Palworld vs. Pokémon Comparison: How Similar Are They?

There are tons of games in the creature-collecting genre inspired by the Gotta Catch ‘Em All franchise known as Pokémon, but none have made audiences look twice at comparisons than Palworld, aka “Pokémon with guns.” Here is a list of side-by-side designs.

While the concept of Palworld is ridiculous and fun, the number of times fans have pointed out plagiarism on behalf of developer Pocket Pair for its creatures, called Pals, is unprecedented.

Of course, there are only so many ways you can design monsters before they start to look similar to ones from the many, many franchises that exist, let alone Pokémon.

Takuro Mizobe, the CEO of Pocket Pair, has denied all allegations of copying Pokémon. What’s more, the modder who attempted to bring Pokémon into Palworld claimed Nintendo came after him and that he would comply with their wishes. The Pokémon Company itself claimed it is investigating the situation and will take action if necessary.

Those who play Palworld will know that its unique survival mechanics, crafting, and lack of technical issues in comparison to Scarlet & Violet help it stand out far beyond the label of rip-off. It’s also broken numerous records, landing in the top 5 highest number of concurrent players in the history of Steam.

Anubis and Lucario

anubis v. lucario — Palworld’s Anubis (left) v. Pokémon’s Lucario (right)

Anubis sports a body and pointy ears like a dog warrior, looking too similar to Lucario despite donning Egyptian-looking armor.

Azurobe and Primarina

azurobe v. primarina — Palworld’s Azurobe (left) v. Pokémon’s Primarina (right)

Azurobe is a blue-colored snake-like Pal with a head full of hair and looks like Primarina and Serperior combined.

Astegon and Mega Aggron

astegon v. mega aggron — Palworld’s Astegon (left) v. Pokémon’s Mega Aggron (right)

Astegon is what you get by painting Mega Aggron’s skin black and giving it wings.

Boltmane and Shiny Luxray

boltmane v. shiny luxray — Palworld’s Boltmane (left) v. Pokémon’s Shiny Luxray (right)

Boltmane is like Shiny Luxray with yellow frosted tips and open claws.

Broncherry and Meganium

broncherry v. meganium — Palworld’s Broncherry (left) v. Pokémon’s Meganium (right)

Broncherry ditches Meganium’s antennae for a fancy hairdo.

Cremis and Gigantamax Eevee

Cremis is like an Albino version of Gigantamax Eevee dipped in whipped cream.

Dinossom and Lilligant

dinossom v. lilligant — Palworld’s Dinossom v. Pokémon’s Lilligant (right)

Dinossom is a combination of Meganium’s eyes with Goodra’s body and Lilligant’s crown.

Direhowl and Lycanroc/Galarian Zigzagoon

Take the body of Lycanroc and paint the fur like Galarian Zigzagoon’s scheme, and you get Direhowl.

Dumud and Slowpoke

dumud v. slowpoke — Palworld’s Dumud (left) v. Pokémon’s Slowpoke (right)

Dumud sports the same derpy face as Slowpoke, including the way the mouth hangs open. However, Dumud has a set of four teeth in comparison to Slowpoke’s two.

Elizabee and Vespiqueen

elizabee v. vespiqueen — Palworld’s Elizabee (left) v. Pokémon’s Vespiqueen (right)

Elizabee may have a slightly different face and come with antennae, but its long arms, dress-like abdomen, four wings, and pointy hands look just like Vespiqueen.

Fenglope and Cobalion

fenglope v. cobalion — Palworld’s Fenglope v. Pokémon’s Cobalion (right)

Fenglope is like Cobalion but with different hoofs and an expanded white-haired chest.

Foxparks and Vulpix/Fennekin

foxparks v. vulpix — Palworld’s Foxparks (left) v. Pokémon’s Fennekin (top right) and Vulpix (bottom right)

Foxparks is exactly what you get when you combine Vulpix, Fennekin, and a little bit of extra fire from Charmander.

