No, there are no official Pokémon games available on the PlayStation 5.
The question of ‘is there pokemon games on ps5’ pops up frequently among gamers, especially those who enjoy both the PlayStation and Pokémon universes. Nintendo maintains exclusive rights to the main Pokémon series, developing games solely for their own consoles like the Switch. This explains why you won’t find Pikachu and friends on Sony’s platform.
While a direct Pokémon experience remains absent on the PS5, there are many alternatives with similar creature-collecting and battling mechanics available. These games can offer a fun way to fill that Pokémon-shaped void. Players can explore different genres and art styles, too.
Is There Pokemon Games on PS5?
Alright, let’s dive into the big question that’s probably brought you here: can you play Pokemon games on your PlayStation 5? It’s a question many fans have, especially if they love both the PlayStation and the world of Pokemon. The short and sweet answer? Officially, no. You won’t find any mainline Pokemon games on the PS5. But, before you get too bummed out, let’s explore why that’s the case and what other fun options you might have.
Why No Pokemon on PS5? The Nintendo Connection
The main reason you don’t see Pokemon games on the PS5 is pretty simple: Pokemon is a property that’s very closely linked with Nintendo. The Pokemon Company, which handles the Pokemon brand, has a strong partnership with Nintendo. This partnership means that the main Pokemon games, like the ones where you explore regions, collect badges, and battle gyms, are developed for Nintendo consoles. Think of it like this: Mario and Luigi are best buds with Nintendo, and so are Pikachu and Charizard. They just hang out on the same playgrounds!
A Look at Exclusivity
Exclusivity in the video game world is a common thing. Big companies often partner with specific platforms to make their games available only on those systems. It helps them sell their consoles. For example, you’ll find God of War on PlayStation but not on Nintendo Switch, and you’ll see the Legend of Zelda on Switch but not PlayStation. This is just how the video game industry works. It creates different experiences for different consoles.
What Does This Mean for PlayStation Players?
So, if you are a big Pokemon fan and also own a PlayStation 5, what options do you have? It means you won’t be able to experience the core Pokemon adventures on your PS5, but you can still enjoy other games that capture some of the monster-collecting fun or similar RPG adventures. We will explore some of them below.
Exploring Monster-Collecting Games on PS5
Even though you can’t play Pokemon on PS5, there’s a whole world of games that offer similar experiences with catching, battling, and raising creatures. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular alternatives:
- Temtem: Imagine a game that feels a lot like Pokemon but with its own unique style. Temtem is an online multiplayer adventure where you collect and train creatures called Temtem. You battle other trainers, explore a big world with your friends, and even customize your house. This game lets you share your adventure with others, adding a new level of fun.
- Nexomon: Extinction: If you like the idea of exploring a world and collecting a huge variety of monsters, Nexomon: Extinction is a solid pick. This game features over 300 different Nexomon to capture and train. It has a fun storyline with lots of dialogue, making it a really immersive experience.
- Monster Sanctuary: This game blends the creature-collecting aspect with a Metroidvania style of exploration. This means that you’ll use the unique abilities of your monsters to explore the world, solving puzzles and finding secrets. The combination of exploring and collecting makes for a very engaging experience.
- Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition: Although Digimon and Pokemon are different franchises, Digimon offers a similar experience of monster collecting and battling. In this game, you play as a detective who can scan and befriend digital monsters called Digimon, then take them to adventure and battles. It’s a great choice if you enjoy stories with lots of character development.
Other RPGs to Check Out on PS5
If you enjoy the elements that make Pokemon great, like the exploration, adventure, and character growth, you might also like some other role-playing games (RPGs) on the PS5. These games might not feature monster collecting but still give you that feeling of adventure. Here are some titles to consider:
- Final Fantasy Series: The Final Fantasy games are legendary for their immersive stories and character growth. You’ll go on epic adventures, meet unique characters, and battle fierce creatures. Many entries in the series are available on PS5, like the remake of Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XVI and even older classics like Final Fantasy X/X-2.
- Persona Series: If you’re looking for a game with interesting characters and a very deep story, the Persona series is a great option. You play as a high school student who can summon powerful beings called Personas and explore the hidden world. The stories are a mix of adventure, social simulation and turn-based battles. Persona 5 Royal is a great place to start for PS5 gamers.
