Updated at: 23-02-2023 - By: Gemaga

Although Pokémon is probably the most well-known monster tamer, there are plenty of other options for games in which you collect and train creatures for battle.

Although Japanese role-playing video games (JRPGs) are the most common, monster tamer elements can also be found in open world games and life simulators.

Our top picks for monster tamer games span multiple platforms, including PC and Nintendo Switch titles.

Please check back later for updates, and let us know if there are any games that we should have included on this list that you think we should add.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Keywords: JRPG

Game System: Nintendo Switch

Here we’ll highlight the most recent Pokémon game for Nintendo Switch, because no monster tamer list is complete without Pokémon.

While Sword and Shield have the potential to be the most divisive mainline Pokémon games to date, they make excellent use of the Switch’s hardware.

The series’ turn-based battles are relatively simplistic, but the introduction of new Dynamax evolutions allows for new strategies and helps shake things up.

In addition, a new Wild Area enables cooperative raids against Dynamax Pokémon and fierce online battles between players and their friends.

Pokemon Sword & Shield review: ambitious in places, seemingly unfinished in others | VG247

Nexomon: Extinction

Japanese Role-Playing Game

Game Consoles: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

We have plenty of excellent Pokémon substitutes, and we’ll recommend Nexomon: Extinction as the next one if you’re looking.

Gameplay-wise, it’s reminiscent of the original 2D Pokémon, but there are far more collectible monsters to capture, train, and evolve in this version.

Nexomon’s plot explores more mature themes like death and moral ambiguity without taking itself too seriously, which is where it most distinguishes itself from Game Freak’s series.

There are some mechanical differences, such as the levels of wild monsters scaling to yours, but if anything we’ve said has piqued your interest, you might want to give it a try and see for yourself.

Temtem

Category: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Included are the Personal Computer (PC), PlayStation 5, Xbox One (Series X), and Nintendo Switch.

While both Temtem and Pokémon are games in which players capture and train monsters, Temtem distinguishes itself from Pokémon by marketing itself as a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with built-in cooperative features.

More than eighty different species of Temtem can be captured and battled in this game, with the developer planning to increase this number to 141 by the time the game leaves Early Access.

Your travels will take you across the Airborne Archipelago, a collection of six floatable islands home to a rich ecosystem and peaceful coexistence between Temtem and humans.

A variety of tools and equipment, such as roller-skates, a grapple gun, rock-climbing gloves, and other devices, are used for traversal.

Persona 5

Japanese Role-Playing Game

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC

If you’re into JRPGs, you’ve probably played at least one game in the Persona series or know a lot about them.

Persona 5 is great for a first playthrough or a second look because of the fantastic New Game mode that allows you to experience everything you may have missed the first time around.

You take on the role of an unruly high school student in Tokyo who gets caught up in a paranormal world populated by evil foes and colossal allies known as Personas.

The game is split between turn-based dungeon exploration and regular life activities like going to class, working a part-time job, going grocery shopping, and hanging out with friends.

Persona 5’s fusion system allows you to combine different Personas to create a single, more powerful one, rather than each Persona, or monster, evolving directly into a new version.

Ooblets

Subgenre: Life Simulation

Systems: Microsoft Windows PC and Xbox One

Similar to popular franchises like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, as well as Pokémon, Ooblets is a humorous take on the life simulation genre that features monster taming.

It puts you in charge of a persona you’ve created in a world where cute little critters called ooblets coexist with humans.

After some persuasion, Ooblets of varying sizes will join your party and follow you around like a cute little conga line.

Planting seeds in your garden allows you to create new ooblets with unique characteristics by combining traits from existing ooblets.

Monster Crown

Keywords: JRPG

Technology Used: Personal Computer

Monster Crown, like Nexomon, borrows elements from the Pokémon series, specifically the 8-bit Game Boy era, down to its streamlined color palette and character sprites.

All of this, plus the use of state-of-the-art game development tools, makes for a monster tamer experience that is reminiscent of Pokémon Red and Blue but runs much more smoothly.

The story delves into some pretty bleak themes, but it all boils down to foiling the villain’s plan.

The excellent writing of Monster Crown’s sidequests, which introduce intriguing new characters and provide context for Crown Island’s murky history, is the game’s shining point.

Monster Sanctuary

This is a Metroidvania-style JRPG.

All major gaming consoles and computers are supported.

