Upcoming Monster Catching Games to Watch in 2026

by

Summary

  • Monster-catching games surge in 2025–26, with Aniimo, Digimon, Tomo, Honkai, and Monsterpatch rising.
  • Aniimo’s Twining bonds let players embody creature powers for active control in battles.
  • Indie and big studios both expand the genre: Digimon revamps, Honkai auto-chess twist, cozy Monsterpatch.

Many fans consider Pokémon to be the ultimate monster-collecting game, and this has caused a lot of debate, especially with the recent release of Palworld, which challenges Pokémon’s long-held position. However, the idea of catching and training monsters isn’t new, and several other games are emerging with similar features, hoping to make their mark despite the ongoing discussion.

As a huge fan of monster-catching games, I’ve been keeping an eye on what’s coming up, and it’s really exciting! It’s cool to see classics like *Digimon* making a comeback, and even newer games like *Aniimo* starting to get some attention. Honestly, it feels like this whole genre is evolving fast, and if the upcoming releases are anything to go by, 2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for us fans!

Aniimo

A New Contender Appears, With Next-Gen Graphics And Colorful Designs

Since it was announced, *Aniimo* has been generating a lot of excitement in the monster-catching game genre. What’s particularly interesting is that this game marks the first entry into this space – traditionally dominated by Japanese publishers like Bandai Namco and Nintendo – for both PawPrint Studios and Microsoft. *Aniimo* isn’t just visually stunning with next-gen graphics; it also boasts a beautifully designed world and engaging gameplay.

Unlike many popular monster-catching games that focus on simply summoning creatures to battle, *Aniimo* takes a different approach. The core of *Aniimo* is building friendships and strong bonds with creatures, then channeling their power through a process called ‘Twining.’ This unique mechanic gives players more control in battles as they become more skilled and learn to utilize both their own abilities and those of their creature companions. Pre-registration for *Aniimo* is now open, and players are eager to try it out when it launches in 2026.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

A New Story Begins In The Digital World

Get ready to return to the world of Digimon with *Digimon Story: Time Stranger*! This isn’t a continuation of the *Cyber Sleuth* games, but a brand new adventure with a fresh story and characters. You’ll play as Yuki, an ADAMAS agent (you can choose Yuki’s gender), alongside a partner Digimon. Together, you’ll investigate a strange incident and uncover the reason why you’ve both been sent back in time.

Beyond its beautiful art style and massive roster of Digimon, *Digimon Story: Time Stranger* lets players collect lost Digimon data and turn it into allies. You can also combine Digimon to create entirely new species! Digivolution is central to the gameplay, and as you uncover the mystery behind being stranded, you’ll need to evolve your Digimon companions to overcome tougher enemies and reach the truth. *Digimon Story: Time Stranger* launches on October 3, 2025.

Tomo: Endless Blue

A Combination Of Exploration And Monster Catching

  • Developer: Onibi
  • Release Date: TBA
  • Platforms: PC (Steam) and Consoles

Tomo: Endless Blue is a visually striking open-world game built with a unique voxel style. Players explore a vast world by land and sea, collecting and training creatures to help them on their adventure. The game’s world is created using procedural generation, though it’s currently unknown if players will be able to use seeds to customize their experience like in games such as Valheim. Tomo: Endless Blue looks like a promising game that offers plenty of fun, whether you’re playing with friends or your trained creatures.

If you enjoy games like Minecraft, Tomo: Endless Blue will feel familiar. You’ll gather materials, craft items, and explore ancient ruins and caves. You can choose to focus on building a home, discovering the secrets of a lost civilization, or battling with monsters. Like games such as Palworld and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, you’re free to play however you want.

Honkai: Nexus Anima

The Hoyoverse’s Own Monster Catcher Game

Honkai: Nexus Anima is Hoyoverse’s new game where players collect and train adorable creatures. It features vibrant anime graphics and a unique battle system. Instead of direct control, battles take place on a board similar to auto-chess, where you strategically guide your companions.

Okay, so miHoYo announced a new game, *Honkai: Nexus Anima*, and it sounds pretty ambitious! Honestly, they’re keeping a lot under wraps right now – we don’t know when it’s coming out, what the in-game economy will look like, or what kind of special features it’ll have. But if you’re interested, you can head over to their website and pre-register. I’m definitely keeping an eye on this one!

Monsterpatch

One Of The Coolest Indie Monster Catcher Games Seen In Ages

Monsterpatch is a charming, independently developed game where you collect monsters, explore a vibrant world, and build up your own homestead. As a mage, you’ll learn powerful spells while discovering a beautiful, floating continent. It blends the monster-collecting fun of games like Pokemon with the relaxing farming and life simulation elements of Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley.

While there’s no confirmed release date yet, the game’s developers are currently aiming for a late 2025 launch. If you’re looking for a classic gaming experience, Monsterpatch seems like a promising option.

Read More

2025-09-29 01:53