10 best games like Pokemon GO to play, from AR to walking & running games (2023)
While Niantic's gmae took the world by storm and continues to do well despite its advancing age, you may be looking for a list of the best games like Pokemon GO to try something new whilst on the move, from AR to walking and running games.
We've cultivated a list full of walking and running games, as well as a shortlist of great Pokemon mobile games if you're looking for an alternative to the game.
Whether you're looking for an incentive to exercise more, need something to scratch that Pokemon craving or simply want to find more free-to-play game choices, we have the list below.
So, make sure to read on to see our picks for the 10 best games like Pokemon GO to play in 2023.
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Best walking and running games like Pokemon GO
Wokamon: Walking games
Click to enlargeWokamon: Walking games details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2015
- Key features:
- Creature collecting game that encourages exercise
- Can connect with friends
- Syncs with other fitness apps
Wokamon: Walking games is like a Pokemon GO-like mix between a Tamagotchi and a pedometer. In this game, you hatch eggs into Wokamon — cute little creatures — by walking. You can feed them, dress them up in different outfits, and more.
In various menus, you can check your daily and weekly activity, sync the app with your other fitness trackers (like Fitbits or others), and add friends to give it a bit of a social element. The app is updated with new content and more Wokamon creatures regularly.
Zombies, Run!
Click to enlargeZombies, Run! details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2015
- Key features:
- Can listen to your own music whilst it is running
- Zombie horror novelty
- Encourages different levels of cardio
If you have trouble motivating yourself to run, Zombies, Run! is probably for you. When you're out walking or running, you can listen to your own music. At certain points, the app will alert you that some zombies are after you, and you'll need to run to escape.
It's quite a thrilling motivator, helping you to alternate between speeds - making it great for interval training that kicks your gaming cardio up a notch compared to Pokemon GO.
The game revolves around a post-apocalyptic story written by novelist Naomi Alderman that you can listen to as you use the app. With hundreds of missions to complete, a base-building system that makes you feel rewarded, and rave reviews from users for the story, it's a great way to get yourself moving quickly.
If you go too slow, you'll run the risk of the zombies getting you, after all.
Pikmin Bloom
Click to enlargePikmin Bloom details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2021
- Key features:
- Multiplayer events
- Weekly challenges
- Collect over 150 types of Pikmin
The developer behind Pokemon GO, Niantic, has made similar AR games for some other franchises, like Harry Potter and Pikmin. This Pikmin-based game is much simpler than the company's other endeavours, but it's still a great motivator to get out of the house and go for a walk or run.
As you walk, you'll grow more Pikmin - the plant-like characters from the Nintendo franchise of the same name - and leave trails of flowers behind you. As your Pikmin grow, they'll grow flowers that you can plant on the map.
Large, multiplayer events take place around these flowers, adding a social element to the game. At the end of the day, you can check your activity in the app to see how many steps you took.
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Orna: The GPS RPG
Click to enlargeOrna: The GPS RPG details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2017
- Key features:
- Over 50 character classes
- 100 different bosses and unique raids
- Claim real-world landmarks
Another GPS-powered multiplayer, Orna is a game that takes its likeness to Pokemon GO a step further by immersing you in turn-based combat, dungeon crawling, and monster battling. Along with getting to create a town, you'll get to collect weapons and armour to upgrade as well.
Sure, you can battle other players like in Pokemon GO, but Orna: The GPS RPG takes you on a dedicated MMO adventure.
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Best Augmented Reality games like Pokemon GO
Jurassic World Alive
Click to enlargeJurassic World Alive details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2018
- Key features:
- Dinosaur-themed creature capture
- Real-time PvP arenas
- Collect your favourite dinos and create new hybrids
It's hard to say "best games like Pokemon GO" without this dinosaur game. Another, more violent, franchise to see an AR mobile game is Jurassic World with Jurassic World Alive.
In this game, players collect different dinosaurs and pit them against others in dino combat. You'll also need to explore the real world to find particular dinos, just like in Pokemon GO. Then, use DNA to create hybrid creatures and earn rewards.
Tutorials and messages from the characters in the films help tie it into the movie franchise, though they can be a bit soulless at times. However, you can take part in PvP battles to engage with other players.
Ingress Prime
Click to enlargeIngress Prime details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2012
- Key features:
- Explore landmarks
- Join a faction and take over areas
Before there was Pokemon GO, there was Ingress — Niantic's first AR game. Fans of Pokemon GO's AR features and real-world exploration will likely find Ingress Prime pretty fun, though it is a bit more hardcore. Pokemon GO is actually somewhat built on the foundations of Ingress, and the two games share a lot of similarities.
