The phrase refers to a category of mobile games available on Apple’s operating system, iOS, which share core gameplay mechanics, themes, or aesthetic similarities with the Pokmon franchise. These similarities might include creature collection and training, turn-based combat, exploration of expansive worlds, and character progression systems. As an example, a title featuring a large number of collectible monsters with elemental affinities, which are battled against other trainers’ creatures within a virtual environment on an iPhone or iPad, would fall into this categorization.
This segment of the mobile gaming market is significant due to the enduring popularity of the Pokmon franchise and the inherent appeal of its core mechanics. Players are often drawn to titles offering similar experiences because they provide avenues for strategic collection, competitive gameplay, and a sense of progression and accomplishment. The historical context of the emergence of this genre stems from the proliferation of mobile gaming platforms combined with the desire of game developers to tap into established and successful gaming formulas.