Grintale and Galarian Meowth

grintale v. galarian meowth — Palworld’s Grintale (left) v. Pokémon’s Galarian Meowth (right)

Grintale basically looks like Galarian Meowth and Gengar had a weird hybrid child.

Grizzbolt and Electabuzz

grizzbolt v. electabuzz — Palworld’s Grizzbolt (left) v. Pokémon’s Electabuzz (right)

Grizzbolt is exactly like Electabuzz save for the fox-like ears and clawed hands.

Incinceram and Zoroark

incineram and zoroark — Palworld’s Incineram (left) v. Pokémon’s Zoroark (right)

Incineram is similar to Zoroark, but has horns and is missing the big furry mane in the back.

Jetragon and Latios

jetragon v. latios — Palworld’s Jetragon (left) and Pokémon’s Latios (right)

Jetragon is a jet-dragon Pal that gives off more Latios vibes than Latias because of its general color scheme.

Kingpaca and Empoleon

kingpaca v. empoleon — Palworld’s Kingpaca (left) v. Pokémon’s Empoleon (right)

Kingpaca has a crown on its forehead that bears a striking resemblance to the trident beak of Empoleon. They also both have a tall, egg-like body shape from a frontal perspective.

Lamball and Wooloo

lamball v. wooloo — Palworld’s Lamball (left) v. Pokémon’s Wooloo (right)

Lamball is a blatant unapologetic copy of Wooloo with a small haircut.

Lovander and Mewtwo/Salazzle

lovander v. mewtwo/salazzle — Palworld’s Lovander (left) v. Pokémon’s Mewtwo/Salazzle (right)

Lovander combines the lizard makeup of Salazzle with the body structure of Mewtwo.

Lyleen and Mega Gardevoir

lyleen and gardevoir — Palworld’s Lyleen v. Pokémon’s Mega Gardevoir (right)

Lyleen has Mega Gardevoir’s frame and gown with adornments from Bellossom’s flowery top.

Mozzarina and Snorlax

mozzarina v. snorlax — Palworld’s Mozzarina (left) v. Pokémon’s Snorlax (right)

Mozzarina has the same sleepy face as Snorlax, but the designers reversed the direction of the teeth. Of course, Mozzarina’s sleeping position is also different.

Orserk and Garchomp

Orserk has a lot in common with Garchomp, but it’s likely what you get if it was transformed into an Electric/Bug-type with horns and wings.

Pengullet and Piplup

Pengullet v. Piplup — Palworld’s Pengullet (left) v. Pokémon’s Piplup (right)

Pengullet is just like Piplup but with a slightly different execution. The majority of Palworld’s creatures are original designs but still bear an uncanny resemblance if you look closely.

Robinquill vs. Decidueye

Robinquill is an archer Pal with almost the same makeup as Decidueye, including a cape, color scheme, bow, and arrow weapon.

Sparkit and Pikachu

sparkit v. pikachu — Palworld’s Sparkit (left) v. Pokémon’s Pikachu (right)

Sparkit gives off major Pikachu vibes in the form of a small, furry electric monster. However, the design is unique enough to stand out on its own.

Tocotoco and Xatu

tocotoco v. xatu — Palworld’s Tocotoco (left) v. Pokémon’s Xatu (right)

Tocotoco is an amalgamation of Xatu and Toucannan. He sports a pretty wicked bird afro.

Univolt and Zebstrika

univolt v. zebstrika — Palworld’s Univolt (left) v. Pokémon’s Zebstrika (right)

It’s quite simple to see the obvious similarity between Univolt and Zebstrika, despite them having different coats of paint and horn designs on the head.

Verdash and Cinderace

verdash v. cinderace — Palworld’s Verdash (left) v. Pokémon’s Cinderace (right)

Verdash is just a Grass-type version of Cinderace, plain and simple.

Wixen and Delphox

wixen v. delphox — Palworld’s Wixen (left) and Pokémon’s Delphox (right)

Wixen looks inspired by Delphox, but it appears more similar to the reputable fan-made design.

Palworld is an action-adventure survival game developed by Pocket Pair and released in 2024 in early access for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.