When it comes to gameplay, Monster Sanctuary is a 2D pixel art treat because it combines monster taming with Metroidvania platforming.

You’ll be tasked with creating a safe haven where 101 different collectible monsters from all over the world can be hatched, amassed, and trained to fight on your behalf.

The game’s mechanics are complex, so you should prepare to spend a lot of time planning the optimal sequence for your attacks and figuring out which moves work best together.

There is a skill tree system in Monster Sanctuary that lets you specialize in a certain play style and modify your monsters’ abilities to fit your preferences.

Patch Quest

Metroidvania, roguelike

Digital Personal Computer

Next up, if you’re into Metroidvanias, is a hand-drawn roguelike that mixes monster taming, 2D exploration, and randomly generated environments.

In Patch Quest, you take on the role of an explorer tasked with discovering and cataloging the more than a hundred creatures that call Patchlantis home, eventually bonding with them and raising their levels to gain access to new abilities.

Calling upon monsters for assistance in combat and opening up new modes of transportation like gliding, tunneling, and web slinging are all possible.

These abilities, which are specific to each monster, can be accessed via Exploration Gadgets and Mount Skills.

Slime Rancher

Life simulation games.

All major platforms are supported, including Windows, Linux, OS X, and the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Next, we have Slime Rancher, a lighthearted farming game with monster tamer undertones in which you tend to an alien ranch full of lovable slime monsters.

In order to progress in the game, you must collect slimes, transport them to your ranch, and feed them various foods in order to generate Plorts, which you can use to purchase better equipment and more advanced farming techniques.

Slime Rancher - Official Launch Trailer - YouTube

You can look forward to breeding different slimes and discovering new variations with unique characteristics, as there are many slime species to encounter.

Keep in mind that different slime species don’t always get along, so you’ll need to keep them apart to prevent a genus from annihilating the others.

Soul of Giga

Role-Playing Game

PC-Based System

Another monster tamer game, Soul of Giga features beautiful pixel art and classic turn-based tactics gameplay.

Play as the favored pupil of the Giga clan in this fantasy RPG, and lead an army of monstrous allies to victory over evil and the revitalization of Giga!

There are three types of giga monsters: forest, sea, and sky. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which can be augmented by the monster’s training and gear.

Use game mechanics like teleportation and auto-battle, and equip your Giga monsters with better armor as they level up, to give them an edge in battle.

Ghostlords

Classification: Role-Playing Game

PC, Linux, and Macintosh

Ghostlords, developed by indie developer Kyle Rodgers, is another monster tamer game that’s worth your time thanks to its strategic turn-based RPG design and pixel art.

In this story, you’ll explore a post-apocalyptic Great Britain inhabited by various wild spirits that you can tame and use in combat.

The key to victory is assembling a well-rounded team from among the 50 ghost types available; each has four abilities and distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Finally, Ghostlords has a variety of hero-driven campaigns, each with their own set of objectives and challenges, and mod support so that you can add even more to the game.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered

Keywords: JRPG

Games available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

We chose to highlight the original Ni no Kuni rather than the most recent installment in the series because of how much better it is at delivering on the monster tamer aspect.

The gameplay combines traditional role-playing elements with 3D scavenger hunts and battles with real-time and turn-based components.

This, however, comes at the expense of a much more grind-heavy experience, in which you will have to endure countless battles before making any significant headway.

Even more so in the remastered version with improved visuals and performance, the graphics and animations are a sight to behold and will make you feel like you’re watching a cartoon come to life.

Ark: Survival Evolved

Open-world survival games.

The following systems are supported: Personal Computer (PC), PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One (XB1), Nintendo Switch (NSW), Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, and Android

Ark is an extremely ambitious open-world survival game that, depending on who you ask, either plays great or terribly.

However, one constant across the board is the superb performance of the monster taming system, or more accurately, the dino taming system.

Although the specifics vary by species, it’s usually worth it, especially since dinosaurs can keep working even if you can’t.

You can use a tamed dinosaur for transportation, storage, defense, resource gathering, and more once you’ve learned to control it.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Complete Edition

Keywords: JRPG

Computer, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch

Digimon has established itself as a viable alternative to the Pokémon franchise in the monster-collecting genre.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memory, two of the best entries in the long video game history of the franchise, are included in the Complete Edition.

Both games put you in the role of a hacker or cyber detective, tasked with unraveling mysteries that span both the online and offline worlds.

