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swap_horiz Dobutsu Shogi Alternatives

Looking for alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi? Compare the top Chess Variant options ranked by our AI scoring system.

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Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi, also marketed as "Let's Catch the Lion," is a simplified variant of the traditional Japanese board game shogi, released in 2009. Created by professional shogi player Madoka Kitao, the game is played on a 3x4 grid and uses wooden animal figures such as lions, giraffes, elephants, and c...

8.7 Great

apps Top Dobutsu Shogi Alternatives

The top alternative to Dobutsu Shogi in 2026 is Shogi with a score of 9.7/10, followed by Xiangqi (9.5) and Janggi (9.1).

1
Shogi

Shogi

Shogi is a traditional Japanese strategy game resembling chess. It’s notable for its ‘drop’ rule: captured pieces can be...

Traditional Japanese Promotion Regional
9.7 Brilliant
2
Xiangqi

Xiangqi

Xiangqi is a traditional board game originating in China. It utilizes a 9x10 grid with a prominent river dividing the pl...

Traditional Regional Chinese River Boundary
9.5 Brilliant
3
Janggi

Janggi

Janggi is a Korean chess variant distinguished by its larger 9x10 board and unique piece movements. It retains strategic...

Korean Traditional Palace Regional
9.1 Excellent
4
Chu Shogi

Chu Shogi

Chu Shogi is a traditional Japanese chess-variant developed during the 14th century. Played on a larger 12x12 board, it...

Japanese Historical 12x12 Shogi Family
8.8 Great
5
Makruk

Makruk

Makruk, widely known as Thai chess, is a traditional strategy board game that closely resembles the ancient Indian game...

Classical Traditional Regional Thai
8.5 Great
6
Mini Shogi

Mini Shogi

Mini Shogi is a modern variant of traditional Japanese chess, invented by Shigenobu Kusumoto in 1971. It is played on a...

Modern Japanese Small Board 5x5
8.1 Great
7
Banqi

Banqi

Banqi is a two-player board game variant of Xiangqi (Chinese chess) popular in Taiwan. The game is played on a 4x8 grid,...

Regional Chinese Hidden Info 4x8
8.1 Great
8
Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess, known as Ouk Chaktrang, is the traditional chess game of Cambodia, closely related to Thai Makruk and d...

Variant Historical Regional Asean
8.1 Great
9
Judkins Shogi

Judkins Shogi

Judkins Shogi is a compact Japanese board game variant invented by Paul Judkins in 1998. Played on a grid of 5 columns b...

Modern Japanese 6x6 Small Board
7.8 Good
10
Tenjiku Shogi

Tenjiku Shogi

Tenjiku Shogi is a historical Japanese chess variant played on a large 16×16 board. Developed during the 16th century, i...

Japanese Historical Shogi Family Large Board
7.8 Good
11
Tori Shogi

Tori Shogi

Tori shogi, also called bird shogi, is a Japanese chess variant played on a 7 by 7 board. Its pieces bear bird names, in...

Japanese Historical Shogi Family Bird Pieces
7.7 Good
12
Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang, also called Cambodian chess, is a traditional chess variant played in Cambodia and related to other Southe...

Classical Traditional Regional Cambodian
7.6 Good
13
Sittuyin

Sittuyin

Sittuyin is the traditional chess game of Myanmar and belongs to the family of games derived from the ancient Indian gam...

Traditional Regional Southeast Asian Burmese
7.5 Good
14
Dai Shogi

Dai Shogi

Dai Shogi is an ancient Japanese variant played on a massive 15x15 grid with 65 pieces per player, serving as the histor...

Japanese Historical Shogi Family Large Board
7.3 Good
15
Gardner's Minichess

Gardner's Minichess

Gardner's Minichess is a chess variant played on a 5×5 board, introduced by mathematics and science writer Martin Gardne...

Modern Mini Small Board 5x5
7.2 Good
16
Dai Dai Shogi

Dai Dai Shogi

Dai dai shogi is a historical Japanese board game from the large shogi family, played on a 15x15 grid with 84 pieces per...

