Pokemon games for cell phones

Links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. There is actually a collection of Pokemon games on mobile now. It was a long time coming because Pokemon is one of the most popular gaming franchises out there. Each game plays a little differently. That means no two games offer the same experience.

Your job is to train Magikarp. It may seem a little silly because it definitely is. See also: The best animal games for Android. The real world element also motivates you to leave the couch and go meet new people.

There are various things to make the game more engaging like in-game events. The fad has died down a lot. Updates continue to add new content, new game modes, new Pokemon, and new activities for trainers. See also: How to get free Pokecoins in Pokemon Go. However, it is an add-on for other Pokemon games. It serves a bank and you can send your Pokemon there to transfer them between other games. Thus, if you have a Pokemon in Alpha Sapphire that you want in Sword or Shield, this is the app that lets you do it.

Additionally, it has a Pokedex to keep track of your overall progress along with the ability to send Mystery Gifts and even trade with other players. Do beware, though, because the app does still need some more features and tools than it currently has.

Pokemon Masters is one of the newer options on mobile, comparatively speaking. You team up with other trainers for three vs three battles with all of your Pokemon at once. The game features trainers from most of the Pokemon games as well as a PvP and co-op multiplayer mode. We also have a bunch of tutorials linked up at the end of the article if you want more info. Even with the microtransactions, however, this extra layer makes Beastie Bay a great choice for Pokemon and simulation fans alike.

This choice may seem out of place, but this is here to appeal to the Pokemon Trading Card Game fans that want a new challenge. High strategy and critical thinking are key to success in LoR, as with any other card game, but the card deck limit means these matches will go faster than other card games available. More cards can be purchased in the app too, so you don't have to stick with the cards you're given for free if you're willing to put down the dough.

Pokemon TCG fans should give Legends of Runeterra a look; you might end up finding your new favorite card game. Back to the traditional Pokemon experience now, EvoCreo is the closest you'll get on this list to the full core Pokemon experience. However, the way this game tweaks the formula ever so slightly opens the door to a whole new way of playing "Pokemon," making EvoCreo worth a shot. More emphasis is put on monster customization in EvoCreo, from stat customizations to the tiered move system in battle that gives each Creo five moves instead of four.

New Creo can be summoned using a premium currency called Prime Gemma, but they're not necessary to fully enjoy the experience. This game pulls a lot from the source material, but EvoCreo does so in a way that creates a new and fun experience. Monster Super League MSL sheds the world exploration mechanics of Pokemon, focusing much more on catching creatures, powering them up, and fighting them against one another.

MSL introduces over creatures--called Astromon--to collect and battle throughout its adventure, giving you an astronomical task if you try to catch 'em all. Of course you could use your wallet to summon some of those Astromon with the game's premium currency, but that's not required.

Playing the game is as simple as tapping an area of the map, battling, and repeating the process, and battling allows you to power up your Astromon however you see fit, so there's a lot of that Pokemon feel throughout. The lack of exploration is an adjustment, but Monster Super League still provides plenty of Pokemon punch.

If you're looking for a Pokemon-style experience, you can't go wrong with Digimon! Digimon ReArise offers over different Digimon to collect and train across seven different ranks, all of whom can be trained and sent into battle against other Digimon in up to five-on-five battles.

Digimon Tamers can join up to form parties too, taking on extremely powerful Digimon in Clash Battles. When the battles are done the DigiTown hub lets you watch your Digimon interact as you plan your next move, making for a nice break in between heated battles.

The same freemium options you've seen elsewhere on this list exist in ReArise as well--premium currency called Rubies that can summon new Digimon--but as before they're completely optional. ReArise has everything a Pokemon fan could want, just in a Digimon packaging. Mobile ports of games from other consoles can be hit or miss, but Monster Hunter Stories from Capcom works incredibly well on a mobile phone.

Everything from the original 3DS offering has been ported over seamlessly, making MH: Stories one of the best games on the mobile market period. The Pokemon-style battle system and the ability to raise monsters by hatching eggs means Stories isn't your typical Monster Hunter, but the game lives up to the lofty expectations set by the name.

A Monster Hunter caliber game on your phone may sound outlandish, but we promise we're not just telling Stories here. This is a great effort for a great price. In this universe every Rick is a trainer and every one of the multiple Mortys are the Pokemon, and it just works.

The freemium aspects of the game aren't too in your face--the currency being Blips and Chitz coupons will get a smile out of longtime Rick and Morty fans--but they do pop up once in a while.