Adult Swim Games really did something strange when they dropped a Pokémon clone based on a nihilistic cartoon. It shouldn't have worked. Honestly, the idea of a Rick and Morty video game that spends its entire runtime mocking the very genre it belongs to sounds like a recipe for a one-off joke that gets old after twenty minutes. But here we are, years after the initial launch of Pocket Mortys, and the game still manages to maintain a cult-like grip on a specific subset of the fandom. It’s weird. It’s cynical.
It’s actually fun.
Most licensed games are soulless cash grabs designed to bleed a franchise dry before the next season drops. You’ve seen them—low-effort runners or match-three puzzles with a fresh coat of paint. But Big Pixel Studios took a different path. They leaned into the "Council of Ricks" lore, turning the multiverse into a massive, monster-collecting arena where the monsters are just traumatized versions of a fourteen-year-old boy.
The Core Loop of the Rick and Morty Video Game
The premise is simple: you play as Rick C-137. You’re wandering through various dimensions, and for some reason, the Ricks of the multiverse have decided that the best way to settle disputes is by forcing their Mortys to fight. It’s a direct parody of Nintendo's flagship franchise, right down to the type advantages. Instead of Fire, Water, and Grass, you’ve got Rock, Paper, and Scissors. It’s elegant in its stupidity.
You catch "wild" Mortys using Manipulation Chips. You heal them at a Healing Center that looks suspiciously like a Pokémon Center. You battle other Ricks to earn badges. It’s a formula we’ve known since the 90s, yet applying the Rick and Morty veneer changes the texture of the experience. The dialogue is sharp, biting, and feels like it was written by people who actually watch the show. When you defeat a rival Rick, he doesn't just give you money; he usually insulted your intelligence first.
There is a genuine sense of discovery here. With over 400 Mortys added to the roster over the years—ranging from the iconic Cronenberg Morty to the bizarrely specific Mustache Morty—the "gotta catch 'em all" urge kicks in hard. The game manages to stay relevant by constantly updating its roster to reflect the newest episodes of the show. If a weird variant appears on screen Sunday night, there's a high chance you'll be able to battle it in the Rick and Morty video game by the following week.
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Multi-Player and the Meta-Game
While the single-player campaign is a fun romp through the show's tropes, the multiplayer mode is where the real sweat happens. It’s surprisingly deep. You aren't just clicking buttons; you're worrying about Individual Values (IVs), Effort Values (EVs), and move sets. The community has built entire spreadsheets dedicated to calculating which Morty has the highest base attack stat. It’s a level of dedication usually reserved for competitive Smogon players.
The meta shifts constantly. One month, the One True Morty is the king of the hill; the next, a new update introduces a "Raid" Morty that completely breaks the defensive balance. It’s a living game. It isn't just a static app sitting on your phone.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pocket Mortys
A lot of critics dismissed this as a "reskin." That’s a lazy take. While the mechanics are borrowed, the soul is entirely unique. Most monster-catchers are about friendship and "becoming the very best." This Rick and Morty video game is about exploitation and the absurdity of the multiverse. There is a dark humor in "evolving" a Morty by merging two identical versions of him together into a more powerful, more miserable version.
Justin Roiland’s departure from the franchise obviously cast a shadow over everything Rick and Morty related, but the game has managed to weather the storm. The voice acting—while iconic—was always a secondary element to the core loop of collecting and battling. The writers at Adult Swim Games have kept the spirit of the writing consistent, focusing on the cosmic horror and the banal cruelty of the Rick-Morty relationship.
- The crafting system is actually vital. Don't ignore it. You'll need those Scruffy Plumbuses and Great Partner Circuits.
- The rarity of a Morty doesn't always equate to its viability in PvP.
- You can play most of this without spending a dime. It's one of the more generous free-to-play models out there, though the temptation to buy "Blips and Chitz" coupons is always lurking.
Virtual Rick-ality and the VR Experiment
We can't talk about the Rick and Morty video game landscape without mentioning Virtual Rick-ality. Developed by Owlchemy Labs—the same mad geniuses behind Job Simulator—this was a high-water mark for VR licensed content. It isn't a long game. You can beat it in about two hours. But those two hours are packed with more interactive gags than most triple-A titles manage in forty.
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You play as a Morty clone. Your only purpose is to do Rick’s laundry and fix his gadgets. The game uses the "room-scale" VR tech to its absolute limit. You’re picking up objects, smashing things, and traveling through portals to alien worlds. It’s a tactile experience. When you put on the VR headset, you aren't just playing a game; you’re standing in Rick’s garage. The mess, the stains, the weird glowing vials—it’s all there.
The genius of Virtual Rick-ality lies in its physics. You can spend thirty minutes just trying to throw a ball through a portal or eating trash you found under the workbench. It captures the chaotic energy of the show perfectly. It’s less about a structured narrative and more about "what happens if I press this button I’m clearly not supposed to press?"
The High On Life Connection
Technically, High On Life isn't a Rick and Morty game. But let’s be real—it’s the spiritual successor. Created by Squanch Games, it carries the DNA of the show in every line of dialogue. The talking guns, the colorful alien vistas, and the constant breaking of the fourth wall make it feel like an extended episode. If you’re looking for a "modern" Rick and Morty video game experience that isn't tethered to the mobile platform, this is your best bet. It’s a first-person shooter that cares more about its jokes than its gunplay, which is a refreshing change of pace in a genre that often takes itself way too seriously.
Why Does Rick and Morty Work in Gaming?
The show is built on the concept of infinite possibilities. This is a "cheat code" for game developers. You don't need to explain why there’s a new level or a weird enemy; it’s just another dimension. This freedom allows for a variety of gameplay styles that wouldn't fit in other franchises. We’ve seen everything from the Jerry’s Game (a literal balloon-popping simulator meant to mock the player) to the complex RPG mechanics of Pocket Mortys.
The audience for Rick and Morty is also a gaming audience. There’s a massive overlap between people who enjoy Dan Harmon’s meta-commentary and people who grew up playing JRPGs. The game speaks the same language as its players. It knows you know how these systems work, so it spends its time subverting your expectations instead of teaching you the basics for the hundredth time.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Rick and Morty gaming, start with these specific moves:
Download Pocket Mortys and Focus on the Campaign First
Don't jump straight into the multiplayer. The single-player mode allows you to build up a decent roster of Mortys without the pressure of the meta-game. Focus on leveling up a "Mascot Morty" or a "Cronenberg Morty" early on; their base stats are solid enough to carry you through the first three badges.
Master the Crafting Recipes
The game doesn't give you a manual. You have to experiment. To save yourself some frustration, remember that a Battery + Fleeb = Super Battery. Combine that with a Circuit Board and you’ve got a Microchip. These are the building blocks for Manipulation Chips, which are the only way to grow your collection.
Check Out the VR Experience If You Haven't
If you have access to a Meta Quest or a Valve Index, Virtual Rick-ality is a must-play. It frequently goes on sale for under ten dollars. Even if you aren't a "gamer," the sheer novelty of standing in the garage is worth the price of admission.
Watch for Seasonal Events
Adult Swim Games usually runs events tied to new season premieres. These are the only times you can snag limited-edition Mortys that have unique move sets. Keep an eye on the game's social media or the subreddit to ensure you don't miss the window for a "Prime Morty" or "Evil Morty" variant.
The Rick and Morty video game ecosystem is broader than it looks at first glance. Whether you want a competitive RPG on your phone or a chaotic physics sandbox in VR, there’s a way to inhabit the multiverse. Just remember: don't get too attached to your Mortys. They’re infinitely replaceable. Rick would tell you the same thing.