No Man's Sky has received a new update on Xbox and other platforms today (don't forget, it's included with Xbox Game Pass), and this "Xeno Arena" update basically brings a version of Pokémon to the game!
In Xeno Arena, you'll be able to build up a pet squad, train them and improve their stats, and then send them into "epic simulated showdowns" in the arena itself.
"No Man's Sky XENO ARENA introduces turn-based creature battles! Explore the universe to assemble a team of creature companions, perfect their genetic makeup, and test their mettle at simulated combat arenas. Discover hundreds of unique battle abilities, challenge new alien characters, share your strategies for daily challenges, and more!"
These pets can be acquired by befriending the wild fauna you come across during your adventures, and each creature comes with unique battle moves and traits that affect how they perform in combat.
You can challenge other players in the Space Anomaly, unlock genetic mutations for your creatures as you gain experience, breed prize battlers using the Egg Sequencer, and even join The Arena League where you can earn medals.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of people in the comments for the trailer above are comparing this to Nintendo's franchise:
"We got Pokémon in No Man's Sky now"
"How is this a real thing? Who came up with combining my favorite franchise with my favorite space game?"
"Freaking Pokémon in NMS that's not what I expected"
Even all these years later, No Man's Sky continues to surprise its fans!
As mentioned, No Man's Sky is available right now on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium (as well as PC Game Pass), or you can grab it at a big discount in the Xbox Spring Sale 2026 — it's only £15.99 / $23.99 as things stand.
"Now there is more reason than ever to befriend and nurture the beasts you encounter throughout the universe as you build up your squad in readiness for the next Xeno Arena face-off."