If you are a fan of Pokémon and Palworld, get ready for Aniimo. This new game, announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, is scheduled to be released in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and iOS and Android mobile devices. Aniimo blends what we love about those two titles, but with its own unique twist. Kingsglory and Xbox Game Studios are working together on this title, and it currently looks like it will bring something new and exciting.
You play as a Pathfinder in a world full of magical creatures called Aniimon. Sound familiar? Yes, it has that Pokémon style, where you catch them, train them, and battle with them. But this is where things get more interesting: imagine the survival element of Palworld meeting the creature-collecting mechanics of Pokémon. You don’t just battle them; you also manage resources and explore.
The trailer we saw showcased a bunch of Aniimon creatures: a grassy one that looks like Lapras or a flower-shaped one reminiscent of Forges, each with its unique look and feel. The art style? It’s a perfect mix of cute and detailed, like Pokémon grew up a bit but kept their charm. Namely, the game will be free-to-play, is coming to mobile, and features a battle pass with multiple currencies shown in the video. This could definitely lean toward a gacha game model.
You can also sign up for the closed PC beta test later this summer. Besides catching different creatures, exploration is key in Aniimo’s massive, open world with many interconnected islands and biomes. There is no linear path, so you can engage in battles whenever you want. The trailer even showed that you can transform into creatures to move faster across the land.
Additionally, you can use your own weapons to fight the Aniimon. It is not yet clear whether there will be other humans to fight. Since this is likely a gacha game, we can expect many multiplayer options, such as PvPvE battles. And, of course, you can evolve and merge Aniimon to make them stronger. Furthermore, the game’s official website shows the combat, abilities, and habitats of some creatures, giving us insight into what we can expect.
