Key Highlights
- Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld hasn’t fully stopped Pokémon knock-offs.
- Pickmon is a new Pokémon copycat game that takes inspiration from both Pokémon and Palworld.
- The game features designs similar to popular Pokémon monsters, including Ceruledge, Charizard, Lucario, Cobalion, and more.
- It also includes characters resembling Overwatch’s Roadhog and the Story of Seasons cow.
Another Pokémon Knock-Off Has Entered The Chat: Pickmon
Nintendo’s legal battle against Palworld has failed to fully extinguish the flame of Pokémon copycat games. Enter Pickmon, a new entry that seems to be making its mark by mashing up both Pokémon and Palworld’s designs in one.
Blatant Copycat Designs
Pickmon stars a tamer who looks suspiciously like “we have Breath of the Wild Link at home,” holding a Definitely Not Pikachu critter. The monsters wield firearms, much like Palworld, and face off against versions of Pokémon that look almost identical to their original counterparts.
The game isn’t just about the monster designs; it’s also making waves with its characters. Some resemble Roadhog from Overwatch and a cow from the Story of Seasons series, adding an extra layer of controversy to the mix.
Game Details and Early Access Plan
Pickmon’s Steam page lists PocketGame as the developer, with no other games on their profile. The publisher is NETWORKGO, which has a history with Hainya World.
The game is requesting early access experiences from streamers and content creators before going public in 2027. This strategy highlights its desire to gain traction through community engagement.
Summer Game Fest and Beyond
The debut trailer for Pickmon claims it’s a Summer Game Fest 2026 trailer, but the event is still three months away, and host Geoff Keighley hasn’t mentioned it. This could be a strategic move to capitalize on upcoming gaming events.
Industry Context and Analysis
The proliferation of Pokémon knock-offs like Pickmon highlights the ongoing challenges for intellectual property holders in the fast-paced world of video games. While Nintendo’s legal actions have shown some effectiveness, it seems there are always new developers willing to test the boundaries.
You might think this is new, but… the battle between game developers and IP owners continues, with each side finding innovative ways to assert their rights or challenge them.
The question remains: Will Pickmon’s bold approach succeed where others have failed? Only time will tell as it navigates the murky waters of legal battles and community backlash.