10 Games To Cure Your Pokopia FOMO

Just over a week ago, Pokémon Pokopia was released on the Nintendo Switch 2, with the Pokémon spin-off title offering gamers the chance to experience a life simulation game which combined the beloved creature-catching world with that of titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Minecraft. Hitting a whopping 2.2 million copies sold in just four days, it is safe to say that Pokémon Pokopia has been a massive success for Nintendo. However, many gamers have quite a major issue.

Unfortunately, Pokémon Pokopia is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive and is not available on any other platform, not even the Nintendo Switch. On top of that, with the hit game coming in at £58.99, even the game by itself is quite expensive. As such, many potential fans are missing out on the experience and have been taking to social media to share their extreme FOMO.

I may not be able to offer you a Nintendo Switch 2 or a copy of Pokémon Pokopia, but in an attempt to alleviate that FOMO, I can recommend ten other games which include some of the beloved features, or just overall vibes, of Pokopia.

10

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Released earlier this week, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the third installment in the Monster Hunter RPG series. Developed by Capcom, players will take on the role of a Rider who is able to both raise and bond with many monsters and take them into battle. After all hope was lost, an egg was found and inside was none other than a Rathalos, a species thought to be extinct. Now, with hope reborn and tons of content to get stuck into, this brand-new installment was described as “the best yet“ by our very own Austin King and is perfect for those who enjoy the monster-bonding element of Pokémon.

9

Cassette Beasts

It may be a 2023 title, but Cassette Beasts is always a title that crops up when discussing the creature-collecting genre. Developed by Bytten Studio, Cassette Beasts will see the player collect weird and wonderful creatures and see them battle in turn-based battles set in an open-world RPG. With the fusion system allowing you to combine any two monsters to make one powerful being, this 2023 hit sits at an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, with fans praising its charm, art, music, and gameplay. As such, one positive review described it as “similar enough to Pokémon to be familiar, but it’s different enough to feel fresh.”

8

Creatures of Ava

Developed by Inverge Studios and launched back in 2024, Creatures of Ava may be a bit more of an action-adventure title, but its emphasis on animal bonding as well as being set in a world on the brink of collapse reminded me of Pokopia. As you explore a variety of ecosystems, you will save and bond with all manner of different species as you fight to protect them from a life-consuming infection. In our review, we called it “a beautiful, doomed journey” with an innovative take on survival and creature collecting mechanics. Complete with a stunning art style and excellent world design, Creatures of Ava is what I would consider an underrated gem in the genre.

7

Creature Kitchen

However, if you are looking for something with a darker tone, yet still captures what it means to care for and look after animals, look no further than Creature Kitchen, a “creepy-cozy” cooking simulator where you will befriend and feed the local wildlife. If you are missing out on feeding Snorlax in Pokopia, fear not, as you can now look after creatures of all shapes and sizes as you master your recipes in order to suit the needs of all of your furry (and not so furry) friends. However, as you search around a strange house and its surrounding forest, you may find a lot more than just humble ingredients.

6

Monster Sanctuary

Released back in 2020 and yet still regarded as one of the best in the creature collector genre, Monster Sanctuary is a monster-tamer-meets-Metroidvania set in a side-scrolling pixel art world. Developed by moi rai games, this hit title will see you call upon your monster friends to lend their aid both in and out of combat. Whether you use their skills to fly, ride, or brute force your way through environmental puzzles, the world is yours to command as you combine creature-collecting with platforming. With over 100 monsters to befriend, you will need to collect, hatch, evolve and train your buddies in order to make use of their game-changing abilities.

5

Your Big, Cute Monster Farm

If you also suffer from having to work knowing that your current favorite game is waiting for you, you may want to check out Your Big, Cute Monster Farm, a farming simulation idler game which sits perfectly at the bottom of your screen whilst you work at your PC. Players will be able to create their very own farm and harvest produce alongside monster companions. Just set it up, and they will handle all the hard work as you watch them scuttle along as you work. With the ability to change your layout, decorate, and create crop mutations, this idler game is perfect for those who are missing out on the farming element of Pokopia.

4

Aethermancer

Released back in September, Aethermancer combines monster-taming elements with a classic roguelite to see players take on the role of an aethermancer who must fight alongside mythical creatures in the ever-changing Fractured Ruins. Take part in turn-based battles alongside your companions as you watch your monsters steadily grow bigger and stronger and showcase some powerful abilities. As you guide your party through the crumbling world, you will need to find synergy between yourself and your familiars and fight to save a decaying world.

3

Lost and Found Co.

Something a bit different but with the ability to befriend adorable and unique creatures, this hidden object game definitely gave me those Pokopia vibes. Developed by Bit Egg Inc. and launched just last week, Lost and Found Co. tasks players with hunting for objects in a cozy and immersive world. As a duck-turned-human intern, you will join Goddess Mei’s company — a magical startup dedicated to finding the townsfolk’s lost items. Alongside a cast of cute characters, you will embark on an epic journey across unique and colorful environments as you find lost items, solve puzzles, and most importantly, help a tiny dragon regain its lost power.

2

Coromon

Perhaps the most Pokémon-esque on this list is Coromon, a modern take on the classic monster-taming genre where you will tame Coromon and embark on an adventure across a vast world. Full to the brim with turn-based battles, brain-twisting puzzles, and a mysterious threat which threatens to overwhelm the world, you will take on the role of a Battle Researcher in this 2022 hit title which is perfect for those who want to scratch that Pokémon itch. You may not be tending to an ever-growing world like in Pokopia, but there is no denying that this is the closest to the real thing you are going to get for quite some time.

1

Collector’s Cove

Last, but by no means least, is Collector’s Cove, a cozy farming adventure set on the high seas. Released just this week, this adorable creature collector title will see you set sail with your animal friends as you brave uncharted waters, cultivate your floating farm, and discover new islands. As you collect resources, decorate your ship, harvest your vegetables, and scour for fish, you will soon become a Named Collector in this brand-new, colorful world. Combining elements of Animal Crossing with The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, this new release is what inspired me to put this list together, so it is definitely not one you should sleep on if you have that Pokopia FOMO.