- Dragon Quest Series: The Dragon Quest games are known for their classic, whimsical stories and turn-based combat. If you like the charm and lighthearted feel of the older Pokemon games, you’ll likely appreciate the Dragon Quest series. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition is a fan favorite available for the PS5.
- Tales Of Arise: The Tales of games feature a mix of exploration, storytelling, and action-based combat. Tales of Arise has a very rich world and character development and gives a great feeling of adventure, like many Pokemon games.
Understanding Nintendo’s Strategy
Nintendo takes a very different approach with its consoles. Nintendo often prioritizes their own first-party titles, like Pokemon, Animal Crossing, and Mario. These are the games that draw people to buy their systems. Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, Nintendo does not rely on releasing its games to other consoles, because the strategy is to attract buyers to purchase their consoles. These game brands are extremely important for Nintendo and they are a good way to keep people interested and buying new consoles.
The Appeal of Nintendo’s Handheld Legacy
Historically, many Pokemon games came out on Nintendo’s handheld consoles, like the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS. This created a unique kind of charm, and it made the experience of playing Pokemon feel intimate and portable. Nintendo has continued this legacy with the Switch, making sure that those adventures feel portable. This portability is a big part of what makes the experience of playing Pokemon so enjoyable for many gamers.
Will Pokemon ever come to PS5?
This is the million-dollar question for many PlayStation gamers. While we can’t predict the future with certainty, it seems highly unlikely that we’ll see mainline Pokemon games on PS5 anytime soon. The partnership between The Pokemon Company and Nintendo is very strong, and both companies seem happy with this arrangement. However, the video game industry is always evolving, so we never know. Maybe one day we’ll see a surprise, but for now, it’s best to explore the other great games on PS5.
The Future of Gaming
The gaming world continues to change quickly. New ideas, new consoles, and new games are always coming out. While we can’t play traditional Pokemon games on the PlayStation 5, this isn’t a bad thing, it allows fans to see different games and how different developers approach monster collecting and role-playing games. By exploring titles that offer similar mechanics or themes, players can still capture the spirit of Pokemon while playing on their PS5. It shows us that even though we can’t always have what we want, there are always other experiences to be had, and other games waiting to be played. The world of video games is very wide, with many adventures available to everyone.
Pokemon Spin-offs and Other Platforms
While the main Pokemon games stay on Nintendo platforms, The Pokemon Company has explored other types of Pokemon games for various platforms. Here are a few examples that offer different gameplay experiences:
Pokemon GO on Mobile
Pokemon GO is a location-based game for smartphones that lets you find and catch Pokemon in the real world. If you’ve ever dreamed of finding a Bulbasaur at the park or a Squirtle by the lake, this is your chance. Pokemon Go is a great way to interact with the world of Pokemon while being active.
Pokemon Unite
Pokemon Unite is a free-to-play, multiplayer battle arena game (MOBA). You form teams of Pokemon and battle against others in strategic matches. The game is available on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. While it’s not a traditional Pokemon RPG, it is a very fun way to enjoy battling with your favorite Pokemon in a whole new way.
Embracing the Variety in Gaming
The fact that Pokemon isn’t on PS5 gives us an opportunity to explore other games we might not have tried otherwise. It gives us a chance to see different art styles, different ways to make video games and experience gaming in a different ways. There are many kinds of games out there, each with its unique charm and features. By trying games from different developers, we are expanding our gaming horizons.
So, while it might be a little disappointing that there aren’t any official mainline Pokemon games on the PS5, there is a world of fun and adventure waiting for you on your console. You can find games that capture the fun of monster collecting, with awesome storylines and adventures. Don’t feel bad that you cant catch a Pikachu on your Playstation 5, just enjoy the many adventures available on the console and perhaps you can find a new favorite.
Playing Pokemon on PS5! #shorts
Final Thoughts
Currently, official Pokémon games do not exist on the PlayStation 5. The Pokémon Company primarily develops games for Nintendo consoles. You can find many other great titles on the PS5, though.
So, the answer remains that there are no official mainline Pokémon games on the console. Therefore, is there pokemon games on ps5? No, there aren’t any.