Japanese Historical Large Regional
7.2 Good
17
Kyoto Shogi

Kyoto Shogi

Kyoto Shogi is a fast-paced 5x5 Japanese variant invented in 1999 where each piece flips over to a different piece type...

Modern Japanese 5x5 Shogi Family
7.1 Good
18
Wa Shogi

Wa Shogi

Wa Shogi, meaning Ring Chess, is a traditional Japanese variant played on an 11x11 board where pieces are uniquely named...

Japanese Historical Promotion Shogi Family
6.9 Fair
19
Sho Shogi

Sho Shogi

Sho Shogi is a historical Japanese board game from the Muromachi period (1336–1573) played on a 9×9 grid. It is recogniz...

Japanese Historical Early Shogi Family
6.8 Fair
20
Micro Shogi

Micro Shogi

Micro Shogi is a compact shogi variant played on a 5×5 board, designed to preserve the drop and promotion mechanics of s...

Modern Japanese Mini Shogi Family
6.6 Fair

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative Score vs Dobutsu Shogi Action
Shogi
Shogi
Chess Variant Traditional Japanese Promotion
9.7 Brilliant +1.0 Compare
Xiangqi
Xiangqi
Chess Variant Traditional Regional Chinese
9.5 Brilliant +0.8 Compare
Janggi
Janggi
Chess Variant Korean Traditional Palace
9.1 Excellent +0.4 Compare
Chu Shogi
Chu Shogi
Chess Variant Japanese Historical 12x12
8.8 Great +0.1 Compare
Makruk
Makruk
Chess Variant Classical Traditional Regional
8.5 Great -0.2 Compare
Mini Shogi
Mini Shogi
Chess Variant Modern Japanese Small Board
8.1 Great -0.6 Compare
Banqi
Banqi
Chess Variant Regional Chinese Hidden Info
8.1 Great -0.6 Compare
Cambodian Chess
Cambodian Chess
Chess Variant Variant Historical Regional
8.1 Great -0.6 Compare
Judkins Shogi
Judkins Shogi
Chess Variant Modern Japanese 6x6
7.8 Good -0.9 Compare
Tenjiku Shogi
Tenjiku Shogi
Chess Variant Japanese Historical Shogi Family
7.8 Good -0.9 Compare

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi?
The top alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi in 2026 include Shogi, Xiangqi, Janggi, Chu Shogi, Makruk. Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.
How does Dobutsu Shogi compare to its competitors?
Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. Dobutsu Shogi scores 8.7/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Is Dobutsu Shogi worth it in 2026?
Dobutsu Shogi scores 8.7/10 on Lunoo, making it a highly-rated option in the Chess Variant category. However, alternatives like Shogi may better suit specific needs.
What is the best free alternative to Dobutsu Shogi?
Several alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.
Why should I switch from Dobutsu Shogi?
Common reasons users look for Dobutsu Shogi alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.
How many alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi are there?
Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi in the Chess Variant category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.
Which Dobutsu Shogi alternative has the highest rating?
Shogi currently holds the highest rating among Dobutsu Shogi alternatives with a score of 9.7/10.
Can I use Shogi instead of Dobutsu Shogi?
Shogi is one of the top-rated alternatives to Dobutsu Shogi. While they serve similar purposes in the Chess Variant space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.
What is the cheapest alternative to Dobutsu Shogi?
Pricing varies among Dobutsu Shogi alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the Chess Variant category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.
How are Dobutsu Shogi alternatives ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.
Dobutsu Shogi vs Shogi: which is better?
Dobutsu Shogi scores 8.7/10 while Shogi scores 9.7/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Dobutsu Shogi vs Xiangqi: which is better?
Dobutsu Shogi scores 8.7/10 while Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Dobutsu Shogi vs Janggi: which is better?
Dobutsu Shogi scores 8.7/10 while Janggi scores 9.1/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

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