For decades, Pokemon has remained the most popular and successful IP in the world. TV shows, live-action films, video games, manga, collectible trading cards, and merchandise have put the franchise in mainstream knowledge: even non-gamers know what Pokemon is. It is the king of monster-catching and creature-taming games, and while others have grown popular, few can compare to the genre’s juggernaut. A few series that have challenged The Pokemon Company have caught lightning in a bottle by taking inspiration from Pokemon and making it their own. But even these have failed to kill Pokemon, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon.
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Competing with Pokemon is a massive challenge that few attempt, and even fewer succeed at. Some have carved out loyal fan bases, and with the growing discontent surrounding The Pokemon Company and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, this may be the time to knock the giant down a peg or two. These four “Pokemon killers” have had the best shot at claiming a stake in the genre over the years.
4) Yo-kai Watch
Yo-kai Watch exploded on the scene in 2013 thanks to the Nintendo 3DS. It captured attention with its charming art style, quirky creatures, and emphasis on story-driven RPG mechanics. It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan, rivaling even Pokemon with younger audiences. Toys, anime adaptations, and spin-offs mirrored Pokemon’s approach, and Yo-kai Watch seemed poised to be the biggest competitor.
However, it never caught on in the Western markets. Localization delays, marketing missteps, and stiff competition from Pokemon never allowed the franchise to fully cement itself in these audiences. While Yo-kai Watch would eventually hit its stride outside Japan, subsequent sequels and spin-offs struggled to maintain momentum, and interest declined. But Level-5 has not given up, as Yo-kai Watch has a revival through Holy Horror Mansion, a new twist on the monster-catching genre that may see it boom again.
3) Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Magami Tensei carved out a more niche path compared to other Pokemon competitors. It featured a darker tone, morally complex narratives, and more challenging gameplay that set it apart from other bright and family-friendly games in the genre. Rather than fantasy creatures, it featured demons and deities from various religions, with some creative freedom. Negotiations, fusions, and an alignment system gave it a strategic depth not seen in other monster-catchers.
The appeal that gave it a cult following also made it harder to break out in mainstream audiences. It has a loyal fan base, but its difficulty and dark atmosphere make it a harder sell, especially to younger players. This can be seen in spin-offs like Persona 5, which, while still having dark themes, appear more colorful and so more appealing. And so it has fallen to the wayside, though it still receives new games and remakes over the years even if it cannot directly compete against Pokemon.
2) Digimon
Digimon is Pokemon’s biggest rival and was marketed heavily as such during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It followed a similar trend with TV shows, video games, manga, collectible cards, and more, but differed with an edgier undertone. It offered real-time evolution mechanisms and varied battle systems, whereas Pokemon kept evolution out of battle and largely stuck to the same formula.
Over time, the franchise struggled to maintain consistency, leading to its downfall. Games failed to meet expectations due to varying quality, and the narrative dissonance between its various media weakened Digimon’s cohesion. It remains active today, and fans are beyond excited for the upcoming Digimon Story: Time Stranger, but it seems unlikely it will be able to challenge Pokemon as it once did.
1) Palworld
Palworld is one of the newest contenders against Pokemon, and it has generated quite some buzz. The Pokemon Company has even sued the game and developer Pocketpair, but this has not slowed it down. If anything, it has only invested more in the IP with an upcoming Palworld farming game. While it features the iconic gameplay loop of catching monsters, it differentiates itself with a comical and dark aesthetic, earning it the nickname of “Pokemon with guns.”
It remains to be seen if Palworld can dethrone Pokemon, though it seems unlikely even given the game’s success. It will finally leave early access and launch in full in 2026 to the excitement of fans. So far, it has been able to maintain interest and keep fans, but its survival aspects and novelties haven’t yet established it as a Pokemon killer. It’s on the right track, but only time will tell if it has the steam to put Pokemon in its place.
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