Pokemon Shield: Best Similar Games On Nintendo Switch

Hey guys! Are you a Pokémon Shield fanatic and hungry for more adventures on your Nintendo Switch? You've come to the right place! Pokémon Shield offers a unique blend of monster collecting, strategic battles, and an immersive world to explore. If you're looking for games that capture that same magic, whether it's the thrill of discovery, the satisfaction of building a powerful team, or the joy of venturing into the unknown, then buckle up! We're about to dive into some awesome titles that will scratch that Pokémon itch on your trusty Switch.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

If you adore the monster-collecting aspect of Pokémon Shield, then Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is an absolute must-play. This game takes place in the Monster Hunter universe but offers a drastically different experience from the mainline Monster Hunter titles. Instead of hunting monsters, you're raising them! You become a Monster Rider, forming bonds with creatures known as Monsties and embarking on a grand adventure together. The vibrant world is filled with breathtaking landscapes, from lush forests to scorching deserts, each teeming with unique monsters to discover and befriend. The turn-based combat system is easy to pick up but offers surprising depth, encouraging strategic team building and skillful execution. You'll hatch eggs, nurture your Monsties, and train them to become formidable allies in battle. Just like in Pokémon, each Monstie has its own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities, adding a layer of tactical complexity to every encounter. The story is captivating, filled with memorable characters and heartwarming moments that will keep you invested from beginning to end. What truly sets Monster Hunter Stories 2 apart is the bond you forge with your Monsties. You'll genuinely care about these creatures as you raise them, train them, and battle alongside them. The sense of companionship is incredibly rewarding and adds a whole new dimension to the monster-collecting genre. If you loved the feeling of building a strong connection with your Pokémon team in Shield, then you'll absolutely adore the Monsties in this game. This game also features a robust post-game, with challenging quests and powerful monsters to take on, ensuring that you'll have plenty to keep you occupied long after the main story is complete. The online multiplayer mode allows you to team up with friends to tackle challenging quests, adding another layer of replayability to an already fantastic game.

Nexomon: Extinction

Looking for a Pokémon experience with a bit more of an edge? Nexomon: Extinction might be right up your alley. This game pays homage to the classic monster-catching formula but adds its own unique spin, with a darker storyline, challenging battles, and a cast of quirky characters. In Nexomon: Extinction, you play as a Tamer, tasked with saving the world from the tyrannical Nexomon Tyrants. The world is in ruins, ravaged by war and chaos, and it's up to you to restore order and bring peace to the land. Unlike Pokémon, where you catch monsters with relative ease, Nexomon are much more resistant to capture. You'll need to weaken them significantly and use the right type of NexoTrap to have a chance of adding them to your team. This adds a layer of challenge and strategy to the catching process, making each successful capture feel like a real accomplishment. The battle system is similar to Pokémon, with elemental types and strategic turn-based combat. However, Nexomon features a stamina system that adds another layer of complexity. Each attack consumes stamina, and if your Nexomon runs out of stamina, it will be unable to attack. This forces you to think carefully about your moves and manage your resources effectively. The story is surprisingly engaging, with a cast of memorable characters and plenty of twists and turns. The humor is often dark and self-aware, poking fun at the tropes of the monster-catching genre. If you're looking for a game that offers a more mature and challenging take on the Pokémon formula, then Nexomon: Extinction is definitely worth checking out. The game's difficulty can be quite challenging at times, but the sense of accomplishment you feel after overcoming a tough battle is incredibly rewarding. The post-game content is also substantial, with plenty of new areas to explore and powerful Nexomon to catch.

