16 Best Monster Taming Games (It is Not Just Pokémon!)When we think about collecting, training, and battling alongside fantastic creatures, the Pokémon franchise is almost always the first to come to mind. However, the universe of Monster Taming is much larger, richer, and more diverse than just Pokémon.In recent years, independent developers and major studios alike have taken the classic monster-collecting formula and blended it with survival, card battles, roguelikes, farming simulation, and even darker aesthetics.If you are looking for new games to tame little creatures, this article is for you! Let us start with the oldest ones.Digimon WorldAvailable on: PlayStation 1 (Original)Release date: January 28, 1999 | Developer/Publisher: BandaiThe PS1 classic that defined an era by taking a completely different path from its competition. Instead of focusing solely on linear battles, Digimon World is a giant virtual pet simulator. You need to train your Digimon, feed it, regulate its sleep, and take it to the bathroom at the right time.Your care determines which incredible creature your partner will evolve into (or into a little poop monster if you fail). Battles take place in real time through voice commands you shout to support your Digimon.Digimon World: Next Order, released on March 17, 2016 in Japan, brought the exact same formula from the first game into the modern era.Jade Cocoon: Story of the TamamayuAvailable on: PlayStation 1Release date: December 3, 1998 (JP) / 1999 (Global) | Developer: Genki | Publisher: Crave Entertainment / UbisoftWith character designs by Katsuya Kondo, one of the main animators at Studio Ghibli, Jade Cocoon presents a mystical, tribal, and slightly dark world. Controlling a cocoon master, you use magical flutes to purify and capture monsters in the forests.The highlight of the game is its visual fusion system: when blending two creatures, they physically merge, mixing their textures, colors, and limbs to generate chimeras. For instance, when you cross a fire monster with a water monster, the offspring can inherit abilities from both.There are over 150 monsters to capture. You can train these beasts to protect your hero. If you do not want to keep one, your in-game wife can spin them into silk. You can then sell this silk to buy items.Monster Rancher 2Available on: PlayStation 1 (Original) / Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX (PC, Switch, iOS)Release date: February 25, 1999 | Developer: Tecmo | Publisher: TecmoMonster Rancher 2 made video game history with a brilliant mechanic: on the PS1, to obtain new creatures, you had to open the console tray and insert actual music CDs so the game could read the data and generate a monster based on the tracks!Today, in the digital versions, this system has been adapted using an internal database. The gameplay focuses on the daily management of training, feeding, resting, and arena tournaments to elevate your partner to the champion class.Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen[link]{https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5zFdY5ErEY}Available on: Game Boy Advance (GBA)Release date: January 29, 2004 (JP) / 2004 (Global) | Developer: Game Freak | Publisher: The Pokémon Company / NintendoThis is the only Pokémon entry I will include here. I promise.Released in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were the first official remakes in the franchise, recreating the original 1996 Game Boy Red and Blue versions with all the new technology of the Game Boy Advance.These titles brought the Kanto region back in a fresh way. Alongside colorful graphics and a fully rearranged soundtrack, the games introduced new mechanics like special abilities and genders, and added the Sevii Islands in the post-game to expand the story.Selling over 12 million copies, they came packaged with a Wireless Adapter, retiring link cables for trading and battling.In February 2026, a remake was also released for the Nintendo Switch, containing the Islands and all the extra content from the GBA version in a more accessible format.TemtemAvailable on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo SwitchRelease date: January 21, 2020 (Early Access) / September 6, 2022 (Full Release) | Developer: Crema | Publisher: Humble GamesBorn as a promise to fulfill the childhood dreams of many players, Temtem is a creature-collection MMORPG focused heavily on the multiplayer aspect and the competitive scene. In it, you explore the Airborne Archipelago alongside other tamers from all over the world in real time.The game eliminates the luck factor (RNG) from its battles, which always take place in pairs (2v2) and use a stamina bar instead of PP limits for moves. This means you need to manage your creatures' energy to avoid knocking them out from exhaustion, making combat deeply strategic.With a long campaign that can also be played in co-op mode, housing decoration systems, and tamer clubs, it is an excellent Monster Taming option for those who love playing with friends!Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White WitchAvailable on: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|SRelease date: November 17, 2011 | Developer: Level-5 | Publisher: Bandai Namco EntertainmentThis game is the result of a collaboration between developer Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, which produced the animated cutscenes and the orchestrated soundtrack. Following young Oliver on an emotional journey to save his mother in a parallel fantasy world, it makes you feel like you are stepping right into one of the studio's films. It is incredibly charming!During exploration, you can capture and train creatures called Familiars. Combat blends free real-time movement with tactical turn-based commands where you summon your familiars to fight in the arena. It is a classic made with immense care, featuring nostalgic art and adorable creatures.Monster SanctuaryAvailable on: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchRelease date: December 8, 2020 | Developer: Moi Rai Games | Publisher: Team17Monster Sanctuary delivers a brilliant mashup of two beloved genres: the side-scrolling exploration of a classic Metroidvania and the tactical turn-based RPG combat of a 3v3 battler. Every creature you hatch and train features its own skill tree and unique map abilities, which are used to unlock new areas.The synergy between you and your monsters is vital. Crafting combat strategies based on combos, buffs, and debuffs while exploring a mysterious 2D world is highly rewarding. Additionally, the game is exceptionally beautiful and vibrant, showcasing pixel art made with genuine care!