Players interact with portals — points of interest that are like PokeStops — by using their phone (called the scanner in-game) and exploring the real world. The game has a science fiction story revolving around Exotic Matter, or XM, which is a strange substance that is likely associated with a strange alien race called the Shapers. You'll join one of two factions, The Enlightened or The Resistance, both of which are locked in a struggle against one another over the direction of the human race.
Best Pokemon Mobile games
Pokemon Quest
Click to enlargePokemon Quest details
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store, Nintendo eShop)
- Release Date: 2018
- Key features:
- Pokemon meets Minecraft art style
- Battle Pokemon by tapping
- Decorate your own base camp
Players who enjoy the GO Battle League and other forms of PvP in Pokemon GO may like Pokemon Quest. Those who like the analysis of stats, movesets, maximizing combat potential, and diving headfirst into optimizing their Pokemon will especially appreciate Quest, as it has much of the same focus, particularly in the late-game.
In this game, the player finds themself on a strange island with cuboid Pokemon. By building a team of three, you take on increasingly difficult opponents across several levels and areas.
As you play, you'll earn ingredients that can be cooked into stew to attract more Pokemon and stones that power up 'mon in different ways. It's an addicting game that will keep your attention for a long time, and you can even run levels automatically while doing something else.
In the end game, it'll take a lot of work to optimize your team and make the best builds, which is what makes this game particularly interesting if you like the PvP side of Pokemon GO.
The game's one downfall is that it seems to be forgotten by the developers, not receiving an update in years and still only containing Kanto Pokemon in most of the world (China received an update with Johto). However, it's still a super fun game that will keep Pokemon fans engaged for a long time.
- Pokemon Quest offers some adorable aesthetics. If you're more of a cozy gamer, check out our list of the best cozy games to play right now.
Pokemon Cafe ReMix
Click to enlargePokemon Cafe ReMix
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store, Nintendo eShop)
- Release Date: 2020
- Key features:
- Relaxing puzzles
- Switch Pokemon outfits
- Befriended Pokemon can work at the cafe with you
If you like Pokemon but aren't as hardcore into battling as those who may like Pokemon Quest, Pokemon Cafe ReMix might be for you. This puzzle game is very fun and extremely chill, meaning it'll be great for more casual Pokemon fans who want something to play on their phones.
This adorable game revolves around a cafe that you'll work at, employing Pokemon to help make cute dishes for the visitors. ReMix's gameplay is fairly straightforward — match as many of the same icons together as possible to clear them and other obstacles.
Each Pokemon employee has a different skill, and you can unlock different outfits for them. As you serve visitors, you can unlock them as staff, and the game receives regular updates with new Pokemon and dishes.
Pokemon Masters EX
Click to enlargePokemon Masters EX details
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store)
- Release Date: 2019
- Key features:
- Features villain story arcs, including Team Rocket
- Hatch eggs to get new Pokemon
- Get special photos and stories from trainers
Another game for lovers of Pokemon battling is Pokemon Masters EX. This game is an incredibly expansive one with an absolute mountain of content.
In it, you'll meet classic and even newer Pokemon characters, each of whom has a particular Pokemon as their partner (referred to together as a Sync Pair). It's a gacha game in which you take on battles, cool storylines, and more.
In this entry for games like Pokemon GO, you'll find battles are slightly different in Pokemon Masters EX. All Pokemon on the field move at basically the same time, and moves and type matchups work a bit differently.
With different Sync Pair styles (Strike, Tech, and Support), dozens of passive skills and moves, a wealth of different missions and stories, and a staggering number of available Sync Pairs, no two players will have the same builds. The game is also great for long-time fans of the series, who get to see classic characters in a new style, as well as different styles, with new Pokemon, and in new storylines.
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Pokemon UNITE
Click to enlargePokemon UNITE details
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
- Price: Free (Apple App Store, Google Play store, Nintendo eShop)
- Release Date: 2021
- Key features:
- Features Unite Battles, a 5-on-5 team
- Can dress Pokemon in holowear
- New Unite Pokemon moves in battle
- Voice chat
- Cross-platform play
It may not be a GPS multiplayer, but Pokemon UNITE offers a total twist to the Pocket Monsters franchise if you're on the lookout for something totally different as a game than Pokemon GO.
As an epic multiplayer online battle arena game (MOBA), Pokemon UNITE pits you in one of two teams with five players each as a chosen Pokemon. The goal: to keep scoring on your opponent, earn more points, and battle each other in real-time to defend your goal or blast through to your enemies.
Being constantly expanded since its 2021 release across Nintendo Switch, iOS, and, Android, there are now 52 playable Pokemon to choose from - each with its own signature abilities to make your own. For the ultimate real-time strategy game like Pokemon GO, UNITE is the choice for you.
That's all you need to know thanks to our full list of the best games like Pokemon GO. For even more Pokemon GO guides, you can be sure to find them right here at GGRecon.