World of Final Fantasy Maxima

Don't let the cutesy art style fool you; World of Final Fantasy Maxima is a surprisingly deep and engaging RPG that offers a unique take on the monster-collecting genre. In this game, you play as twins Reynn and Lann, who journey to the world of Grymoire to recover their lost memories. Grymoire is a land filled with adorable versions of classic Final Fantasy monsters, known as Mirages. The core gameplay mechanic involves collecting and stacking Mirages to create powerful combat formations. You can stack Mirages on top of your characters to boost their stats and grant them new abilities. The possibilities are endless, and experimenting with different Mirage combinations is a key part of the fun. The battle system is a blend of turn-based and active time battle, requiring you to strategize and react quickly to enemy attacks. The story is lighthearted and charming, with plenty of references to classic Final Fantasy games that will delight long-time fans. However, there's also a surprising amount of depth and emotion beneath the surface, as Reynn and Lann grapple with their past and uncover the secrets of Grymoire. World of Final Fantasy Maxima is a great choice for players who enjoy the monster-collecting aspect of Pokémon but are looking for a game with a more traditional RPG structure and a charming story. The game's Maxima version includes a wealth of extra content, including new Mirages, characters, and story chapters, making it the definitive way to experience this unique and delightful RPG. The stacking mechanic adds a unique layer of strategy to the combat system, allowing for creative and powerful team compositions.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Prepare to be transported to a magical world filled with wonder and adventure in Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. This game is a collaboration between Level-5, the creators of the Professor Layton series, and Studio Ghibli, the legendary animation studio behind films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. The result is a stunningly beautiful and emotionally resonant RPG that will captivate you from beginning to end. You play as Oliver, a young boy who is transported to a magical world after a tragic event. In this world, he discovers that he is the chosen one destined to defeat the evil White Witch and save both his world and the magical realm of Ni no Kuni. The gameplay is a blend of real-time exploration and turn-based combat. You'll explore vast and vibrant landscapes, solve puzzles, and interact with a cast of memorable characters. The combat system involves collecting and training creatures known as Familiars, which act as your companions in battle. Each Familiar has its own unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, and you'll need to strategically choose your team to overcome challenging enemies. The story is a masterpiece of storytelling, filled with heartwarming moments, heartbreaking tragedies, and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. The characters are all richly developed and relatable, and you'll find yourself genuinely caring about their fates. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a must-play for fans of Pokémon who are looking for a game with a strong story, beautiful graphics, and a sense of wonder. The game's world is incredibly immersive, and you'll feel like you've truly stepped into a Studio Ghibli film. The Familiar collecting and training aspect adds a layer of depth to the combat system, encouraging strategic team building and experimentation.

Temtem

If you're craving a Pokémon-like experience with a strong focus on online multiplayer, then Temtem is definitely worth checking out. This game is heavily inspired by Pokémon but adds its own unique twists and innovations, particularly in its online features. In Temtem, you play as a Temtem tamer, embarking on a journey to explore the Airborne Archipelago and become the ultimate Temtem master. The gameplay revolves around collecting, training, and battling Temtem, which are creatures with unique types and abilities. The battle system is similar to Pokémon, with turn-based combat and strategic type matchups. However, Temtem introduces a stamina system that adds a layer of complexity. Each attack consumes stamina, and if your Temtem runs out of stamina, it will take damage when it attacks. This forces you to think carefully about your moves and manage your resources effectively. What sets Temtem apart is its focus on online multiplayer. The entire game is designed to be played with others, with a persistent online world where you can interact with other players, trade Temtem, and battle together. You can join clubs, participate in tournaments, and even team up with friends to tackle challenging cooperative quests. The story is engaging, with a cast of memorable characters and a compelling plot that will keep you invested. However, the real draw of Temtem is its online community and the ability to play with friends. If you're looking for a Pokémon-like game with a strong emphasis on online interaction, then Temtem is a must-try. The game's stamina system adds a unique layer of strategy to the combat system, and the online features make it a truly social and engaging experience. The developers are constantly adding new content and features to the game, ensuring that there's always something new to discover.

Yo-kai Watch 4++

Prepare for a 幽霊 (yūrei) experience unlike any other with Yo-kai Watch 4++! If you enjoy the monster-collecting and quirky world of Pokémon, then this series offers a fresh take with its own unique charm. In Yo-kai Watch 4++, you explore the worlds of three different protagonists: Natsume, Touma, and Shin. Each character has their own unique abilities and perspectives on the world, adding depth to the overarching story. You'll team up with Yo-kai, invisible spirits that can cause mischief and mayhem in the human world. Unlike Pokémon, where you catch creatures in the wild, you befriend Yo-kai by completing quests, battling them, or simply giving them their favorite food. The battle system is a real-time action system, where you control your Yo-kai and strategically position them to attack enemies. You can also use special Soultimate moves to unleash devastating attacks. The world is filled with quirky characters, humorous situations, and plenty of secrets to discover. The story is engaging, with a compelling mystery that unfolds as you explore the different worlds and interact with the Yo-kai. Yo-kai Watch 4++ is a great choice for players who are looking for a monster-collecting game with a unique art style, a quirky sense of humor, and a real-time battle system. The game's world is incredibly charming and filled with personality, and the Yo-kai are all uniquely designed and memorable. The real-time battle system adds a layer of excitement to the combat, and the story is engaging and full of surprises. Keep in mind that this game is only available in Japanese, so you'll need to be comfortable playing with Japanese text or rely on fan translations.

So, there you have it, trainers! Hopefully, this list gives you some awesome ideas for games to play after Pokémon Shield on your Nintendo Switch. Each of these titles offers a unique take on the monster-collecting genre, with engaging stories, fun gameplay, and plenty of replay value. Happy gaming!