Around the time the first Pokemon games were released in the west, there also was another Monster collecting game for the PS1 "Azure Dreams"
It was very difficult and punishing and not very accessible and probably never became very popular for that reason. The whole game was one town (that you could evolve by creating new buildings) and a roguelike tower with 40 floors. When you died in the tower, you lost all your equipment and only kept your monster level progress.
I also remember struggling and get frustrated first and managed to climb all 40 floors only after years, but it was one of the most satisfied accomplishments i ever experienced. (similar experience with Dark souls lately)
It was very difficult and punishing and not very accessible and probably never became very popular for that reason. The whole game was one town (that you could evolve by creating new buildings) and a roguelike tower with 40 floors. When you died in the tower, you lost all your equipment and only kept your monster level progress.
I also remember struggling and get frustrated first and managed to climb all 40 floors only after years, but it was one of the most satisfied accomplishments i ever experienced. (similar experience with Dark souls lately)