinion. Some share more similarities with Pokemon TCG than others, but all are very enjoyable and offer their own challenge and mechanics. If there are any games you enjoy playing we haven’t listed here, we’d love to hear about some other great card games you enjoy.   

Conclusion

If you’re a Pokémon fan looking for new games to play, there are plenty of options available. From monster-catching RPGs like Monster Sanctuary and Temtem, to JRPGs like Ni No Kuni and Dragon Quest XI, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a game with a similar battle system, a vast open world to explore, or a unique twist on the monster-catching genre, we’ve got you covered. So why not give one of these games a try and see if it scratches that Pokémon itch?

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