It’s Shocking How Blatant Some Palworld Pokemon Rip-offs Are

We’re in that odd time of year when a number of big releases are upon us and games from other developers that might not normally get as much attention really shine. Palworld ended up becoming the latest “game of the moment,” with many pointing to it as a Pokemon with guns rip-off. However, until you really look at Pals and Pokemon side-by-side, you might not see exactly how close these characters are to ones from Game Freak and The Pokemon Company, as well as Square Enix and Studio Ghibli.

Since Palworld launched, and even before, people have been referring to the character Lamball as being discount Wooloo, and it fits. There’s definitely a strong resemblance to the Pokemon, with the Palworld character’s main difference being the lack of fringe on the sides and it being bipedal.

With Cattiva, we’re looking at a copy of the tricky fox Pokemon Zorua. The difference is one is entirely pink and walks around on its hind legs, and the other doesn’t.

With Lucario, it’s like Pocketpair liked the character so much that it decided to rip it off twice. The Anubis Pal looks like a yellow version of it, being a bipedal dog with similar markings and designs. However, the Rayhound also straight up takes the Lucario head, pops it on a Boltund body, and sticks a Raichu tail on it for good measure.

With the Jetragon, it’s pretty weird. We’re absolutely seeing shades of Latios and Latias, but also shades of the Paradox Pokemon Iron Moth. One could even argue there’s some Salamence in there.

Now, I know people have been pointing to the Lifmunk looking like the Pokemon Leafeon, but I think we’re looking at a Palworld rip-off of the Square Enix Final Fantasy summon Carbuncle.

To compare, here’s the Final Fantasy Wiki’s YouTube video of the summon. 

And here it is an official screenshot alongside Pokemon Unite.

This happens with the Palworld Pal Grizzbolt, though in this case I can’t share the resemblance to the Studio Ghibli icon Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro. 

All Palworld Pals that look like Pokemon

Based on my going through the selection of revealed Pals so far, here’s a list of the greatest resemblances to Pokemon I’ve seen in Palworld. Keep in mind this is based on my opinion and isn’t complete, and in some situations I was willing to give Pocketpair the benefit of the doubt and figure they were going for a vaguelike animal-like, cute mascot.

• Anubis: Lucario
• Arsox: Dubwool
• Astegon: Zekrom
• Blazehowl: Flareon elements.
• Bristla: Bellossom
• Bushi: Decidueye (Hisuian version)
• Caprity: Gogoat and Skiddo
• Celaray: Mantine
• Chillet: Goodra facial appearance and ambiance.
• Cremis: Eevee
• Dinossom: Meganium-shaped head.
• Direhowl: Lycanroc (day)
• Eikthyrdeer: Sawbuck
• Elphidran: Goodra vibes
• Felbat: Absol head
• Fenglope: Cobalion
• Flambelle: Litwick
• Flopie: Sylveon
• Foxcicle: Ninetails
• Foxsparks: Nickit with Vulpix-typing
• Fuddler: Drillbur
• Fuwack: Ducklett and Psyduck fusion
• Cattiva: Zorua
• Depresso: Espurr
• Grintale: Some Espeon elements.
• Gumoss: Ditto
• Jolthog: Shaymin
• Jormuntide: Gyarados
• Katress: Mismagius sort of head
• Killamari: Inkay
• Loupmoon: Zoroark
• Lunaris: Loppuny
• Mau: Liepard
• Lamball: Wooloo
• Nox: Eevee
• Rayhound: Bolthund, Lucario, and Raichu mix. 
• Relaxaurus: Quagsire elements
• Reptyro: Volcanion
• Robinquill: Decidueye with Gardevoir shades.
• Tanzee: Grookey and Pansage mix.
• Tocotoco: Natu and Xatu coloring
• Vixy: Eevee
• Wixen: Delphox and Mismagius elements.

Palworld is available in early access on PCs via Steam and on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.