There are more than 300 different Digimon to find, train, and Digivolve into your own personal army of powerful allies for use in turn-based battles.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Category: Japanese Role-Playing Game

PC and Switch are the supported platforms.

To those who are unaware, Monster Hunter Stories employs a turn-based battle system in addition to monster taming, presenting a vastly different experience from the main series games.

Training wild monsters entails giving them names, mounting them, and helping them develop their power, speed, and technique.

There was a 2017 Monster Hunter Stories for the 3DS, and a sequel is coming this July for the Nintendo Switch.

You take on the role of a green Monster Rider who hopes to form lasting bonds with monsters all over the world.

Persona 5 – 93

The Persona series is likely familiar to anyone who has dabbled in Monster Taming games or high-quality role-playing video games in general. Different from the Strikers version, Persona 5 has a 93 Metascore and is widely considered the best game in the series.

Persona 5 is a fantastic entry in the series for fans of the genre who are looking for a mix of dungeon-crawling and monster-taming with some slice-of-life touches. Like in many other monster-taming games, players can capture and employ Personas in battle before fusing them with others to create stronger iterations.

Dragon Quest V: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride (And Series) – 90

Strangely, this iOS game has the highest Metacritic score (90) and user score (8.8) of any iOS game ever released. On the Nintendo DS, the same game only has an average user rating of 8.6 and a Metascore of 84. The ratings for Dragon Quest VI and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King are 86 and 89, respectively.

This role-playing game is the sequel to the 1992 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) RPG Zenithian. Despite its standard JRPG conventions, the game’s gameplay centers on equipping a wagon with a variety of strange monsters.

Traditional turn-based battles, accompanied by orchestral music and 16-bit visuals, await players.

Monster Hunter World (And Series) – 90

The Monster Hunter franchise has reemerged as a gaming mainstay thanks to the announcement of a new film and the leak of a new game’s release date. Monster Hunter World may have received a perfect score from Metacritic, but another game in the series better fulfills the monster-taming criterion as opposed to monster hunting.

With a 79 Metascore and an 8.3 user score, Monster Hunter Stories lets players collect and hatch eggs. In this setting, players can organize into teams, perform combo attacks, and even ride their pets. The classic ‘rock-paper-scissors’ combat system is also included in the game.

Check it out if you like new and old games that involve taming monsters. After all, the sequel Monster Hunter Stories: Wings of Ruin will be available in 2018.

Pokémon Y (And Series) – 88

Only Pokémon games would appear in the top ten if this list was based on score alone. There are 20 games, including Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, that have received scores of 80 or higher on Metacritic.

Nonetheless, Nintendo has perfected the formula, and the series continues to receive high marks from critics and fans alike. Each new Pokémon generation introduces fresh and fascinating monsters for trainers to catch and form emotional bonds with.

Unfortunately, Pokémon Shield and Sword, the most recent entries, have a Metacritic score of only 80. Topping the charts with a Metascore of 88 is Pokémon Y.

Monster Rancher 1 (And Series) – 86

A novel aspect of Monster Rancher’s technological embrace is the legend that each and every CD conceals a monster. In Japan, the franchise is known as Monster Farm and features both video games and an anime series. However, the PS1 version of the game came out in 1997.

It was a novel and powerful connection between the virtual and the tangible. In addition to having unique and interesting monster designs, players were also able to breed them. Though players could train monsters for tournament combat, they still required assistance to succeed.

With a consistent Metascore of 86, the first game in the series stands out among the rest of the games in the series, which fall between the low 80s and the high 70s.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch Remastered (And Series) – 86

This game, developed by Level-5 for the PS3, will launch in Japan in 2011 and elsewhere in 2013 respectively. 2019 saw the release of the remaster for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows PCs. It’s been hailed by many as the ultimate way to enjoy a game by fans.

The game’s high user and Metacritic score (8.1) is due in large part to the game’s gorgeous and nostalgic animation style. It’s different from the majority of modern AAA games, which instead prioritize violence, action, and gloomy plots.

Whether you’re a seasoned RPG player or just starting out, you’re sure to enjoy the Ni No Kuni series’ soothing, classic approach to the genre.

Viva Piñata – 84

The concept of piatas as a source of inherent joy is used in more than just Fortnite. Viva Piata is an enjoyable and easy-to-learn hybrid of monster taming, resource management, and a simulation game. The Xbox 360 version was released in 2006, but despite its age, it has maintained an 8.0 user rating and a Metascore of 84.