(Aethermancer)Aethermancer is currently being developed by the same creators of Monster Sanctuary (it is in early access) and is already highly anticipated by players. It is a tactical turn-based roguelite where you control monsters born from the power of Aether within dungeons.Nexomon: ExtinctionAvailable on: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease date: August 28, 2020 | Developer: VEWO Interactive | Publisher: PQubeNexomon: Extinction features a brilliant sense of humor and narrative. The game script is packed with self-deprecating jokes, playing with the classic clichés of the monster-taming genre in a way that will make you laugh out loud.With over 380 hand-drawn creatures to capture and an immense world that scales the difficulty of trainers according to your progress, the game delivers a polished and, above all, fun classic turn-based adventure!Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of RuinAvailable on: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4Release date: July 9, 2021 | Developer/Publisher: CapcomIn this spin-off by Capcom, hunting makes way for companionship as monsters fight by your side. Playing as a Rider, your goal is to collect eggs from wild nests, hatch them, and build bonds with monsters from the Monster Hunter franchise (referred to as Monsties).The turn-based combat system uses a counter mechanic based on Power, Speed, and Technical attacks (a rock-paper-scissors style), accompanied by gorgeous special attack animations that look like they came straight out of an anime.Siralim UltimateAvailable on: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOSRelease date: December 2, 2021 | Developer/Publisher: Thylacine StudiosIf you love deep mechanics, attribute spreadsheets, complex builds, and an almost endless post-game, Siralim Ultimate is likely the game for you. Behind its minimalist pixelated visuals lies a giant roguelike dungeon crawler.There are over 1,200 creatures to collect, fuse, and customize. Turn-based battles take place in a 6v6 format, and the game encourages you to create synergies and skill combinations so powerful that fights start happening almost automatically.CoromonAvailable on: PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease date: March 31, 2022 | Developer: TRAGsoft | Publisher: Freedom GamesIf your goal is to find a modern game that respects and refines the classic pixel-art formula of the early Pokémon games, Coromon is the perfect choice. It carries the visual charm of the Game Boy Advance era with vibrant animations and colors, but implements them in a modern way.Combat is highly strategic, replacing luck with a tactical energy point system. With an entertaining story involving technology and sci-fi, puzzle-filled dungeons, and built-in customizable difficulty options, this game is crafted with love and feels great to play.Cassette BeastsAvailable on: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, mobile devicesRelease date: April 26, 2023 | Developer: Bytten Studio | Publisher: Raw FuryFeaturing gorgeous retro pixel art and one of the finest synth-pop soundtracks in gaming, Cassette Beasts introduces excellent mechanics to the genre. Instead of throwing spheres, you use a cassette tape recorder to record the DNA of local creatures and transform into them during turn-based battles.The game's defining feature is its dynamic fusion system: absolutely any pair of monsters in the game (there are over 120) can fuse in real time during battles, generating thousands of unique and powerful visual combinations. It is a smart, heartwarming, and incredibly creative RPG.Moonstone IslandAvailable on: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, XboxRelease date: September 20, 2023 | Developer: Studio Supersoft | Publisher: Raw FuryMoonstone Island perfectly blends the freedom of exploring floating islands, a farming routine, and strategic combat featuring cute creatures and cards. Playing as a young alchemist in training, your mission is to fly on your broomstick from island to island, tame cute spirits, and use their abilities in tactical card battles.Along with deck-building and managing your monster team, the game offers an incredibly cozy atmosphere. Decorating your home, befriending the townspeople, and growing rare plants is highly satisfying.Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark PrinceAvailable on: Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, AndroidRelease date: December 1, 2023 | Developer/Publisher: Square EnixIn this chapter of one of Japan's oldest and most respected RPG franchises, you control Psaro, a young man cursed to be unable to harm creatures with his own hands. Your only option is to become a tamer and recruit monsters to fight for you.In The Dark Prince, you explore biomes that completely change their appearance and wild monsters depending on the season. You will also use a synthesis (fusion) system at your base to combine your old creatures and generate legendary, absurdly powerful new species.PalworldAvailable on: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5Release date: January 19, 2024 (Early Access) | Developer/Publisher: PocketpairThis game generated massive engagement and memes upon release, while offering a fresh approach to the genre. Palworld blends creature-catching mechanics with survival elements, real-time open-world exploration, and base automation (yes, your creatures work for you).The Pals you capture are not just for dynamic battles; they also actively work at your camp, planting crops, mining resources, generating electricity, and even building structures. And, of course, there are firearms in the game too.Lumentale: Memories of TerseraAvailable on: PC, Nintendo SwitchRelease date: January 23, 2025 | Developer: Holy Dragon Coproductions | Publisher: Team17 / Holy Dragon CoproductionsIn Lumentale: Memories of Tersera, you are thrown into a world where creatures, known as Animon, are influenced by (and influence) human feelings and emotions.The gameplay blends real-time action with free exploration. You will need to interact with and use your Animon's abilities to solve puzzles in the environment and open new paths. With beautiful art direction reminiscent of major anime productions, the game is an excellent recent surprise for anyone looking to tame new creatures, and it features a party energy system rather than an individual system like Pokémon.In fact, we have already written a review about Lumentale! Check out our Lumentale review here.ConclusionWe usually only remember Pokémon or Digimon when we think about catching creatures, but there are many other games and mechanics that are a blast to play. Hopefully, through this article, you will find new games and creatures to collect!(Anode Heart)There are many others that are also worthy of note, such as Anode Heart, Dragon Warrior Monsters, Medabots: Rokusho and Robopon 2: Cross and Ring Version for the GBC, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, and Ooblets.See you in the next article!
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