What is this exactly?
Yo-kai Watch is a videogame series which also has animé and manga adaptations. The mainline videogames are JRPGs in which you have to befriend Yo-Kai in order to solve the citizens' problem and explore the bast and wonderful world of Yo-Kai Watch. The series is exclusive to Nintendo platforms, with most of the games being released on Nintendo 3DS and one spin-off released on Wii U. You can also find add-on apps for your mobile system.

So, what do the games play like?
In the main Yo-Kai Watch games, you choose to play either as a boy or a girl and complete story related quests, explore the world while playing side quests or even taking a break with fun minigames like fishing. While you're traveling around, you might encounter Yo-Kai (by surprise or choice) that might want to battle.

What is the battle system like?
When you enter a battle, your team of 6 previously befriended Yo-Kai will fight the wild ones. During a battle, you will control how the Yo-Kai behave using the action wheel located on the touchscreen. You never command your Yo-Kai direct actions, but rather, tell them how do you want them to fight at the moment. The more you know your Yo-Kai, the more friendly they will become. When you finish a battle, some Yo-Kai might choose to travel with you if you are kind enough with them. There are more than 300 of them, and each Yo-Kai has its own abilities, elements and personalities, so take advantage of them to ensure your victory!

Wait, so this is a Pokémon rip-off? lmao
Don't try it, sis, it is not. While both are JRPGs of the monster collecting genre, which has been ongoing and popular in japanese games for decades, each one of them are very different. While Pokémon focuses more on training the monsters and battling with them, Yo-Kai is more exploration and story oriented. Yo-Kai is also a more personal adventure, as the games focus on a single town, which helps bullding up every citizen's backstory and showing you the rich lore while you explore it. So, why are people usually holding Yo-Kai Watch as Pokémon's direct competitor? Well, the games have sold great on Japan, sometimes overselling Pokémon's latest releases, but that doesn't mean anything for both of these series quality, as both series are very loved there and fans can absolutely enjoy both. Pokémon and Yo-Kai belong together, gamingpop.

B-but, WHAT are the Yo-kai? Why are the designs so messy?
They are yo-kai, japanese spirits that like to haunt people basing on their negative energies and that might choose to show themselves to people with positive vibes. They basically revolve around emotions. Their design are based on japanese legends and folklore, so that's why we might find them messy. Not going to lie, some of them are very good designs, but a few are a bit alineating. Starting with Generation Three, the adventure focuses on North American folklore, so we will find more familiar designs in the last games. The anime already uses Yo-Kai inspired by western culture, having featured Steve Jobs and Rihanna designs.

Do I need to watch the anime to understand the games?
No, the anime is an independent story based on the games. If you watched the anime and liked the characters and found the world interesting, you will find more of that in the games, and the other way around. You can also watch the anime without playing the games.

Can I try the game in some way? How do I know if I'm going to like it?
There's a demo of the first game available on the US eShop, and it will be uploaded in the near future for us European players. If you liked games like Pokémon, Digimon, Dragon Quest or found the world of Inazuma Eleven or Professor Layton charming, you will absolutely have a blast with these games. Give them a try!

I downloaded the demo, the game reminds me of Ghostbusters it was cute though, I might try it if I get some ca$h for christmas

I've heard that this is a Shin Megami Tensei for children. Is that true?

Yeah, it's more close to SMT and Persona than to Pokémon. It's aimed at all the audiences, not just for children, tho. It's like the Disney movies, children can get the main message, but more mature audiences can find the deep meanings and backstory in the story.

I wanna discover this a bit

The OT is spectacular

The game is coming out a little under a month but I'm still not 100% sold

Hopefully a demo will be released sooner or later

ps. I wasn't aware that a 2nd version will be released

Great OP.

I haven't started playing the game yet, but I've been recording the episodes of the anime since it's release here in the US, really cute so far from what I've watched. The dub isn't that bad.

King Jibanyan >>>

I bought it on Friday. It wasn't even on the shelf yet. I had to ask them to check the back + spell it

I like it so far. The gameplay is interesting and there are lots of side quests that give good EXP if you're tired of grinding. It's not super easy either I had to reset a couple times when facing Sproink. I'm currently on the kappa/fishing chapter.


My team:

- Jibanyan Lv. 15
- Dimmy Lv. 16
- Cadin Lv. 15
- Leadoni Lv. 16
- Baku Lv 12
- Walkappa Lv. 15

What's frustrating is the lack of online resources. I'm having a very hard time finding walkthroughs and general information on the Yo-Kai (like when they evolve, etc). It's getting kind of annoying because I'm so used to going to Serebii or Bulbapedia whenever I have the tiniest question about Pokemon. The Yo-Kai Wikia is trash This game has been out for 2.5 years like where is the info?!

My struggle

I agree with this sentiment completely. It's nice to play a videogame and know absolutely nothing about it prior, imo.

Is this not getting an European release?

It is, but we have to wait until next year because Nintendo done ****ed up with the anime airing dates and they want the anime to air before the game is released

Oh ffs I wanted to get this asap it looks really good! I'm going through the designs of them rn and they all look so good.

They have already 448 monsters and what are those names? ew.
Snotsolong
Desmerelda is a good name though but its just a muk with fashion