The game’s hundreds of modifiable features set it apart from others of the time. In order to lure different piata species, players had to actively cultivate a garden ecosystem. Over 60 unique species were available, and there were countless ways to arrange player-created gardens to entice piatas.

Another 2008 Nintendo DS game that received rave reviews is Viva Piata: Pocket Paradise.

Yo-Kai Watch (Series) – 83

This Level-5 creation features ykai, or Japanese folktale spirits. Even though it’s an iOS game, Yo-Kai Watch: Wibble Wobble has the highest Metascore of any Yo-Kai Watch game with 83. To be fair, it’s not really a Yo-Kai game so much as a puzzle game in the vein of Candy Crush.

Yo-Kai Watch 3 is a must-have for any fan looking for a more classic monster-taming experience. Defeating, befriending, and assisting Yo-Kai are central themes in the original game series.

World Of Final Fantasy Maxima – 81

The video game World of Final Fantasy Maxima can be thought of as a cross between the Kingdom Hearts series, the Pokémon franchise, and the Final Fantasy series. In 2018, after its initial 2016 release, it was made available for the Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The game combines traditional JRPG storytelling with its protagonists, Champions, who must master the art of taming Mirages (monsters).

Floating islands representing locations from previous Final Fantasy games are featured in the game. There are a lot of cameos from other Final Fantasy games as well, such as Quistis Trepe (FFVIII), Terra Brandford (FFVI), and Vivi (FFIX).

It’s fantastic for first-timers and a nostalgic trip for series devotees.

Slime Rancher – 81

Players in Slime Rancher assume the role of Beatrix LeBeau, a young rancher venturing into the remote Outer Ranges. She plans to go to a region that is 1,000 light-years from Earth in order to wrangle slimes and make money.

The indie game has been supported by developer Monomi Park with dozens of free updates. Game Informer even named it 2017’s “Best Simulation Game” for its combination of slime collection and farming simulation.

Players can explore the entire Far, Far Range in search of new slimes, new gadgets they can make with Slime Science, and new places to explore.

Monster Sanctuary – 80

If you’re looking for a challenge beyond what the other games on this list offer, you might want to try Monster Sanctuary, a Metroidvania/Monster-taming hybrid with great features from both genres.

Even though it didn’t seem to sway ‘proper critics,’ this indie release has received a lot of positive buzz from fans. In the end, platformer and monster-fighting game fans alike will find a lot to love in Monster Sanctuary. Creator cared deeply about this release, and it shows.

Nexomon: Extinction – 80

Throughout Nexomon: Extinction, you’ll face off against more than 300 different Nexomon monsters. Nexomon is a despotic ruler who wants to rule over both monsters and humans. The world has become unbalanced, so a group of tamers must embark on a quest to right the ship. Of course, this also involves rounding up a group of Nexomon and teaching them how to work together.

When it launches in late 2020 on all the major platforms, this game will have checked all the boxes for a fantastic monster taming experience. There are some really cute monsters in it, as well as some really fun and addicting gameplay mechanics.

This may be the best Pokémon alternative for true fans, despite having the lowest Metascore on this list.

NEXOMON EXTINCTION #80 GROßMEISTER XANDERS ☆ Gameplay German ☆ LP ☆ Deutsch ☆ Tipps & Tricks ☆ XBOX - YouTube

FAQS:

Is SMT a monster-catching game?

The setting and the monsters themselves are what set the SMT series apart from other monster-catching RPGs like Pokémon. A post-apocalyptic Tokyo overrun by the titular “Demons” serves as the backdrop for the majority of the main series.

What was the first monster collecting game?

Fujimi Shobo released the first edition of Monster Collection that same year. The second installment of the Monster Collection series was released in the year 2000. During the month of August 2011, it was purchased by Bushiroad. The original Monster Collection was expanded into a roleplaying game that inspired the Mon Colle Knights anime.

Is SMT V like Pokémon?

SMT is similar to Pokémon in this respect. Pokémon is similar to SMT, or more accurately, the first game in the series, Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei, was released nine years before Pokémon.

How do I get a monster collection?

Players can either track down the monster in question until it is added to Monster Collection, or they can use the extremely rare Monsterbloom item to randomly register a monster (certain Monsterblooms can be obtained by completing specific rows in the Collection, registering a specific monster).