Is that Link and Pikachu in a new game trailer? Nope, just a new indie game called Pickmon that seems eerily familiar for Nintendo fans.
A newly revealed video game titled Pickmon has sparked widespread comparison to several well‑known franchises. Critics and players alike have noted similarities to Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, and more. The project is still in development, and details remain limited. However, early commentary highlights design and mechanic overlaps that have attracted both interest and controversy.
Creature‑Collecting Meets Survival Crafting
Pickmon is listed on the Steam platform as a multiplayer open‑world survival crafting game developed by PocketGame and published by NETWORKGO, with a release date “to be announced.” The title’s store page describes exploration of a large continent populated with creatures called Pickmon, which players can capture using specialized cards and then use in battles while navigating the world.
The game’s storefront tags include creature collector, open world, crafting, action, adventure, and RPG. It also supports multiplayer cooperative play and emphasizes survival and base‑building systems.
These basic mechanics have generated immediate comparisons to Pokémon, particularly due to the cycle of capturing and training creatures for use in combat and exploration. The main difference here is that players use cards to catch the creatures, instead of Pokémon’s Pokeballs.
Of course, Pickmon and Pokémon sound so similar it feels like this indie game is trying to intentionally make Nintendo mad.
Top‑Down Exploration and Zelda‑Style Traits
Some coverage and community discussion have pointed to exploration elements that resemble those of The Legend of Zelda series. Reports describe environmental navigation, puzzles, and top‑down adventure sequences that many find reminiscent of classic action‑adventure formats.
It doesn’t help that the main character looks very similar to Zelda’s protagonist Link. Or that he flies on a glider similar to Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
The Main character for Pickmon gliding through the air – YouTube, IndieBunny
The visual design of environments, character models, and overworld exploration contributes to this comparison. Critics note that some imagery, such as torch‑lit interiors and outdoor biome transitions, echoes aesthetic cues from action‑adventure titles beyond the creature‑collector genre.
Broader Genre Context and Additional Comparisons
Beyond Pokémon and Zelda, Pickmon has been likened to other contemporary games by commentators. Some mention Palworld, an open‑world survival title that itself drew comparisons to Pokémon when it launched and has faced legal scrutiny from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.
A scene from Pickmon where the main character throws a card at a bear – YouTube, IndieBunny
Pickmon’s gameplay is described as blending survival crafting with creature collection and combat, a combination seen in Palworld and several clones. These crossover mechanics place Pickmon within a broader trend of genre blending, or perhaps game copying.
And that’s not all. At 1:31 in the trailer, some fans have already noted a character that looks like Roadhog from Blizzard’s Overwatch.
Allegations Concerning Art and Design
The game has also been the focus of allegations from multiple independent artists. They claim that elements of Pickmon’s promotional art include characters or creatures that closely resemble fan‑made designs they posted online, adjusted only slightly for use in game materials.
The main character in Pickmon pets a creature – YouTube, Indiebunny
One artist publicly noted that an alleged copy of their design appeared in the game’s promotional imagery with minimal changes to features such as eyes and wings. A second artist stated that another creature in Pickmon’s trailer strongly resembled their artwork.
Developers have not issued a public response addressing these specific accusations. It is unclear whether legal action or platform moderation will result from the claims.
Legal and Industry Landscape
The situation is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing legal issues in the genre. In 2024, Nintendo’s Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the developer of Palworld. While that case continues, it illustrates the heightened legal scrutiny facing titles that closely mimic established franchises’ mechanics and presentation.
Nintendo carefully guards its properties against potential copies, and have sued multiple other entities.
A screenshot from Pickmon – YouTube, IndieBunny
Pickmon’s appearance has invited debate about where inspiration ends and unlicensed appropriation begins. No formal legal action related to Pickmon has been announced as of this publishing; however, game fans are already wondering just how long before it happens.
At this stage, Pickmon remains an upcoming project with minimal verified information. Its future will likely depend on continued media coverage, community response, and any official statements from those involved in or critical of the title.
What do you think of the trailer for Pickmon? Do you think Nintendo will be filing a lawsuit soon? Let us know your thoughts.
