Pokemontook off like Team Rocket into the sky when the franchise debuted internationally in 1996. The late 90s and early 2000s were a golden age for the series, spreading like wildfire across playgrounds and gaming communities. Even today,Pokemonremains one of the biggest video game franchises in the world.
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As a result, many video game companies have tried to profit offPokemon’s success. Some officially licensed games are blatant rip-offs, while others are less subtle, using thePokemonname and gameplay as parodies of the popular series. These examples of real video games are some of the most notablePokemonspoofs.
8Monster Rancher
Only a year after the release ofPocket Monsters: Red & Greenin Japan, the developer Tecmo released their own monster-collecting game.The first entry, titledMonster Rancher, was released on the original PlayStation. Unlike many otherPokemonrip-offs, this game was its own commercial and critical success.
The game was unique for allowing players to acquire monsters by inserting readable CDs into their game. Depending on the type of CD, players would receive different kinds of monsters that they could use to fight other monsters. The game remains a cult classic and was even ported to Nintendo Switch, Steam, and iOS in 2021.
7Dinosaur King
Dinosaur Kingwas initially released for arcades in 2005 before being ported onto the Nintendo DS. The game incorporates aspects from thePokemongames, as well as the popular trading card game. InDinosaur King, players use cards to scanreal-life dinosaurs into the gamethat they can collect and battle with.
The turn-based battle system in this game is clearly referencing thePokemonseries' main gameplay features. However,Dinosaur Kingreceived a lot of multimedia support. The arcade game later received a manga, several anime series, and an actual trading card game that was separate from the original arcade game.
6Invizimals
Novarama tried their hand at recapturing the magic ofPokemonwithInvizimals, a franchise that launched on PlayStation Portable. This series incorporated AR technology to allow players to discover “Invizimals” living in the real world. LikePokemon, the game also features elemental types like Fire, Ice, and Rock.
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Fortunately, Novarama’s efforts paid off, asInvizimalsreceived numerous awards from publications such as IGN and Kotaku. It even received several sequel titles for PSP, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 3. It also, likePokemon, received an animated series that was made available to stream on Netflix.
5Yakuza: Like A Dragon
This RPG published by Sega released for the PlayStation 4 in 2020,with later ports on Steam, Xbox One, and PS5. Unlike previous installments in theYakuzaseries, the title follows a new protagonist named Ichiban Kasuga. Along the way, Kasuga comes across enemies, who are hilariously named “Sujimon.”
ThePokemonreferences don’t stop there. Defeating Sujimon adds them to Kasuga’s “Sujidex,” and a sub-plot finds Kasuga meeting a professor who studies Sujimon. The game features many other Easter eggs forPokemonfans to discover, showing that the development team must have been huge fans of the iconic Nintendo franchise.
4The Simpsons Game
The Simpsons Gamewas released on multiple consoles in 2007and featured an original story penned by actualSimpsonsTV writers. As a result, the game is very self-referential and features many video game-related pop culture references. One of those is a parody ofPokemon, adorably titled “Sparklemon.”
In the fourteenth level of the game, “Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game,” Homer and Lisa find themselves in a land reminiscent of Japan. There, they interact withmany characters who spoof Japanese video game series, such asKatamariandFinal Fantasy. The Sparklemon, created by Milhouse, are fought in turn-based combat.
3Pocket Mortys
The Adult Swim showRick & Mortyis no stranger to pop culture references. However, in the iOS and Android titlePocket Mortys, the show’s titular characters take on aPokemon-esque role-playing game. Players control Rick, who catches clones of his grandson Morty and uses them to battle aliens and ricks.
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ManyRick & Mortyfans found the game charming, featuring voice acting from series creator Justin Roiland. However, other publications, like IGN,thought of it no more as a cash-grabthat exits only to parodyPokemon. That being said, it may be a fun game to check out for fans of the animated series.
2Pokemon Black & Blue
The Internet went wild when animals rights organization PETA released parody games. Featuring spoofs onSuper Meat BoyandNew Super Mario Bros, these games were created to spread awareness about topics such as animal abuse and vegetarianism. Among them isthePokemonparody titledPokemon Black & Blue.
While the objective of the game is to free Pokemon from their abusive trainers, that’s definitely not what caught the Internet’s eyes. The art style for the game depicts unsettling violence against Pokemon such as Pikachu, Oshawott, and Snivy. Suffice it to say, the discourse over these games didn’t help PETA’s cause all too well…
1Pokemon Red, White, & Blue
… But that didn’t stop PETA from trying again. In 2013, PETA followed upPokemon Black & BluewithPokemon Red, White, & Blue, which parodies the series' most-recent release,Pokemon X & Y. This game has more ambitious goals, as it findsPokemon like Pikachu and Miltank facing off against McDonald’s characters.
The game’s art style remains similarly disturbing toBlack & Blue. However, PETA also includes characters like Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar in the selection of abusive Pokemon trainers. The mixed messaging here still didn’t appeal to gamers or anyone who already doesn’t believe that games lead to real-life violence.
